Electronic Arts is steering the popular "Need for Speed" franchise in a new direction.
The video game publisher today announced plans to spin off the 15-year-old racing series into three driving games on different platforms.
The new games will speed into three separate genres -- simulation, action and arcade racing -- and are expected to be released later this year.
They are "Need for Speed Shift," a first-person racing simulation for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360; "Need for Speed World Online," a multiplayer action-driving game for PCs; and "Need for Speed Nitro," an arcade-style racing game for the Nintendo Wii and DS.
The new games have been in development for two years.
The original "Need for Speed" was released in 1994.
Copyright The Associated Press
