Still alive despite mass layoffs and the closure of its central office, Need for Speed developer Black Box has unveiled new details on Need for Speed World Online, its free PC racing MMO.

The new screenshot to the left is a "work-in-progress image so shouldn't be judged as showing the final quality of the game," the Need for Speed Blog cautions. It's meant to show off the customizable user interface.

"Instead of a traditional console view of a game, we're using a user-selectable gadget interface designed specifically for the PC," explained producer Scott Henshaw. "

"A lot of gamers now have more than one monitor so you could keep the game window entirely clean and then have all the gadgets sit in the other monitor. We think it's about time PC gamers had games that allowed them to arrange their information their way."

Developed in conjunction with EA Shanghai, Need to Speed World Online will launch in Asia this summer, with a North American debut following later in the winter.

Need for Speed Shift

Update: In addition to the three Need for Speed games below, Electronic Arts tells Eurogamer that "Black Box is currently working on a future action title in the franchise."

No additional details on the so-called "secret NFS game" are known at this time.

Original Story: GameSpot is reporting that despite recent mass layoffs at Need for Speed series developer EA Black Box, Electronic Arts is not giving up on the Need for Speed franchise.

On the contrary, as the publisher has three new entries in the series in the works.

The PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PSP are set to receive Need for Speed Shift, described as a "hardcore racing simulation". Development is being handled by UK start-up Slightly Mad Studios, with production overseen by Black Box... Read more