EA's Executive Vice President, Vince Zampella, recently provided an update on the current status of the Need for Speed (NFS) series. It's been over two years since the release of NFS Unbound, and since then, EA has remained silent on new developments for the franchise. The reason behind this silence is that Criterion Games, the studio behind NFS, is currently dedicating its efforts to developing the next installment of the Battlefield series.
Zampella emphasized that EA's primary focus at the moment is on the new Battlefield game. The company is putting significant effort into this project, aiming to incorporate extensive player feedback. The development involves collaboration from four different studios, highlighting EA's commitment to getting it right this time.
The motivation behind this shift in focus stems from the desire to avoid repeating the missteps of Battlefield 2042, which faced substantial criticism at launch due to its controversial gameplay choices. This player-centric approach is also being applied to the ongoing support for NFS Unbound, ensuring that any future content aligns with what the community wants.
It appears that EA will likely revisit the Need for Speed series only after the release and initial support phase of the new Battlefield game. This delay might not be unwelcome news for NFS fans, many of whom have felt underwhelmed by recent entries in the series. Taking time to listen to players and allowing them to build nostalgia for the franchise could pave the way for a successful reboot.
In the meantime, don't hold your breath for any immediate Need for Speed announcements. EA's focus remains firmly on Battlefield, with the hope that this will eventually lead to a revitalized NFS experience.
