In 15 years, Electronic Arts has sold almost one hundred million copies of the NFS series of games in over 40 countries. Over the next year, EA is expected to release 3 new NFS titles, NFS Shift, NFS Nitro and NFS World Online in three different genres, action, simulation and arcade racing.
“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,” affirmed Keith Munro, VP 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.”
The first of the three new NFS games is Need for Speed: Shift, a first-person racing simulation game designed to give you a feel of what motorsport is all about. Developed by Slightly Mad Studios, the game delivers a very real racing experience as you push high-end cars to their very limits. The game includes a completely new crash mechanic and a breathtaking first-person cockpit view camera angle adding a new dimension to the sense of acceleration.
Need for Speed: Shift is expected to be release in North America, Australia and the UK on September 30, 2009 for the Xbox 360, PS3, PC and the PSP.
The second is Need for Speed: Nitro, an arcade racing title in which players can completely customize the licensed cars available. Players must use a combination of dragging and drifting behind opponents in a strategically challenging game. And of course, as the name suggests, nitrous oxide boosts are also available.
Need for Speed: Nitro is anticipated on September 30, 2009 in the US region and on December 31, 2009 in Australia and the UK and is for the Wii and the Nintendo DS platforms.
Need for Speed: World Online is a play for free, multiplayer action game. Players will have access to licensed cars, a variety of parts to customize their rides and several game modes. Not much is known about this game except that players will be able to race each other online with their modified cars.
Need for Speed: World Online is set to be released on December 30, 2009 in the US region. This game is exclusively for the PC.