The closed beta for EA's MMO racer, Need for Speed World has begun.
Over the course of the next few months, "thousands of players worldwide" will have the opportunity to claim a slot for the trial by enlisting on its official website, says EA.
EA producer, John Doyle claims the game is "the world's first MMO racer." He says: "We have expanded Need for Speed's classic adrenaline fueled racing with an all-new power up system and deep RPG style progression to create a truly massive, socially-connected white-knuckle Need for Speed experience."
The official blurb reads: "For the first time in a racing game, players will be able to compete against any one of their friends, family or pick from thousands of top ranked players to challenge in intense online battles and police pursuits across 150 miles of sprawling open world."