Starlet rides shotgun with NFS: Carbon

Sure it's nice to land on the cover of Electronic Arts' annual Madden NFL games, but another EA series has been catching the interest of gamers for its inclusion of celebrities. The Need for Speed series has been including some well-known personalities in its game, but rather than incorporating the hulking, chiseled frames of jocks, NFS opts for curvy, easy-on-the-eyes models and actresses.

The next edition of the franchise, Need for Speed Carbon, isn't breaking that trend. EA today announced that actress Emmanuelle Vaugier (pictured) will play a leading role in the upcoming game. Vaugier, known for roles in the gore-fest Saw 2 and the equally disturbing (in a different way) CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men. She'll handle the role of Nikki, the ex-girlfriend of the game's hero.

Vaugier follows in the high-heeled footsteps of Wild On host and Maxim mainstay Brooke Burke in Need for Speed Underground 2, and Van Helsing actress and model Josie Maran in Need for Speed Most Wanted.

Need for Speed is scheduled for release this fall on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, DS, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation Portable, and PC. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.