‘Need For Speed Rivals’ Speed Points Explained [Video]

Need for Speed Rivals speed points are a new system being introduced in the long-running racing game series, and the developers have explained what they are for, among other things.

Producer Leanne Loombe explains that the speed points in Need for Speed Rivals are a central aspect. The whole game is about earning speed points. The difference between playing as a cop or a racer is that as a racer, you need to earn as many speed points as possible. You do this by taking risks, much like the Nitro system in Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit rewards you for near misses, driving in the oncoming lane, and so on. If another racer causes you to crash, they will get all of your speed points, making this a game of “take them out before they take you out.” The points can be used to buy new cars and upgrades.

As a police officer in Need for Speed Rivals, speed points aren’t as important. You start out in a Patrol car, move up to Enforcer, and then work your way up to Undercover. You progress through the ranks by busting racers, which means wrecking their cars enough that they can’t move. As you go, you unlock new weapons and such, helping you take down racers and play dirty. EMP blasts, spike strips, helicopters, and roadblocks are now joined by weapons not fully discussed yet.

One of the new weapons appears to be a heat seeking missile, which leads to speculation that other kinds of guns may enter the fray as well, adding an element of Spy Hunter into the mix.

As a racer or a cop, Need for Speed Rivals will give you loads of options, even one that allows you to keep going after the initial race is over, and in some cases just shaking the police that rode your bumper across the finish line.

Adding elements of Need for Speed: Carbon and Hot Pursuit is certainly making Need for Speed Rivals and its speed points something to watch out for.