EA Reveals Need for Speed 2009 Rebirth with New Genres

Electronic Arts has revealed today that they have plans for the Need for Speed franchise in 2009… big plans.

This Fall, EA will be releasing three Need for Speed titles across the entire spectrum of platforms, including a PC-specific title in Need for Speed World Online.

On the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PSP, and PC (again), there will be Need for Speed SHIFT, while Need for Speed NITRO will come exclusively to Nintendo’s two platforms, the Wii and DS.

For SHIFT, the task falls to Slightly Mad Studios of GT Legends and GTR 2 fame. However, they won’t be going it alone, as EA Black Box Producer Michael Mann and Patrick Soderlund from EA Games Europe will be dropping in to help out.

This iteration focuses more on simulation racing, and less on “baggy jeans and hip-hop.”

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.

Need for Speed Shift is amazing and I think it will blow people away. The tech behind that game, the details that only a team with such racing pedigree could accomplish, and the ability to make you feel the intensity of a race is unprecedented. I can’t wait for our fans to begin experiencing it!

Regarding any new Need for Speed girls I can’t comment, but I’ll definitely mark down one enthusiastic vote for Josie Maran. — Keith Munro of EA Marketing, to Eurogamer

SHIFT will utilize a 3D HUD which will mimic the driver’s head movement, with inertia and G-force helping to achieve the feat. A cockpit view will also be available, allowing players to look around using the right thumbstick.

Munro is quite excited for the game, and believes that car enthusiasts will love the game, as well as mainstream racers.

Meanwhile, over at EA Montreal, Need for Speed NITRO is underway, and focuses more on “fast and fun” arcade-style racing, coupled with “vibrant and eye-catching” visuals.

But for those worried that EA will just try to ride the coattails of a game like Mario Kart, fear not:

Need for Speed Nitro on the Wii and DS will not be a Mario Kart clone – Nintendo already does an excellent job with that.

Instead, we are evolving the arcade racer with a fresh and unique visual style that is very Need for Speed. The game will be rich and deep and will appeal to experienced arcade racers as well as casual players.

What you’ll see is that Nitro in no way resembles any other previous Need for Speed title.” — Keith Munro of EA Marketing, to Eurogamer

Specifics on NITRO remain scarce, however, and it’s “still too early” to discuss the multiplayer scene for the title.

Read on for the official press release, including details of Need for Speed World Online, for those interested.

Need For Speed franchise Races into New Genres

Global Studio Teams Drive Quality and Innovation in Three New Games

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – January 30, 2009 – 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 Wiiâ„¢ and Nintendo DSâ„¢ 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