Need For Speed will require an internet connection, and here's why

You can't play Ghost Games' forthcoming Need For Speed reboot offline, the game's executive producer has confirmed. It's no surprise, considering how central social connectivity has been in the last two instalments. The studio confirmed as much back in May, but there's also a new hook: rewards for impressive in-game snapshots.

"We also have a new snapshot system as well," he continued. "Which is taking pictures of a lot of different moments – [they go] out to the Need for Speed network where people can ‘like’ them, and those likes are being pushed back into the game as currency. So you get progression from sharing your photos."

So there you go – fishing for social media 'likes' has finally penetrated the world of night racing. Whether the feature will have any stick or not is yet to be seen, but one thing is certain: you'll need to be connected to the internet to play Need For Speed.

Shaun Prescott is the Australian editor of PC Gamer. With over ten years experience covering the games industry, his work has appeared on GamesRadar+, TechRadar, The Guardian, PLAY Magazine, the Sydney Morning Herald, and more. Specific interests include indie games, obscure Metroidvanias, speedrunning, experimental games and FPSs. He thinks Lulu by Metallica and Lou Reed is an all-time classic that will receive its due critical reappraisal one day.