Black Box, a studio of Electronic Arts, announced today the closed beta for Need for Speed World, a massively multiplayer onlineaction  racing game. Over the next few months thousands of players will have their chance to get one of the limited slots in the PC beta.

Need for Speed testers will be one of the first players to get a look at the latest Need for Speed title, where their input will directly influence and help the development team refine and fine tune Need for Speed World to the final product.

"Need for Speed World is the world’s first MMO racer – a completely new entertainment experience for speed junkies all over the world,” said John Doyle, Need for Speed World Senior Producer. “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."

Need for Speed World will bring together thousands of racers online with an unparalleled online social experience. Players around the world can race with their friends, family and top-picked racers in intense online race matches or hot police pursuits across 150 miles of open world. Need for Speed World will take the most popular cities from Need for Speed: Carbon and Need for Speed: Most Wanted to create an intense and exciting race world.

Need for Speed World is set to release this summer for the PC. More information on Need for Speed World and the beta can be found at world.needforspeed.com.