Despite the covert underperformance of 'Need for Speed' games in 2008, Electronic Arts is reportedly planning three new additions to the game this year - Need for Speed: SHIFT; Need for Speed: NITRO; and Need for Speed: World Online!

Of the three new platform-specific titles, Need for Speed: SHIFT has already revealed itself; while the second title Need for Speed: NITRO is forthcoming, and the third title Need for Speed: World Online will be launched in Asia this summer and in North America this winter.

Need for Speed: SHIFT has been launched for PC, PS 3, Xbox 360 and PSP. It is supposedly a more "serious" racing simulation, as compared to the earlier titles. The game would deliver the true driving experience, which would "reflect contemporary motorsports." For the die-hard fans of Need for Speed games, SHIFT - developed by UK's Slightly Mad Studios - will be a virtual treat!The soon-to-come Need for Speed: NITRO is being developed by EA Montreal. Though no images of the game have been released yet, the company claims that this Nintendo Wii and DS exclusive title will reflect a "unique visual style."

So far as Need for Speed: World Online is concerned, the PC-specific title will be a free-to-play online game. The game, being developed by Black Box and EA Shanghai, is largely aiming at the Asian gaming market.

Commenting on the three titles, Keith Munro, EA Games marketing executive, said that EA has crafted "different games for different audiences and their unique tastes in the driving category."