Need for Speed: Most Wanted [PC]

Josie Maran stars in Need for Speed Most Wanted.

It was an ambitious plan: launch the latest edition from one of the most successful racing game series that doesn't have the words "Gran" or "Turismo" in its title, invite aspiring race car drivers to a day of unlimited quarter-mile racing with their personal cars, and headline it all with celebrities and stars competing in a one-on-one gaming tournament. It was one good way to spend a beautiful day in Southern California.

Held at the California Speedway in Fontana, California, the event was to celebrate the upcoming release of the anticipated racing game, Need for Speed Most Wanted, which will be in stores November 15. The star of the game is Josie Maran, an up-and-comer in Hollywood. She recently played Marishka the vampire bride in Van Helsing and will star in the horror movie The Gravedancers slated to release later this year. She was at the center of the launch, hosting and playing in a tournament against other celebrities.

Among the fellow stars in attendance was Funkmaster Flex, host of All Muscle on ESPN and better known as the master behind the 1s and 2s; Tyson Beckford, supermodel who recently starred in Into the Blue with Jessica Alba; and Anthony Andersen, star of Hustle & Flow and King's Ransom.

In addition to the celebrity tournament, Need for Speed Most Wanted also brought the six regional winners from their nationwide Need for Speed Most Wanted Blacklist tournament to compete in the finals. "This is so much fun," says Jesse Butler, winner of the Atlanta regional tournament, "Most Wanted is the best game I've played ever!"

The launch was also arranged along with the Kumho Street Warriorz event, allowing tuners from across Southern California to run their cars down the drag strip. Kumho brought along professional drivers to provide one-on-one lessons to anyone interested and entertained with a car show, music, and booths featuring hot import models.

The launch event was the perfect example of bringing together video games like the Need for Speed series with its real-life counterparts like the bustling tuner industry. It helped those playing the game understand where the ideas come from. And the fact that the game is one of the best looking in the Need for Speed line-up makes everything even better.