I enjoy the [i]Need for Speed[/i] series. The franchise is not without its shortcomings, but I cannot help but look back fondly on iterations like [i]Hot Pursuit[/i] and hell even to a lesser extent [i]Most Wanted[/i]. Now EA is bringing a new sequel (already?), following up on the last game, [i]Carbon[/i], with [i]Need for Speed ProStreet[/i]. There was a teaser not too long ago for it which showed a sleek car on what appeared to be some sort of drag strip, but today the company officially announced the title, as well as the game’s first details.

In development by EA Black Box in Vancouver, B.C., and expected to ship this fall for multiple platforms, [i]ProStreet [/i]is siad to focus on “head to head” street racing competitions. The game will also build upon the previous game’s “Autosculpt” technology by allowing changes you make to your car to “directly impact your car’s performance” as well as make it look nifty. Online play will also be a focus, though it remains to be seen if this will have a footprint in all versions of the game.

Says Executive Producer, Larry LaPierre, “[i]Need for Speed ProStreet[/i] accelerates street racing culture by providing the ultimate stage for the pursuit of street racing supremacy… This is a game about building the ultimate performance-tuned battle machine, taking it to multi-disciplinary showdowns all over the world and pitting your skills and reputation against the very best street racers.”

[i]Need for Speed ProStreet[/i] will be available for the Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, Nintendo DS, PSP, PC, and mobile phones.