Since our last rather in-depth preview of Need for Speed World, we’ve been lucky enough to get some more hands-on time with the title. At its core, there’s not much more to say since last time: it’s an ambitious and potentially fantastic MMO version of the Need for Speed series. If you like those games, there is a good chance you’ll like this. However, for those who missed last time, EA Black Box has taken much of what made up Need for Speed Carbon and Need for Speed: Most Wanted, tossed together some new areas to unite the worlds, added a stronger focus on multiplayer to MMO proportions, mixed in power-ups and new games modes, gave it a whirl, and are now almost ready to release it to the public.
Even more, EA was ready to show me their new pricing structure for the game. It’s a little different than many might expect, but it could certainly prove appropriate for Need for Speed fans. Even more, EA talked a bit about their Facebook integration, so those ready to move past FarmVille, please step up.
Sit down, buckle up, and follow the jump for my hands-on with Need for Speed World.
Need for Speed World (PC)
Developer: EA Black Box / EA Singapore
Publisher: Electronic Arts
To be released: Summer 2010
Embodying the core classic Need for Speed elements, players will be taking part in all the traditional modes of Need for Speed. Multiplayer is just a matter of setting up a lobby in a race area, and gassing through across the finish line. So many concepts from other Need for Speed games are included that Need for Speed World is like a what’s-what of Need for Speed games.
The inclusion of consumable power-ups is also a fantastic addition to the series. One of the more interesting abilities that have been announced is the irritating “One More Lap,” a power-up that will cause the race to continue for an extra run around the circuit, giving you one more chance to blast ahead of the competition. It’s great if you are in a lower position, but a nasty thing to hear if you are barely leading the pack. Power-ups are also specific to the type of race mode you are playing, so if you are in the middle of a police pursuit, expect different abilities than if you are in a race.
Like all the power-ups, this one is a consumable, and will run out unless you earn more in-game, or you buy more with real money. For those fearing a game that nickels and dimes players, “Lucky Draw” should waylay some of those fears: at the end of the race, whether you win or lose, the game lets you randomly choose a prize, from power-ups to cash.
EA has been rather tight-lipped on how the pay structure is going to pan out, but they are now ready to talk about how players will pay for Need for Speed World. At first glance, the title will be free: players will be able to get the initial download and begin playing right away. Unfortunately, they can only reach a certain level cap, and once they hit it, they cannot keep rising up in the game. After that, Speed Boost comes into play. The currency of Need for Speed World, Speed Boost is necessary to break the level cap, as well as buy extra power-ups, rent and buy cars, and purchase progression amplifiers.
Power-ups and progression amplifiers are pretty easy to explain. Drop a couple of bucks, and you can get a bundle of consumable power-ups that won’t be available in-game from Lucky Draw. Progression amplifiers will send you up the track faster in the game. These are all microtransactions that are inoffensive at most, and if priced right, could be appealing to gamers with less time on their hands.
However, car rentals are much more interesting. While cars can still be bought in the game for tens of thousands of in-game points, it is time-consuming to earn the points, and expensive if you decide to buy it with Speed Boost. But those same vehicles can also be rented for much, much less, like a Lamborghini for 400 points as opposed to 50,000 points to buy a Mazda. Cars can be rented for one-, two-, or three-day blocks, and they allow players to use really fantastic cars, tune them and customize them, and toss them without losing a lot time or money. Surprisingly, renting cars seems like it might be a strong component of the game, especially considering how much the cars cost to buy in-game. Without knowing how the conversion of real dollars to Speed Boost pans out, we can’t tell if the game will rip people off, but as it stands, it never did feel like an unfair situation.
Finally, if you remember from last time we saw the game, Facebook integration was being considered. We can confirm that it is fact happening. With Facebook Connect, the same service people use every day to log in to many sites on the Internet, players will be able to see who on their friends list is playing the game, and interact with them without launching Need for Speed World. It’s a pretty fantastic new feature that looks like an exciting new integration of social networking sites, and could very well be a sign of things to come. Now, while I wasn’t shown the Facebook integration in action, it sounds like a useful way of consolidating titles even more.
What is going to set Need for Speed World apart from other new massively multiplayer racing games are the small details. After all, the basic game is set in stone, and if they can keep those core mechanics from breaking, any fan of Need for Speed would want to get into it. Besides, the game is initially free, so there isn’t really an excuse to not give it a try. Considering that the studio is planning on supporting the title with more updates and content over time, there should be a lot for online racing fans to enjoy.
