EA Chops ‘Need For Speed’ into Four New Games — First Screens and Details

Fri, Jan 30, 2009

Though developer EA Black Box has reportedly been dissolved, Electronic Arts was adamant that this would not mean the end of the "Need for Speed" racing franchise. Today, they've made good on their promise with the announcement of not one or two, but four new "Need for Speed" titles in development for FY2009.

One's for current-gen consoles and PC. One's for Nintendo. One's primarily for the free-to-play PC market in Asia. And the last one is a secret. Hit the jump for what we know about each.

"Need for Speed Shift," slated for 360, PS3, PC and PSP this fall, will follow in the footprints of "ProStreet" -- in so much that it will be more of a racing simulator, and less of a pedal-to-the-floor, drift-heavy action game than earlier titles in the series. EA marketing VP Keith Munro told Eurogamer:

The urban underground was a manifestation of style in some past Need for Speed games for sure, but Shift focuses less on these style cues and more on mirroring the driver experience, that athleticism of being in a wickedly-intense race, and what it really feels like to be behind the wheel.

Detailed cockpits will accompany a 3D HUD that mimics driver head movement, and the game will feature upwards of fifteen real-world locations.

Slightly Mad Studios ("GT Legend," "GTR 2") will develop, with EA Black Box's Michael Mann and EA Europe's Patrick Soderlund producing.

"Need for Speed Nitro," exclusively on Nintendo Wii and DS this fall, will be the franchise's new arcade racer -- but don't expect another "Underground" or "Most Wanted."

"Nitro in no way resembles any other previous Need for Speed title," Munro told Eurogamer.

"It will feel very Need for Speed but in a more mischievous, Nintendo way," he told GameSpot.

Multiple control schemes will be available; EA Montreal ("Boogie," "SSX Blur") will develop.

"Need for Speed World Online," on PC winter 2009 in Asia -- with tentative worldwide plans -- will be a free-to-play game featuring modern licensed cars. Quite a few of them, in fact.

"In fact, Need for Speed World Online will give fans the most licensed cars, parts and game modes ever in Need for Speed's history," Munro told GameSpot.

"NFS World Online" will feature online matchmaking and customizable profiles. Interestingly, Eurogamer reports that the game will be co-developed by reportedly defunct EA Black Box, assisting EA Singapore.

And that's not the only game from EA Black Box. Today, both Eurogamer and The Associated Press are reporting that the studio is working on a new action driving game in the Need for Speed franchise.

Press release:

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - (Business Wire) 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.