Joystiq

Slightly Mad's Project Cars coming to Wii U, has nothing to do with Pixar

Jessica Conditt — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:00:00 EST

Slightly Mad Studios has added Wii U to the list of platforms for its crowd-funded racing title, Project Cars. Project Cars -- standing for "community-assisted racing sim" -- is already planned for release first on PC in 2013, and later on Xbox 360 and PS3.

Slightly Mad's crowd-sourced approach to Project Cars allows fans to invest in the game and to access frequent builds, provide feedback throughout its development process and possibly add "video game producer" to their resumes.

Slightly Mad's Project Cars coming to Wii U, has nothing to do with Pixar originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Slightly Mad Studios using WMD, crowd-funding for new racing game

Jessica Conditt — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 17:30:00 EST

Need for Speed: Shift developer Slightly Mad Studios is breaking out the big guns with a crowdsourced funding scheme titled World of Mass Development, or WMD (see what we did there?), which will take its first run with a new racing game, C.A.R.S. Through WMD, Slightly Mad will release C.A.R.S.' crowdfunded technology to subscribers, who can then help develop the game and reap a return on their investments once it launches. Slightly Mad will take 30 percent of the profits, with the rest divided among the community investors based on the amount of shares they own.

Slightly Mad expects C.A.R.S. to take two years and $5 million to produce. With shares priced from $5-$100,000 for individuals, groups or companies, Slightly Mad expects a $10 share will return $35, $250 to return $875 and $100,000 will return $350,000 -- if the game makes $25 million in profit. Slightly Mad has a goal to sell 3 million copies of C.A.R.S., earn a profit of $52 million and receive a 90 percent on Metacritic.

"Traditional development puts developers at the mercy of publishers," Slightly Mad said. "The development process offered by WMD shifts the focus back to creating great games that your target audience wants to play, whilst still offering the chance to get proper funding for development and testing."

Slightly Mad Studios using WMD, crowd-funding for new racing game originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shift 2: Unleashed 'Legends' and 'Speedhunters' DLC will be free on PC

David Hinkle — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 02:00:00 EST

We here at Joystiq never play the console superiority game; play on the platform you like, man. Oh, but when it comes to Shift 2 Unleashed, it would appear the PC is the superior platform -- at least, in a getting things for free kind of way.

EA has announced that the Legends and Speedhunters packs, both $10 pieces of DLC on consoles, will be released free of charge on the PC. Beginning June 30, PC players can download both packs for free from EA's new digital distribution hub, Origin.com.

Race on past the break for a video primer for the free DLC and a breakdown of what you'll get.

Continue reading Shift 2: Unleashed 'Legends' and 'Speedhunters' DLC will be free on PC

Shift 2: Unleashed 'Legends' and 'Speedhunters' DLC will be free on PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shift 2: Unleashed DLC is for the 'Speedhunters'

David Hinkle — Thu, 12 May 2011 21:00:00 EST

Previous DLC for Shift 2: Unleashed offered up some classic cars and tracks for cash, but this next pack is all about a balance between the two: old muscle cars and expensive modern roadsters.

For $9.99 on PSN and 800 MS Points ($10) on Xbox Live, you'll get two new branches, each featuring nine events with mandatory manual gear transmission use: Drag and Standing Mile. Drag is all about judging time over a quarter mile, while Standing Mile is a competition based on the top speed players can achieve over a mile strip.

Race past the break for a list of cars and tracks, as well as a new trailer.

Continue reading Shift 2: Unleashed DLC is for the 'Speedhunters'

Shift 2: Unleashed DLC is for the 'Speedhunters' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 May 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shift 2 'Legends' DLC brings some classic cars out of the garage

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 22:00:00 EST

Are the newfangled autocontraptions in Shift 2 Unleashed a little too modern for you? Not a fan of all the vehicular bells and whistles fastened to your 21st Century whips? EA has announced a DLC pack that should give you the sweet, nostalgic release you crave. On April 24, the game will receive 14 retro cars and five equally retro tracks -- most of which hail from the 1960s and '70s.

You can pick up the new rides and venues for 800 Microsoft Points ($10). Check out the full list of new-old content included in the "Legends" pack after the jump -- and while you're back there, why not check out the DLC's announcement trailer?

Continue reading Shift 2 'Legends' DLC brings some classic cars out of the garage

Shift 2 'Legends' DLC brings some classic cars out of the garage originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shift 2 Unleashed review: Pedal to the medal

Randy Nelson — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:30:00 EST

It was a wise move for EA to subdue the Need For Speed in the title of its sequel to last year's first racing sim in the franchise, Need For Speed: Shift. That's not to say Shift 2 Unleashed is unworthy of the brand -- far from it -- but given how well received the last arcade-style NFS title, Hot Pursuit, was, there would surely be plenty of folks who'd think this was the sequel to that game. It's so very not that.

The original Shift remains one of my favorite racing games of all time -- and one of my most-played titles ever, too. So, to say that I've had some pretty high expectations of its sequel would be an understatement. Since last year, I've wondered how EA and Slightly Mad Studios were going to improve on the most realistic feeling, visceral and downright fun console racing sim to date. The short answer: They made it more realistic. The long answer is after the break.

Gallery: Shift 2 Unleashed (3/29/11)

Continue reading Shift 2 Unleashed review: Pedal to the medal

Shift 2 Unleashed review: Pedal to the medal originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shift 2 featurette pits two pros in an Autolog showdown

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST

Having already proven his absolute comprehension of the sweet science of Shift 2: Unleashed, pro racer Tommy Milner now faces an even greater challenge: besting Irish driver Darren McNamara using the game's Autolog feature. Can he preserve his honor? For America?

Continue reading Shift 2 featurette pits two pros in an Autolog showdown

Shift 2 featurette pits two pros in an Autolog showdown originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Slightly Mad Studios is currently without a project

David Hinkle — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 01:10:00 EST

Next week, Shift 2: Unleashed will race to retail, but the post-launch festivities at developer Slightly Mad Studios are a bit dampened by the news of layoffs. According to comments made by studio head Ian Bell to GI.biz (registration required), another project that was underway has been suddenly canceled, affecting several studio staff.

"Essentially we were let down at the last minute by one publisher who we'd signed a deal with only for it to be canned before we even started. I can't say who," Bell said. He went on to say that he's still in talks with the publisher in question among others. As for the studio's next project, that's currently up in the air. Bell says Slightly Mad hasn't been able to "secure a deal for a new project... yet," though he adds that he's "optimistic about the future."

Those affected by layoffs at Slightly Mad have somewhat of a silver lining: Ian Bell and Slightly Mad's other co-founder, Andy Garton, recently formed their own social/mobile studio, Gamagio. Currently, the two are attempting to raise capital for the new venture and, according to Bell, employing ex-Slightly Mad Studios devs.

Slightly Mad Studios is currently without a project originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Mar 2011 01:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch a pro driver play Shift 2 Unleashed

Randy Nelson — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 08:30:00 EST

It's no secret that real professional race drivers play racing video games, sometimes even for training. EA has released a video of Dubai 24h winner Tommy Milner taking Shift 2 Unleashed, which hits March 29, through its paces in a Corvette C6.R GT1 at Leguna Seca. He's really, really good.

Continue reading Watch a pro driver play Shift 2 Unleashed

Watch a pro driver play Shift 2 Unleashed originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Mar 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shift 2 Unleashed preview: Night rider

David Hinkle — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 15:20:00 EST

Back in November, EA showed us an early version of Shift 2 Unleashed, which touts Autolog implementation and a new immersive helmet cam designed to make what was one of the most lifelike racers even more, well, lifelike. At a San Francisco hotel earlier this week, I was given full access to the game's Career mode, a series of progressively difficult venues that combine traditional races with more specialized events -- muscle car races, retro events, and elimination and drift challenges are sprinkled throughout.

Shift 2 Unleashed takes its predecessors shoes, shines 'em up and tries to pass them off as an entirely new pair. Yes, this is an evolution of the ideals present in Need for Speed: Shift, but it's obvious that Slightly Mad Studios was careful not to mix things up too much. Producer Jesse Abney describes it as "a refinement of the things we've done the year before," thus the game's biggest new features are Autolog implementation, deeper car customization, a new helmet camera system and the addition of nighttime driving.

Night driving isn't going to redefine the sport, surely, but in Shift 2 Unleashed, it poses its own unique set of challenges. Since the damage models are more dynamic this time around, you can actually break your headlights and be stuck racing in pitch blackness -- believe it, because it happened to me when I was drafting too close to a racer who slammed on their brakes when I was flying through a track in Dubai. An intense, and unexpected, wave of panic and confusion ensued. "So this is nighttime driving?" I thought to myself. Abney also told me that cars can break axels and even damage engines to the point where a race cannot be finished, which wasn't possible in the first game.

Continue reading Shift 2 Unleashed preview: Night rider

Shift 2 Unleashed preview: Night rider originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shift 2 Unleashed shifts to stores March 29

JC Fletcher — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST

EA has clarified the "early 2011" release window for Shift 2 Unleashed by declaring that we'll be able to satisfy our need for speed (without the "Need for Speed") on March 29 in North America and March 24 in Europe. The trailer after the break reveals the EU date -- but if you'd like to see the other date at the end, check out YouTube.

In addition to revealing the date for your next Autolog adventure, the new trailer features some driver's-seat footage that reminds us why we play racing games instead of racing cars in real life. That is, it's the constant fear of painful death. Just a quirk we have.

Continue reading Shift 2 Unleashed shifts to stores March 29

Shift 2 Unleashed shifts to stores March 29 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shift 2 Unleashed preview: The new look of racing sims

Randy Nelson — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:01:00 EST

Now that the dust has started to settle around Gran Turismo 5, EA is pulling off the sheet on its Need for Speed: Shift sequel. Simply Shift 2 Unleashed -- no "Need for Speed" in the title -- the racer represents returning developer Slightly Mad Studios' continuing effort to make players feel like they're actually driving some of the world's most powerful cars.

Gallery: Shift 2 Unleashed

Continue reading Shift 2 Unleashed preview: The new look of racing sims

Shift 2 Unleashed preview: The new look of racing sims originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shift 2 Unleashed loses 'Need for Speed' and adds Hot Pursuit's Autolog

Christopher Grant — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 10:30:00 EST

What better day to announce a new entry in a long-standing franchise than the release date for what is, arguably, the best installment in the series to date. Today, on Need for Speed Hot Pursuit's big day, EA has stolen some of that thunder by announcing Shift 2 Unleashed, the sequel to last year's simulation-style installment.

In doing so, EA has dropped the "Need for Speed" half of the title (though the debut trailer, found after the break, still puts the game squarely in the NFS series, even using Hot Pursuit's n-shaped logo). In its place is Autolog, the excellent, always-connected enhancement that Burnout-dev Criterion brought to Hot Pursuit. EA calls it the "next generation" of the stats-driven friendship killer -- though, with less than half a year between both iterations, let's say we're skeptical of that claim.

The game is being built by racing veterans, and Shift developers, Slightly Mad Studios for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. This morning's press release says to expect the game in "spring 2011," which is pretty close to the previously reported Q1 2011 window. So, are you more of a Hot Pursuit or a Shift 2 kind of gamer?

Continue reading Shift 2 Unleashed loses 'Need for Speed' and adds Hot Pursuit's Autolog

Shift 2 Unleashed loses 'Need for Speed' and adds Hot Pursuit's Autolog originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need for Speed: Shift 2, Black Box-developed NFS both hinted for 2011

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

A pair of LinkedIn profiles suggests that at least two Need for Speed titles will be released next year. According to the profile page of programmer Chris Mcclure, he was at NFS: Shift developer Sightly Mad Studios from August 2009 - February 2010 where he "worked on new open world technology but also worked on Need For Speed Shift too." Cleverly, Mcclure altered this statement today from "... but also worked on Need For Speed Shift 2" after his apparent reveal was spotted by superannuation (and preserved by Google's cache).

The original Shift was released in September 2009, and if Mcclure is covering his tracks, then a sequel was likely underway as work on the first game wrapped, which would allow roughly the minimum development time necessary to release Shift 2 some time during the first quarter of 2011. Recall that in February, during an earnings call, EA dated a Need for Speed game for that period. COO John Schappert described the unnamed iteration as "another big driving simulation" (Conference Call Script [PDF]). "Need For Speed: Shift 2" would be a good fit for that description and time frame.

Continue reading Need for Speed: Shift 2, Black Box-developed NFS both hinted for 2011

Need for Speed: Shift 2, Black Box-developed NFS both hinted for 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Need for Speed: Shift 'Ferrari Racing Series' DLC now available

Randy Nelson — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:46:00 EST

Those with a taste for fine racing games and fine automobiles take note: As we reported last week, the Ferrari Racing Series DLC for Need for Speed: Shift is now available from the Xbox Live Marketplace at a cost of 800 ($10). A quick refresher: The expansion reintroduces the Italian automaker's cars to the NFS franchise after seven years without 'em -- bringing with it 10 classic rides and a new series of race, hot lap, mixed track, time attack, race series, eliminator, endurance and world tour events. Basically, any real racing game fan will lap this up.

And now, your handy-dandy Xbox Live Marketplace link.

PSA: Need for Speed: Shift 'Ferrari Racing Series' DLC now available originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Free NFS Shift 'team racing' DLC out for 360, PC

Randy Nelson — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST

EA has opened the garage door and rolled out its Team Racing Pack for Need For Speed: Shift, adding five new cars and a cooperative online racing mode to its superb driving game. Available today for Xbox 360 and PC, the DLC is priced at ... wait, it's free? Five cars and a new mode are free? This is obviously an error and the DLC should be downloaded before EA starts asking like 1500 space bucks for it. Oh, EA did this intentionally? Kudos, giant publisher. (We're still not sure if this is some kind of trick.)

XBL Gold members can grab the expansion from the Xbox Live Marketplace at this link. PS3 owners in the UK will find the free DLC on PSN today, with the US PlayStation Store getting it next Thursday, December 10.

PSA: Free NFS Shift 'team racing' DLC out for 360, PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need for Speed: Shift demo drifts to Xbox Live, PSN on Thursday

David Hinkle — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST

Attention, race fans: EA's Need for Speed: Shift will have a demo ready for a qualifying run this Thursday, October 1. The demo features two tracks (Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and London River) as well as five different vehicles to master:

BMW M3 (E46)
2008 Dodge Viper SRT10
2006 Lotus Elise 111R
2008 Nissan GT-R
2006 Pagani Zonda F (unlockable)

As for that last car, you'll need to excel on the two courses and earn enough points to unlock it. And remember: The demo is not limited to Blur developers, so feel free to make with the loading down!

Need for Speed: Shift demo drifts to Xbox Live, PSN on Thursday originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need for Speed: Shift video highlights Car Battle mode

David Hinkle — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:15:00 EST

We've been following the last quarter-mile of Need for Speed: Shift's race to release and this latest video should delight those of you with 40 weight oil in your veins. The video focuses on the Car Battle mode, which pits two racers against each other to settle the dispute of who has the better auto. Of course this doesn't apply if your car has a Mr. Fusion. In that case, you automatically win.

Need for Speed: Shift video highlights Car Battle mode originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-on: Need for Speed Shift

Kevin Kelly — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:45:00 EST

Racing games have become increasingly dense over the past few years, with users able to modify the smallest details on their cars in an effort to shave seconds off their lap times. The whole genre has become increasingly immersive as well, to a point that has seen developers rebel against realism and create arcade-style games like Split/Second and Blur.

That's even carried over to the hyperrealistic racing games like Need for Speed: Shift, which lead designer Andy Tutor calls "A return to basics. You know how movies are rebooting with things like Batman Begins? That's what we're doing with Shift." While those are exciting words to hear, once you slip behind the controls of Shift, you'll see that it really is a definite shift (see what we did there?) for the title. Thankfully, Maggie Q is nowhere in sight.

Gallery: Need for Speed SHIFT

Continue reading Hands-on: Need for Speed Shift

Hands-on: Need for Speed Shift originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need for Speed: Shift doesn't skimp on the licensed cars

David Hinkle — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:28:00 EST

You'll have plenty of the proverbial whips to cruise around with in EA's upcoming attempt at a serious racer, Need for Speed: Shift. The game is geared to present 18 authentic race tracks for players to navigate their way through, and an impressive 65+ cars for them to drive around in, including the very sexy BMW M3 GT2 (which will also be gracing the game's cover). In fact, almost all of the major brands make an appearance in the game, including Aston Martin, Dodge, Lotus, Honda, Audi, and Nissan, just to name a few. Even the 2008 SCION tC will be available, if you're more into style than substance.

For the full list of cars appearing in the game, hit up EA's press release here.

Need for Speed: Shift doesn't skimp on the licensed cars originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 May 2009 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joystiq hands-on: Need for Speed SHIFT

Randy Nelson — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:28:00 EST

click to shift to a higher resolution

Like a mountain road just begging to be driven, the Need for Speed franchise has had its highs and lows since its 1994 debut on 3DO. It seemed poised to leap straight off the map following last year's lackluster Undercover; there were even rumors the series was being handed over to the Burnout Paradise team for CPR.

Then up popped not one, but three new NFS games. Need for Speed SHIFT is front-most on the starting grid for a pack that includes a free online PC title, Need for Speed World Online, and the Wii-exclusive Need for Speed: Nitro.
We recently got our hands on SHIFT, a racer that's got the makings to potentially rival the likes of Codemaster's GRID.

Gallery: Need for Speed SHIFT

Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: Need for Speed SHIFT

Joystiq hands-on: Need for Speed SHIFT originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GTR dev threatens legal action against Need For Speed: Shift team

Justin McElroy — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:52:00 EST

There's some bad blood in the sim racing world. The recent announcement that Need For Speed: Shift was being worked on by Slightly Mad Studios, which, according to the release, "includes developers and designers that worked on ... GT Legends and GTR 2," may have seemed innocuous enough. But it's led to the threat of legal action from SimBin, the company credited with making those games.

In an email we received recently, Magnus Ling, Executive Vice President at SimBin Studios AB said his company "is taking legal advice and considering to also take legal actions against Slightly Mad Studios, as a result of certain statements made by Slightly Mad Studios that we find to be incorrect, misleading and has a negative impact on our reputation as well as business negotiations."

When asked about the statement, Slightly Mad Studios boss Ian Bell was quick to respond, calling the assertions "absurd" and saying "more than 25 of Slightly Mad Studios' current staff worked on and are actually credited in GT Legends and GTR2 including the majority of the core development team ... It saddens me when fellow developers make inappropriate statements like this in public but I think the fact that the first I heard of it was from you says everything you need to know about the credibility of the claims. Had there been any merit to them I am sure I would have heard sooner."

Ling declined to comment further for the story until SimBin "finished reviewing the case together with [its] solicitors" and Need For Speed publisher EA has not yet commented. Regardless, this doesn't seem like it's over by a long shot. We'll let you know what we hear.

GTR dev threatens legal action against Need For Speed: Shift team originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA unveils new Need for Speed trio

Ludwig Kietzmann — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 07:30:00 EST

It seems EA's long-idling racing franchise isn't destined for the scrap heap at all, as the publisher has unveiled three new Need for Speed titles across several platforms. In an interview with Gamespot, EA's veep of marketing, Kevin Munro, insists that "the new brand strategy around three specific genres will keep the game fresh and players entertained." This refreshing and oh-so-entertaining trio of titles includes:

Need for Speed: Shift (PS3, Xbox 360, PC, PSP) -- A "hardcore racing simulation" overseen by Black Box executive producer Michael Mann, and Patrick Soderlund, the co-founder of DICE and current senior vice president of EA Games Europe. External developer Slightly Mad Studios will be responsible for putting a realistic spin on the franchise.
Need for Speed: Nitro (Wii, DS) -- As you might expect, this one will feature a "unique visual style," courtesy of EA Montreal. Nitro promises to take full advantage of the unique controls on offer for both platforms, but without sacrificing depth. According to Munro, "We do not want to fall into the trap of creating a 'Need for Speed Lite.'"
Need for Speed: World Online (PC) -- Jointly developed by Black Box and EA ~~Shanghai~~ Singapore, this free-to-play online racer is set to launch in Asia this Summer, with a North American release slated for next Winter.

You can look for Shift and Nitro on North American shelves sometime during Fall 2009.

Update: Uploaded three screens (Shift, Nitro and World Online) and added source link to press release. Corrected development information for World Online.

EA unveils new Need for Speed trio originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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