Need For Speed gets makeover

Electronics Arts have announced three new additions to the Need For Speed franchise due for release later this year.  Each of the three titles will concentrate on delivering a unique experience, with each aimed at a different audience and being developed by a different team.

Need For Speed SHIFT

Developed by Slightly Mad Studios and dubbed “a true driver’s experience that reflects contemporary motorsports”, SHIFT seems to be going for the hardcore, simulation racing fan.  Slightly Mad counts among its ranks developers and designed that have worked on GTR 2 for the PC, so fingers crossed the quality can be replicated.

Need For Speed SHIFT is scheduled for a Fall 2009 release on Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC and PSP.

Need For Speed NITRO (title not finalised)

More action focused than SHIFT, NITRO is – according to EA – an “evolutionary take on arcade racing,bringing back the best features in Need For Speed games” being developed by EA Montreal.  Players will be able to build up a boost bar by performing drifts and staying in the slipstream of their opponents, which they can then use at their convenience.  NITRO will also feature that quintessential NFS components, the cops and the option to customise the cars to your liking.

Need For Speed NITRO is scheduled for a Fall 2009 release on Nintendo Wii and DS.

Need For Speed World Online

Developed as a joint collaboration between EA  Black Box (developers of previous NFS and Skate titles) and EA Singapore (EA’s online games studio), NFS World Online is being developed exclusively for the PC.  Due for initial release throughout Asia, players will be able to challenge other races from around the world.  Much like the impending Battle Field Hereos, NFS World Online is a ‘Play 4 free’ title that’ll allow you to fully customise your vehicles.  How exactly you’ll be able to do that i yet to be revealed but, money needs to be made somewhere, so some form of micro-transactions are more than a slight probability.

Need For Speed World Online is due for release Summer 2009 in Asia, with the North American release following in WInter 2009.  EU dates have yet to be announced.

Popularity: 9% [?]