NFS ProStreet in 'cash for upgrades' shame

EA's forthcoming mod-heavy racer Need For Speed ProStreet enables players to pimp their virtual rides using real cash, Gamer can reveal.

When purchasing upgrades, players will be given the choice to use either in-game cash or Microsoft Points (in the 360 version at least – we've not been able to check whether other versions will follow suit with their own currencies at this time) to buy the items in question. How much each pack will cost is currently unknown. It's unlikely to be very much, but this is still the continuation of a rather worrying trend to make games cost even more.

[YoMeViet]

I'm not surprised at all, its EA of course. MS points cost money so they want you to pay to upgrade your car. Of course you use in-game cash but really now...how sneaky can you be. Shame on EA shame.

[SuperSaiyan4]

I think I might wait until I see how much this content is going to cost in points before I buy this game. Time to make a stand me thinks.

[green_ghost5]

Well at least we are given a choice, however hopefully this won't mean that in the future the only way to upgrade anything is to spend MS points. That worries me a little.

[MK_Red]

WTF!? That's stealing in broad daylight, EA proves once more that it's nothing more but a greedy thief. And I thought it couldn't get any worse than money for tutorials / cheats.

This is disgusting but in the ends, it's typical EA behavior. (And was just starting to respect EA...)

[Ignorant Fanboy]

If you dont want to buy them, earn them the old fashioned way, by playing the game!

If you are lazy and want a tricked out car from the very beginning, buy the upgrades.

I prefer to play the game to unlock stuff, but having the option isnt bad.

[HeartlesskizZ]

I hate EA so much sometimes. not only they took my old school racing game downhill after NFS:HP2 but now after they pretend to be back on track they hit you back with a real money feature? wow EA really WOW

[InMyOpinion]

It's not typical EA behaviour. Almost every PC MMO has some kind of payment built in, you buy land, weapons, accounts etc.

At least EA gives you a choice. Who knows, people with too much money who sck at racing games might love this option...

[AzaziL]

I still remember the good days when you put down the money for any game, and you had the ability to access every last bit of the game without having to pay for anything. It makes me sick to the stomach that we're paying around $60 a game now and still have to pay more if you want the complete experience.

I only have two suggestions for this growing trend, either stop charging for extra content that's already on the game (ha, like that'll ever happen) or simply release the game for $10 cheaper (just as doubtful).

It's only a matter of time before we'll be having no choice but to pay extra for every game we buy, which is complete BS, unless we do something now. And we can start by not paying another dime for BS content, UP YOURS EA!

[gamesR4fun]

The only thing they respect is cash. They can take their nickel and diming upgrade plan and stuff it.

[crazy25000]

man this is bs.......this is going to really drive me away from this game....i hate EA so damn much!

always screwing up a good game..

[XENOCIDE]

Personally, I'd prefer to earn my upgrades. I look at what they're doing the same way I do cheating on any game I've purchased. I'm not going to drop $60.00 on a game and then ruin my sense of accomplishment by cheating or "buying" my way through the game, just doesn't make any sense imo. But whatever floats your boat I guess..

As for EA, I'd probably be doing the same thing if I were in their shoes. Business is about money foremost imo. If there's a market for folks who choose to buy their way through games rather than get their hands dirty n' earn it...sure, I'd sell you some upgrades rather than you earning them for free. I mean if someone comes up to me n' offers me $20.00 for a pack of paper they could buy for $2.00, I'm not turning that person away.

[Rooftrellen]

If someone offers me to play their game to unlock something, though...

That's a whole heck of a lot more fun than selling the paper for more!

[gamesR4fun]

look m8 their going to make the coolest upgrade pay its all about the dough. 60 bucks for a game Ive accepted paying extra for an upgrade on said game still hurtz but cheap little gimiky add ons like this make my stomach churn.

If you want me to pitch another 5 10 bucks on a game it better be something with substance. Not just another five shades of pink for my pretend camero.

[Rooftrellen]

"If you want me to pitch another 5 10 bucks on a game it better be something with substance."

I agree. That's why I'll not be paying over $50 for a game until all the consoles force that on me. An extra $10 isn't worth a few pretty upgrades.

Looking totally at this game, however, and only the spending money for unlockables, I think many people will want to play to unlock the extras...why did you buy the game if not to play it? I don't want to pay more for a few flashy upgrades, but at the same time, I don't want to be unable to get those flashy upgrades without spending money.

If this is as far as it goes, ok, fine. Let's just hope they don't take another step.

[Skerj]

Hah looks like EA are the real pimps.

[Tobeknown]

I agree with XENOCIDE.
I thinks its stupid to pay for what you already paid. Unlocks are to give the gamer a goal of some kind, and/or reward for an accomplishment.
I just hope few, if any, actually pay, because of what it could encourage.

[snittolo]

IMO all EA seems to do lately is find another way to %@#! up and piss people off. Charging for this will be a sad day because the likeliness that it will be successful will possibly make other developers do the same thing.

[atke car]

this is crap. now i'm not buying this game

[mauinho]

if thats true all i can say is dont buy the game, im a NFS fan but ill wait to find out if this story is true ... if it is no money for EA from my pockets!!!
40£ is more than enough for one game and the demo didnt look that good but still i was thinking about it because im bored of forza and i miss a good drag race ... I dnt know anymore lets wait till its released

[1337PJ]

This is bullshit, when I buy a game I expect to receive everything that comes with it.

I mean I let it pass with Elder Scrolls, but the NFS series!

Even if these upgrades won't cost a lot its still not a good idea.