Today we bring you an interview with Carter,
the last still active competitive German NFS Underground player from the old days.
Back in 2003/2004 he was part of one of the strongest German clans, competed in the Giga Liga,
and later returned to the game with his own YouTube channel
and detailed guides that helped a new generation of Underground players.

1. When did you first start playing NFS Underground and how did you get into the German scene back then?

I think I got the game for X-Mas 2003. I don't remember if I bought it myself or if it was a present.
I played through the career mode first and then I started to play online.
Back then NBC had their own gaming TV show in Germany called "Giga Games".
They also had their own eSports league called "Giga Liga".
So I started to compete in that league and this was also the first eSports experience I got (I was 16 years old at the time).
I still remember my first game, which was against Flipmode from pro-Gaming
(one of the most successful German clans back then).
I drove a Golf, while he drove an RX-7, and he destroyed me. :D
But what left a big impression on me was that this "pro" player didn't make fun of me,
was super friendly, helpful and gave me tips (like don't drive a Golf).
I guess this motivated me to practice and play more the following months.

Full interview available here

A new name has earned a spot on the Free Run leaderboard on NFS.onl: N1GHTMAR3 from the United States.

His first upload dates back to December 2nd, 2023, when he set a 0:44.67 on Olympic Square with the 350Z.
Now, almost two years later, he has finally completed every track both forwards and backwards.
- the key requirement to qualify for the leaderboard -

With this achievement, he secured 40th place out of the 44 players who have ever managed to appear on the Free Run leaderboard.
For his qualification, he relied on the Impreza, Focus, and Integra.

N1GHTMAR3 is also the fifth American player to reach this milestone, further strengthening the US presence in the scene.

Congratulations to N1GHTMAR3 for making it onto the Free Run leaderboard!

Redhair is working on a new feature for the Hotlap Recorder in the NFS.onl software.
With the Hotlap Recorder, players can save their best times in Free Run and Sprint mode and upload them to NFS.onl.

The new feature is called Delta.
Many other racing games already have this function: it shows the difference between your current run and your best run.
This way you can always see exactly where you are faster or slower on the track.

In the Retro Racing Point Discord, Redhair has already shared a first test version.
Here you can watch a short preview of the Delta feature in a minimalistic version:
https://youtu.be/DjdR0HhntOA?si=lNKKO9qCiCjd6j3u

I have tested the Delta feature myself and I have to say:
it is a brilliant tool for everyone who wants to improve their best times, because it is very motivating.
It feels similar to the old ghost races in earlier NFS titles - racing against your own ghost -
but here you are racing against your Delta time instead of a visible car.
The feeling is almost the same, maybe even better.
I can really recommend this to every NFSU player who loves hotlapping - you can look forward to a great feature.

It is not yet clear if a new NFS.onl software version with Delta will be released soon,
or if Redhair will add or improve other features first.
For those who want to try the current test build,
the link can be found in the RRP Discord, NFSU channel, posted by Redhair on September 11th, 2025 at 17:55.

Since yesterday, RandomPerson from Romania has completed the challenge and entered the Free Run Leaderboard.

He is now 38th out of 43 players who ever qualified.
To get on the leaderboard, all tracks must be driven once forward and backward and uploaded to NFS.onl.

His first time was uploaded on February 5th, 2025, and after more than seven months he finished the full set.

Congratulations to RandomPerson for reaching this milestone.
Romania keeps building its presence in the scene - with already three Romanians in the Top 10.