E3 2010: Next NFS hits mid-November

The lid has finally been lifted on UK studio Criterion’s take on the long-running Need For Speed franchise – and publisher EA has already dated the release for mid-November.

The game will be available on November 16th in North America and on November 18th and 19th across Europe.

Developed for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC (a Wii version is being developed by Exient), Need For Speed Hot Pursuit promises to take the franchise back to basics while dragging it into the modern age.

Hot Pursuit boasts ‘intense cops vs. racer chases’ and also comes with an all-new online network called Need for Speed Autolog.

In the game’s official announcement Craig Sullivan, creative Director of the game said: "At Criterion, we’ve been playing Need for Speed since it was first introduced on 3DO.

"We are honored and excited by the opportunity to reinvent the franchise for today’s connected audience. Our goal has been to create cops vs. racers pursuits that are so fun, fast and exciting it really brings to life the adrenaline and intensity of the high speed cop pursuit experience with your friends."