Criterion making next Need For Speed

EA boss John Riccitello let slip that Burnout-devs Criterion are currently working on the next installment in the Need for Speed franchise. Speaking to Kotaku he said that the publishers have no plans at the moment for another Burnout title because “the team doing it is working on a revolutionary new take on Need for Speed”.

Riccitello also paid tribute to Lead Designer at Criterion, Alex Ward, saying “He’s one of the people in the industry I would analogise to the great filmmakers. He is a true creative visionary. We had a great fight about what the next Need For Speed would be like. Of course, he gets to win because it’s his call. It’s not that I’m without an opinion on it.”

There’s no word yet on how far along development on this next Need for Speed is, or what direction Criterion will be taking the series. But in the meantime, we have Need for Speed: Shift coming out in September, and the Nintendo-exclusive Need for Speed: Nitro later in the year.

Criterion are also still continuing with their impressive support for Burnout Paradise, with Big Surf Island released today.