As Criterion rebrands on its 30th anniversary, are its beloved racing franchises like Burnout falling away in the rearview mirror?
EA’s Criterion Games shifts focus entirely to *Battlefield*, leaving racing fans questioning the future of *Burnout* and *Need for Speed*.
📍 How it ended
EA restructured Criterion Games into a dedicated *Battlefield* studio, ending its work on racing franchises like *Burnout* and *Need for Speed*. The shift left the future of *Need for Speed* uncertain, with no new projects announced under Criterion’s former racing focus.
Coverage of the transition faded without further updates on the studio’s new direction.
Epilogue added 47d ago, after coverage quieted.
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Where it stands
The studio, known for *Burnout* and *Need for Speed*, will cease production of its signature franchises, though coverage does not yet specify whether existing projects will be completed or shelved. Major outlets including *PlayFront*, *Rock Paper Shotgun*, *levelup.com*, and *Eurogamer.net* are highlighting the shift as a seismic change in gaming’s racing landscape.
Fans and industry observers are debating whether this signals the end of Criterion’s legacy in the genre or a strategic realignment under EA’s broader portfolio. Future announcements from EA or Criterion could clarify whether any racing IP will be repurposed or licensed to third parties.
Synthesized by headlinez.news from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: unsupported claims removed (67% supported) Updated 47d ago.
Coverage (4)
- EA cuts racing game tradition: Criterion Games becomes a pure Battlefield studio PlayFront · 50d ago
- The Sunday Papers Rock Paper Shotgun · 50d ago
- EA Confirms Fate of Criterion, Leaving the Need for Speed Franchise on Life Support levelup.com · 50d ago
- As Criterion rebrands on its 30th anniversary, are its beloved racing franchises like Burnout falling away in the rearview mirror? Eurogamer.net · 50d ago
Answered
Will *Burnout* or *Need for Speed* receive new games under Criterion?
Coverage confirms Criterion will no longer develop racing titles, though EA has not ruled out future releases under other studios or licensing deals.
Is this part of a larger trend in gaming franchises?
The shift aligns with EA’s broader focus on *Battlefield* and *Apex Legends*, but it stands out as a rare instance of a developer abandoning a core franchise entirely.
Could *Need for Speed* be revived by another studio?
EA has not confirmed plans to transfer the franchise, but third-party development or rebranding remains possible based on industry precedent.
Topics
Related trends
The Sunday Papers
Electronic Arts is reportedly shifting focus away from the Need for Speed and Burnout franchises to prioritize the Battlefield series.
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