Electronic Arts announced today that its NASCAR video game franchise will be renamed NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup to reflect both the changes in the 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and revolutionary additions to the upcoming game from the EA SPORTS brand, in stores August 31st. NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup features Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 29 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet, as the cover athlete and a dynamic new 'story mode' where drivers start from humble beginnings in entry-level racing series and work their way up to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Once players have earned a NASCAR ride they compete for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup championship -- and the stardom that comes with it -- under the new points system.
Kevin Harvick was selected as the cover athlete because his career path mirrors the experience gamers can have in NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup. Harvick's personal chase for the Cup began when he received a go-kart for kindergarten graduation launching a career that has landed him in just about every NASCAR series. He is the only driver in history to win Rookie of the Year honors in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck, Busch and Nextel Cup Series. Harvick is now in a position to join the inaugural Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup this fall and his first NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Championship.
"It is an honor to be on the cover of the new NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup," Harvick said. "EA SPORTS has really blown the game out by not only adding all the new racing series, but by capturing the personalities and off track drama that really drives our sport."
NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup challenges players to battle through a ground-breaking new story mode to rise from entry-level series to NASCAR stardom. Drivers compete for opportunities in NASCAR Featherlite Modified, NASCAR Craftsman Truck, and NASCAR National rides before competing for million-dollar purses in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Players can develop their racing skills and intimidate their rivals on the track with all-new controls, and continue the action off the track with post-race confrontations, including opportunities to settle disputes with NASCAR stars by racing America's top production cars through city streets. Fans react to the drama, idolizing both NASCAR heroes and villains with every move, while owners and sponsors recognize talent and reward success.
NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup, developed by EA Tiburon, will be in stores on August 31st for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, Xbox video game system from Microsoft, and the Nintendo GameCube. The game is rated "E" for (Everyone) by the ESRB.
In addition to NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup, a new, standalone NASCAR PC title is being designed expressly for simulation racing fans. The NASCAR PC title is being developed at EA Tiburon. Utilizing an 18 month development cycle, the game is scheduled to ship in early 2005.
