NFS Carbon opens shop on XBL

Premium unlockable content for Xbox 360 street racer available on Xbox Live; $10 gets gamers collector's-edition bonuses.

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

126 Comments

  • _Sam_

    Posted Nov 10, 2006 12:26 pm PT

    I don't like the fact that so many things are now costing money. I wish that it was in the game originally

  • MetalGearSimon

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 9:06 pm PT

    EA's is no better than Giant stealing from a toddler. Way to make an impression for the next coming year. and if you wanna know i went the reg edition, all the extras should have come packaged with!!!! Thanks for the courtesy EA.

  • getlynched

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 8:33 pm PT

    awww, who needs it...

  • V-Nine

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 6:19 am PT

    The game aint that difficult, To waste moola like this you'd have to be uber lazy. But dont let me spoil your fun. Havent played a difficlt NFS since Porche Unleashed test driver mode.

  • MaverickVll

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 7:35 pm PT

    Wow, I was thinking of picking this game up tomorrow. Guess I forgot it was made be EA.

  • StevenV1217

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 2:05 pm PT

    Should've just put that stuff IN THE GAME!!! EA is getting very greedy.

  • TintedChimes

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 1:54 pm PT

    I use to complain and hate EA with all of the publishers who has microtransaction content but now I applaud them because people still buy them and give them money. If people are stupid enough to do this, then I suggest EA and other publishers DO EVEN MORE MICRO-TRANSACTIONS! TEN DOLLARS FOR CARS ANOTHER EIGHT FOR TRACKS. You know, crap like that because it doesn't matter, the majority of the people think that its okay and they're fine and that one or two dollars doesn't add up. Soon, they'll see that it does cost substantially more but hey, they're buying it and make some sort of justification anyways. If that's the case then milk the consumer if they're dumb; I'll do it if I was in charge of a company. GO CORPORATIONS!

    Or you can do this, get a PC and just download it for free.

  • Zeromind_Eric

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 12:49 pm PT

    Good point, Dmitheon. Realistically, EA and other companies still really do not know where we all stand as consumers. They are still and may always be testing the waters and looking for ways to make money. This is the way businesses run. You either buy into it, or you don't. I am renting this game and if I like it, I might just have to download the 800 point bundle. I mean, I have no idea. These microtransactions are not going anywhere. Trust me.

  • tr00pa_26

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 12:48 pm PT

    EA sucks

  • Dmitheon

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 11:45 am PT

    It amazes me that people somehow feel utterly cheated that EA or anyone else is charging for this extra content. And it is extra. The package they sell you is the game. If they give people the OPTION is add more content for a nominal fee. Now if they said and advertised "Includes 60 tracks" but only included 40 and offer the other 20 in a pack you must purchase, that would be BS. Bottom line, vote with your dollar and stop crying because companies are experimenting in the market place.

  • Meskamo

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 11:20 am PT

    so the only way i can get a koenigsegg is to either buy collector's or download content... maybe i'll stick with test drive and pgr

  • rhaigun

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 10:17 am PT

    Without the extra content in Godfather, you can't complete the game 100%. I imagine it's the same with this game. That's not extra content, that's witholding part of the game you already own.

  • saugh

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 9:46 am PT

    Since all downloadable content IS the collectors edition, I'll just pick that up instead.

  • thebrazenone

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 9:32 am PT

    Zeromind_Eric
    "Microtransactions are becoming the standard, people. Take it or leave it. As with anything else, if you don't like it...you won't play the game and buy new content. If you like it...you will buy it. "

    Perfectly true. Still, EA's size and popular licenses (e.g. FIFA, NFL) give it more influence over the industry than your typical publisher. That being the case, nothing wrong with lamenting $70 next generation games - $20 is a significant jump from last generation.

  • piecake

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 9:25 am PT

    naw thats not on

  • FoxHoundADAM

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 9:13 am PT

    I understand mircotransactions are here to stay (sadly) but these aren't even microtransactions, IT'S $10 if you buy the buddle! Rediculous. What's even more rediculous is that apperently morons keep buying this stuff only to entice EA to do this more and more.

  • MSUnman

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 8:55 am PT

    EA is going to the top of my **** list. WTF. Collectors editions are supposed to have movie, tips, making of featurettes, extra art, etc, NOT FREAKING EXTRA CARS AND TRACKS THAT PERTAIN TO THE GAME!!!!!!!! GRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!! Its forcing the collectors addition down peoples throat!

  • anamnawshad

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 8:36 am PT

    That's a lot of stuff but gamers must boycott this. Otherwise EA will do this for every games!!!!

  • Bathyj

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 8:35 am PT

    matt_mg.

    They are not unlockable in NFS. You have to buy them. ( I say for the hundredth time. Are you all sick of me yet? )

    And the difference with GTHD is (at least when I last heard) it wasn't going to cost much more than the price of a blank disk and the manual that comes with it. Then you download the cars and tracks you want. With NFS you are already paying for a full priced game, and it's not a full game.

    Please dont turn this into a console fight thing. I'm not attacking XBL in any way. EA can just as easily pull this crap on PS3 (or Wii for that matter) when they go online.

  • Zeromind_Eric

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 8:13 am PT

    Microtransactions are becoming the standard, people. Take it or leave it. As with anything else, if you don't like it...you won't play the game and buy new content. If you like it...you will buy it.

  • PSP360Gamr83

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 8:12 am PT

    and why couldnt they include this in the game itself.. psh there goes EA again... taking everyones money

  • Bathyj

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 7:42 am PT

    Some of you still think this is only unlockable content that you dont have to earn if you dont want to.

    READ IT AGAIN.

    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 way I see it is the "Collectors Edition" is just the full game. The standard edition is the game, minus 12 new tracks, six new challenge series missions, and 10 exclusive cars. If you have the standard Ed. you cant unlock this stuff. Its not on your disk. You have to buy it separate. They are leaving stuff out just to sting you again for it. You bought an incomplete game. Its just the same as if you bought StreetFighter and you had to download Ken and Ryu.

    I cant say it any clearer than that.

  • AzelKosMos

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 7:28 am PT

    I despise EA on almost every level.

  • thomanji

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 7:27 am PT

    It is sad to see how some company's miss the point of the market place. It is supposed to allow the developers to prolong the game tilt of a game by releasing some content after a few months so people put the game back in. To penalize Xbox 360 users by limiting the content on the release is almost fraudulences because on PS2 and the old Xbox it is included. The same thing happened with Tiger Woods golf where on the 360 Version 10 courses were removed so they can sell them later but there are included in the PS2 and old XBox. EA did miss the point and sees you all as suckers that buy anything for any price, let’s prove them wrong so that they understand again who made them the $3.1 billion for fiscal 2005. They should give us gamers some respect and not suck us dry. With any tool one can do good or evil and EA choose to do evil.
    Also some in here do not get the point, there are no problems with selling cheats where people have the option to unlock or pay but to sell half the game to suck out more money on the launch day is just real bad business ethics especially if other systems get it for free.
    360 owners unite and boycott EA to force a change; we have the power if you can resist the temptation.

  • nick0091

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 7:05 am PT

    hmmm charging for nothing but content already in the game? I have a better idea send me money and that way you will be able to go play need for speed carbon of course you need to own an xbox. Believe me it works. sed me 10$ to unlock this feature without the hassle . Anywyas The sad thing about this is they spend the same about of time / money making the game yet still can make extra money by doing absoluly nothing. If anyone buys this crap you are nothing but a tool to ea. I am not just a whiner because this thread is already growing and could very well ruin teh video game industy.

    Arenanet started this trend a couple of months ago and EA picked up on it. Is it really any better then stealing candy from a baby or robbing the elderly. EA is just picking on the stupid / young. Ea can enjoy there tainted money.

  • HiResDes

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 6:52 am PT

    WHy is the richest most financially successful company so concerned with only money, oh yeah thats how they achieved such status

  • cesarotromundo

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 6:44 am PT

    lol, this is sad. i can live without the skyline, murcielago, and viper...and all that stuff sold there

  • faizali86

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 6:18 am PT

    even though this sounds better than other game microtransactions i still hate it

  • SilentHillX

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 6:17 am PT

    -Bathyj

    You pretty much summed up my philosophy on this matter/EA lol.

    Take it easy

  • ZEELIX

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 6:06 am PT

    SAD

  • FallenOneX

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 5:43 am PT

    Wait a minute!!! Wasn't it just a year ago that the 360 fanboys were bragging about having microtransactions??? The only good thing I really see is, maybe if EA had started this sooner, they wouldn't have paid for the NFL license and just nickeled and dimed Madden fans to death.

  • WillT12345

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 5:41 am PT

    So all that stuff is in the game already, but now you have the option of paying to unlock it with out playing SP. What's the problem? I have a problem with game developers holding back things from a game to sell as extra content but they arn't doing that.

  • LiK

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 5:34 am PT

    can't people EARN their unlockables anymore?? or give out a cheat code. EA, you fools!

  • GMAN32X

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 5:18 am PT

    I don't like this at all. Down a dark path I see the industry moving...

  • mrwizardsrus

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 5:14 am PT

    This really sucks now people can cheat without cheating. The only way I may begin to accept this is if the people who downloaded the unlockable through XBL didn't receive the achievement points than maybe it would balance itself out.

  • Cook66

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 4:55 am PT

    The future:

    You buy a game engine for $50 and then you got the core.

    Now if you want to play something on this engine, you will need to buy downloads, and if you want to use the downloads you will need to buy in-game cash so you can purchase it.

    **** EA.

  • Bathyj

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 4:43 am PT

    They are not offering you anything for that ten bucks fastpunk, You should have got all that when you payed for a full priced game.

  • KingofTrolls

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 4:42 am PT

    Seriously WTF. Just go to the store and buy the Collector's Edition for the $10 more and get the cooler looking case with all the extra features all in the box. After spending $60 on the 360 version of the Collectors Edition I don't feel the urge to do any of this micro-transaction bullcrap because I ALREADY BOUGHT THE DAMN GAME.

  • fastpunk

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 4:17 am PT

    I can't say I regret buying the standard edition of NFS Carbon, but they are offering some interesting things for those ten bucks.

  • sda3

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 3:57 am PT

    Wow, stuff that used to be included in the games can now be used to nickle and dime you to death. Great move EA. Before to long there won't be any cars included in the racing games and you will have to buy the downloads to even race. Oh, wait. Maybe I shouldn't give them any ideas.

  • DJTOMMY812

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 3:45 am PT

    THIEVES!!!!!!!!!

  • OPOLO

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 2:29 am PT

    wow - a lot of stuff

  • MOODYHAMOUDI

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 2:24 am PT

    i think some people just might download the cars and parts but for me its just a tad too extreme

  • jayme22

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 2:21 am PT

    bit off topic but sony are offering free game extras for the psp and have been for the last year or so. lets hope the adopt this for ps3 and hopefully xbox will also see the merits of free stuff

    Thank you sony

  • 2TrickedOut

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 1:27 am PT

    So the limited edition copy is basicly useless now?? wtf! I want my money back. Carbon is the worst need for speed game yet. EA you have gone backwards in all area's. I figured the game would be better then the demo make sure to rent this game first.

  • jasongm

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 1:01 am PT

    i played the demo.. i prefer Most Wanted over Carbon...(Josie Maran sure is hot to)

  • Manatassi

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 12:33 am PT

    *shrug* if people want to pay more money rather than actualy play the game to unlock things then I have no problem with that. Kinda taking advantage of the terminaly lazy but hey what do I care.

  • muscrat_01

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 12:27 am PT

    LEEEEECCHHHINNNNNNGGGGG MONEEEEEEEEEEY!!!!!!!!!!

    Hahahaa and you can dowload free cars, kits, parts ect. on the PC version!
    Lmfao!

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