Electronic Arts has revealed that a “driver profile system” will play a key role in both the single and multiplayer modes of Need for Speed: SHIFT. As has been hinted in some gameplay videos, rewards are given to players for performing well on track and these have today been confirmed to fit into two different categories. Driving skilfully will unlock “precision” rewards while ramming other players and gaining positions that way will lead to “aggression” rewards.

EA has highlighted three major rewards – overtaking others, taking out others and mastering corners. Each will give “profile points” which are used to assess a player’s rank. In addition, various badges will be shown to others who view their profile, illustrating which rewards they have earned and rivalries are generated between drivers who often clash. As the profile develops, vehicles and customisation options are unlocked, making it key to progression through the single player game.

The result should be a system whereby certain drivers become respected, while others are feared – that’s what the press release says anyway. It all sounds very promising, and possibly closer to Project Gotham Racing than GRID, to which it is so often compared. The game releases on September 17th in Europe and September 22nd in North America.