Sports company PUMA is celebrating the upcoming launch of Need for Speed Heat™, the latest instalment of the popular Need for Speed game series, by fusing the game’s colour scheme, graphics and icons into the functional and stylish PUMA Hi OCTN x NFS sneaker.

Underground races, police chases, customized rides and authentic urban car culture have made Need for Speed one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time. Bringing PUMA’s expertise in motorsport-inspired fashion to the electronic streets, the Hi OCTN x NFS will appear in the highly anticipated Need for Speed Heat, allowing in-game characters to wear the virtual version of the real-world sneaker.

“Forever Faster is not just the motto of our brand. It is also the attitude and passion of the partner we are aiming to collaborate with,” explains Teamhead Marketing Motorsport at PUMA Anja Egger. “What better way of highlighting this, than creating a product together with Need for Speed, one of the best known video game franchises of all time, which exudes passion for racing and drifting.”

“Individual expression is at the heart of the Need for Speed franchise. We’ve always encouraged players to show off their style through their rides, so when we decided to add the same level of customization to our in-game characters, we knew we needed a partner that exuded personality,” said Riley Cooper, Creative Director of Need for Speed Heat. “As one of the leading sports brands in the world and an expert in motorsport fashion, PUMA is an ideal partner. The Hi OCTN x NFS collaboration not only lets players hit the streets of Palm City in style, but also takes the game to a new level by bringing the Need for Speed Heat experience to life.”

The PUMA Hi OCTN x NFS sneaker design features a Neoprene sock construction with technical overlays and a buckle for additional stability. As in drifting, the wider the tires, the more grip you have on corners and lateral movements. The full rubber outsole takes cues from wide rugged tires, with a comfortable EVA midsole providing the ultimate grip.

Speed up in the Hi OCTN x NFS sneaker, launching at PUMA Select Cape Town, Shelflife and Shesha from 29 November 2019 for R2 499.