Criterion Games has shifted its primary focus to the Battlefield franchise, effectively sidelining the Need for Speed and Burnout series. According to statements made by Electronic Arts executives to IGN, the studio’s creative direction now prioritizes the high-intensity combat of Battlefield over traditional street racing, following a decline in player engagement for recent racing titles.
Criterion Games Rebrands as a Battlefield Studio
The shift became visible during the 30th anniversary of Criterion Games. Attendees noted that the studio’s new logo explicitly defines the company as a Battlefield-exclusive studio. Rebecka Coutaz, Vice President of Battlefield Studios Europe, dismissed the idea of returning to classic racing projects when questioned about the future of the studio’s portfolio.
Coutaz told IGN that the “intensity, cinematic vision, and instant reward” that define Battlefield are the core strengths of Criterion. She linked this DNA back to the studio’s previous work on the game Black, stating that while the focus has moved from cars to guns, the overall player experience remains the same.
Did you know? Criterion Games once developed racing games that many players enjoyed—elements EA is now attempting to translate into the Battlefield combat experience.
Player Data Drives the Pivot from Racing to War
Electronic Arts is basing this strategic pivot on stark differences in player retention and peak concurrency. Data from SteamDB shows that Need for Speed Unbound reached a peak of just over 14,000 players at launch. In contrast, the Battlefield franchise consistently attracts hundreds of thousands of concurrent users.
| Game Franchise | Launch/Current Engagement | Studio Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Need for Speed Unbound | ~14,000 peak players | De-prioritized |
| Battlefield | Hundreds of thousands | Primary Focus |
Community Backlash and the “Forgotten” Burnout Series
The move has sparked frustration across gaming communities, particularly on Reddit. Players argue that EA mismanaged the Need for Speed brand by ignoring the core elements that made titles like Underground and Most Wanted successful. Critics claim the 2022 release of Unbound failed to honor the franchise’s historical legacy in terms of mechanics and visual style.
The outlook for Burnout is even bleaker. The cult-classic series has not seen a fully new entry in nearly a decade. With Criterion’s official rebranding toward military shooters, the series appears to have fallen into total obscurity within EA’s current roadmap.
Pro Tip: If you are looking for the “street racing” itch that Need for Speed is no longer scratching, explore titles like Forza or DiRT, though community members note these don’t fully cover the specific void.
FAQs About the Future of EA Racing Games
Has Need for Speed been officially cancelled?
There is no official confirmation of a permanent cancellation, but Criterion Games’ leadership has stated their attention is now completely on Battlefield.
Will there be a new Burnout game?
Current evidence suggests not. The studio responsible for the series, Criterion, has rebranded as a Battlefield studio and shifted its technical talent to war games.
Why is Criterion moving to Battlefield?
According to Rebecka Coutaz, the studio’s strengths in creating “instant reward” and “cinematic intensity” are a better fit for the current scale and success of the Battlefield franchise.
What do you think about EA’s decision to move Criterion away from racing? Do you prefer the intensity of Battlefield or the nostalgia of Need for Speed? Let us know in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more industry updates.
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