Need for Speed heads to three new arenas

Need for Speed heads to three new arenas

http://games.on.net/article/4862/Need_for_Speed_heads_to_three_new_arenas


he next twelve months hold some pretty interesting surprises for the Need for Speed franchise. It's been around for fifteen years already, selling nearly 100 million games - and it's apparently time for something a little bit different.

Known around the world for its "cool, rebellious attitude", EA's racer is branching out, onto new platforms, new categories and new media, with three new titles just over the horizon. Something for everybody, whether you're into authentic simulators, pedal-to-the-metal arcade style racing or simply adrenaline-fueled action.

Keith Munro, vice president of marketing, Need for Speed gushes:

"We recognize racing videogamefans 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. 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 promises three new, independent, series in the coming year, with each game serviced by an unique and highly-specialised team.

Need for Speed SHIFT - PS3, Xbox 360, PC, PSP - Spring 2009​

Shift into high gear! ...Need for Speed SHIFT promises to deliver a "true driver's experience", reflecting contemporary motorsports - it's built by racers, for racers! Currently in development by Slightly Mad Studios (developers and designers who worked on GT Legends and GTR 2), with executive producer Michael Mann at Black Box and senior vice president Patrick Soderlund at EA Games Europe, you can rest assured everybody's hard at work creating an authentic, immersive driving experience.

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.​

In case you doubted his credentials and dedication to bringing the on-the-track experience to players around the world, Soderlund is part of a racing team who recently took part in the first major race event of the year - the 4th edition of the TOYO TIRES 24H Dubai 2009 - and his team ranked #5!

Need for Speed NITRO (Working Title) - Wii, DS - Spring 2009​

For something a little different, it's off to EA Montreal to check out the code-named NITRO, headed straight for Wii and DS. Players of all skill levels will be instantly hooked, and arcade racing fans thrilled as soon as they get their hands on this deep and challenging gameplay. EA Montreal are well established in development for these platforms, and they promise to bring their unique innovation and creativity 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 spring.​

Need for Speed World Online - PC - 2009
(Winter in North America, Summer in Asia)​

Finally, we get to perhaps the most interesting of the bunch - taking racing into the largest open world in the history of the franchise with Need for Speed World Online, exclusively for PC. Kicking off initially in Asia early this year, this "Play 4 Free" action racer will give fans access to multiple game modes, plus licensed cars and parts. It's up to you to prove your racing supremacy as you check out the sophisticated online matchmaking system, and take the time to fully customise your profile - and your ride!
That's all that's been released at this stage, but rest assured - as we learn more about what's in store for SHIFT, NITRO and Need for Speed World Online, you'll be the first to know!

 

NFS Shift sure looks pretty, but EA gotta realise that a stable online experience is the heart of any Race sim, also is Mod-able content....Somewhere EA doesn't want to go. Will keep an eye on this, Cheers for the heads up Oz