Online Gameplay
In 1998, Electronic Arts developed a beta version of an online gameplay server called Electonic Arts Online Racing for Need for Speed 4. Despite numerous problems requiring unending patience on the part of the players, the Online version of this game developed a loyal fanbase. When Electronic Arts took down this beta server, as well as the online server for Need for Speed 5, Porsche Unleashed, in October 2003, several of the fans of these games united to create their own online system to support the two games. The IPLounge program, coupled with the High Stakes Online Scoring System (HOSS), has been serving a small diehard community of fans of racing High Stakes online since October 2004. Today it is still a popular online server.
Read more about this topic: Need For Speed: High Stakes