The Need for Speed (NFS) franchise, one of the longest-running and beloved racing game series, is currently on an unexpected hiatus. Fans had their fingers crossed for a 2025 NFS, but EA says there’s no new title coming anytime soon. The cause of this pause is the shift in focus at Criterion Games, the studio responsible for the series, which is now entirely dedicated to supporting Battlefield.
Even with the long hiatus, EA told Eurogamer the franchise will come back in “new and interesting ways.” Back in 2023, EA made a big move by shifting most of Criterion's development team to focus on the Battlefield series. With a smaller team dedicated to updating Unbound, its resources were limited, and no new content was expected for 2025.
As it stands, the Need for Speed team has joined forces with Battlefield Studios, working alongside other EA developers on the next Battlefield game. Although this move confirms that NFS won’t have a new release for now, there’s still potential down the road. EA’s focus on Need for Speed is as strong as ever.
Vince Zampella, at the helm of Battlefield and managing Criterion’s shift, has reassured fans that the NFS series is far from over. The publisher is committed to listening to the NFS community and strives to learn from it. Zampella shared that Criterion’s been spending time figuring out what players liked (or didn’t) about Unbound to make sure future titles hit the mark.
The future of the franchise will be shaped by this feedback when Criterion takes the reins again. Although NFS fans will have to wait longer than expected, Zampella hinted that the next NFS game will take a new approach. Need for Speed taking a longer break this time around is a big departure from its usual release cycle.
For three decades, NFS has been a constant in the gaming industry, releasing new titles annually. The 2025 gap will be the longest stretch without a release in the series' history. After a rocky period with mixed reviews for several releases, NFS found a bit of hope again with Heat and Unbound.
However, this period of dormancy could be a blessing in disguise. As the gaming world continues to evolve, it’s clear that NFS has no choice but to keep pace. The series has stepped up its game with better driving, storylines, and racing. However, most players are hoping the series sticks to its roots, with genuine street racing, smoother gameplay balance, and fewer unrealistic elements like excessive police chases or that frustrating "catch-up" AI.
NFS might be on hold, but Criterion isn’t leaving fans completely without something to look forward to.