Last year, EA Canada took the Need for Speed series to new heights with the highly acclaimed, multimillion-selling Need for Speed Underground. The game tapped into the tuning and import racing scene like few games have before, and the result was a resounding success. From the incredible visuals to the extensive customization to the raw, blinding speed, the game delivered a street racing experience that hooked countless armchair drivers on every platform.

　　Producers Chuck Osieja and Scott Nielsen speak about the concepts behind the creation of Need for Speed Underground 2. Click "stream" for a larger video.

　　But as rewarding as Underground's success was for the development team, it also raised the bar for all racing games. More importantly, however, this success presented a hefty challenge for EA Canada to overcome in its bid to develop a sequel to the highly successful original game. In the first installment of our Need for Speed Underground 2: Concept to Completion series, we'll hear from executive producer Chuck Osieja and associate producer Scott Nielsen about the initial concepts that inspired the Underground series, as well as the way the developers have thought about topping the original game. Though time and technical constraints prevented some ideas--such as a fully fleshed-out career mode--from being implemented in the first Underground, Osieja and Nielsen comment on how some of those blanks are being filled in for the sequel. Toward the end of the video, you'll also get a glimpse at some of the concept art the team has used as a basis for Underground 2's storyline.

　　Need for Speed Underground 2 is currently slated to speed to retail shelves in mid-November, and until that time, you can watch for future installments in our Concept to Completion series to get the scoop on everything that's gone into making what will likely be one of the biggest racers of the year. In the meantime, head over to the game's media page to take a look at plenty of movies of the game in action, and be sure to stay tuned for more soon.