In this video interview with Need for Speed: ProStreet producer Mark Little, we take a closer look at where Electronic Arts' focus lies with the latest iteration of the series. While EA is aiming to create a game with mass market appeal -- and less of the specialized, niche territory of the Underground titles -- Little says that the competitive element of ProStreet will center around "competing in high-level showdowns."

In a variety of challenges, gamers will take part in classic grip versus drift battles, on closed tracks, and in high-speed races. The big question to the player is, according to Little, "How well can you build one of these cars?" Part arcade action, part tuning -- it's up to you to see if you can pull an 800-hp monster off the assembly line and make it work on the track.

In the video, you'll see how closely EA worked with Porsche (among others), accumulating telemetry data on closed courses while putting real-world cars -- like the Porsche 911 -- through their paces, for the sake of recreating the same experience through a video game controller. The Need For Speed series has always been fairly consistent in offering a top notch racing experience over the years, in a number of different specialty categories, but with ProStreet, EA and the Black Box team look like they're on to something really exciting. Take a moment to watch our exclusive video and see why ProStreet is one of our most anticipated racing games of the year.