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Need for Speed: Shift dev's next game is PC racing MMO World of Speed
Slightly Mad Studios announced its new racing game today, World of Speed. The PC racer will be available this year as a free-to-play download published by My.com, with a closed beta program scheduled for the spring. The former Need for Speed: Shift and Shift 2: Unleashed developer described World of Speed as a "massively multiplayer online arcade racing video game," with players having access to an "endless garage of cars" to drive on tracks based in cities across the globe like London and San Francisco. World of Speed will feature team and club-based multiplayer racing along with objectives, missions and live events. [Image: Slightly Mad Studios]
World of Speed aims to satisfy racing itch
If putting the pedal to the metal is second nature to you, you might be interested in World of Speed, a new racing MMO announced for the PC. Developed by Slightly Mad Studios, this free-to-play game includes a vast array of cars from city runners to historic racing models and a variety of venues from true-to-life tracks to conglomerate concoctions carved from roadways across cities like London and San Francisco. Besides team and club competitions, World of Speed also sports unique missions and objectives in every race, live events, players challenges, and the Airfield social hub. As an MMO, the game will receive new content regularly in the form of new tracks, cars, and gameplay modes. Interested drivers can sign up for beta on the official site. [Source: Slightly Mad Studios press release]
The Daily Grind: What's the weirdest MMO you've played?
I found myself playing a little bit of Test Drive Unlimited 2 this weekend. I'm not sure why, but I'll chalk it up to an obsession with vehicles and an incurable case of MMO wanderlust. The game is a bizarre mixture of online racing and The Sims, with out-of-car activities including casinos, dance clubs, outfit collections and player housing. The title's main draw is the vehicles, though, and while some of the driving mechanics leave a lot to be desired, the models themselves are impressive. I particularly enjoy the virtual cockpits and the ability to raise and lower windows, etc. Anyway, that's my weird MMO story of the day. What's yours? What's the weirdest MMO you've played? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
Ubisoft delays The Crew's launch window
I can't wait to play Ubisoft's open-world racing MMO called The Crew. Unfortunately, it looks as if I'll be waiting longer than I first thought now that the firm has delayed the title's launch to sometime during fiscal year 2014 to 2015 (that's April 2014 to March 2015 if your business-speak is rusty). The Crew, which was announced earlier this year at E3, was originally scheduled for an early 2014 launch. "Our long term goal is to win the next generation," Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot explained. "The tough decisions we are taking today to fully realize the major potential of our new creations have an impact on our short-term performance. We are convinced that, longer term, they will prove to be the right decisions both in terms of satisfaction for our fans and in terms of value creation for our shareholders. We are building franchises that will become perennial pillars of UbiSoft's financial performance."
The Daily Grind: Do sports MMOs matter to you?
For the longest time, whenever you'd hear the word "MMO," you'd have to mentally add "RPG" at the end. The two were inseparable, making up most of the games that we here at Massively cover. But now we're facing an evolving genre that includes MMOFPS and MMORTS titles as well as many others. There's always been one MMO genre that hasn't gotten a lot of coverage or general enthusiasm from the wider MMO playerbase, and that's the sports MMO. I know its out there. I've heard whispers and rumors of its legend. There's even solid evidence of its existence, as we just heard of the development of a new racing MMO called The Crew. I'm guessing that in addition to racing games, there are baseball, soccer, and even golf MMOs. They're just not within my sphere of interest. But what about you? Do sports MMOs matter to you? Do you follow or play any of them? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
Need for Speed World celebrates its second anniversary
It seems like only a scant few months have passed since we covered the launch of Need for Speed World, EA's street racing MMO. But NFSW celebrates its second anniversary today, kicking it off with a double XP boost for everyone as well as a free Chevy Camaro ZL1 for all registered players. In honor of the occasion, the dev team invited us to a group interview session culminating in a race-off during which we got to show just how hot (or not) our racing skills were. Lead Producer Marc de Vellis and Lead Designer Melvin Teo were on hand to answer our questions and talk about how the game has grown over the past two years. They enthusiastically discussed the ways they've developed NFSW as a result of community feedback, both in terms of game features and in terms of community interaction. Read on for a look at what changes they've made to keep their virtual drivers coming back for another lap.
Test drive a new BMW in Auto Club Revolution
Auto Club Revolution doesn't get a lot of ink from the mainstream MMO press, but it's a pretty interesting title if you're a gearhead. It's more of a virtual world and community hub than a typical progression game (but there is plenty of progression to be had nonetheless). Eutechnyx has just announced a partnership with BMW that gives players a chance to drive and customize a virtual version of the company's new 1 Series M Coupe. The ACR coupe was built with input from BMW designers, as was the new Victoria Harbour road course that you'll drive it on. ACR is a free-to-play racing title that delivers a "console-quality racing experience," according to Eutechnyx. Gamers can collect, customize, and race models from over 50 real-world manufacturers. Visit the game's official website and sign up to access the challenges needed to unlock your new BMW. [Source: Eutechnyx press release]
Auto Club Revolution open beta starts today
For whatever reason, racing titles have yet to really hit the MMO mainstream. Sure there's Need for Speed World, Test Drive Unlimited 2, iRacing, and the late, great Motor City Online. None of them has broken away from the pack, though, which leaves room for a new entry. Auto Club Revolution has just entered its open beta phase, and Eutechnyx hopes to carve out a foothold for itself thanks to over 40 licensed car manufacturers, 150-plus upgrade parts, and a selection of accurately modeled real-life race tracks that are all completely free. ACR is free-to-play, and players can unlock new vehicles at no cost via the game's progression mechanics. There's a dual currency system in place that mixes earned credits with E-Bucks, and both may be used to purchase upgrades, and customization options. The game also features single-player challenges and a variety of racing modes. If that sounds like something you'd like to check out for free, head to the official site to join the open beta. [Source: Eutechnyx press release]
Community Detective Issue #24: Need for Speed World
Thus far, Community Detective has stayed on the straight and narrow course of fantasy MMORPGs during its brief existence. Sure, I've taken the occasional detour into sci-fi, superhero, and quasi-historical territory, but the majority of the column's first 23 issues were -- like the genre itself -- largely concerned with sorcerers, scantily-clad he-men, and sword-related violence. This week I'd like to break out of that mold for a bit and examine a title based in the real world (or more accurately, Electronic Arts' approximation of the real world). To borrow a quote from dear old '80s cinema: I feel the need, the Need for Speed World.
Need For Speed World to hit the streets this summer
Racers, get ready to crank the metal up to 11, as Need For Speed World is revving up to zoom onto PCs this summer. Yes, indeed -- the street date for EA's upcoming freewheeling MMO is set at July 20th. Of course, as with most MMOs, those who decide to pre-order the title will get early access to the game starting July 13th. Along with early access, pre-orders will additionally be granted a special car based on what retailer you pre-order through, a permanent VIP mark on your profile, and a week of bonus "rep" (their term for experience). The other thing that seems interesting to us is that EA and Black Box Studios are apparently planning to offer an unlimited trial at launch. Anyone who is curious about the game -- but not quite interested enough to plonk down the $20 for the pre-order -- will have the ability to download the game at the Need For Speed World site. From there, you'll be able to play the first 10 levels of content for free and decide if this is a game you want to invest further in. Will that attract enough racers and automotive fanatics into an MMO all about tricking out cars and zipping around 150 miles of different tracks? Time will tell. Still, at least it isn't another WoW clone.
British racing game developer sets its sights on an MMO
UK-based Eutechnyx, who is known for their racing games, including a project in the works entitled Ferrari Challenge, has revealed its plans for a casual MMO. Apparently, this new game will have comparable visual quality to their current console racing games, but also include a flexible business model and shoot for a release date of 2010.According to the company's North American director Todd Eckert, "Although it's a casual MMO, any similarity between what we're doing and most casual MMOs will be purely coincidental. It's a very involved project." Eutechnyx boasts something completely fresh and unique with this project, going as far as to say it is "a different outlook to what games could possibly be in the future."
