The Hidden Story Of Need for Speed 2015

To many people, Need for Speed’s 2015 reboot felt like a love letter to the Need for Speed community. But it wasn’t just for going in the direction many fans wanted, but going beyond what people had asked for on the surface level.
But Need for Speed 2015 didn’t just give back to the fans in making a game that catered to its hungriest fanbase. It paid tribute directly to those fans within the game itself. Whether your following was big or small, Need for Speed 2015 included these tributes in a form that we interact constantly with in racing games. They’re such a normal part of these games that most of them just go over our heads.
Need for Speed 2015 has kept these tributes front and center in the game with most people not noticing a thing… until now. This is The Hidden Story Of Need for Speed 2015.
Music Used: • The Hidden Story Of Ne...
Credit Cinematics: • The Hidden Story Of Ne...
RACE NAMES:
BlackPanthaa - Drift Like A Panthaa
CraptasticJack - Cj-Tastic
Korr (Previously MarkoCarCollector) - Marko's Collection
ElChickenBoi (Previously BLUE_Kobra2) - Blue Kobra Blitz
RacingXperiment (Previously RXSpeedster) - Young Speedster
MrTARIQSs - The Tariq Twostep
Thespeedwaygamer - The Speed Way Game
JSarko - Sardokie Speed
RX (AngelAtRedline) - Angel At The Redline
THE REST:
Ken Block - Mental Block
StraightUpHippo - Without A Kalare
Nam Kyu Kim- Dam You Nam Kyu!
Eskil_Birkne - Skil Or Eskil?
turboduck - Turbo Ducking
Jihad Yafet - Japhet's Full Flick
tunerzNO - Tunerz Know
JakWMac - Macdermid's Mile, which actually contributed to this video in text form!
"Jake Macdermid’s one of my gaming alias and Macdermid’s Mile if I recall was the name of the track. Had the opportunity to be featured thanks to James Mouat (@vakola) who was previously working with Ghost Games and he reached out to me via Twitter actually, asking if i’d be cool to be in the game that way. I obviously had to accept as a NFS fanatic since birth and seeing the track name in the game felt surreal. I was like wait what, this actually happened? Since the very first time that I launched the game on release date until even today, I just have a big smile on my face to see that I somehow sort of made it in a NFS game. I truly believe that involving and recognizing the community and fans in the game that way was a great touch. If James listens/reads/hears this, I want to thank him so much yet again for making this happen, you’re a true legend bud!"

[@JamesMouatYT]

Thank you for making this video! When you are developing a game you make a lot of decisions, and many times you never really know the impact any specific decision had for the audience. But in the case, so many years later, I am hearing for the first time what a small decision I made on Need for Speed 2015 meant to the people on the other end, and frankly it's hard not to be emotional about it. I am overwhelmed. I never heard from these guys after launch, or truly understood what it meant for them until today, and it just reinforces how lucky I am to be able to be a part of making things that bring so many people joy and happiness.

[@nicolaspecoy3343]

It ment the world for us! Thank you for that opportunity! Former Thespeedwaygamer

[@knk8200]

You gave me unforgettable memories and gifts. Still grateful :D

[@Koffiato]

Thank you so much for reigniting my desire for good atmospheres in games. 2015 is still unmatched to this day and I don't think that's changing soon. Great work!

[@AlphaGarg]

I started playing 2015 about a week or two ago and haven't stopped since! I used to play the Undergrounds, Most Wanted, and Carbon back in the 00's (as well as the Burnouts and Midnight Clubs), stopped playing racers for a few years during the later years of school (got into shooters instead), and recently tried getting back into racers, both for nostalgia as well as for comfort as I was going through some shit in my life. So about a year ago I tried Heat, and I didn't like it. Then I tried Unbound after it came out, and gave up on NFS entirely after finding out it had the same sort of gameplay style. Then I gave NFS 2015 a shot, and man, does your team's passion show. I completely agree with you on the live action cutscenes with the game rendered on top - it's cheesy, but the good kind of cheesy. The bodykits are great, the restricted parts are... annoying, but the vinyl customization is amazing and the progression from starter car to higher end stuff is chef's kiss. It really does remind me a lot of the Underground games, just with a modern sheen and a little simpler, as well as a little different here and there. You guys did a great job.

[@KevinNovaMST]

I know it seems strange to say in this video. But I knew a guy in Romania who worked in nfs 2015. From everything he said, he said that the game would be good, that the graphics, he couldn't believe what he saw either. Unfortunately, 8 years ago he passed away from a fire in a colective club. Every time I play and finish the credit appears with his name. Mihai Alexandru Iancu....thanks for this fantastic game, you did a very good job.

[@TheSilviaGuy]

RIP Mihai, thanks for your contribution in the game

[@RacerXNFS]

I think I'm always going to be grateful that I was as part of this as I was. I want to say so much more, but for the sake of spoiling things too early, I'll just say it was so beyond worth it.

[@Paragleiber]

Cool documentary. I remember noticing the BlackPanthaa and StraightUpHippo references when the game was new but I had no idea that so many more event names were also references, since I wasn't familiar with any of those other community members. Fun fact: Ivory Tower did something slightly similar for their Calling All Units expansion for The Crew 1. There were two police missions that were races against AI drivers ("Finish Line" and "Highway Patrol") and the AI in those races was named after community members, which were BlackPanthaa and me (KZbinrs), Elongo (reddit founder), Asamur (Facebook group founder), Tee Duck and jefbougy (not familiar with those two personally). We also had to sign a contract to give permission for our names to be used.

[@MrTARIQSs]

Not many realize that many of us weren't even youtubers. In my case, I was (and still am) actually a nobody. I just used to talk with other community members a lot on Twitter. And the friendship circle I was in happened to have been noticed by James and NFS. So, it is insane to get recognized. Especially back then when our view of NFS was that it was a series that didn't listen to the fans. Having them personally assure you that they are listening by sending a thank you message as an easter egg was (and still is) an incredible way to go about it, and I'm grateful for it to this day.

[@MrTARIQSs]

@@pathetic_pal name checks out

[@mrdorifto]

انت منين يا طارق ؟

[@MrTARIQSs]

@@mrdorifto السعودية

[@CraptasticJack]

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this documentary! This jawn was sick! :D

[@liesideways]

nfs the run did actually have a lot of car customisation that was cut from the launch version as per the tweets of some former Black Box developers

[@Korrmotive]

One of the coolest subtle things to ever happen in racing game history. So grateful and glad that I was able to be a part of it, and it was a pleasure to be a part of this amazing video as well.

[@digital.garage]

I only knew about the event “Drift Like a Pantha” Seeing this now is incredible, to know that Ventura Bay is packed with small devotions to the community that helped inspire the vision, the love this studio poured into this game continues to show & wtf its crazy to think it will soon be a decade since it released, game is a gem 💎

[@nicolaspecoy3343]

Thank you for this video Jake, it was great being part of it. Also it’s a fantastic opportunity to show EA how passionate the NFS community can be towards this franchise.

[@youtubeaccountlol4942]

As a fan since Hot Pursuit 2, 2015 is my favorite. If you werent a part of the hype at the time, you just wont understand. The sound track, the atmosphere, the trailers. Its perfect. Every November i come back to it. I hadnt "lost interest" in cars but this game reinvigorated me and my dream to get a 240sx. Im thankful for NFS2015. El Chicken Boi puts it best at 14:55 We NEED an off-line patch NOW

[@sondernfy]

I remember when that first trailer dropped. Man I was one excited kid. Still thrilled to be able to play the game today, with all its shortcomings. Ah. What could have been.

[@youtubeaccountlol4942]

@@sondernfy I watched those trailers religiously. The Night Riders and Gangstas Paradise ones were insane

[@GF-mf7ml]

I have mix feeling with this game 1. The driver is too drunk or drink too much Redbull, the handling is too unpredictable. 2. Online only, if EA shut down the server, the game is gone forever.

[@digital.garage]

If you’re on pc, physics overhaul mods exist now 👌🏼

[@thagoat72]

I'm playing this offline right now on my ps4

[@multiplexx-]

This seems more of a documentary rather than a hidden story...Thought you uncovered some MW2 type of thing instead.

[@mckinnonwolf7877]

I thought the same thing myself. Was an interesting video nonetheless

[@predator_7468]

I already liked NFS 2015 but learning this makes me appreciate it even more

[@izack0128]

I know EA sucks, but Ghost Games is the closest we can get to get a perfect NFS games and community altogether. Hope we can have the same connection for the future of NFS after this BF2042 controversy.

[@gameovertapes]

Great video as always man, definitely worth the wait. Almost had me in tears in a couple parts lol.

[@TheCanadianGTR]

One of the best gaming documentary videos I ever watched! Well done.

[@aleyyyy420]

55 minutes and 27 seconds I will never get back, and I am glad. Amazing job man!

[@civicrider5556]

i just hope NFS2015 gets a titanfall 2 moment where everything just gets fixed all of sudden, this game deserve all the praise it didnt get due to some flaws, it ticked all the boxes for me for a proper NFS game, thank you james and team for giving what the fans wanted.........

[@TheSilviaGuy]

I doubt that'll ever happen

[@civicrider5556]

😭😭@@TheSilviaGuy

[@TheSilviaGuy]

​​@@civicrider5556I know its sad but it's the reality, EA isn't all that good to do that. Sorry!

[@TheCapitalWanderer]

unlikely, Ghost isn't here anymore, i doubt Criterion knows anything about fixing the game

[@rathshark]

why does this video only have 9k views? this is a hidden gem best game documentary ever

[@t.k3579]

NFS15 was not a perfect game, but the 15 year old me enjoyed every bit of it back then and tbf, now I still do. It''s great to see those who share the same experience as mine looking back at the game fondly.

[@TheSilviaGuy]

I played it when I was 7 and i enjoyed every second of it I replayed it again in 2022 and the memories came flying back, this game will always hold a special place in my heart

[@Holeecrab]

appreciate the video - just cool to see and realize how big the involvement of the fans were on this game. Made myself a fan of this game as well despite the flaws - always thinks it was a bit misunderstood.

[@Kazz7420]

Oh shit, good to see my favourite artist here!

[@RiC3R69]

I wish they turn this online game into a offline game Offline Games are Immortal But online games are going to die some day

[@NFSBeast2365]

As much as I love NFS 2015, the online servers can indeed shutdown one day. 😔

[@TheSilviaGuy]

​@@NFSBeast2365yes but look at Most Wanted 2012 10 year old game but still has up and running server I doubt it'll shutdown soo soon

[@TheCapitalWanderer]

​@@TheSilviaGuylook at Hitman Absolution's Contracts mode, it ain't here no more.

[@chrisespinosa9458]

Love your video bro keep up the good work my dude and your always amazing love you dude

[@khirzaydenmalapote7827]

this video is actually made so well, deserve more likes

[@ps1thehyper755]

Man this took me back in time to 2014. Thanks for making this video!

[@Jazative]

Your best work to date, great job my dude.

[@Canvas12]

Great video man. Didn’t know that NFS 2015 had a huge impact to the community at the time. It’s nice to see devs like James taking time to reach out to you guys and get you involved in the game. Especially having your own names in the game via races is pretty cool. You know I gotta say despite what the series has gone through recently, especially with all the recent games and the community. It’s nice to see that there are still some people out there that still show love and care to these types of racing games

[@joanollasPN]

Damn seeing some of these smaller people that i knew back in 2014/2015 really brings me back Also there is 1 event you missed out, "Tunerz knowz" was named after Tunerz who was also apart of the Craig it up movement and who later ended up making the mod for NFS2015 that improved the cops

[@TheJakeMG]

I tried contacting Tunerz for the video but didn’t get anything back, sadly. I did forget about adding that to the description, so that’s been added now.

[@Jushwa]

Need for speed 2015 was the first nfs I purchased since carbon, really liked that game and online with friends was cool too.

[@current3109]

Awesome video. NFS 2015 was amazing

[@GREENY_SO]

Good video Jake but this is not a hidden story, I think a better title should be something like "the impact of NFS 2015 on the community"

[@TheJakeMG]

The story behind these race names was largely unknown and no one had made a video on KZbin prior to us to my knowledge. We tried a few different titles but if we more specific it didn't really sound good, this is easily the best I came up with.

[@7ndrew]

​@@TheJakeMG "easily the best" the example greeny provided is already infinitely better

[@TheSilviaGuy]

This game to me was perfect, the dark and gritty atmosphere, the customization, soundtrack and story all was on point. Thank you for your documentaries on these types of topics it brought back life in the game

[@thealifrs4_463]

hyped that thing since when i was an elementary student, none of my relatives can buy me a newest console at that time, and that unique night time vibe

[@Neatscribble]

I understand this game isn’t perfect by no means. No game is perfect. But to me. This was the game that I was obsessed with. I played this thing to death because I couldn’t afford to buy the newer titles. This game for me takes a special place in my heart. I always admired madly how they paid their respect to the community and that’s what this game was. Sound track was good,I liked the car list we got. Sure it always was at night,always wet, and the drifting sucks. But I never cared for drifting. Even in the older games all I cared about was going stupid fast. In any case. For the few out there that loved this game,good to know I’m not the only one who enjoyed this game. Also, Ngl I liked how they brought actors to record cutscenes. Everybody always talked about nfs mw,carbon had recorded stuff and liked it. Yes it was cheesy. But that’s what made it better. And it was cooling seeing it again. Wish they could’ve kept doing that instead of the weird character model cutscenes we’d get💀💀like I can stomach cheesy actors but what I can’t stand are the characters from heat, payback, and unbound…..go back please.go back. In any case I could keep going on but, only other complaint I got is the fact that nfs 2015 is an online only game…..even though I have the physical copy of the damn game…..but that really all I got to say folks

[@knk8200]

My name is Nam Kyu Kim there are events that used my name in this game also but unfortunately, unlike others, I am not a famouse influencer just ordinary gamer living in korea but very lucky :) the event name was "Damn you Nam Kyu" Thank you james :D

[@TheJakeMG]

James was actually telling me about you during the interview when we asked about everyone he contacted to gather info! Great to you came across the video!

[@knk8200]

@@TheJakeMG Actually, I found out about this video after I saw James's Facebook a few minutes ago Thank you for making this video :D

[@ryukomatoi9117]

Good video man! (Can you link everyone in the video in the?) description

[@TheJakeMG]

I am doing so! There's so much more, so it will be a little bit until I can add everyone in the description.

[@ggspooks7915]

Hello, I've been playing this now and man the handling is actually good if you're actually patient with it

[@Mycall1983]

More if this please!

[@NFSBeast2365]

Wonderful!

[@janosd4nuke]

Now this was absolutely wort staying up until 3AM... just East-EU things. And pretty rare nowadays as I'm older than the 1st NFS.

[@TheSilviaGuy]

I am younger then undercover lol

[@janosd4nuke]

@@TheSilviaGuy yeah... NFS is truly Generational. I hope the community can keep it for a while, though EA's stupidity is primed on sabotaging itself as usual. Hmm... if my estimations are correct, we were at around Most Wanted '05 when I was your age... These are truly definitive years where your core values and interests really crystalize their bedrock. Interesting times for sure... have a great one!

[@sammy13ificationable]

Personally, my only complaint with it was the simplified stance and suspension tuning, and the cops under steering hardcore, but I'm still dumping 2 or 3 hours into it every night. Still debating with people on whether or not the stance tuning alters the car handling, and I'm 100% sure it does

[@Wxcs000]

Best race game ever

[@speed2567]

Nice video, could you tag all of the people in the video please? Thanks

[@TheJakeMG]

They will be in the description later, along with everyone that didn't make it in the video!

[@TheJakeMG]

Description has been updated with everyone in the video and many others! I still have more to add though.

[@speed2567]

@@TheJakeMG okay 👍, thanks!

[@tangerinedream8987]

Guys, I'm losing my mind here, whats the name of this song at 9:07?

[@TheJakeMG]

Callista

[@qasimwarsi3]

My favorite nfs game

[@RiC3R69]

for me NFS 2015 Is Underground 3 + Carbon 2

[@CozyRomani]

RIP Ken Block🙏🏾

[@qasimwarsi3]

12:50 song?

[@TheJakeMG]

Rom Di Prisco - Cykloid

[@chrisespinosa9458]

What did you do this morning

[@Ziimbiian]

No offense bro, all my friends wanted to see this thing to see 2015's development story and see what made the final product the way it was.* ...And we found...23 or so minutes of content creators talking how they got contacted, 15 minutes of this man saying a thing about Rivals (some easily verifiable in the game files) and so many questions that could easily be done better. Like "What would have done differently" "what's your favorite nfs game" "what was your fav part of 2015" "was 2015 going to be called UG3 for real?" Why not asking questions like, what was directly cut (like the e3 event you posted here that shows a race starting by following ai racers), what cars were planned, how aftermarket shops were approached, conceptual art, stuff that could have been useful more than just asking personal and subjective questions to this guy who was directly involved. If you get to do a Payback one with the developers or designers, please formulate your questions to focus more about the in-game development from start to finish. No hate, just criticism cuz i waited so long about this video with all interest and everything just plummeted.

[@TheJakeMG]

If you want to ask questions like those to the developers, why not make your own video?

[@Ziimbiian]

@@TheJakeMG This is YOUR project, you hyped all this thing about a hidden story of 2015, never seen information about the game and Rivals development. Anyone would expect a deep dive into both games. Yes, NDA roadblocks exists, but there's stuff some people can talk and some other don't, the questions weren't formulated well enough that aims for that. I could have accepted it if the guy simply said, "You know, due to NDA i cannot talk about the development of the game", he never says this, he says, "idk if i can talk too much, BUT" and proceeds to give an indirect answer to your questions. Still, that's a very poor reply.

[@dylansandoval9841]

​@@Ziimbiianoof yeah if this is just a video that is shouting out other youtubers I'm good. I thought with the title I'd find some recently surfaced pre builds or cut content.

[@Holeecrab]

you're waiting to see why 2015 sucked but you get people who actually like towards it. I think you need to watch other video for it...

[@MrTARIQSs]

Half of us literally weren't and still aren't creators, we were just passionate fans that got noticed by the team and it was just a thanks message to us. All I had was 50 followers at the time, so did half of the people who were contacted Also this game came out back when games were fully corporate and completely ignored the fans, so it was something new for the time

[@mazdaroadster-mx5]

I thought everyone knew this