EA confident of Xmas number one

Electronic Arts believes its forthcoming racing title Need for Speed ProStreet will win the race to become this year's Christmas number one video game.

The latest in the best-selling racing franchise, already favourite to be this season's number one with bookmakers, is released next Friday, and the publisher is throwing a multi-million pound promotional campaign at the title to ensure it claims the top spot.

“A Need for Speed game has been Christmas number one for four of the last five years, with FIFA only pipping it to the post last year in a debatable count back,” said Steve Farrell, senior product manager at EA.

“We are confident the increased quality of the game this year – as well as our extensive marketing campaign, with support throughout the run-up to Christmas – will help to re-establish a Need For Speed game at number one.”

Speaking about EA's push to make the game this year's Christmas number one, Farrell added: "November 23 is a great release date to capitalise on the end-of-month pay packets, and with only five weeks until Christmas we fully expect the title to deliver a strong week-on-week sales performance throughout this entire period, both for self purchase and the all-important gifting purchases.”

Need for Speed ProStreet will be out next Friday on DS, PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, PSP and Wii. A mobile version of the game is already available.