Ho wouldn't say if that specifically served as a source of inspiration, but he does say both 'recent and classic car movies' have inspired Payback. In light of the multi-character focus of the story, which appears to be going for a more cinematic-style heist narrative, Payback has been frequently compared to the Fast and Furious series. Exploring Fortune Valley while collecting parts for your derelict build is best done in the hot sun beating your friend's high score in a drift zone is probably best left for low traffic in the dead of night.' But it's also a big factor in how you approach many of our open world activities. 'It's true that the world looks varied and beautiful anywhere you drive. 'I believed firmly early on in the project that we add a full 24-hour time of day cycle,' Ho says. The day/night cycle, which was absent from the perpetual nighttime races of the previous game, should also serve to enhance the world-and in ways that are not just cosmetic. 'We have ideas for adding even more, should our fans want them,' Ho teases. Ho even suggested that could expand following the game's released. He says there are more than 400 in all currently, which will help the world to feel like a real, dense location. Payback's 'vast' open world, Fortune Valley, is comprised of events, activities, and collectibles to take part in, which Ho refers to as points of interest. You're given some level of flexibility in choosing your path from point to point what Ho refers to as 'color outside the lines' but you won't be cutting across vast swaths of land as you can in, for example, certain Forza Horizon 3 events.

Races will restrict you to racing from checkpoint to checkpoint 'for easy navigation and fair competition,' Ho says. Payback is far from the first Need for Speed to feature a wide-open space to explore, but part of the reason that one is in place here is to keep players in their cars, not the menus. Open worlds can be great when they're done well, but they can also go awry-a dead, lifeless world with few things to do can be a real bummer.

Payback is still on for a November 10 release on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. We know what the map looks like now, though, if you're curious about such things. This may be 'the biggest open world Need for Speed has ever seen,' but there's no shortage of great open-world racers these days and I feel like Payback is going to lose out and get lost in the shuffle.

Nfs payback map