Need for Speed: Shift dev's next game a free-to-play MMO racer

Need for Speed: Shift developer Slightly Mad Studios today announced World of Speed, a new massively multiplayer online racing title coming to PC this year as a free-to-play game.

World of Speed, not to be confused with Slightly Mad's other racing game Project CARS, features an "endless" garage of cars and true-to-life tracks from courses around the world. Players can also participate in team-based game modes as well as various live events.

Creative director Andy Tudor told GameSpot as part of our newly published preview that World of Speed will not put any content behind a paywall "because that's completely obvious." On top of this, Tudor said it is important that players who elect to not pay do not feel like they're at a disadvantage compared to someone who has.

"Do it fair and don't ever let the player feel like they're being cheated because someone has paid," Tudor said about World of Speed's business model. "It's not rocket science. You can go all the way through the entire game to the highest level without spending a penny at all."

Following the official launch of World of Speed this fall, players can expect a "continuous" supply new content like cars, tracks, game types, and features. It's all part of Slightly Mad's vision for the project to be more of a platform than a singular game.

A closed beta for World of Speed will go live this spring, and you can sign up through the game's website today for a chance to take part in the pre-release trial period. World of Speed will be published worldwide by My.com, operator of free-to-play games like Jungle Heat and Poker Arena, among others.

For more on World of Speed, be sure to read GameSpot's preview.