Black Box Studios and EA have announced that the closed beta for Need for Speed World is now underway. This marks the first time the long-running game franchise will make the crossover into the massively multiplayer dimension. EA is promising "thousands of players worldwide" will make it into the beta, hopefully providing the kind of constructive criticism that will help improve the finished product.

In a release, Need for Speed World senior producer John Doyle said the following of the game:

"[This game] is the world’s first MMO racer – a completely new entertainment experience for speed junkies all over the world. We have expanded Need for Speed’s classic adrenaline fueled racing with an all-new power up system and deep RPG style progression to create a truly massive, socially-connected white-knuckle Need for Speed experience."

The game will deliver 150 miles of open world racing space, allowing for head-to-head as well as co-op racing. If you're interested in getting in on the beta, you need to log on to world.needforspeed.com to apply. In the meantime, check out the trailer below to tickle your fancy. You know, if you have one of those ticklish fancies.