EA's Executive Vice President Vince Zampella recently provided an update on the current status of the Need for Speed (NFS) series. It has been over two years since the release of NFS Unbound, and since then, EA has not made any new announcements regarding the franchise. The reason behind this silence is that Criterion Games, the studio behind NFS, is currently dedicating its efforts to the development of the next Battlefield game.
According to Zampella, EA's primary focus at the moment is the new Battlefield project, which is being crafted with significant input from player feedback. This ambitious endeavor involves collaboration from four different studios, showcasing EA's commitment to delivering a high-quality experience. Zampella has emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes, particularly those associated with the launch of Battlefield 2042, which faced heavy criticism due to controversial gameplay choices. This player-centric approach is also being applied to new content for NFS Unbound.
It appears that EA will likely return to the Need for Speed franchise only after the release and initial support phase of the new Battlefield game. This delay might not be detrimental to NFS fans, who have expressed disappointment with recent titles. By taking a break, EA aims to successfully reboot the franchise by truly listening to player feedback, allowing time for fans to move past previous disappointments and build up nostalgia for the series.
Therefore, fans should not anticipate any Need for Speed announcements in the near future. EA's strategy is to prioritize the development of Battlefield and ensure it meets player expectations before shifting focus back to NFS.