So this confirms that in 2011 we will see two new NFS games: SHIFT 2 by Slightly Mad Studios, which will focus on simulation (or try to xD) and this new NFS, which probably will be similar to Undercover / Underground (tuning, illegal street racing, cops and crap story).BlackBox making next Need for Speed title for November 2011:
EA Europe VP Patrick Soderlund has revealed to Eurogamer that mainstay series developer BlackBox will be making a new Need for Speed for release next November.
This year's edition, Hot Pursuit, comes from Guildford-based Criterion. But back in August, EA announced a Need for Speed: Shift sequel for the end of FY2011.
Slightly Mad Studios did the first game. BlackBox's last console NFS was Undercover in 2008, but has launched MMO Need for Speed: World.
Soderlund says it's all down to an alternating studio strategy similar to the one had at Activision for Call of Duty.
"We want to reach a mass-market audience, and Hot Pursuit is a more mass-market appealing product than Shift," said Soderlund.
"We want to come back with an action adventure type of product on an annual basis, but from a developer that's been working on it for a couple of years."
"Maybe there are two or three developers going at it every second year. Then, when the market permits and when we feel ready, we'll come up with Shift versions as well."
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit launches on November 19 in the UK.
Source: http://www.vg247.com/2010/11/02/blackbo ... mber-2011/
Well, EA definitely wants to keep the franchise alive, I just hope that they don't make the same mistake they did in the past, which is to force a single studio to produce a new game every year. Longer developing cycles are welcome, and with three studios working, we can really have good games every year. They surely want to extend the NFS franchise to simulation games with SHIFT, while keeping their old-school fans happy with games like Hot Pursuit. And then games like Underground, which were a success.
I like it.
EDIT: Oh and we have World, which can be a very good game in the long run. It's an MMO, if they support the game correctly it can last for years.