"Never say never": Criterion aren't ruling out a return to Need For Speed, but Battlefield is their only focus for now

EA has officially rebranded Criterion Games as "Criterion: A Battlefield Studio" to coincide with the developer's 30th anniversary. This move signals a major strategic shift for the Guildford-based developer, cementing its position as one of four studios exclusively dedicated to supporting the future of the Battlefield franchise. However, while the studio's immediate focus has shifted away from its traditional racing projects, leadership is not ruling out an eventual return to the Need for Speed series.

A New Era Focused on Battlefield

The rebranding marks a formal transition for Criterion, ending its active development on other intellectual properties for the foreseeable future. Although known historically for high-octane racing games, Criterion is no stranger to EA’s flagship military shooter. The studio has contributed to the Battlefield franchise since 2015's Battlefield 1, and has also lent its development expertise to other major EA projects, such as the rebooted Star Wars: Battlefront series.

Under the new structure, Criterion will work alongside three other EA-backed studios to support the broader Battlefield ecosystem. This transition officially sidelines Criterion's work on the Need for Speed series, which the studio has shepherded in recent years.

Leaving the Door Open for Need for Speed

Despite the singular focus on Battlefield, Criterion's leadership suggests that this shift may not be permanent. Speaking to Rock Paper Shotgun, Criterion senior producer Danny Isaac addressed whether the studio would ever return to its famous racing franchise.

"Need For Speed? Yes, for now, we're focused on Battlefield Studios," Isaac stated. "But you've seen the journey that we've been on, I'd never say never."

This sentiment was echoed by Criterion’s Director of Operations, Amy Pejic, who noted that while the studio’s current mandate is entirely committed to the Battlefield platform, they maintain the internal confidence that "we can do any game."

While Need for Speed remains a future possibility, another of Criterion's classic franchises is unlikely to make a comeback. Isaac confirmed that the studio has "put [Burnout] down a while ago," indicating there are no active plans to revive the beloved demolition racing series.

Finding Creativity in a Single Franchise

Transitioning to a support role on a massive shooter franchise might seem like a creative constraint, but Criterion's leadership views the partnership differently. According to the studio's leadership team, the Battlefield franchise offers diverse creative opportunities that span multiple styles of play.

The studio expects to flex its creative muscles across multiplayer design, single-player experiences, and user-generated content systems. For now, however, any hope of a new Criterion-led racing game remains firmly on the horizon as the studio aligns its full development power behind EA's shooter franchise.

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• Rock Paper Shotgun Hero image: https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/need-for-speed-unbound_al9BUCZ.jpg?width=690&quality=85&format=jpg&auto=webp