Need for Speed: The 'Unbound Vol. 8' update is all about non-stop fun between Cops and Racers

Honestly? I’m finding it harder and harder to get into subscription services when you can just take the monthly payments and just purchase solid video games like Need for Speed Unbound - however, whether you own this traditionally or can’t get enough of it on your EA Play sub, the bottom line is the ‘Vol. 8 Cops Vs. Racers’ update is insanely fun.

Just personally speaking? Owning this game is beyond awesome and fun - so pardon my mini-rant on the subs discussion. This is a title I see myself playing for years and when you have major updates like this one? Giddy up and get pumped about this Vol. 8 drop.

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) and Criterion Games™ revealed Need for Speed™ Unbound Vol. 8: Cops vs. Racers*, the latest in a series of live service updates to the game. Launching on August 22 on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, Vol. 8 continues to deliver the ultimate Need for Speed experience in one place with the return of the classic Hot Pursuit mode, drawing inspiration from Need for Speed Hot Pursuit. The volume will introduce Pursuit Tech and all-new Cop Progression, plus the arrival of the iconic Porsche 959 S ‘87 and new meta-car candidate, Lotus Evija ‘23.

Players can relive the original thrill of the chase with high-octane, 4v4 action in Vol. 8’s Hot Pursuit mode, pitting Cops against Racers in a fierce battle to see who truly owns the streets. Players will experience two intense rounds, swapping roles between Cop and Racer. As a Racer, the goal is to reach the finish line without getting busted. As a Cop, players can utilize a range of Pursuit Tech, including Spike Strips, EMPs, and the ESF battering ram, coordinate with their squad, and get support from AI units to thwart Racers. Those embarking on the Cop Career can unlock nine unique cop customs inspired by police forces worldwide as they rise through the ranks. 

“Vol. 8 bridges the past and present of the Need for Speed franchise and brings back the fan-favourite Cop Vs Racer battles that our players crave in this Hot Pursuit mode,” said John Stanley, Senior Creator Director at Criterion Games. “We’ve captured the essence of the iconic heart-pounding chases that are at the core of the Need for Speed DNA and infused them with modern thrills that we hope everyone will enjoy.” 

In Vol. 8, The League, Free Roam’s single-player progression system first introduced in Vol. 7, is also refreshed with new opponents, and Speed Pass* offers more cars and cosmetics up for grabs. Racers can unlock 45 tiers of customization content, including the Lotus Evija ‘23, a futuristic and fully customizable hypercar with nearly 2000 horsepower. The Vol. 8Premium Speed Pass** brings 30 additional tiers of unlockable content, the 80s legendary Porsche 959 S ’87, fully customizable with three bodykits, and an additional five Rare Custom versions of both new cars arriving in this volume, including two original Speedhunters designs and two NFS Legends customs. 

Need for Speed Unbound is built for the new generation of technology and features 4K resolution at 60 FPS for the first time in the series. 

For more information about the game and Vol. 8’s new and returning features, please visit Need for Speed’s  website and follow @NeedforSpeed on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates.

Need For Speed Unbound: The new 'Volume 4' pack is pure digital adrenaline

Love hardcore video games? How about those fast-moving races? Look no further than what Need For Speed Unbound is delivering with a much-needed Volume 4 pack loaded with content. From celebrating Porsche’s 75-year run to finding out even more ways you can game, it’s all in the load out.

Racers, it’s time to celebrate the streets in Need for Speed™ Unbound Volume 4! Today, EA and Criterion Games released Need for Speed Unbound Volume 4, the latest drop in the title’s series of post-launch updates. Volume 4 celebrates 75 years of Porsche with exciting new themed events, cosmetics and customizations, offering players the opportunity to earn the wildest legendary custom Porsche the streets have ever seen, a fully electric Porsche Taycan Turbo S (2022).

Volume 4 also invites players to join the chase and push themselves to their limits in new Linkups, “Boosted” events and Daily and Weekly Challenges for the chance to earn XP and sweet new rides. Volume 4 introduces a new, free Speed Pass, bringing 75 ranks of cosmetics and customizations. Plus, the Legendary Custom Porsche 911 Carrera S (1997) is up for grabs for those that make it past rank 50. 

Players will also be able to check out new Gauntlet playlists, which offer the ultimate thrill of street racing as the cops join the chase. Outracing and outsmarting the most determined cops in Lakeshore will earn them big rewards – but if they get caught, they’ll go home empty-handed. Players can also find new premium content in the store, including the Hip Hop Origin Swag Pack*, which is the ultimate celebration of street style and honors the roots of hip hop with the Legendary Custom Mercedes-AMG G 63 (2017) and more.

Additionally, from August 24 to August 27, Xbox players worldwide with a Live Gold membership or a Game Pass Ultimate subscription can join the chase and play NFS Unbound for free** as part of Xbox Free Play Days.

Check out all the exciting content in Need for Speed Unbound Volume 4 below: 

• Celebrate 75 Years of Porsche: Need for Speed Unbound Volume 4 celebrates 75 years of Porsche with exciting, new themed events, cosmetics and customizations. Players can head to the Kennedy Test Track to tear it up in a unique Porsche 75th anniversary Playlist and smash stunt-based challenges in Linkups. Plus, finish the Porsche Playlist three times to earn a full electric Porsche Taycan Turbo S (2022).

• Gauntlet Playlists: In new Gauntlet Playlists, players will need to flex their best skills to outrace the most determined cops in Lakeshore. Get busted by the cops and players will lose their shot at rewards, but if they can smash the field and make it to the end of the route they’ll earn big Bank and XP prizes.

• New FREE Speed Pass: Volume 4 features a refreshed 75-level Speed Pass, offering free items for players to stir up the streets. Race through Speed Pass rank 50 to earn the wildest Legendary Custom Porsche 911 Carrera S (1997) that Lakeshore has seen.

• Even More Ways to Play: Players can now access “Boosted” events in Lakeshore Online. Playlists and Linkups will unexpectedly, and for a limited time, become Boosted, giving players additional rewards when competing. Players can also experience 7 new Linkup locations, including the Kennedy Test Track and Griffith Construction; and are now able to quick-route to Linkups. Volume 4 also introduces a whole new set of 20 Daily Challenges, plus 15 new One Shot Challenges, as well as a refreshed set of 39 Weekly Challenges, to earn XP and Bank.

• In-Game Store: Head to the in-game store to purchase 3 new premium customization and cosmetics content packs*, which include new cars, cosmetics, driving effects and more. Plus, EA Play members can check their garage to find the electric neon 25th Anniversary Legendary Custom Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 (2021) waiting as a reward.

• Hip Hop Origins Swag Pack: Take to the streets in the Legendary Custom Mercedes-AMG G 63 (2017) and celebrate the origins of Hip Hop with the new Hip Hop Origin Swag Pack. This premium pack contains an incredible range of uniquely designed items, including a clothing pack, Doberman mask, a driving effect, an exclusive horn and more for $14.99.

• Need for Speed™ Unbound -  Lotus Exige S Legendary Custom Pack: Available for $9.99, this pack offers players the Legendary Custom Lotus Exige S (2006) (custom bodykit and livery)  AND a 10 level Speed Pass boost, which will reward players with 10 exciting new cosmetic or customization items.

• Need for Speed™ Unbound - Vol. 4 Customs Pack: This pack is available for $5.99 and gives players 3 new exclusive Custom Builds: Eddie’s NISSAN Skyline GT-R V·spec (1993) - Need for Speed™ Underground, Rachel’s NISSAN 350Z (2008) - Need for Speed™ Underground 2, and Joe’s Polestar 1 (2020) - Need for Speed™ Heat.

• Need for Speed™ Heat Gift: Players who own Need for Speed™ Heat and purchase Need for Speed™ Unbound will receive an exclusive welcome gift, the McLaren F1 (1994) will be ready and waiting for them in their Garage when they arrive.

Need for Speed™ Unbound is built for the new generation of technology and features 4K resolution at 60 FPS for the first time in the series. Volume 4 is now live on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. 

Need For Speed: The 'Unbound Volume 3' must-play arrives June 20

Need to enjoy the power of your air conditioner and home beverages while endlessly putting in work, work, work on Need For Speed Unbound? Look no further than what’s brewing for Volume 3 gearing up to arrive Tuesday, June 20.

It’s just over a week away and the reveal trailer? Holy tire mark smokes. From new races and playlists to upgrades in cosmetics and new whips, the countdown is only going to intensify. Peep the details and keep scrolling for the full-fledged trailer.

In Need for Speed Unbound Volume 3, players will come together for intense stunt-based driving challenges against the clock in new Linkups, allowing them to earn big rewards like the DMC Delorean car. The update also introduces Speed Pass, a new way to get rewarded for completing challenges and events across Lakeshore.

The exciting content coming to Need for Speed Unbound Volume 3 includes:

• Speed Pass: Rank up with Speed Pass, a new progression system with free cosmetics and customization items as a reward for playing. Enjoy 75 tiers of content, including new outfits, Driving Effects, neon lights, banner stickers and more. Complete challenges to earn XP for sweet rewards, like the new Legendary Custom SRT Viper (2014).

• Linkups: Take a break from the track and tear across the map to one of seven locations, from the Seba Ski Resort to the Quarry. Join up with the Lakeshore community to crush stunt-based challenges and complete collective goals of escalating difficulty against the clock over four rounds. Players will be rewarded with XP for Speed Pass and Bank to earn sweet cosmetics and customizations; complete 12 rounds of the Linkups event to win the new DMC Delorean.

• More Ways to Play: Compete in 68 new Challenges, including 29 new Daily Challenges and 13 sets of different Weekly Challenges, to earn XP and Bank; players will also have access to the new Chat Wheel, which offers new ways to communicate quickly with the Lakeshore community. New Drift Playlists inject even more variety into the mix, challenging players to earn as much score as they can through each course.

• In-Game Store: Head to the in-game store to purchase new content packs* which include cars, cosmetics, driving effects and more, including:

• Robojets Swag Pack: Available for $14.99, players have access to an incredible range of uniquely designed Robojets-themed items, including a clothing pack, a Driving Effect, an exclusive horn and a Legendary Custom, the Mazda RX-7 Spirit R (2022).

• Ford Mustang GT Legendary Custom Pack: This pack is available for $9.99 and includes the Legendary Custom Ford Mustang GT (2015), and a 10 level Speed Pass boost which will reward players by unlocking exciting new cosmetic or customization items.

• Volume 3 Customs Pack: Enjoy access to the Volvo 242 DL (1975), the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport(2016) and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X (2008) Epic Customs - all for $5.99.

A$AP Rocky telling me how awesome 'Need For Speed Unbound' is just made my day

Well - in all honesty, it’s more than A$AP Rocky coming through with the co-sign. The Need For Speed team is gearing up for the huge Unbound release and going the extra mile - get it - with some insanely awesome gameplay footage.

It’s a trailer and clocks in at 67 seconds but from the crispy looks at how much high-speed action is on deck plus A$AP Rocky’s presence hyping up the release? Yup - way too epic to avoid this holiday season. Peep the details and keep scrolling for the awesome gameplay looks.

Today, EA & Criterion released a new Need for Speed™ Unbound gameplay trailer that gives players a closer look at Takeover Events, the new replayable precision driving mode led by A$AP Rocky, and the skills and style needed to rule the streets of Lakeshore City.

NFS Unbound’s Takeover Events will have players pulling huge drifts, smashing collectibles and proving their skills to Lakeshore’s most stylish street racers. It’ll take both speed and style for players to prove they have what it takes to reach The Grand, Lakeshore’s ultimate street racing challenge.

Need for Speed Unbound is built for the new generation of technology and will feature 4K resolution at 60 FPS for the first time in the series when it launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on December 2, 2022.

Here's all you need to know about the Need For Speed Unbound Palace Edition

Is it December 2 yet? Turns out one of the biggest drops from EA - Need For Speed Unbound - is just weeks away and as the anticipation continues to build, there’s new details coming off the rails courtesy of what’s included in the upcoming Palace Edition.

Signature whips? Fresh gear? Headwear goals? It’s all included. Peep the details and start the countdown to December 2.

Driving the future of street culture together, Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA), Criterion Games and Palace Skateboards have dropped new details for the exclusive Need for Speed™ Unbound Palace Edition. A deluxe offering created in collaboration with skate and streetwear brand Palace Skateboards, the Need for Speed Unbound Palace Edition offers exclusive Palace gear and rides, including four stunning custom cars, a clothing pack, driving effect, decals and license plate, character pose and banner artwork.

Expanding the game’s already bountiful style options for even deeper character customization, Need for Speed Unbound Palace Edition lets players ride through Lakeshore in style with cars pulled straight from their own Palace campaigns, including two Palace x Mercedes-AMG cars, for the ultimate, stylish street racing experience. This exclusive collaboration also includes new, authentic in-game clothing and headwear that are direct representations of classic Palace Skateboards attire, featuring the unique ‘Palace Triangle’ post, which recreates the signature Palace tri-ferg.

Need for Speed Unbound Palace Edition offers:

• Four stunningly intense custom rides, created in collaboration with Palace, including: 

  • Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series 2020

  • Volkswagen Golf GTI 1976

  • BMW M3 Evolution II E30 1988

  • Mercedes-AMG G 63 2017

• Exclusive Palace Driving Effects to stand out from the competition in style

• Stacked Palace Clothing Pack including 20 items for players to express their true style with:

  • 1 pair of Palace Vans Jeremy the Duck Skate Slip Ons

  • 2 caps and a beanie including the GTX 3 Racing Cap

  • 2 motorsports styled jackets including the Palace AMG Driving Jacket

  • 9 curated Palace tops including polos, tshirts, hoodies, long sleeve and shirt  

  • 5 bottoms including Palace Woodland & Desert Cargo Short as well as track shorts and a selection of joggers

• A variety of Palace decals and ‘Palifornia’ License Plate for players to create their own Palace custom car.

• Tri-Ferg Character Pose and Palace Banner Artwork

Need for Speed Unbound puts players worldwide in the driver seat of their own street racing fantasy as they outsmart cops and prove they have what it takes to win The Grand, Lakeshore’s ultimate street racing challenge. The game features an all-new, unique visual style blending elements of street art with the most realistic looking cars in the franchise’s history. 

Need for Speed Unbound Palace Edition is available now for pre-order on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via the EA app, Origin, Steam and Epic Game Store for $79.99. The Palace Edition will provide players with three days of early access to Need for Speed Unbound beginning on November 29.

Need for Speed Unbound Standard Edition will launch on December 2, 2022 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC via the EA app, Origin, Steam and Epic Game Store for $69.99. EA Play Pro members on PC will also be able to enjoy unlimited access to the Need for Speed Unbound Palace Edition starting November 29. For more information on EA Play and EA Play Pro, see www.eaplay.com.*