Exciting developments have emerged regarding the future of the Need For Speed franchise. Reports indicate that Electronic Arts has placed the series on indefinite pause as they seek to enhance profitability across their gaming lineup. This decision has had a ripple effect, leading to the hiatus of Speedhunters, a car culture website closely tied to the Need for Speed brand.
Speedhunters, known for its deep dive into driving culture, was funded by EA and has been put “on ice.” Matthew Everingham, a seasoned contributor to the site, shared on Instagram that the pause in funding has put a brake on Speedhunters. He reflected on the cherished experiences and connections formed through the platform, highlighting his plans to shift focus toward video content.
The Need For Speed series, which made its debut in 1994 and released over 20 titles, has been experiencing a decline in recent years. Between 2015 and 2019, several titles developed by Ghost Games struggled to capture the widespread popularity once enjoyed by the franchise. Although the 2022 release of Need For Speed Unbound showed promise, its sales didn’t reach the heights needed to ensure a sequel.
EA’s strategic shift has involved moving Criterion Games, one of the developers behind the franchise, into the EA Entertainment group. Criterion now focuses on Battlefield 6, with aspirations for a player base of 100 million, alongside another racing project. This move suggests EA is prioritizing other ventures, possibly sidelining the Need For Speed series for the foreseeable future.
The racing game market remains fiercely competitive, with titles like Forza Horizon from Turn 10 and Playground Games leading the charge, boasting over 45 million players. As the landscape evolves, gamers and fans await to see if and when Need For Speed will race back into the spotlight.
