EA has unleashed a set of new screenshots of its upcoming MMO, Need for Speed: World today. Previously known as Need for Speed: World Online, the game is scheduled for release later this quarter, although a specific date hasn’t yet been announced. The new images provide a good look at the environment that’s being used in the game, which includes cities from previous titles in the series. The customisation tools that made earlier games so successful make a return for World:

Electronic Arts’ latest reveal of Need for Speed Shift focuses on a much less expensive car than the McLaren-Mercedes SLR seen last week. It’s time for Volkswagen’s Scirocco to enter the spotlight. In the images released today, there’s a good look at the body and headlamps which set it apart from other VW models, as well as a chance to see the distinctive glowing blue dials on the dash.

EA has released five new screenshots of Need for Speed Shift, showing the game’s action from a variety of angles. There’s a first chance to see the McLaren-Mercedes SLR, as well as some on track activity from the Ford GT and Lotus Exige.

Electronic Arts is ramping up promotion of Need for Speed SHIFT and has released three new screenshots today. One image shows an old Nissan Skyline while the focus of the other two is the BMW M3 in different liveries.

The company has said in a blog article that it plans to release new images on a more frequent basis. The current plan is to feature one of the game’s cars per week and release new screenshots of it plus a high resolution render which fans can use as a desktop wallpaper.

Electronic Arts has revealed that a “driver profile system” will play a key role in both the single and multiplayer modes of Need for Speed: SHIFT. As has been hinted in some gameplay videos, rewards are given to players for performing well on track and these have today been confirmed to fit into two different categories. Driving skilfully will unlock “precision” rewards while ramming other players and gaining positions that way will lead to “aggression” rewards.

EA has highlighted three major rewards – overtaking others, taking out others and mastering corners. Each will give “profile points” which are used to assess a player’s rank. In addition, various badges will be shown to others who view their profile, illustrating which rewards they have earned and rivalries are generated between drivers who often clash. As the profile develops, vehicles and customisation options are unlocked, making it key to progression through the single player game.

The result should be a system whereby certain drivers become respected, while others are feared – that’s what the press release says anyway. It all sounds very promising, and possibly closer to Project Gotham Racing than GRID, to which it is so often compared. The game releases on September 17th in Europe and September 22nd in North America.

Electronic Arts has unleashed a trio of new Need for Speed: SHIFT screenshots. The images feature the now familiar BMW M3 GT2 along with an interior shot of the Volkswagen Scirocco and a first look at the Renault Megane RS.

Electronic Arts COO John Pleasants has revealed that one of the next Need for Speed games will be developed by Criterion Games. The studio is best known for its Burnout franchise and the latest entry – Burnout Paradise – was well known for its vast environment and polished online modes. EA says that it is looking to capitalise on this experience by tasking Criterion with development of an online-centric Need for Speed title.

Criterion Developing Need For Speed Game [G4TV]

Electronic Arts also sent out some images of the other new Need for Speed game they’ll be showing at E3 – Need for Speed Nitro. The images show the game’s interesting visual style, complete with huge manufacturer badges on vehicles. The Wii screenshots are all from the game’s version of Madrid, Spain:

The DS screenshots show places which are a little more open:

Electronic Arts just sent out a bunch of screenshots from the titles they’ll be showing at E3. First up we have Need for Speed: SHIFT and eight new images of the game in action.