A new Need for Speed game will be released this November for current-gen consoles only, it’s been claimed.
Speaking on his premiumGiantbombshow Grubbsnax (paywalled, transcribed by VGC), VentureBeat’s Jeff Grubb saidEAplans to release the latest title in the long-running racing franchise this holiday.
“Need for Speed is still coming this year… that’s true, that game should be coming in November,” Grubb said. “If you are a Need for Speed fan who has bought a next-gen console, here’s some news; it’s next-gen only. They are shifting to next-gen only.”
If true, it marks a change in strategy from EA. In 2021, the publisherdelayed the release of the next Need for Speed gameby a year and moved developerCriterion Gamesinto a support role onBattlefield 2042.
Laura Miele, EA’s chief studio’s officer, toldPolygonat the time that Criterion was still handling the new Need for Speed, which would now be released by March 2023 for platforms including current and last-gen consoles.
The last two entries in the series, 2017’s Need for Speed Payback and 2019’sNeed for Speed Heat, were released simultaneously forPS4,XboxandPC.
While Grubb didn’t mention plans for a PC version of the game, he claimed the title could take place in Miami, although he said he was not certain.
EA announced in February 2020 that it had handed Need for Speeddevelopment duties back to Criterion Gamesas it planned to restructureGhost Games, which made the last four entries in the racing series
Guildford, England-based Criterion is best known for the Burnout series and has also developed two previous Need for Speed titles: 2010’s Hot Pursuit and 2012’s Most Wanted. It contributed to 2013’s Need for Speed Rivals too.
