Wed, Jun 10, 2009 | 22:43 BST
Criterion working on a new “revolutionary” Need for Speed
John Riccitiello has confirmed that Criterion is working on a “revolutionary” new Need for Speed game.
The Burnout team, led by Alex Ward, has been shifted to the series for the time being and the EA bossman seems pleased with the switch.
“Alex is one of the people in the industry I would analogize to the great filmmakers etc.,” Riccitiello told Kotaku. “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.”
When asked if the Need for Speed and Burnout franchises would ever merge, Riccitiello said it wan’t likely and compared such an event to merging Star Trek with Star Wars.
“I don’t think you can fold Burnout into Need for Speed, because a lot of people like Burnout,” he said. “We don’t have a plan right now for a separate major launch on Burnout, because the team doing it is working on a revolutionary take on Need for Speed.”
More through the link.
8 
Posted in: Development, EA, Hot, Racing
Tags: alex ward, burnout, need for speed
8 comments
#1
Superfrog
10/06/09, 10:23 pm
I’m curious how they’ll differentiate the NFS Shift way and the way they’ll be going with the Criterion NFS. Will they co-exist?
Also, it doesn’t seem helpful for NFS Shift (which seems to be the best NFS in a decade) to hype the next NFS before Shift has been released…
Btw, it’s Alex Ward, not Alex Ware.
#2
No_PUDding
10/06/09, 10:24 pm
No, “We told you so” self referncial joke?
This was aired about 2 months ago on here, thanks for the heads up.
#3
Macrike
10/06/09, 10:34 pm
It’s Alex Ward, not Ware. lol
#4
Stephany Nunneley
10/06/09, 10:43 pm
I serious need a keyboard where the letters aren’t worn off.
/facepalm
#5
endgame
11/06/09, 7:53 am
that’s from too much gaming mrs. Nunneley. :p
#6
Blerk
11/06/09, 8:28 am
Need For Speed: Crash
#7
tenthousandgothsonacid
11/06/09, 1:51 pm
“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”
So, no restarts then ?
#8
Prof Power Glove
11/06/09, 8:43 pm
I think they need to deconstruct Need For Speed and then build it all back up again slightly differently. You know, like they did with Bond.
Be good if they can keep the appeal it has for the “suburban gamer” whilst also creating a new approach that racing fans will enjoy too.
I don’t think i’ve enjoyed a game of this since it was out on the 3DO. I guess it’s Criterion so really shaking up the series could be possible.