Salute to Superfans: Need for Speed and Theo “BlackPanthaa” Thomas
2015-08-10
Electronic Arts
How one Need For Speed fan shares his passion with the world.
We all love video games, but some just love them more than others.
Theo Thomas – better known to the Need For Speed community as “Mr. NFS” or BlackPanthaa —has been posting videos of Need For Speed games on YouTube for years.
A resident of Grimsby, England, Thomas has found a voice that resonates with an enthusiastic audience.
How did you discover Need For Speed?
I became a Need for Speed fan when I would say the bulk of people did—around the Underground era of games—and progressed from there!
My brother, sister and I actually got a PlayStation 2 one Christmas to share; we didn't have many games for a while but my mum’s friend let us borrow a bunch of games. One of them happened to be Need for Speed Underground!
Was there a specific moment that you recognized or knew that this was a game or franchise you were deeply attached to?
I think it was something that I and a lot of others knew instantly. The games allowed us to express ourselves through our cars, letting us build totally different cars than our friends and family would, then racing them to see who came out on top. This is something that progressed even further as online gaming became a huge thing.
This is without even mentioning the amazing car selections, the intense and fun gameplay, stories that hooked you instantly, and so much more.
What’s your favorite car in the Need For Speed series?
Possibly the star of Need for Speed: the BMW M3 GTR from Need for Speed Most Wanted 2005. Everyone can relate to that car!
What is your favorite moment of any NFS game?
Now, this is a hard one. Driving the first car I customized in Need for Speed Underground, the final chase from Need for Speed Most Wanted, seeing Cross return in an epic escape at the start of Carbon... so many options.
As cheesy as it sounds, everything that Need for Speed does all in one big mixing bowl that never gets old. Being in your customized car, hearing the amazing car sounds and the intense pursuit music, seeing the camera shake and sway as you travel at insane speeds—there is no other moment like it.
How did you start developing fans and learning what they wanted to see in your NFS videos?
I have to admit it was very hard at first! You have to build up an audience at the same time as finding the right content.
As you grow larger, it becomes easier. You understand your audience more.
But in the beginning I started off by voicing what was on my mind at the time when it came to the series, then went on from there! It obviously also helps that I'm a huge Need for Speed fan so know what I would like to watch myself!
Where do you learn about the upcoming Need For Speed game?
I obviously learned a lot from the Ghost Games team themselves! They invited me and a few others to play the game in its very early stages, asking for our input and more, which honestly blew my mind.
Since then, all of my information comes from being a hawk on the Need For Speed social media channels and watching EA events like the E3 press conference. Basically, me being crazy for everything Need for Speed!
Aside from your channel and YT videos, any other ways you’ve shown or seen NFS fandom among the community?
Because a lot of us are so attached to the series, we take the games into a lot of things, like using NFS quotes to using Need for Speed gifs to reply to comments or explain our mood.
Need For Speed has had a huge influence on what I look for in all games in general, what I look for in cars, and customization of cars, and so much more.
What’s your dream car?
I have many! But to boil it down I would have to say nothing could beat owning a Nissan Skyline GTR R34. Black Nismo rims with a sweet carbon hood. Yum!
What do you drive in real life?
I currently don't own a car, but I'm currently locked on the idea of getting a MK4 Golf.
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