EA's Executive Vice President Vince Zampella recently provided an update on the current status of the Need for Speed (NFS) series. It's been over two years since the release of NFS Unbound, and fans have been eagerly awaiting news on the franchise's future. However, EA has not made any new announcements regarding Need for Speed, and there's a good reason for this delay.
Currently, Criterion Games, the studio behind NFS, is fully focused on developing the next installment in the Battlefield series. According to Zampella, EA's top priority is the new Battlefield game, which is being crafted with a strong emphasis on incorporating player feedback. This ambitious project involves collaboration from four different studios, indicating EA's significant investment in its development.
Zampella has emphasized that the team is keen on avoiding the pitfalls experienced with Battlefield 2042, which faced heavy criticism at launch due to controversial gameplay choices. This player-centric approach is also being applied to the ongoing support for NFS Unbound, ensuring that future updates align with community expectations.
It appears that EA will only shift its focus back to Need for Speed after the release and initial support phase of the new Battlefield game. This strategy might actually benefit the NFS franchise. Recent titles have left fans feeling underwhelmed, and taking a break could allow EA to reboot the series effectively. By giving players time to move past previous disappointments and build up nostalgia, EA could set the stage for a successful return.
In the meantime, fans should not anticipate any new Need for Speed announcements in the near future. EA's current focus is clear, and the wait for the next NFS game might be longer than expected.
