Need For Speed Series - Future

Future

In 2010, Criterion Games revived the series with the release of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, as it won several awards, became the highest rated game in Need For Speed's history, and sold more than 8.5 million copies. However, in 2011, EA Black Box extended the downfall with the release of Need for Speed: The Run, as it got mixed reviews and was overall considered a huge disappointment in comparison to Hot Pursuit. EA Labels president Frank Gibeau said although was proud of the Black Box-developed installment, "I don't want a 60, I want an 80+". On the subject of The Run's developer, EA Black Box, Gibeau said the publisher would not be changing its dual studio strategy. However, Criterion vice president Alex Ward told GameInformer at E3 2012 that the days of random developers churning out yearly NFS updates are over. Ward wouldn't confirm that all Need for Speed titles for the future would developed wholly by Criterion, but he did say that the studio will have "strong involvement" in them. Ward was, however, clear that Criterion will have control over which Need for Speed titles will come out in the future.

In April 2013, Electronic Gaming Monthly published a report that Need for Speed: Underground could be next on the Criterion Games reboot slate. The report suggested that the game would take place in a rebooted, original Bayview setting rather than Underground 2's. Just hours later, Criterion Games' creative director Alex Ward debunked reports that the studio was working on a Underground reboot. In a series of tweets, Ward indicated the studio was moving away from racing games. Initially it was suspected this meant that Criterion would not be developing racing games in the short-term, but in a follow-up message, Ward clarified that he was speaking personally and not speaking for the studio.