New Need for Speed series in 2009: Shift (Xbox 360, PS3, PSP, PC), Nitro (Wii, DS) and World Online (free on PC)
The Need for Speed franchise is going all Triforce on the industry as EA announces that the series will be split into THREE separate entities with launches this Fall of 2009.
1. Need for Speed: Shift
Need for Speed: Shift will be a “hardcore racing simulation” . . . You heard that right, and will be released on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable and PC. The game will not only focus on a realistic simulation of the cars themselves but also of the driver and driver behavior. The game will reportedly focus less on the whole hip-hop/urban underground racing scene and style of past games and focus solely on realistic driving. To that end, the game will try and nail what it ACTUALLY feels like to speed through the streets and be the one behind the wheel. To accomplish this the game will include a realistic, flashy HUD that will reportedly (according to Eurogamer) mimic the head of the driver along with emulating inertia and G-force. There will also (naturally) be a highly detailed cockpit view that will allow players to look around with the right stick. EA thinks that car enthusiasts will love this new game and that the mainstream racing fans will also want to get in on the action.
2. Need for Speed: Nitro
Nitro is the name of the new Wii and DS entry in the series. This game will employ a “unique visual style” that is will reportedly set it apart from any previous Need for Speed game you’ve ever played and make it feel truly unique. EA doesn’t want to half-ass it either, saying that Nintendo already owns the “Mario Kart” market so it’s not simply going to be an arcade or kiddy-style game. Although it will focus more on arcade elements than simulation. The game will also take advantage of the unique controls on the Wii and DS as you’d expect. However this will be a full-fledged game as EA says that they do not want to fall into the “trap of creating a ‘Need for Speed Lite’” just cause it’s on a Nintendo platform.
3. Need for Speed: World Online
Last but not least EA is going to speed head-on into the online MMO market with Need for Speed: World Online (why is there a colon there? “Need for Speed World Online” sounds much smoother). This game is being jointly developed by both EA Black Box and EA Shanghai Singapore and will be a free-to-play online racer that will launch first in Asia (this Summer) and then in North America next Winter.
Like Nitro, World Online will reportedly be a “full-fledged” racing title that is “very ambitious” and will not skimp out on what fans have come to expect from a Need for Speed title. It will even reportedly include the most licensed cars, parts and game modes in the history of Need for Speed along with “sophisticated online matchmaking features” and the ability for players to “fully customize their profile” as well as their car (natch). The testing ground for the game though will be Asia before they launch it in the rest of the world. EA also said that they have drawn insipiration from their other online games such as Battlefield Heroes and FIFA Online (which are also free) and thus will undoubtedly focus on mirco-transactions (although this isn’t official, just speculation).
3 February 2009 06:43lee nolan
i hope NFS :SHIFT Goes bk 2 its roots the fast n furious rubbish is really a mess
NFS was famous for its scenery & breath taking speeds & nears misses lets keep our fingers crossed is this a GRID winner
3 February 2009 12:12why not
SO FAR THE GRAPHIC’S
look close to GRID, but i hope it plays like
roots of need for speed. by the name SHIFT dont think cops will be in this one. what a shame!!!! booo-hooo
