Horse-powered Pockets
A new video has surfaced online which alleges to showcase gameplay for Electronic Arts’ unannounced Need for Speed Mobile. The miniature racing title is currently in development at Chinese developer TiMi Studios — a subsidiary of mobile gaming magnate Tencent — as per job listings that surfaced in 2021.
The 47-second video debuted on the Need for Speed Discord before eventually making its way to Reddit. Redditor “NFSLYY,” (who claims to be the distributor of the footage), followed up with tidbits based on the build they claim to have access to. According to NFSLYY, Need for Speed Mobile is built in Unreal 4, and uses a revised map from 2019’s Need for Speed Heat. The current build of the game features three cars — the McLaren F1, the Lamborghini Aventador SVJR, and the Gallardo — and the title does not have a story campaign, nor any “police chase” mechanics.
Of course, every single revelation has to be taken with a grain of salt — this is, after all, unofficial footage and unofficial details leaked by an unofficial source. But the video, if genuine, offers Need for Speed fans their first look at the iconic racing franchise’s transition to the smallest of screens. Leaks such as this one have been known to force the hand of a publisher, so perhaps we’ll be hearing some more official news on Need for Speed Mobile from EA in the very near future.
Back in the AAA gaming space, a brand new Need for Speed title remains in development at Criterion Games. The as-yet-untitled release is expected to launch on PC and console platforms later in 2022.
