Criterion Developing Need for Speed Title for Release in 2010
A trusted source has revealed to Primotech today that EA subsidiary Criterion Games, responsible for the long-running Burnout racing series, is currently developing an installment in the Need for Speed franchise, due out for release in 2010. The announcement came during an internal presentation by John Riccitiello at EA headquarters in Redwood City last week.
When asked for comment, a representative for EA told us that “right [now] we’re focused on Need for Speed World Online, SHIFT and NITRO.” Need for Speed: World Online is a free-to-play massively multiplayer online racing game, in development at EA Black Box, which will launch later this year. Need for Speed Shift and Need for Speed Nitro are two distinct titles in production at Slightly Mad Studios and EA Montreal, respectively. The former, arriving on all major platforms this September, will be aimed at simulation fans and features more realistic racing gameplay mechanics. Nitro is an arcade-style racer that’s exclusive to the Nintendo Wii and DS late this year.
Black Box will return to the series with a new Need for Speed in 2011.
Interestingly, Shift producer Jesse Abney told VG247 last month that he thinks Criterion would be a “great team to work with on that stuff,” referencing the development of Need for Speed.
Criterion has been producing downloadable content packs for its open-world racer Burnout Paradise since the game debuted in 2008. It does not currently have a publicly announced new game in the works.
(Please note, the above screenshot comes from Need for Speed: Shift)