A Electronic Arts (Black Box estudios) anunciou oficialmente o lançamento do jogo Need for Speed Undercover para o dia 18 de Novembro de 2008 (EUA) e para as plataformas: Windows PC / PS3 / Xbox360 / Wii / PS2 / NDS / PSP e Mobile.

Além do anúncio oficial de Undercover, a EA revelou também que a atriz Maggie Q, que já participou de filmes como Missão Impossivel 3 e Duro de Matar 4, vai ser a estrela principal dos videos live-action que aparecerão no desenrolar da história do jogo.

Essa será a primeira vez que o jogo será baseado em missões com uma concreta história por trás do jogo, aonde Maggie Q será a Agente Federal “Chase Linh”. O jogador fará missões perigosas a pedido de Chase Linh e ainda deverá participar de diversas corridas ao decorrer do jogo para se infiltrar nas organizações criminosas, por isso o nome Undercover.

Como era esperado em NFS Undercover  as famosas perseguições policiais estão de volta, a qual é marca registrada da série NFS.

Need for Speed Undercover é caracterizado por uma profunda e cativante história ao estilo espectacular da ação de filmes de Hollywood, que irá transportar os jogadores até ao mundo fictício de Tri-City Bay Area,” disse Bill Harrison, Produtor Executivo de Need for Speed Undercover. “Trabalhar com um talento do calibre de Maggie Q, permite-nos oferecer um nível incomparável de histórias que irão manter os jogadores envolvidos nas corridas.”

Vejas as 3 primeiras screenshots do jogo

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Veja a press release (em inglês) anunciada 15/08/2008:

International Box Office Sensation Maggie Q to Star in Need for Speed Undercover
Discover a World of High-Stakes and High-Speed in the Hottest Racing Game of 2008

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Black Box, a studio of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced Need for Speed™ Undercover, the intense action racing title scheduled for release this holiday. The new game will feature international movie star, Maggie Q, as the lead character in the big-budget live-action sequences that propel the original story forward as players get behind the wheel. EA’s Need for Speed Undercover takes the franchise back to its roots and re-introduces break-neck cop chases, the world’s hottest cars and spectacular highway battles.

“Need for Speed Undercover features a deep and engaging story of spectacular Hollywood-style live-action that will transport players into the fictional world of the Tri-City Bay Area,” said Bill Harrison, Need for Speed Undercover Executive Producer. “Working with talent the caliber of Maggie Q allows us to deliver an unparalleled level of storytelling that will keep players engaged in between 180-mile an hour races.”

Maggie Q, who has starred in Mission Impossible III and Live Free or Die Hard, plays Federal Agent Chase Linh, a seductive handler who recruits and guides players as they go undercover. Players will take on dangerous jobs and compete in races in order to infiltrate and takedown a ruthless international crime syndicate.

“I’ve always been a fan of racing games and working on Need for Speed Undercover was an amazing experience,” said Maggie Q. “I was so impressed by the scope and quality of the overall production that goes into a videogame these days. It was like any other day on a Hollywood set; I felt right at home. The Black Box team is doing tremendous work here and I can’t wait to see the final game.”

Need for Speed Undercover is being developed by Black Box in Vancouver, B.C., and is slated to be in stores North America on November 18 and in Europe on November 21. The game will be available for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, and Wii™ as well as the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS™, PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) handheld entertainment system, PC and mobile. More information can be found at www.needforspeed.com. Press can download assets at http://info.ea.com.