Is A New Need for Speed Drifting Into View?
The internet is buzzing again, and this time, it’s about one of the most iconic racing franchises in history: Need for Speed. A juicy rumor has surfaced suggesting that NetEase, the powerhouse publisher and developer behind massive hits, is secretly working on a brand-new NFS game. With the last console release, Need for Speed Unbound, in our rearview mirror, fans are hungry for what’s next. So, let’s pop the hood on this rumor and see what’s really going on.
The speculation points toward a new, AAA-quality racing experience, but here’s the twist: it’s not for your console. All signs are pointing to a new, ambitious mobile game that aims to bring the full open-world NFS experience to the palm of your hand.
Meet ‘Need for Speed Mobile’
While the initial rumor name-dropped NetEase, the project that seems to be the source of all this excitement is officially titled Need for Speed Mobile (also referred to as Need for Speed Online: Mobile Edition). This isn’t just another simple tap-to-steer mobile racer. It’s a full-fledged, open-world game built on Unreal Engine 4, and it looks absolutely stunning.
The game is being developed by TiMi Studio Group, a subsidiary of another tech giant, Tencent. TiMi is the studio behind monster hits like Call of Duty: Mobile and Pokémon UNITE, so they have a serious track record of delivering high-quality, console-like experiences on mobile. The game is being co-developed with EA and will be published under their label.
Palm City in Your Pocket
So what makes this mobile game so special? For starters, it features a massive open-world map. If the environment looks familiar, it should – the game world is a recreation of Palm City from 2019’s Need for Speed Heat. It’s not just a direct port, though. The map has been refined and expanded with new areas and routes, offering a fresh experience even for those who know Heat inside and out.
The gameplay itself feels like a greatest hits collection of modern Need for Speed. It combines the handling physics of NFS Heat with the stylish, cel-shaded visual effects of NFS Unbound. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Need for Speed game without deep customization, and NFS Mobile delivers with a huge range of visual and performance tuning options to make your dream ride truly unique. You can expect intense cop chases, a variety of race events, and the freedom to explore the city at your own pace.
Where Does NetEase Fit In?
This is the big question. While the original rumor that caught everyone’s attention specifically mentioned NetEase, all official information and development details point to Tencent’s TiMi Studios as the team behind the wheel. So, what happened? It’s most likely a simple case of wires getting crossed. NetEase and Tencent are two of the biggest names in mobile gaming, and it’s easy to confuse them. NetEase is busy working on its own slate of impressive titles, including the recently announced single-player AAA game Blood Message, so they have plenty on their plate.
The important takeaway is that a new, high-quality Need for Speed game *is* in development, even if the developer’s name in the rumor was off. For fans, that’s still a huge win.
FAQs About The New Need for Speed Mobile Game
- Is NetEase really making a new Need for Speed?
The popular rumor says yes, but the game in question, Need for Speed Mobile, is actually being developed by Tencent’s TiMi Studios in partnership with EA. - What kind of game is Need for Speed Mobile?
It’s a free-to-play, open-world racing game for mobile devices that uses a modified map from Need for Speed Heat and features deep car customization. - What engine does it run on?
The game is being developed using Unreal Engine 4, which allows for its impressive, console-quality graphics. - Is there a global release date?
Not yet. The game has undergone several closed beta tests, primarily in China, but EA has not announced an official worldwide release date. - Does this mean we’re not getting a new console NFS game?
No, this is a separate project. The main NFS developer, Criterion Games, is currently assisting with the next Battlefield title, so a new console entry is still expected, but it will likely be a few years away. - Will it have a story?
Beta tests have included story elements, suggesting there will be a single-player campaign in addition to multiplayer modes.
Conclusion
While the rumor of a NetEase-developed Need for Speed might have been a false start, it led us to something just as exciting: a truly ambitious mobile racing game that promises to deliver the authentic NFS experience. Need for Speed Mobile looks to be a graphical powerhouse and a feature-rich game that could set a new standard for mobile racers. With the next console game still a ways off, this might be the perfect way to get your adrenaline fix. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the rearview for an official global release date.