Need for Speed Series

Need for Speed (NFS) is a series of racing computer and video games by Electronic Arts, released on platforms including personal computers, GameCube, Xbox, PlayStation, N-Gage, and various others consoles. The games consist of racing with various cars on various tracks, and to some extent, include police pursuits in races.

The Need for Speed series was originally developed by Distinctive Software, a game studio based in Vancouver, Canada. Prior to Electronic Arts purchase of the company in 1991, it had already created popular racing games such as Stunts and Test Drive II: The Duel. After the purchase was made, the company was renamed Electronic Arts Canada. The company capitalized on its experience in the domain when it began developing the Need For Speed series in late 1992.

Electronic Arts Canada and Electronic Arts Seattle continued to develop, and expand the Need For Speed franchise for many years. In 2002, another Vancouver-based gaming company, named Black Box Software, was contracted to continue the series with the title Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2. Black Box was acquired by Electronic Arts shortly before the game's publication and the company was renamed Electronic Arts Black Box. Since then EA Black Box has been NFS's primary developer.

Since the release of Need for Speed: Underground, the series' plot and gameplay have been heavily influenced by The Fast and the Furious and its sequels.