Need for Speed Is on Hold, but EA Promises a Bold Return

The iconic racing game series, The Need for Speed (NFS), known for its long-lasting popularity, has temporarily halted production. Fans had hoped for a 2025 release, but Electronic Arts (EA) has confirmed that a new NFS title won’t be coming out anytime soon. This pause is due to a change in direction at Criterion Games, the studio behind the series, as they now solely concentrate on supporting Battlefield.

Despite the extended break, Electronic Arts (EA) informed Eurogamer that the franchise will return with fresh and engaging concepts. In 2023, EA made a significant decision by assigning most of Criterion’s development team to work on the Battlefield series. As a result, a smaller team was left to manage updates for Unbound, leading to limited resources, and no new content was anticipated in 2025.

Currently, the Need for Speed crew has teamed up with Battlefield Studios, collaborating with other Electronic Arts developers to create the upcoming Battlefield game. Even though this partnership means that a new Need for Speed game won’t be released immediately, there’s still a possibility of one in the future. Rest assured, Electronic Arts remains committed to the Need for Speed franchise.

Vince Zampella, who oversees Battlefield and is directing Criterion’s changes, has given fans comfort that the Need for Speed series is not ending. The publisher is dedicated to hearing from the NFS community and aims to learn from it. Zampella revealed that Criterion has been putting effort into determining what players enjoyed (or disliked) about Unbound so that future games will be successful in satisfying their preferences.

The way the franchise unfolds next time Criterion is in charge will be heavily influenced by this feedback. While fans of Need for Speed may have to endure a delay, Zampella suggested that the upcoming game could adopt a fresh strategy. This extended pause in Need for Speed’s regular release schedule marks a significant departure from its typical pattern.

For nearly thirty years, Need for Speed (NFS) has consistently been a fixture within the gaming sector, launching new editions every year. The upcoming gap in 2025 will mark the longest period without a release in the series’ timeline. After experiencing some turbulence with underwhelming reviews for multiple titles, NFS regained a glimmer of optimism with Heat and Unbound.

On the contrary, this phase of inactivity might turn out to be advantageous. As the gaming landscape undergoes constant transformation, it’s evident that Need for Speed (NFS) must adapt accordingly. The franchise has indeed improved with enhanced driving mechanics, engrossing narratives, and more competitive racing. Yet, what enthusiasts yearn for is a return to the series’ origins, characterized by authentic street races, harmonious gameplay balance, and fewer implausible aspects such as excessive police pursuits or the aggravating “catch-up” AI.

Although NFS is temporarily paused, Criterion won’t leave its fans devoid of anticipation. Instead, they have something exciting to eagerly await.

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2025-02-04 08:42