Racing fans hankering for whatever’s next out of EA’s long-running Need for Speed franchise will need to budget carefully in 2009: On Friday, the company took the wraps off three new titles slated to come out within the coming year.
First on the roster is Need for Speed Shift, which EA says which be the most realistic title ever produced for the series. The “racing game built by racers for racers” will feature a highly detailed cockpit view, as well as a new crash-engine to replicate high-speed collisions as accurately as possible. It will debut in the fall of this year.
Need for Speed Nitro is the working title for EA’s Nintendo-only NFS game, which will sport a visual style and gameplay that have been especially tailored to the Wii and DS. For instance, drifting behind an opponent will build up a boost meter, which can give players an edge later on. Like Shift, it will launch in the fall.
Finally, EA will return to the days of Motor City Online with a new massively multiplayer online game dubbed Need for Speed World Online. Like previous racing MMORPGs, it will offer players detailed customization of their cars, but with more gameplay modes than any previous offerings. Surprisingly, it will also be free to play. Gamers in Asia will get a chance to take a crack at the title this summer, while those in North America will have to wait until winter.
