[darkphantom]

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc.
Need for Speed franchise splitting into trio

by Jonathon Ramsey on Feb 2nd 2009 at 7:01PM


Electronic Arts, the folks who recently brought us Need for Speed: Undercover, are now working on three (possibly four) new titles in the franchise. According to EA, they're just trying to "keep the game fresh and the players entertained." If you're a cynic, you're getting another plate of something that hasn't tasted good since Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. (yes finally!)

Your three options will be NFS: Shift, NFS: Nitro, and NFS: World Online. Shift is "built for racers by racers" and will "deliver a true driver's experience that reflects contemporary motorsports." Nitro is an arcade take on the game with "a fresh and unique visual style." World Online is a free web-based player that "takes the race into the largest open world in the history of Need for Speed."

And if you believe the skinny from Eurogamer, EA is working on a fourth NFS that will continue the work of "crafting different games for different audiences and their unique tastes in the driving category." As for the ones we know about, Speed and Nitro will hit shelves this fall, with World Online following in winter. For now, you can can read the press release after the jump, and check out the high-res screenshots below.







PRESS RELEASE

Need for Speed Franchise Races Into New Genres
Global Studio Teams Drive Quality and Innovation in Three New Games

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – January 30, 2009 – Fifteen years; more than 40 countries; close to 100 million games sold. Need for Speed™ has helped to define automotive culture for millions of fans with its embrace of the car lifestyle and its cool rebellious attitude. Today, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) unveiled the details of what is in store for the franchise over the next 12 months, as the property expands to new platforms, new categories and new media.

Need for Speed is committed to providing unique and customized experiences for all types of racing fans by establishing three independent series; simulation, action and arcade racing. Each series will be developed by a highly-specialized team dedicated to delivering the ultimate racing experiences to car enthusiasts around the world – whether they be interested in adrenaline action, arcade fun or authentic simulation.

"We recognize racing videogame fans are very passionate and unique -- they want customized gameplay experiences. Whether it's more of a realistic driving game with accurate car physics or over-the-top cop chases, we are making different games for different audiences," said Keith Munro, vice president of marketing, Need for Speed. "Each game provides a deep, engaging and rich racing experience. We're giving players the option to choose the best racing title that suits their style of gameplay."

Need for Speed SHIFT – Fall 2009
Shift into high gear! Designed to deliver a true driver's experience that reflects contemporary motorsports, Need for Speed SHIFT is built by racers for racers. Need for Speed SHIFT delivers an authentic and immersive driving experience developed by Slightly Mad Studios in collaboration with executive producer Michael Mann at Black Box and senior vice president Patrick Soderlund at EA Games Europe. Slightly Mad Studios includes developers and designers that worked on the critically acclaimed games GT Legends and GTR 2. Need for Speed SHIFT replicates the true feeling of racing high-end performance cars like never before. Players are thrust into the heart of the action with immersive and exciting features including a stunningly realistic first-person cockpit view camera and an all-new crash mechanic, providing an unrivaled sensation of the speed and feeling of racing a car on the extreme edge of control.

Soderlund is also part of a racing team that recently competed in the 4th edition of the TOYO TIRES 24H Dubai 2009, the first major race event of the year. His team ranked #5 in the high-profile race. Soderlund and the SHIFT development team are committed to bringing the on-the-track experience to players across the world.

Need for Speed SHIFT will be released on PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) and PC in fall 2009.

Need for Speed NITRO (Working Title) – Fall 2009
Developed by EA Montreal, Need for Speed NITRO for Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ will have players of all skill levels hooked from the moment they get into the action, while arcade racing fans will be exhilarated by the deep and challenging gameplay. EA Montreal has already established a strong track record of developing for these platforms and will bring their unique creativity and innovation to the Need for Speed franchise.

Gamers can build up their boost as they drift and drag behind their opponents and use it strategically to change the course of the race, but watch out for the cops! Offering a fresh and unique visual style, the game features a variety of licensed cars which can be fully customized to let the game reflect the player's taste and personality. This evolutionary take on arcade racing, bringing back the best features found in Need for Speed games, comes exclusively to the Nintendo platforms this fall.

Need for Speed World Online – Winter 2009 in North America, (Summer 2009 in Asia)
Co-developed by Black Box and EA Singapore, Need for Speed World Online takes the race into the largest open world in the history of Need for Speed - designed exclusively for the PC. Beginning in Asia, this Play 4 Free action racing game will give Need for Speed fans access to licensed cars, parts and multiple game modes. Players will prove their racing supremacy through the sophisticated online matchmaking features and fully customize their profile and their ride.

EA and Black Box will have more news about the Need for Speed franchise in the months ahead.

For more information on the Need for Speed franchise, please visit: www.needforspeed.com

[c0nstant]

omg

[sinnet112]

That interior shot is pretty sweet. It's not GT5 good (I wish the 360 had a game with graphics like that!), but it's impressive.

[c0nstant]

Originally Posted by sinnet112

That interior shot is pretty sweet. It's not GT5 good (I wish the 360 had a game with graphics like that!), but it's impressive.

the zonda interior > any interior ive ever seen imo

[Year's_End]

truthfully, that has to be the best looking in-game interior shot i've seen so far. they did a good job on the CF and wood trim.

i'm not keepin my hopes up though. they're always a let down.

[Scorpion]

Ain't ganna get my hopes up, NFS games have been sucking latley :S. But the first pic looks pretty nice.

[Couch]

Sounds and looks promising. Let's hope it is.

[darkphantom]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

truthfully, that has to be the best looking in-game interior shot i've seen so far. they did a good job on the CF and wood trim.

i'm not keepin my hopes up though. they're always a let down.

You said it.

[sinnet112]

Originally Posted by jh valley

the zonda interior > any interior ive ever seen imo

Actually, now that I compare it...



The NFS one is pretty darn good
I overestimated the interior shots of GT5...now let's see what NFS will look like as a finished product!

[Razzy]

NFS shots are amazing but GT shot takes the cake. Ofcourse graphics and gameplay on both these games are speculation and are no confirmation wether they will look and play as expected.

[.:bHd:.]

lol thats such an early pic of GT5. I still think GT5 looks better

[ililillilillilil]

i havent played this series since hot persuit ( which i loved ) but i just rented Shift and its not fun. im just curious what others here thought of this game

[Dan in PA]

Originally Posted by ililillilillilil

i havent played this series since hot persuit ( which i loved ) but i just rented Shift and its not fun. im just curious what others here thought of this game

I have the demo version of shift and I like it. Hot pursuit was fun

[ililillilillilil]

Maybe I just suck at it. I like shooting people but it is a nice game.
I'm still working on my 1 series. I've been going to quick race/drift/15 cars for an easy 4 grand every time. I'll give it another shot And explore the game a bit more