Sorry, You’re (Probably) Never Going To Get Another Need For Speed Game
Criterion Studios has officially moved on from the Need for Speed franchise, with the developer’s leadership confirming that both Need for Speed and Burnout are no longer priorities. Rebecka Coutaz, vice president and general manager of Battlefield Studios Europe (Criterion’s parent company), stated that the studio is “solely focused on Battlefield” moving forward.
This marks a significant shift for Criterion, which has been integral to Need for Speed’s development for over a decade. The studio took over the series beginning with 2010’s Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, a reboot of the 1998 original of the same name. Criterion developed numerous entries in the franchise, becoming synonymous with the arcade racing brand.
The announcement came during celebrations marking Criterion’s 30th anniversary, where Coutaz deflected questions about the studio’s legacy with the racing franchises, saying “We’re not here to talk about the past.” This suggests the studio is deliberately distancing itself from its racing game heritage to concentrate entirely on Battlefield development.
The news raises questions about the future of Need for Speed, particularly regarding whether EA will continue the franchise with a different developer or place it on indefinite hold. The publisher has not made official statements about next steps for the series. For fans of Criterion’s arcade racing approach, this effectively closes a significant chapter in the studio’s history.