Win-win for teenage boys: ‘Need for Speed’ game to feature swimsuit models

BURNABY, B.C. – Teenage boys rejoice. Electronic Arts has found a way to feature swimsuit models in a video game.

EA and Sports Illustrated have announced a marketing partnership for the “Need for Speed” franchise, “bringing together the worlds of fashion, video games, cars and beauty in a first-of-its-kind partnership.”

The agreement will see 2011 SI swimsuit cover girl Irina Shayk and fellow model Chrissy Teigen play starring roles in the made-in-Canada “Need for Speed: The Run” title.

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“We’re thrilled to be working with Sports Illustrated to deliver the biggest, fastest, and sexiest entertainment event of the holiday with Need for Speed The Run,” Steve Seabolt, vice-president of Global Brand Partnerships at EA, said in a statement.

“Gamers, racers and Sports Illustrated swimsuit aficionados alike will love seeing Irina and Chrissy transform from the physical to the digital world, playing lifelong friends competing in a heart-pounding race from San Francisco to New York.”

The racing game takes players “on a heart-pounding cross-country race from San Francisco to New York.” The swimsuit models play rival racers competing against Jack, the game’s protagonist.

Developed by Black Box in Burnaby, B.C., “Need for Speed: The Run” is slated for release Nov. 15 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Wii and Nintendo 3DS.

The swimsuit model characters will only be available in the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC versions.