Boss man Alex Ward says that after a decade of tricked out wheels pummelling asphalt it’s ”time to make something new.” No, before you ask, there’s not another Black coming.
Right now the developer officially has nothing to announce beyond the revelation of no more racers. Criterion in recent years has brought back a lot of popularity to NFS.
Alex Ward posted a series of tweets:
”Here is what I want folks to know. Some folks are eternally disappointed. Nothing I can do about that. So many tweets asking for new Burnout.”
“Equally many tweets asking for a new NFS game from us. Also Road Rash. Whilst I love all of those games, I am personally not doing any.”
“As a diehard NES gamer in the late ’80s UK I was misled by many gaming mags hinting at games to be released.”
“Most games did not get a PAL release. Most of the hot stuff was JPN and USA only. Hence I hate to mislead ANYONE.”
“No point saving up hard earned money for your fave game not to come. Trust me, I have been there.”
“After over a decade of making racing games it’s time to make something new. It is early days thus I have nothing to “announce” or talk about.
“I will do my best to keep folks in the loop who want to follow what we play or what inspires us. Or what we might be listening to.”
“But if you are following me expecting some Megaton of a new Burnout game, or an Underground remake then I have to disappoint you.”
“I am proud of all of the Burnout games. When it feels right we will make another one. We are creative people.”
“So I hope you will join us on a new journey. Hope it makes sense. #Butit’syourkidsMarty! #PromiseMeWe’llBeBackInTime.”
“No Black2 either folks. Volumes to tell on that topic, but will save that for when I get a book deal… “
“Thanks for the support everybody. We won’t let you down! #tothefuture.”
The Need for Speed franchise isn’t being dropped by EA though as the newly opened Ghost development studio in Sweden, formerly known as EA Gothenburg, are using DICE’s Frostbite engine on a new instalment.
Criterion’s last major Burnout title was in 2008 with Burnout Paradise, followed by the digital title Burnout Crash in 2011 for XBLA and PSN. They also revived Need for Speed with the rebooted Hot Pursuit in 2010 and now Most Wanted in 2012. Going back further, Criterion released first-person shooter Black in 2006 on PS2 and Xbox.
