EA Makes Moves to Potentially Halt Need for Speed Franchise

Car Culture Contributor Reveals Possible End for Need for Speed

The renowned Need for Speed series might be approaching a pause point, at least temporarily. According to Matthew Everingham, who frequently contributes photography to the car culture platform Speedhunters, Electronic Arts is considering pausing the Need for Speed franchise. In his social media announcements, he mentioned that EA has 'shelved Need for Speed,' with the company discreetly putting the series on the back burner. Furthermore, Speedhunters, which relied on EA support and last received updates in April, could also be ceasing operations.

While no definitive word has come from EA about the status of Need for Speed, internal indicators suggest an ambiguous future. Earlier in the month, EA declared plans to shut down the online capabilities of the beloved Need for Speed Rivals by October 7. Prior to this, Criterion Games—which helmed Need for Speed development—had directed most of its team to concentrate on the Battlefield series, leaving a limited number focused on the racing series throughout 2023.

Battlefield Versus Need for Speed: A Shift in Priorities

Vince Zampella, who oversees the Battlefield franchise, stated in a EuroGamer interview earlier this year that the remaining staff members assigned to Need for Speed were set to join those working on Battlefield.

A Franchise with an Illustrious Legacy

The Need for Speed franchise traces its origins back to 1994 with its debut on the original PlayStation and Sega Saturn consoles. Over the years, it has spawned over 20 iterations. The latest addition, Need for Speed Unbound, arrived on the scene in December 2022. This recent title has garnered a mixed reception on Steam, with more than 40,000 user reviews.