No New NASCAR Game from Electronic Arts

NASCAR is still very popular in the United States but it seems that for the first time in years fans will not be able to get a game in 2010 that uses the franchise to offer some realistic or arcade driving experience. While this might seem like a rather depressing prospect Electronic Arts, which has previously used the license, is pretty decided on it.

Peter Moore, the outspoken leader of EA Sports, has told GameSpot that “There are no plans right now for NASCAR from EA. We had a great relationship over the years that I thoroughly enjoyed when I first got here. Unfortunately…we had to make some tough trade-offs. We've had to redeploy some of those folks. A number of the NASCAR team has moved over now to EA Sports MMA, which will be shipping next year. Still a huge fan of NASCAR, but no plans right now to develop any further games for NASCAR from EA Sports.”

This statement is basically throwing cold water on the hopes of fans of the series, who wished a sequel were announced this fall and maybe released in spring 2010. There were some rumors that the new NASCAR title might be a follow up to the Nintendo Wii title, NASCAR Kart Racing, which arrived last February.

When it comes to racing, Electronic Arts is still betting big on the old series Need for Speed. Although the last game released was not well received either by critics or by gamers, the company is ready to publish Need for Speed: Shift in mid-September, focused on hardcore racing simulation, and Need for Speed: Nitro, aimed at the Nintendo Wii and the DS, which is set to offer a more arcade experience.

A MMO version of the racing series is also set to arrive sometime in 2010, allowing gamers to put their racing career online.