TheNeed for Speedseries is getting a major overhaul in 2009,EA has told Eurogamer. Currently, the plan is to release three distinct games, all of which tackle different audiences:Shift(360, PS3, PC, PSP — autumn),Nitro(Wii, DS — autumn), andWorld Online(PC — winter).
Need for Speed: Shift, which is pictured above (in-game footage, I might add), is strictly simulation racing. It’s less “urban underground” and more about “mirroring the driver experience, that athleticism of being in a wickedly-intense race, and what it really feels like to be behind the wheel,” says EA marketing boss Keith Munro.
Next up isNeed for Speed: Nitro, a much more casual approach that caters to arcade racing fanatics. It “won’t be aMario Kartclone,” but interestingly enough “Nitroin no way resembles any other previousNeed for Speedtitle.”
Finally, there’sNeed for Speed: World Online, a free-to-play, micro-transaction funded online PC game. Unfortunately, it will be launching in Asia before it makes it over to the West, so we won’t be seeing the game until later this winter.
