Need for Speed: World hits 3 million users
EA's free-to-play title continues with new updates and language support
Free-to-play online title Need for Speed: World has passed a milestone of three million registered users since it debuted in July, according to publisher Electronic Arts.
Created by EA Black Box and EA Singapore, and based on the free-to-play model popularised in Asia, the PC title has not enjoyed the same high critical acclaim as the recent Hot Pursuit. However, it has proved a hit worldwide, with recent localisations for English and German now being joined by French, Russian, Spanish and Polish.
Technically a massively multiplayer online game, the title allows players to race against each other, level up and customise their vehicles. A level cap was originally in place for those that did not purchase a 'starter pack' but since September the title has been completely free.
Instead the game's revenues now rely entirely on microtransactions, again following the model of Asian PC titles and EA games such as Battlefield Heroes.
Need for Speed: World continues to be updated, with a recent expansion adding a day/night cycle and new customisation and car upgrade options.