Need for Speed Development Paused as Criterion Turns Focus to Battlefield
The Need for Speed franchise is currently sidelined as Criterion Games shifts its resources to the upcoming Battlefield project, with assurances that the beloved racing series will return in new and creative ways.
Need for Speed fans face a lengthy wait for a new installment from the franchise, as developer Criterion Games has shifted its entire focus to working on EA’s next Battlefield title. In a statement to Eurogamer, Vince Zampella, the general overseeing Battlefield, stated: “The Need for Speed team at Criterion are joining their colleagues working on Battlefield.”
This shift of focus occurred earlier, with much of Criterion already dedicated to Battlefield since September 2023. However, a fraction of the team remained to support the most recent entry of the series, Need for Speed Unbound. Zampella emphasized: “It was important for us to take the last year to listen to our Need for Speed community and use their feedback to create content for Unbound.”
Need for Speed: Unbound has been receiving consistent updates since its launch in December 2022, including a new mode inspired by the well-regarded Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. Yet yesterday, the team announced the conclusion of live-service support for Unbound, stating: “we won’t be updating the game or making any more changes, but rest assured your notes and comments are being captured and will help inform the future.”
As a result, it’s possible that fans may not see another Need for Speed game for several years. Nevertheless, Zampella assures that EA remains committed to exploring new avenues for the franchise in the future with the player’s insights in mind: “With an increased understanding of what our players want in a Need for Speed experience, we plan to bring the franchise back in new and interesting ways.”
The reception to Unbound has been mixed, with some reviewers finding it a worthy addition while others criticize its lack of traditional fun. Currently, EA has undergone significant restructuring following the disappointing performance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which has resulted in BioWare being downsized and refocused on Mass Effect development. Many senior writers and designers were let go during this process, raising concerns over the loss of crucial industry experience.
