Russian coder Ivan Novozhilov, known online as LoopSkaify, shared a fresh video on his YouTube channel that documents the ongoing amateur remake of Need For Speed Underground 2. The clip showcases the progress of his project, highlighting core gameplay elements and the collaborative effort behind the fan-driven effort. Viewers who followed the update praised the direction of the mod, with many comments expressing anticipation for a broader, community-driven version of the latest Need for Speed installment, Unbound, which officially released on November 30, 2022.
The new footage focuses on a reimagined user interface, the car-tuning workflow, and a guided stroll through a recreated cityscape. In just two days, the video amassed tens of thousands of views, thousands of likes, and hundreds of comments, underscoring strong interest in a faithful revival of the classic racing experience.
LoopSkaify collaborated with a modder identified as Killian on this project, described in detail in a post on DTF. In May 2022, the team transitioned the project from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5, a move intended to unlock better performance and reveal more polished visuals for the test build.
To date, the duo has redesigned all vehicle models and made significant improvements to most race tracks, along with several user interface elements. They also resolved a bug from the original game that caused vehicles to detach from textures after certain collisions, resulting in a more stable testing experience.
Development plans remain unclear regarding a formal release date. The creators emphasize ongoing work and iterative testing, with progress updates shared as the project evolves.
In related coverage, reports indicate that Electronic Arts has reorganized its presence in the Russian market, affecting regional availability and ongoing support for regional players. This broader industry context has influenced how fans pursue fan-driven projects and how publishers handle localized audiences. [Source attribution: socialbites.ca]