As Criterion rebrands on its 30th anniversary, are its beloved racing franchises like Burnout falling away in the rearview mirror?

Electronic Arts has announced Criterion Games will rebrand as a dedicated *Battlefield* studio, ending its 30-year legacy as a developer of racing franchises. The move follows years of declining sales in the genre, with *Need for Speed* reportedly on 'life support' and *Burnout* no longer in active development. Coverage highlights the studio’s pivot as a strategic realignment, though fans and industry analysts debate whether the shift signals the end of an era for arcade-style racing games.

Outlets including *PlayFront*, *Rock Paper Shotgun*, *levelup.com*, and *Eurogamer.net* are framing the news as a seismic shift in EA’s gaming portfolio. The announcement comes amid broader industry trends of consolidation, where studios increasingly specialize in core franchises. While EA has not confirmed cancellations, the rebranding is widely interpreted as a de-prioritization of racing titles, with *Need for Speed*’s future described as 'uncertain' by *levelup.com*.

What to watch next: Whether EA will license *Burnout* or *Need for Speed* to third-party developers, or if the studio will phase out racing entirely. The gaming community’s reaction—particularly from modders and preservationists—could also influence whether these franchises see a revival in other forms.