Sony has announced that the PS Vita version of their kart racing franchise, called ModNation Racers: Road Trip, will not feature online play. That’s a huge bummer because, well, ModNation Racers, the franchise, is basically all about sharing, creating and playing online. Without online, half the fun of the game has been taken away. More than half, actually.

The game’s producer, Vernon Mollette II confirmed yesterday via live chat that the game will not have online multiplayer, and that it will feature only Ad-Hoc. This is a huge surprise, since even the PSP version had online.

The game will feature “asynchronous” multiplayer, in which players will record their best times on laps and play against ghost cars. Players will, however, be able to share their created tracks online.

All the trophies of the game will also be achievable without an online connection.

This is a huge bummer, since half the appeal of the game has been taken away. Oh well, let’s wait and see how it pans out.

Some time ago, Sony asked fans to suggest a name for the upcoming ModNation Racers Vita over at the PlayStation Blog. Sony has now picked a title, and it sounds pretty good. The game will be called ModNation Racers: Road Trip.

“Thanks to all who submitted thousands of great ideas for the title of the new game,” said Sony San Diego. “As we mentioned, we have some “goodies” to hand out to a few gamers who helped us choose the name ModNation Racers: Road Trip. We will be contacting them very soon.”

PS Vita releases in Japan on December 17 and early next year in US and Europe.

Stay tuned to GB for more updates.

Developers Sony San Diego wants the fans, those who’ve built so many tracks, karts and racers for the series’ last two games on the PSP and PS3, wants to know what the fans think ModNation Racers Vita should be named.

“We would like to tap into the brilliant minds that have conceived over two million amazing MNR creations by asking for your input. What do YOU think the title of the upcoming release should be?” asks Sony.

Here are some new features so that you can think of a name based on these-

– All PS3 user creations will be available on day one for the vita.
– Create a track in only seconds by drawing it with your finger.
– With the power of the back touch you can raise terrain with a simple touch. Likewise the front touch screen allows you to lower terrain in a simple yet powerful manner.
– The fun of ModNation kart racing remains intact with the advantage of dual analog sticks.

 Suggestions must be made via comments on Sony’s blog post here.

Or you can tell us what you like, and we… won’t tell Sony, we’ll just have fun.