Burnout Sparks

Criterion’s co-founders leave studio. Hope for new Burnout dies

Polygon report that there are goings on at Criterion and EA that are of interest to us and our love of Burnout.

Alex Ward and Fiona Sperry have decided to leave EA,” a spokesperson commented to the site this morning. “We appreciate their many contributions through the years and wish them well in their future endeavours.”

The statement goes onto highlight that Criterion are working on something without the co-founders involved – but does not detail what.

The incredibly creative and talented team at Criterion are hard at work on a new project for next-gen consoles as new IP continues to be a major priority across EA. Matt Webster is leading development of the new game and the Criterion studio moving forward. Matt has been part of Criterion for years and has an exciting vision for this new game.

With Ward and Sperry gone though – it is hard to get excited. Sure. it may turn out to be great, but as we said, we stubbornly love Burnout.

Ward and Sperry have taken to Twitter to comment on the future. “[S]o I guess its now official! The future starts here …” comments Sperry.   “Just decided to start afresh and form a new games company with Fiona Sperry #freshstart,” says Ward.

Criterion continue to have creative oversight of the Need for Speed franchise moving forward.

We have no idea what Ward and Sperry will go onto create at their new home. We hope it is called Outburn, and has cars moving towards each other at speed.