EA has confirmed that Criterion Games, the studio behind the Need for Speed series, is now entirely focused on the Battlefield franchise, effectively shelving any prospects for a new Need for Speed game in the near future. The statement came from Rebecka Coutaz, Vice President and General Manager of Battlefield Studios Europe, during an interview with IGN at Criterion's 30th anniversary event.
Criterion's Shift to Battlefield
Coutaz told IGN: “We are solely focused on Battlefield.” This declaration ends speculation about Criterion's next projects, confirming that the studio has been relegated to a support role for DICE and other Battlefield Studios teams. IGN also reported that the Criterion logo within the studio now reads: “Criterion: a Battlefield Studio,” underscoring the shift.
Criterion first contributed to the Battlefield series in 2016, helping to ship Battlefield 1. Since then, it has supported every title in the franchise, including taking full ownership of the Firestorm battle royale mode in Battlefield V.
Recent Criterion Titles
Despite its Battlefield commitments, Criterion released several own projects in recent years. In 2020, it shipped Star Wars Squadrons, a space-flight combat game featuring a canonical storyline, multiplayer mode, and VR support. The studio also developed three Need for Speed games between 2017 and 2022: Payback, Heat, and Unbound. While Payback and Heat received lukewarm critical reception, Unbound earned a 77 Metacritic score.
Need for Speed Unbound, launched in 2022, is estimated to have sold around 1.8 million copies, though initial launch sales were soft. The total was likely boosted by frequent discounts on platforms like Steam and the PlayStation Store.
Legacy of Racing Games
Criterion has a storied history in racing games, beginning with the Burnout series in 2001 and acquiring the Need for Speed license in 2010 with Hot Pursuit. The studio's pivot away from racing is a disappointment for fans, especially given the lack of a major arcade racing competitor outside of Forza Horizon.
