Need for Speed Payback has three playable characters: Tyler Morgan, Sean “Mac” McAlister and Jessica “Jess” Miller.
Rather than following a single driver, Payback divides its campaign among a crew in Fortune Valley. Tyler specializes in street and drag racing, Mac handles off-road and drift events, and Jess takes on runner missions. Each character has a distinct driving role and skill set, while the wider story brings them together against The House, the cartel controlling the region’s criminal underworld.
Ravindra “Rav” Chaudhry is also part of the crew as their mechanic, but he is not one of the three playable drivers counted in the question. That supporting role is the main reason some players may remember more than three prominent crew members.
Payback was released in 2017 and is set in Fortune Valley, a fictional open-world location inspired by the Las Vegas region. Its campaign mixes street racing, drag racing, off-road events, drifting and cinematic “action driving.” Unlike the 2015 reboot, Payback also includes a full 24-hour day-night cycle.