'Need for Speed Payback' release date news, updates: Game offers more diverse action missions, deeper customization

"Need for Speed Payback" offers high-stakes competition.Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts' "Need for Speed Payback" is coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on Nov. 17, and the game is packed with a more explosive, high-octane adventure.

The story in "Need for Speed Payback" takes place in the fictitious Fortune Valley, where players get to drive as three different characters named Tyler, Mac and Jess who work together to hatch vengeance against a notorious cartel called The House.

The game comes with upgraded features, such as optimized customization options that will give players a more personalized and unique driving experience.

"Need for Speed Payback" is the first release in the franchise since EA Games launched "Need for Speed" in 2015. EA Games usually releases a new "Need for Speed" game annually, but taking more time to develop "Need for Speed Payback" has allowed creators to collaborate with fans more.

"One is we get the time to talk to our fans, understand their needs, and have time to adjust the game design accordingly," creative director of "NFS Payback" William Ho told IGN. He added, "Two is we have time to make larger, more complex experiences that wouldn't be possible with a shorter [development] cycle."

According to Ho, the key difference between "Need for Speed Payback" and its predecessor is that "Payback" is more focused on action driving and giving players more variety in terms of gameplay, visuals and so on.

As the game aims to become more diverse, "Need for Speed Payback" will now feature a wider variety of action missions and cars. Five car classes will be introduced in the game: Race, Off-Road, Drag, Drift and Runner. Each class is appropriate for a particular mission. However, with deeper customization made available, players can build a car diverse enough to win any race and accomplish any mission.

Unlike the 2015 "Need for Speed," "Need for Speed Payback" will have a 24-hour day and night cycle. According to developer Ghost Games, players will also be able to go through a single player experience offline.

More details on "Need for Speed Payback" is expected to be announced on EA's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) exhibit on June 10.