Welcome to Need for Speed World!

Today the English language beta testing phase of Need for Speed World begins. The team is very, very excited to open the doors of the game to our first batch of testers! Those of you who will join us in the session this weekend will be providing invaluable feedback and data to the development team as we work on stability, scalability and, certainly not least, gameplay.

This beta program is much more than one weekend of play. We'll be running a number of beta events over the next several months, all aimed at testing one or more aspects of the experience. If you didn't get into this round, don't worry, there will be more stages and many, many more invites in the weeks and months ahead. Some expectation setting: these initial rounds are intentionally constrained in terms of features, level progression and content. We are testing and so we need to keep the variables under control to ensure quality data. As the beta program progresses you'll see more content, ways to play and places to see.

Allow me to be wax dramatic for a moment. For me, the most exciting part of launching this game is that it marks the beginning of a journey for both the dev team and you, the players. We will be working together to take the beginnings of an online game and, through your feedback and our development, deliver a kick-ass NFS experience.

As an example of how seriously we take this shared effort, I'd like to announce that we'll be asking you, the NFS community, to model a car for launch. We've seen some of the amazing work you've done with our PC games once they've shipped and we'd like to showcase some of that work in World. Our good friends at Porsche have agreed to give players the chance to model the 959 for inclusion in the game and get credit for their creation. NFSDrew will be posting the details a bit later, so keep an eye out. I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Please provide us lots of feedback, good and bad. Use the bug reporting system on the website, be active in the Need for Speed World forums and help us get it right. We are counting on you!

http://needforspeed.com/web/nfs-na/blogs/need-for-speed-news/-/nfsblogs/1273547

EA's Chef John Ricitello reveiled some details of the next Need for Speed at the William Blair & Company's annual growth stock conference: The game is called Need for Speed: Undercover and has a very strong mission structure, similar to "The Transporter". Additionally it has a huge embedded storyline, so it gets a narrative touch.

Since Ricitello was pretty disappointed with NFS ProStreet, we can hope that EA will learn from its mistakes. According to Ricitello the Need for Speed Dev-Team in Vancouver had been working for eight consecutive years on a 12 month development cycle. Last summer the team was split and now there are two teams on a 24 month cycle. Unfortunately NFS:Undercover will be only 16 months development time, but the next year's NFS will be a full two-year development cycle.

"We were torturing a very talented group of people up in Vancouver, which makes it harder to be as innovative every year. So, I think we are going to get better from here.

"I'm confident that Undercover is a much better game than Pro Street, and I expect that from this point forward they will do a lot better."

So, we will see what we can expect from NFS: Undercover. Maybe this name is only a working title, but the mission-based gameplay sounds quite promising. Already in Need for Speed Porsche you had to solve missions as the Porsche test driver, which kept you on the road. I think NFS: Undercover could be quite fun, if you have to achieve missions and get a good story behind it. :)

Update:
Electronic Arts just confirmed that Need for Speed: Undercover will be the title for the next Need for Speed, as well as there has been restructuring of the dev teams. Stay tuned for more...

Source: www.nfs-planet.de

Today, a brand new C&C game was revealed (though not officially announced) codenamed "Tiberium"

"According to Game Informer, the C&C FPS, "Tiberium", is to be set 11 years after the end of the 3rd tiberium war. You'll play Ricardo Vega, a Used-to-be- retired GDI field commander. I'm not going to rewrite the article, so just think of it as GRAW + Battlefield + R6: Vegas in the C&C Universe. So far, you'll be leading a R.A.I.D (Rapid Assault and Intercept Deployment) around the location of the tower in the Mediterranean Red Zone that NOD defended until it was built. There's no mentioning of you fighting NOD, but you will be fighting new Scrin infantry (the two given were Shrikes, little knee-high robots with blasters an a self-destruct, and Archons, think Scrin versions of Elites from Halo)

The units that were announced that you could command were standard infantry squads, missile infantry squads, an ugly version of the Titan, and new Orcas. You'll still get special powers, like an "Orbital Slug" that you can call upon your foes."

Scans from the Game Informer magazine:
http://forums.cncnz.com/viewtopic.php?p=127234
http://www.cncnz.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=42
http://www.cncnz.com/gallery/thumbnails ... =42&page=2

Early leaked CGI video believed to be a concept trailer for C&C 3: Tiberium Wars (since the video was leaked before Tiberium Wars came out):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdhdPSwC6zc

 

www.needforspeed.com

Countdown to May 31, 2007 

Updated November 30, 2006

Vote for the model which will be featured in the next NFS game here: http://www.fhm.com/Site/customPage/DefaultPlain.aspx?ID=14868
NFS Carbon just has been released, but the development of the next Need for Speed already started. The lifestyle magazine FHM teamed up with Electronic Arts and presents you 10 hot girls, which can be the next Need for Speed Girl!
Take a look at their profiles and vote for the girl you like most. The winner will be flown to the EA Studios in the USA where she will star as a in the next game of the Need for Speed series!
- from nfs-planet.de
nfs-planet.de has a new Q&A about NFS Carbon but there are a few hints for future NFS games.
Most Wanted took place in daylight, Carbon at night...what can we expect for the next NFS?
Each year we spend a lot of time working out what time of day is best suited to Need For Speed. The time of day will come together with the main game design, so right now this is still under consideration. Watch this space! 

Will there be an in car view?
No, we decided not to include an in car view this year. This is something we're talking about for future Need for Speed titles. 

Do you think the NFS games would be better if you had more time to develop them? Do you think that taking 2 years to develop them instead of one would improve the games in any shape or form?
Although Need for Speed has been on an annual release schedule for a number of years now, it is important to know that each game is actually in development for approximately 18-24 months, in total. We have a small team working on creative and technical R&D projects well before the majority of our team starts to work on the game. As with any game these days, the more time you have the better! We're very proud of the high quality and innovation that the Need for Speed franchise has consistently delivered year after year. It's a truly remarkable and talented team working on this franchise. 
For the whole article including a lot more information, check out: http://www.nfsplanet.com/main.php?lang=eng

May 9, 2006:
Need for Speed: Carbon is the latest installment in the Need for Speed series. Although it has yet to be officially announced, it was shown in EA's montage at Sony's E3 2006 conference. It is the first NFS game for the Playstation 3.
E3 Teaser (compressed using WinRAR):
[link]
May 10, 2006:
While lurking about the EA NFS boards, I found some interesting bits:
- EAcomSmoothie: "You won't have to wait two months." (In response to how long we will have to wait until some more information pops up)
- EAcomSmoothie: "I'm your huckleberry. I'll take that bet, junior" (In response that there won't be an NFS game this November)
Some people even speculated that the name, "Carbon", may relate to a location (or person - thanks Skyline_Man)
May 11, 2006:
Electronic Arts' E3 2006 Trailer showcasing all their games:
[link] (194 mb)
[link] (25 mb)
- What's so special about this 10-minute trailer? It contains a slightly longer version of the first NFS Carbon teaser. If you listen carefully, there is an exotic in there (Porsche Carrera GT?)
If you're too lazy or have Dial-Up here is the teaser itself without the other mambo-jambo:
[link]
(Movie 2: NFS Carbon - E3 2006 Teaser (EA Games))
- On a side note...neons are back which suggests there will be night driving...
May 23, 2006:
IMDb lists this:
- [link]
Even though NFS Carbon is the 10th game in the NFS series, the release date of the "movie" for the game suggests it is for the next NFS. This may not be much for the average user but it is definately interesting seeing the actors who will play in the next NFS.
May 24, 2006:
- Need for Speed Carbon coming to Revolution...ahem...I mean to wee Wii?
[link]
- Apparently so according to EBGames with a price of $49.99 US and a pre-release coming to a Wii near you November 1, 2006
EBGames lists the game for PS2, PS3, PSP, GBA, Xbox, Xbox 360, Gamecube, Nintendo DS and Wii. Ok, for all of you out there, don't go all crazy because no PC version is listed. The game hasn't even been announced yet. Xbox 360 and PS2 will also get "Collector's Edition".
May 26, 2006:
Interesting: [link]
June 7, 2006:
Small bits of info from the EA NFS boards:
Member: "u still can't tell us the name of the magazine?"
eacomsmoothie: "Not yet"
So, a magazine out there will get an "exclusive" scoop on NFS Carbon...
eacomsmoothie: "Hmm, not sure if I can say this, but I just learned GameSpot will have a piece in about a week. "
June 13, 2006:
skylinemaan: "Will we have an official announcement of NFS 10 this month?"
eacomsmoothie: "Probably"
So it seems NFS Carbon should be announced by the end of June. Counting down...
June 14, 2006:
eacomsmoothie confirms that one of these magazines will have exclusive Carbon content soon: (check the official NFS boards)
* Computer Gaming World
* Electronic Gaming Monthly
* Next Generation
* Nintendo Power
* Official Xbox Magazine
* Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine
* PC Gamer
* PSM
* Tips & Tricks
June 15, 2006:
More from "smoothie":
1. GameSpot coverage will be later than originally planned. Looking like early July at present, but again subject to change.
2. Checking to see if I can reveal magazine and waiting to hear back. I've read the article and I almost shat myself with all the info it reveals.
- Not to give away too much, but I do expect to see threads speculating about the cars shown in the included images.
- Magazine should be on racks in about a week. Subscribers may get it earlier.
Screenshot? I don't know if this screen is real but God damn!:
[link]
- Another screenshot: [link]
- Thanks to Carcharadon from the NFSCars boards for both pictures...
June 16, 2006:
After two Underground series and the recent Most Wanted, game giant EA returns to the black asphalt roads to give high-octane racing another chance. The next game in the series is called Need For Speed: Carbon and is going to be oriented around the concept of Canyon Racing. It is a popular and extreme type of racing that originates from the outbanks of Tokyo and which is now exercised by crazy Americans who are not scared to put their lives on the line in return for some respect. In reality, this is the same type of racing as street racing at night, but the difference here is that it is held on slinging roads in the mountains where miles long of deep ravines threaten to engulf anything that doesn't stick to the road. Just one mistake will lead to a certain death.
EA had an eye out on THQ's Juiced in Need For Speed: Carbon since both the point and money system are centered around respect. There are various groups and teams that reside in the city, one of which you must chose to be a member of. You will need to play for your team in order to win your team more respect. The more your team wins, the more of Carbon City you will own. The final goal is to take over the whole city.
Carbon will be out in winter... (post by Carcharadon)
----------------------------------------------------------------
EA have been silently working away on Need for Speed: Carbon for the past year, and have granted The Official PlayStation 2 Magazine the first "low(ered) down" in the latest issue. That's their pun, not ours, if you're wondering.
There's a bit of confusion as to where the subtitle originates from. Obviously there's the whole carbon fibre thing, but as well as a large urban city to roam freely around, there are also three canyon environments including one based on Carbon Canyon - a popular location in California for "motoring enthusiasts".
The developers are looking to include between 50 and 100 vehicles, incorporating some that are yet to be unveiled by their manufacturers and, for the first time in a NFS title since 2000, a range of Porsches.
The cars aren't the only stars though, as effort is being made to create a stronger feeling of a society by being able to build up a crew. Every character, including rivals, have their own skills and talents such as blocking off slip roads and fall into one of three categories - tuning, muscle and exotic. If you're into tuning then a team can be formed with expertise in that area, or if customisation is your thing then drivers also into "tricking out" can be chosen.
Trackside railings now bend and buckle when hit (which should make for some entertaining police chases when zooming down a mountain at 150mph) and there's also talk of tilt sensor support for the PlayStation 3 version.
Formats? The magazine only states PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 and PSP, but undoubtedly it's going to be a multiformat title. We'd be surprised if it made it onto GameCube however, as not only is Carbon due to be released around the same time as the Wii (this winter) but EA have also wordlessly dropped Superman Returns for Nintendo's aging block.
June 17, 2006:
NFS_ZawyeR from the NFSUnlimited boards has these scans from a Norwegian Gaming Magazine: [link], [link], [link], [link], [link]
Also, Game Informer seems to have a more in-depth article. Check out the cover here: [link]
Gonintendo.com writes:
Some new details about the next entry in the Need for Speed series have popped up. First off, the game will be appearing on the Wii and DS, poor little GBA left out this time. The game appears to be a mix of Need for Speed: Underground and Need for Speed: Most Wanted. You will still have the ability to customize your car, known as “pimping your ride” to the younger generation. The police chases make a return, and you will find yourself on narrow roads, and deep within canyons trying to avoid capture. Apparently there will be a a driving crew of some sort, each with different talents related to cars (such as tuning). The opponents you race against will also feature certain characteristics, for example, some people may try to ram your car off the road, while a drafter will ride behind you to catch your draft. The game is called Carbon because it takes place in Carbon Canyon, a popular place in California for motorheads to meet. Finally, there will be anywhere from 50-100 vehicles, with Porsche being included this time around.
New scans: [link], [link], [link], [link]
These scans come from NFSource.net and they're from the Official Playstation 2 Magazine.
Secondly...someone is getting into the spirit of NFS Carbon: [link], [link], [link]
June 18, 2006:
Clearer versions of the scans posted yesterday: [link], [link], [link], [link]
Scans of the GameInformer magazine which technically has the full scoop on NFS Carbon: [link], [link], [link], [link], [link], [link]
- Thanks to klein from the NFSUnlimited Board for the scans...
(UPDATED June 18, 2006)