How to Play Multiplayer in Need for Speed Games on PS4
As an avid Need for Speed fan, one of my favorite things about the franchise is taking the racing and cop chases online. Ever since hopping online to outrun my friends 15 years ago in Need for Speed: Most Wanted, I‘ve been hooked on multiplayer. Here‘s your complete guide to playing multiplayer in Need for Speed on PS4!
An Online Racing Renaissance
The early 2010‘s saw a decline in multiplayer support across racing franchises, but recently developers have realized online competition is essential.
The last three major Need for Speed titles have placed increased emphasis on multiplayer:
- Need for Speed: Heat (2019) introduced an online free roam world for up to 16 players with competitive and cooperative events.
- Need for Speed: Payback (2017) added "Speedlists" with 5+ event playlists and an improved matchmaking system.
- Need for Speed (2015) was rebuilt around the central concept of online "Crews". Over 20 million players have competed online across current generation Need for Speed games.
This renewed focus has paid off with strong concurrent player numbers. During peak times, you‘ll still find over 6,000 players racing at once in older titles like Payback.
Accessing Multiplayer
Jumping into competitive online racing couldn‘t be much easier. For newer releases like Need for Speed Heat and Payback:
- From the main menu or garage, select "Multiplayer"
- Choose whether to host a private event or quick match into public races
- Pick a car sufficient for the event rating
- Wait in the pre-race lobby for matchmaking
- Once a full race populates, select "drive out" to start
Here you can tweak car performance, customize aesthetics like paintjobs, and emote at opponents before hitting the streets.
For older games, the process is largely the same just under different menu names. Expect seamless matchmaking across PS4 and PS5 thanks to cross-play with Xbox and PC racers too.
| Game | Max Players | Crossplay | Splitscreen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Need for Speed: Unbound | 16 | Yes | No |
| Need for Speed: Heat | 16 | No | No |
| Need for Speed: Payback | 8 | No | No |
| Need for Speed (2015) | 8 | Yes | No |
| Rivals | 6 | No | Yes |
| Most Wanted (2012) | 4 | No | Yes |
(*See notes for additional details)
Local Split-Screen Racing
Sadly, as seen above, local same-screen multiplayer has been dropped from recent Need for Speed games. But earlier PS4 titles like Rivals and 2012‘s Most Wanted still offer split-screen competitive and cooperative modes for two players on the same console.
To go old school:
- Connect a second controller if needed
- At the multiplayer menu, select split-screen or local play
- Pick Racer or Cop teams before customizing cars
- Choose from event playlists just like online
- Screen divides vertically or horizontally automatically
This throws back to childhood weekends spent battling friends shoulder-to-shoulder. Game modes also take advantage of the dynamic allowing you to earn bounties and set takedown high scores in competitive cops vs racers.
Additional Game Modes
While standard races make up the majority of online events, most Need for Speed games include some unique modes. Several examples across recent titles:
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered
- Attack & Escape – Police chase racers who must hit checkpoints then escape in an intense cat & mouse battle
- Interceptor – Similar to above but focused solely on cop takedowns to score points
- Hot Pursuit – Classic cop chases with racers aiming to evade busts
Need for Speed: Heat
- Crew Time Trials – Leaderboard drifting, races, and trap records to beat
- Crew-Only Free Roam – Explore the open world without enemy crews
Rivals
- Pursuit Outrun – Escape police in a lengthy point A to point B sprint
- Rapid Response – Cops chase outrageously fast racers as a frantic team
These all make for exciting alternatives to standard first-past-the-post races. Participating in the pursuit events arguably feels closest to the roots of underground street racing culture.
Car Customization Carries Across
What good would showing off your rides online be if they reset your garage? Thankfully, any cars and visual customization from Need for Speed‘s comprehensive single-player wraps over seamlessly.
Hopping into multiplayer brings everything from unlocked cars, performance upgrades, paint colors, aftermarket parts, decals, underglow neon, and license plates. This lets you proudly race around builds that took hours of progression and grinding currency.
Just note performance tuning restrictions still apply based on event rating limits. And damage or cop pursuits don‘t carry back over should you total your priceless ride against online rivals!
Competing Against Crews
Starting with the 2015 reboot centered around Crew mechanics, factions and rival gangs are baked into multiplayer. While you‘ll be randomly matched with other players, building relationships under a shared squad tag takes competition to the next level.
Crews earn reputations, unlock group decals, and compete on ranked progression ladders. Earning bragging rights among the 50 largest crews on PS4 is no simple feat. Many crews host their own Discord channels and in-game events too. Align yourself with an active group looking to take the online racing throne!
Optimizing Multiplayer Performance
Playing multiplayer performance can vary greatly across PlayStation models. Here‘s what to expect:
- PS4 Pro targets a mostly stable 30 FPS at 1080p resolution in multiplayer for smooth competitive racing.
- Base PS4 struggles more to maintain 30 FPS as the game world and player count scales up. Expect drops below 20 FPS at times.
- PS5 via backwards compatibility enjoys 60 FPS multiplayer in many titles thanks to the enhanced hardware. This gives a competitive edge.
Those rocking OG 2013 PS4 consoles should consider upgrading to at least a PS4 Pro or next-gen console to remain competitive online. Higher framerates translate to quicker reactions and more precision driving against similarly equipped opponents.
Tips for Racing Online
While AI drivers put up a mean challenge offline, real world players introduce unpredictability. Here are tips to master racing against friends and random players:
Focus handling over horsepower – Many max out engine power then can‘t control the car. Find balance with grip tires, downforce, etc.
Practice tracks beforehand – Learn optimal routes, shortcuts, drift angles – don‘t just rely on nitrous bursts.
Tune gearing for events – High top speeds mean nothing for technical tracks. Modify transmission accordingly.
Watch the radar – Glance at your surroundings instead of fixating directly in front. Adapt to competitors.
Master cornering techniques – From Scandinavian flicks to feints, use advanced skills racers respect.
Remap buttons – Switch brake and drift/handbrake buttons for easier slides and control.
Apply those and you‘ll earn reputation as a legit player and crewmate in the intensifying Need for Speed online scene on PS4.
