Joystiq

UK retailer GAME launches 'Free2Play' portal with EA

Danny Cowan — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 02:00:00 EST

UK-based retailer GAME has partnered with Electronic Arts to launch Free2Play, an online portal that serves up a collection of free browser-based PC games.

Free2Play currently offers EA's strategy-MMO Command & Conquer: Tiberium Alliances, medieval role-playing game Lord of Ultima, and the racing-RPG Need for Speed: World. A pair of EA-published shooters, Battlefield Play4Free and Battlefield Heroes are also slated to hit the service at a later date.

GAME notes that it has "many more titles in the pipeline," though no specific games or release dates were announced.

UK retailer GAME launches 'Free2Play' portal with EA originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need for Speed World is two years old, have a fancy new car

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EST

Need for Speed World, EA's free-to-play racing MMO, is celebrating two years of existence with a new car, double-XP week and the launch of the "free cam mode." The new car, a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, will be handed out to all players for free. It's like My Sweet Sixteen, but all the guests get fancy cars and the party is for a 2-year-old.

Running today through Friday, July 27, players will earn double XP in every racing event, Team Escape and cop pursuit. Free cam, also available today, allows racers to control the game camera to take photos of their sick rides in action.

Now get out there and raid! Or, race, we guess.

Continue reading Need for Speed World is two years old, have a fancy new car

Need for Speed World is two years old, have a fancy new car originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA in Vancouver sees 'small number' of layoffs

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:30:00 EST

EA's studio in Vancouver, home to EA Canada and Black Box, was hit with layoffs while the studio goes through a "transformation." Apparently it's a lot of transforming, since variants of "transform" show up a lot in the following statement about the transformational studio.

"EA in Vancouver is transforming its studio to align with EA's transformation to high-growth digital formats, including online, social gaming and free-to-play," an EA spokesperson told IndustryGamers. "The Need for Speed World team in Burnaby is leading the digital transformation with 11 million registered players. As the BC studio makes this transformation, a small number of employees are being impacted while most others are being retrained, redeployed and rolling-on to new projects."

EA recently reported a net loss of $205 million in the third quarter, but is seeing significant positive transformation in increased digital product sales.

EA in Vancouver sees 'small number' of layoffs originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA now has 25 million registered Play4Free accounts worldwide

David Hinkle — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:00:00 EST

EA's move into the freemium market appears to be working, with the company boasting yesterday that it now has a total of 25 million registered players across all Play4Free titles. Of course, that number is far less impressive if those people aren't actively playing, but that hasn't stopped EA from patting itself on the back and calling the number a "remarkable achievement." For those keeping score at home, that's 25 million registered players combined in Battlefield Heroes, Need for Speed World, Battlefield Play4Free, Dragon Age Legends, Battleforge and Lord of Ultima.

Battlefield Heroes and Need for Speed World are the top dogs, each with a registered base of players exceeding ten million.The remaining five million comes from the total players registered in the other four games. "Developing a community of 25 million players is a remarkable achievement. It is a testament to the explosive growth of the free-to-play market and a reflection of EA's commitment to spearheading the digital transformation," said Play4Free VP Sean Decker in the press release.

As a thanks to the community for taking time to at least register for its games, EA is offering some free in-game bux for its two heavy hitters: entering promo code EQ9M-TYYT-TXR3-5GU3 will net players 300 Battlefunds in Battlefield Heroes, while promo code EWPD-3KGA-VBVF-9HYS is good for 750 SpeedBoost in Need for Speed World. Codes expire on January 17, 2012 at 12:00 AM GMT.

EA now has 25 million registered Play4Free accounts worldwide originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need For Speed World caters to your need to spend money

David Hinkle — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:50:00 EST

You know how they say money can't buy you happiness? Well, if happiness to you is having the best thing possible in a game, then that saying doesn't apply to Need for Speed World.

The Play4Free title added the Koenigsegg CCX "Elite" Edition car pictured above, available to all players for $100. You can grab the flashy whip through the in-game Car Dealer. Your regret will immediately follow, after realizing you've spent a hundred bucks on an imaginary car.

Continue reading Need For Speed World caters to your need to spend money

Need For Speed World caters to your need to spend money originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need for Speed World population passes 3 million registered racers

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 17:30:00 EST

After going free-to-play back in September, Need for Speed World has added roughly 2 million users to its online racetracks, surpassing 3 million registered users in total. Just imagine rush hour!

Although the majority of the expanded user base can be attributed to the change to a free-to-play business model, the recent localization of the game into French, Polish, Russian and Spanish likely contributed to the rise in licensed drivers, too. Now, how would EA say, "Please buy some DLC" in those languages?

Need for Speed World population passes 3 million registered racers originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need for Speed World shifts to free-to-play model, as user base passes 1 million milestone

Randy Nelson — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:30:00 EST

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

EA has announced that Need For Speed World, its MMO racer, has surpassed one million registered players since going live on July 27. With this milestone comes word that the game will soon be adding a co-op pursuit mode and expanded customization options (in addition to the already-promised new gameworld areas). Oh, and it's gone completely free-to-play.

Originally free only up to level 10 -- requiring a $20 investment for the "full" experience -- Need For Speed World has removed its base cost, although the purchase of items, power-ups, car rentals and other premium content will remain an option under the F2P model.

Need for Speed World shifts to free-to-play model, as user base passes 1 million milestone originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need for Speed World pulls up to the starting line on July 27

David Hinkle — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST

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

Anxious to envelop yourself in your Maserati's splendor and hit some hairpin turns at 100mph? Well, you can do that later. Now we want to tell you about this video game.

EA has announced that its MMO experiment, Need for Speed World, will be available for download on July 27 -- a week later than initially expected. Those who pre-ordered the Need for Speed World Starter Pack -- a $20 primer that gives players $20 in SpeedBoost (in-game currency), full access up to level 50 and some power-ups including Nitrous and Traffic Magnet -- get a week's head start and can play Need for Speed World starting today. Those who pre-ordered get further incentive in exclusive cars, double experience points, driver name reservation and permanent VIP status.

Racers looking for a free taste of the game will be able to download a special trial version (that unlocks all game modes and provides free play up to level ten) here as of July 27.

Need for Speed World pulls up to the starting line on July 27 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need for Speed World opens up July 20

Randy Nelson — Thu, 27 May 2010 17:00:00 EST

EA has announced a July 20 date for the official launch of Need For Speed World, its racing MMO developed by EA Black Box. The game has been in closed beta for quite some time, with Joystiq getting a look at it back in March.

NFSW will be released as a free game client which will let players advance their driver up to level 10 before being asked to purchase a "starter pack." The game can continue to be played without it, but players won't be able to level up to earn new vehicles and power-ups.

EA is accepting pre-orders for a $19.99 starter pack, which allows for progression up to level 50 and includes an exclusive car, beta access, the ability to play NFSW a week before release and a selection of power-ups. Unfortunately, our suggestion for a "back-seat driver" power-up -- which would play the game for you to grind levels -- doesn't appear to have made the cut.

Need for Speed World opens up July 20 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 May 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Impressions: Need for Speed World

Andrew Yoon — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:56:00 EST

It's rare to get excited for a Need for Speed project. Sure, it's a reliable franchise that's spawned a number of good, and sometimes great titles as of late, but innovation is hardly its strong suit. Considering the series' track record, I was surprised to find that one of EA's most ambitious and innovative upcoming titles is Need for Speed World, a free-to-play massively multiplayer online racer for the PC. It's the largest Need for Speed title yet, offering a potential platform for limitless updates, and it could easily become the last Need for Speed game EA will ever need to make.

Imagine a world not unlike the one found in Burnout Paradise and Test Drive Unlimited. Now, imagine those worlds with persistent online multiplayer functionality. Essentially, that's what Need for Speed World is. Even at its pre-beta stage, the gameworld is incredibly expansive, spanning over 150 miles of playable road, comprised of a "best of" tasting menu from the entire Need for Speed franchise. If there have been certain tracks, certain environments and certain streets you have enjoyed in previous games: chances are, you may find them in Need for Speed World.

Gallery: Need for Speed World (MMO)

[Heads-up: Details about the open beta -- launching today! -- are posted after the break following the preview.]

Continue reading Impressions: Need for Speed World

Impressions: Need for Speed World originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EA: Expect a 'major MMO' in 'Spring 2011'

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:15:00 EST

EA CEO John Riccitiello mentioned during the company's reduced earnings conference call yesterday that the publisher plans to launch its "major MMO" in the spring of 2011. With no other announced "major MMO" in the works at Electronic Arts, the common wisdom of the Jedi (which can sometimes lead to bad things), points to that being Bioware's Star Wars: The Old Republic's release window. The company refused to elaborate further or acknowledge what game the executive was talking about.

Eurogamer notes that other possibilities are Realtime Worlds' APB or Need for Speed: World Online, but neither has the hype of the Star Wars game. Of course, there's also a chance that EA has some super-secret MMO hidden away like a Sith apprentice.

Update: BioWare confirms release window [Kotaku]

EA: Expect a 'major MMO' in 'Spring 2011' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need for Speed series sells 100m copies, earns $2.7b life-to-date

David Hinkle — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST

Yep, EA has announced the Need for Speed series has raced past the 100 million sold mark -- thanks to recent sales of Need for Speed: Shift -- and earned $2.7 billion in life-to-date sales, cementing its status as the best-selling racing brand in gaming. Just because it's sold the most doesn't necessarily mean it's the best franchise in terms of quality, however -- so we cooked up the graph you see above!

There are a couple of things to keep in mind as you follow the red line's progress:

First of all, we didn't include cell phone entries and tried to focus on the main entries in the franchise
The general quality of the series seems to be high, yet starts to dip after the release of Underground 2 in 2004; Shift seems to have brought the series back from the brink of critical mediocrity

EA's focus now is on rebooting the franchise -- the first step was to release a new hardcore sim racer in Need for Speed: Shift. The next move is to release Need for Speed Nitro, an arcade racer for the Wii and DS market, and follow that with Need for Speed World Online, a free-to-play PC racer for the casual audience.

Need for Speed series sells 100m copies, earns $2.7b life-to-date originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need for Speed: World Online begins testing in March

Jason Dobson — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

Before Need for Speed officially burns internet rubber, PC gamers in Asia will get an early taste of what it feels like to slip behind the wheel of Need for Speed: World Online. The recently announced free-to-play online experiment will begin testing in Taiwan and Hong Kong in March, well ahead of the game's eventual debut later this year.

EA explains that Need for Speed: World Online will boast "the largest free roaming environment" in the series' history as players "form teams to take on the competition and the police." The Black Box-developed racer is one of several attempts at refueling the property, though we're waiting to see if the game makes it across the finish line or slips on a patch of black ice as it races to North America this Winter.

Need for Speed: World Online begins testing in March originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 08:00:00 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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