# Supercharged Racing Games Need For Speed: Payback Will Be Highly Plot-Focused By Mary Van Puymbroeck | Published 2017-06-02 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/need-for-speed-payback References: [kotaku](http://kotaku.com/ea-announces-need-for-speed-payback-1795754481) & [eurogamer.net](http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-06-02-need-for-speed-payback-is-eas-next-racer) Today, gaming publisher, [Electronic Arts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/need-for-speed), announced the pending release of 'Need For Speed: Payback.' To be released November 10, 2017, this is the highly anticipated next chapter in the Need For Speed gaming franchise. Created by Swedish gaming studio 'Ghost Games,' the series appears to be influenced by the film franchise 'The Fast and the Furious.' Due to this influence, the game has always been relatively plot-focused, but especially so for Need For Speed: Payback. By bringing fans a "blockbuster experience," game-makers hope to create a complete edge-of-your-seat gaming experience. The plot of Payback has a strong gambling focus, which should allow players to set the stakes in their game. The revenge storyline is being touted by the game's producers as perfectly in-line with its brand and will keep long-time fans interested, while melding the film-video game experience for new users. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.4/10 - Popularity: 8% | Activity: 27% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Plot-focused Racing Games:** Expanding on the success of Need For Speed: Payback's plot-focused experience, there is an opportunity for other racing game franchises to adopt a narrative-driven approach to gameplay. - **Gambling and Stakes in Gaming:** The strong gambling focus in Need For Speed: Payback presents an opportunity for game developers to explore new ways to incorporate risk and reward mechanics into their games. - **Melding Film and Video Game Experiences:** The success of blending the film and video game experience in Need For Speed: Payback opens up possibilities for other franchises to create immersive, cinematic gameplay. ### Who This Affects Most - **Video Game Development:** Game developers can leverage the plot-focused approach of Need For Speed: Payback to create more engaging and cinematic gaming experiences. - **Film and Gaming Entertainment:** The convergence of film and gaming in Need For Speed: Payback presents opportunities for collaboration between the two industries to create unique cross-media experiences. - **Gambling and Casino Industries:** The gambling elements in Need For Speed: Payback can inspire new innovations and partnerships within the gaming industry, particularly in the realm of online casino games. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Life-Like Race Car Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/racing-revamped.md) - [Simulation Racing Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/forza-motorsport.md) - [Open-World Racing Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-crew-motorfest.md) - [Expansive Racing Game Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/forza-motorsport-1.md) - [Game-Collaborative Phygital Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/need-for-speed.md) - [Branded Racing Party Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/disney-speedstorm.md) - [Futuristic Taxi Drifting Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taxi-chaos-2.md) - [Rebooted Fan-Favorite Skating Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skate-game.md) - [Expansive Motorsport Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/torque-drift-2.md)