NFS Carbon opens shop on XBL

Car enthusiasts know that their hobby costs a pretty penny. Whether it's adding shiny new rims, a souped-up drivetrain, or just some fuzzy dice to the auto, those who love their cars are willing to spend what it takes to make their rides truly unique.

Electronic Arts is giving the same sense of ride-pimping--albeit to a lesser degree--to gamers. Now available on Xbox Live Marketplace is a host of premium unlockable content for the just-released Xbox 360 racer, Need for Speed Carbon.

The biggest addition racers can pony up for is the Collector's Edition Upgrade. Those who bought the standard edition of NFS Carbon, only to wish they had spent an extra 10 bucks for the bonus content in the Collector's Edition, can download the extra goodies from XBL Marketplace for a 10-spot, or 800 points. Included in the download are 12 new tracks, six new challenge series missions, and 10 exclusive cars, including a 1992 Nissan 240SX and a 2006 Koenigsegg CCX.

The rest of the content is part of EA's premium unlockable content plan--that is, instead of playing through games to unlock things naturally, lazy rich gamers can simply buy them. The list is below.

EA has taken this path with microtransactions in other games, including Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 and The Godfather.

Need for Speed Carbon on the Xbox 360 is rated E for Everyone and retails for $59.99.

Downloadable content for Need for Speed:

800 points ($10)
Collector's Edition Upgrade
Ultimate Performance Bundle (includes all three performance bundles)

400 points ($5)
Performance Drivetrain Bundle
Performance Engine Boost Bundle
Performance Handling Bundle

200 points (2.50)
Muscle Car Autosculpt Body Kit
Tuner Car Autosculpt Body Kit
Exotic Car Autosculpt Body Kit

80 points ($1)
1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34
2004 Lamborghini Murcielago
2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10