Need for Speed will return in “new and interesting ways,” says EA

EA has confirmed that support for Need for Speed Unbound has ended after two years, with the team at Criterion Games focusing on the next Battlefield. However, EA also hinted that the franchise will eventually return in “new and interesting ways.”

In 2023, EA announced that the “majority” of Criterion would work on Battlefield, with a smaller “core group” working to “shape what’s next” for Need for Speed.

This led to several live-service updates for Unbound, with last year’s Vol.9 update introducing a Most Wanted-inspired ‘Lockdown’ multiplayer mode and a playable motorcycle for the first time in the franchise.

Now, EA has confirmed that support for Unbound has ended, with the entire team now focusing on the next Battlefield.

“Since we’re at the end of live service on Unbound, we won’t be updating the game or making any more changes,” Criterion confirmed in a blog post looking back at Unbound’s Vol.9 update. “Your notes and comments are being captured and will help inform the future,” the studio added.

“The Need for Speed team at Criterion are joining their colleagues working on Battlefield,” EA’s Executive Vice President, Vince Zampella, said in a statement to IGN. “As a company, it was important to us to take the last year to listen to our Need for Speed community and use their feedback to create content for Unbound.”

While it’s the end of the road for Unbound, EA confirmed that Need for Speed will return at some point. “With an increased understanding of what our players want in a Need for Speed experience, we plan to bring the franchise back in new and interesting ways,” Zampella said.

It’s unclear if a new entry is in active development. But with Criterion focusing on Battlefield, it looks like it will be a long wait for a new Need for Speed game.

While we wait to see what direction Need for Speed will take next, Criterion recently hinted that interior customisation will be a future priority during a roundtable event celebrating Need for Speed’s 30^th anniversary attended by Traxion.    

EA’s comment on the future of Need for Speed comes alongside a first look at the new untitled Battlefield game, which sees Criterion collaborate with EA’s DICE, Motive and Ripple Effect studios.

What are you hoping the future holds for Need for Speed? Let us know in the comments below.