Need for Speed Hot Pursuit, released in 2010, revived the series' police-versus-racer chases, with officers using weapons such as the EMP to disable fleeing cars. The sound became associated with the game's GamesCom 2010 showcase, where its high-speed pursuits were on display. Since then, players and editors have reused the short EMP hit outside gameplay, mainly as a shorthand for a sudden shutdown. It remains useful because the effect is instantly readable, even without seeing the game, and needs no explanation.