It looks like last week’s rumors about the cancellation of the Need For Speed series couldn’t have been further from the truth.  Instead of scrapping the fifth highest grossing game franchise of all time, EA has announced that four, count ‘em, four different NFS games are currently in development.  In an interview with Gamespot, EA Marketing VP, Keith Munroe detailed three of the games.

The first, Need For Speed Shift, will be a racing simulator for the PC, PSP, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.  Developed by Slightly Mad Studios and former members of EA, Black Box and Digital Illusions, NFS Shift looks to bring a more realistic racing experience while maintaining the attitude of the Need for Speed series. 

Secondly, there’s Need For Speed Nitro (working title), developed by EA Montreal. This spin-off will appear exclusively on the Nintendo Wii and DS, and will feature a “unique visual style” and, like in Need For Speed Shift, real-world vehicles.

The third and most intriguing announcement is for Need For Speed World Online.  This Black Box/EA Shanghai-developed title will be a free-to-play online MMO for PCs. 

The first two titles are set for fall 2009 releases in North America.  NFS World Online is set for a summer 2009 release in Asia, and a North American release sometime in winter of 2009/2010.

As if these three weren’t enough, Munroe has also revealed to Eurogamer that a fourth Need For Speed title is currently in development.  No details were given, but Monroe did refer to the project as “a future action title in the (Need For Speed) franchise.”  Not sure what this means, but an action title in the NFS franchise sounds like some sort of kart combat game, which would be unfortunate.

We will no doubt be hearing more about this in the coming weeks, so stick with Gamervision for all your Need For Speed News.

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