Ed the Lurker

Submitted by Eduardo Agostini on Wed, 2009-09-02 12:18

 I've been working on NFS for a very long time. Very long.

 

When I first started, the fact I was working on video games was just the coolest thing imaginable. Not only was I eager to contribute and deliver the best I could, I found that when the game hit the shelf I was also eager to see what everyone else thought of that year's release.

 

The first couple of years it was all about the reviews. Good, bad, whatever, I'd read them. I'd get thrilled when they spotted something I had personally worked on, or irritated when they nitpicked details we just didn't get right. You always hear about how you should never listen to critics, read your own reviews, etc. etc., but I never listened.

 

Then as NFS built up its popularity, fan sites began to appear. What? I can get daily feedback from people that aren't paid to write reviews? People that are invested in what we were going to work on next? I found that fascinating that there was such passion for our game.

 

When NFS 3: Hot Pursuit hit things suddenly got interesting. A few months after release of our PC product, the fans figured out how to create new cars and tracks. I used to check out all the cool new cars people were making and the interesting drives they were creating.

 

We don't always make it easy for our fans to shape their experience the way they want it, but I'm always impressed in the creative ways they add value to our game.

 

One of those creative endeavors that I enjoy checking out is at the fan site NFS Unlimited. They've been hosting a Showroom going back to the Underground days. This is where fans post their cars and the visual customizations they do. I always check out the Showroom Weekly to see which creations were voted as the winners that week or month.

 

(courtesy of NFS Unlimited. Artist: D-Tox) Very slick!! And the presentation is top notch. Gordon Freeman can drive in style.

 

(courtesy of NFS Unlimited. Artist - Moe-Z.) Some detailed design work and backdrops to match! Well done!

 

From time to time, I hope to share some of the cool things I come across as I lurk amongst the NFS Community. Who knows, if you're one of those fans that like to post your NFS experiences, I may just showcase your work!