In Pursuit Knockout each player begins a multiplayer circuit race. The player that finished the lap last returns as a cop bent on harassing the remaining racers and keeping them from posting a top time. With each lap more players return as cops until only one racer remains with 2 laps to go. Cops compete for pursuit points by knocking and bumping the racers who are running the gauntlet for the top racer prize.

In addition, we have some specific online challenge series events that will allow online players to experience this cool mode cooperatively!



CT: How many players to a race?

SA: Most race types will see the player pitting their skills against two opponents, with the other racer being your wingman. For the next generation systems we have been able to increase the field to create a better gameplay experience; we have a total of 8 racers, with 6 of them being opponents from rival crews. This makes for an enjoyable race experience that really brings out the rivalries in the crews.



CT: How do cops figure into Carbon? How are they different to MW?

SA: Cops don't play such a huge role as in Need For Speed Most Wanted, but they still exist in the Carbon World and the cities finest will be keeping an eye on you and the other racers. As in Most Wanted, the cops will be patrolling the open world keeping their eye out for racers. One key aspect this year is that regions in the city have heat designated to them. What I mean by this is that the more the player and other crews race in a particular region, the higher the heat is in that region. The more heat in a specific region means the more chance there is of cops showing up in races and free roam in that region. It is up to the player to manage this geographic heat by leaving areas to cool down before indulging in more street racing in a particular spot.

As with Most Wanted, the player can still be busted and their rides impounded and confiscated. All in all, the cops this year really do compliment the gameplay without overwhelming the rest of the gameplay experience. The cops are as cool as ever, but this year they are better applied to the gameplay experience and I am sure fans of Most Wanted will enjoy the new cop experience in Need For Speed Carbon.



CT: How much gameplay time do you see gamers getting out of Carbon?

SA: Well, there are three Career paths to begin with - we designed the game so you can play through the game in one Car Class and then have a very different experience playing through the Career on different Car Class.

We also have revamped the Challenge Series: each Challenge type is divided into bronze, silver and gold challenges, with some cool unique unlockables for completing the gold challenge in each Challenge type.

A completely new feature is called the Reward Card. By completing a group of four in-game challenges per card (such as a set number of cop chases, completing career 100% etc.) you can unlock new parts, vinyls and cars to customize your cars even further.

To complete all the tasks and events in the Career, Reward card and Challenge series you are looking at some serious gameplay time, it took our guys here at the studio at least 40 hours to do just the Challenge Series, Career and Reward Card -and that's without even touching the multi-player modes!

For PS3, PC and Xbox 360 there is also all the online content with their unique game modes, as well as online-only Reward Card with further rewards. I think you can look forward to spending a lot of time on Carbon!

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