What you need to know

  • Need for Speed Heat is the next game in the popular franchise.
  • It launches on November 8.
  • The title removes Need for Speed Payback's Speed Cards.
  • You can preorder it for $60 through the Microsoft Store.

Yesterday, EA accidentally leaked Need for Speed Heat for Xbox One and other platforms. While we knew what it was called and managed to uncover some thumbnails from the YouTube trailer, it wasn't clear what the focus of this installment was. Many speculated that it was set in 1980, but the trailer clearly depicts a modern game which is indistinguishable from past entires like Need for Speed Payback.

The trailer doesn't appear to showcase any gameplay — we'll have to wait until Gamescom 2019 for that — but it does give the sense that you're an outlaw. Hopefully, the plot will be meaningful this time around because EA has a lot of competition from games like Forza Horizon 4. Need for Speed has languished when it comes to visuals, frame rate, and handling for quite some time now, and it has affected the franchise's position in the market as a result. Let's hope Need for Speed Heat reignites that.

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If you want to preorder the game because you have faith in EA, then you can already do so through the Microsoft Store. The standard edition comes in at $60, but EA Access members can get it for less. There's also a Deluxe Edition with a lot of outfits that will probably be sold through cosmetic microtransactions.

Luckily, the egregious Speed Cards from Need for Speed Payback have been removed. However, it's unclear if this means that the game will feature no microtransactions, or if they'll be limited to cosmetic items. Only time will tell, but we should know more in the coming days. Lastly, Xbox One X owners will be happy to know that it runs at 4K resolution on the system.

Vroom vroom

Need for Speed Heat

Disobey the law

Hustle by day and risk it all at night in Need for Speed Heat, a thrilling race experience that pits you against a city's rogue police force as you battle your way into street racing's elite.

Jump into digital

Xbox One S: All-Digital Edition

Ditch the discs

Secure your Xbox One S All-Digital Edition, Microsoft's new and ambitious disc-less console. It's the cheapest Xbox One ever made, bundled with a trio of downloadable games like Forza Horizon 3.

Xbox accessories you'll love

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PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller for Xbox One ($20 at Amazon)

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Talon PDP Xbox media remote ($20 at Amazon)

The Talon PDP Xbox media remote is great for watching shows on your console.

Xbox One S vertical stand ($10 at Amazon)

Stand your console upright with this accessory.

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