Criterion Games Shifts Focus: All Hands on Deck for Battlefield, But What About Need For Speed?

Big news is making waves in the gaming world, especially for those who love high-speed chases and intense military combat! Criterion Games, the legendary studio that gave us arcade racing masterpieces like the Burnout series and brought us some memorable Need For Speed titles, has officially changed its primary focus.

EA recently announced a significant rebranding for the studio, which will now be known as “Criterion: A Battlefield Studio.” This move clearly signals a dedicated commitment to EA’s premier military shooter franchise. While Criterion has been involved with Battlefield games since Battlefield 1 in 2015, this new designation means their entire team will now be singularly focused on developing the future of the Battlefield series. They join a group of three other studios in this massive collaborative effort to push the franchise forward.

Criterion’s development history is rich and varied. Beyond revolutionizing arcade racing and contributing significantly to the Need For Speed saga, they also played a key role in the rebooted Star Wars: Battlefront titles. Their expertise across different genres is undeniable, and now all that talent is being channeled into the Battlefield universe, promising exciting prospects for fans of the series.

Now, for the burning question on many gamers’ minds: what does this mean for Need For Speed? Does this rebranding signal the end of Criterion’s involvement with the beloved street racing franchise? Well, hold your horses, folks! While Criterion’s immediate future is entirely dedicated to Battlefield, the studio hasn’t completely shut the door on a potential return to Need For Speed down the line. It’s a classic “never say never” scenario, leaving a glimmer of hope for racing enthusiasts.

So, for the foreseeable future, we can expect Criterion to be deep in the trenches of Battlefield development, working to craft groundbreaking experiences for the iconic FPS series. But the possibility of them eventually revving their engines for Need For Speed again remains open. One thing is certain: Criterion’s development prowess is a significant asset, no matter which game they’re steering. We’ll keep you updated on all fronts!