One feature in NFS Most Wanted sparked such controversy that it led to developers leaving their jobs.
Electronic Arts
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What can be said about Need for Speed: Most Wanted? For many, it remains the benchmark for open-world, arcade racing games, even more than 20 years after its debut. Racing through the amber-lit streets of Rockport while listening to Lupe Fiasco and Disturbed, knocking down giant donut shop signs to evade pursuing Crown Vics is an unforgettable gaming experience. A recent Reddit AMA with members of the development team has unveiled intriguing behind-the-scenes details about its production, highlighting how one particular feature reportedly caused enough frustration among some developers that they chose to leave.
First, a nod to the r/NeedforSpeed subreddit, which hosted this live Q&A with Scott Probin, Brendan Cohoe, and Russell Rice, three former staffers from Electronic Arts BlackBox, the studio renowned for creating titles representing the peak era of NFS for many fans. The dialogue spans various games the group worked on, from Porsche Unleashed in 2000 to Most Wanted in 2005. Lasting over two hours, this discussion is captivating and well worth your time, especially if you’re a fan of any of these titles.
When a question arose early regarding challenges faced during development, Rice, a member of Most Wanted’s art team, mentioned that the game’s Speedbreaker mechanic—akin to “bullet time” in driving, temporarily slowing down the action to allow you time to maneuver around obstacles—became a significant source of disagreement among certain developers at BlackBox.
"I can tell you that Most Wanted was the final straw for a few of us leaving, and the whole ‘Need for Slow’ button was kind of the tipping point,” Rice explained. “They included that slow-motion button which, for many of us, felt counterintuitive to the high-paced speed that Need for Speed was famous for. That turned into a negative experience for many of us.”
If you’ve seen the making-of video that comes with the PlayStation 2 version of Hot Pursuit 2, you might recall Rice discussing the game’s environmental design and graphics technology. The bullet time feature, popularized by The Matrix, later became a staple in various video games, particularly those focused on gunfights. However, its application didn’t stop with shooters; arcade racing games like Need for Speed and Midnight Club also incorporated the effect. As Rice noted, some felt it contradicted the exciting and fast-paced nature of the series.
“There was significant disagreement because what we loved about Need for Speed was the feeling of being almost out of control, especially when you had a really powerful car. You felt you were on the edge with how fast you were going, and then to introduce a button that slows down time felt really offensive to some of us.”
The Speedbreaker feature wasn’t the sole reason some developers chose to leave; it was “one of several” factors, according to Rice. The two-hour discussion made it clear that BlackBox faced considerable pressure to complete these games under tight deadlines while rapidly expanding their personnel. The British Columbia-based studio led the series until the release of Need for Speed: The Run in 2011, after which EA shut it down.
For proof of just how impactful NFS: Most Wanted was, consider that two years ago, BMW customized an M3 GTR to match the iconic livery from the game.
I cannot emphasize enough that this AMA is essential listening for any Need for Speed enthusiast. I particularly enjoyed the conversation about Hot Pursuit 2, as it was developed by two distinct teams—BlackBox for the PS2 and EA Seattle for all other platforms. While both versions share car rosters and track concepts, they are fundamentally different products created by separate teams and offer a unique gameplay experience, despite sharing a title. This is a facet of gaming from years past that is rarely seen today.
Regarding the Speedbreaker mechanic, although it may not have been popular among some of those who contributed to the making of Most Wanted, the game’s success and enduring legacy clearly show that players had a different perspective.
Do you have news about a racing game, new or old? Contact the author: adam.ismail@thedrive.com
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