The next game in Electronic Arts' Need for Speed franchise has been delayed.
After the release of Need for Speed Heat, Criterion Games replaced Ghost Games as lead developer on the series. It's been tinkering away at the racer for new consoles like PlayStation 5, a very brief glimpse of which we saw during an EA Play broadcast last year. However, the studio's work on NFS has been put on ice for the time being.
Speaking to Polygon, EA's Laura Miele explained the situation. Basically, the recently acquired Codemasters is currently producing a racing title for EA to release later this year, and it's this, combined with the struggles of working through COVID-19, that has pumped the brakes on Need for Speed.
In the meantime, Criterion will be helping DICE to develop the next Battlefield game. Before being reassigned to Need for Speed, the studio was a support team, working on things like Star Wars Battlefront 2's Starfighter Assault and Battlefield V's Firestorm mode. With this new Battlefield pencilled in for a release late this year, the team will put its efforts into helping get it ready on time.
Miele makes it clear, though, that Criterion will be put straight back onto Need for Speed once this diversion is complete. There's no target date for the racer's return, but it sounds like late 2022 is the aim.
Are you looking forward to the next Need for Speed and Battlefield games? Do a donut in the comments section below.
[source polygon.com, via twitter.com]
Comments 10
Hope the next one rids itself of being an out and out Arcade game. Last few NFS’s have been crap compared to the golden oldies.
Ahhh man that sucks to hear, was looking forward to a new entry this year. Hope they build upon Heat as it's the best the series has been in a while.
@redd214 That’s not saying much. I think it needs to just ignore everything since Rivals. It needs a new foundation, not one that will never be great, just made decent.
@Jaz007 I thought Heat was a solid entry, of the last 4 I'd say they've consistently gotten better with each entry but certainly a ways away from the ps2/3 days. Whatever they end up with I hope you enjoy it!
I'm not complaining. I think the Need for Speed franchise could use a break. Take more then a 2 years to develop the game, and come back strong with next gen only racer.
@itsfoz id love to see a new underground or hot pursuit
Need for Speed = November ... now in 2022
Remaster a couple of the older ones for now I don't mind.
@Boucho11 Yes! Another Underground please!
Could they let NFS rest for a bit 😅 how about a new Burnout instead? I will happily take either a Burnout 4, paradise city 2 or just a full reboot.
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