2010 Need for Speed confirmed, Medal of Honor reboot details soon

Criterion-developed next installment in racing series set for next year; shooter reboot information coming "in the months ahead."

In June, soon-to-be-ex-Electronic Arts COO John Pleasants revealed that Criterion Games was taking over the Need for Speed series. The news came five months after the publisher revealed it was splitting its once-top-selling racing series into three subfranchises for the PC, the Wii and DS, and the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

It is unclear if Criterion's work on the Need for Speed series will delay the next Burnout game.

Pleasants' comments came during an investors' presentation, in which he also said the series was no longer in the "12-month-cycle grind." However, EA is now indicating that the franchise will continue to have annual installments. During yesterday's post-layoff announcement and earnings report conference call, EA Games president Frank Gibeau said that the Burnout developer is prepping the next Need for Speed for a 2010 release.

"Next year's Need for Speed has been under development now for some time at our award-winning Criterion Studio," Gibeau told analysts. He also boasted that the latest game in the series, Need for Speed Shift, had shipped a combined 2.5 million units for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PSP, and PC.

Gibeau's comments came as EA announced that it was shifting away from its strategy of taking risks on unproven IP. In the same call, CEO John Riccitiello said the company would now "provide greater focus on titles with higher [profit] margin opportunities." As a result, EA has canceled "over a dozen" games and cut its development pipeline by half in two years. The canceled games were not indentified.

2007's Medal of Honor: Airborne was the last entry in the series.

One of the marquee properties EA is investing in is the Medal of Honor franchise. "In the months ahead you will hear more about our plans to revitalize core IP, including the Medal of Honor franchise," promised the executive. Gibeau previously discussed the shooter series' reboot in a 2008 interview with GameSpot, not quite a year after the release of the last game in the series, the tepidly received Medal of Honor: Airborne.

Ironically, news of the Medal of Honor reboot came on the eve of the launch of the latest game from Infinity Ward, a studio started in 2002 by disaffected Medal of Honor developers who quit EA. That game is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, which publisher Activision is touting as being on track to be the "biggest entertainment launch ever."

139 Comments

  • gnrlstuart

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 1:26 am PT

    see i bought nfs shift, and the graphics and immersion was superb, but it just lacked that little extra, and the annoying handling model, unfinished multiplayer, and lack of tracks is what made me sell it for forza 3.
    im almost certain it will be impossible for criterion to mess this up, as burnout paradise was one of the most fun racing games i ever played.
    i do thing the need for speed franchise is gaining a foothold once again though, albeit slowly.

  • alexLmx6

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 4:47 pm PT

    wait so annual now refers to a period different from 12 months? you can throw all the money at it and get the best devs in the world working on it but its still gunna be rushed and therefore garbage

  • stopher2501

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 9:52 am PT

    MOH a series well past it's best, even if this 'reboot' works out are there really people who will buy this based on their love for the earlier ones, with it's reputation tarnished by so many bad follow ups? I loved the early MOH games but felt some of the later ones were terrible, to the point i regard any new release from the franchise with doubt, the same thing applies to NFS. It seems its not about the games we might want to play anymore but more about the ones we will pay for as a substitute instead of those we really want to play but will not be made because of the potential risk of losing money. Well as far as i'm concerned EA had two good series of games (MOH & NFS) and squeezed them dry how can they expect a revamp of these two to solve all there problems when after being fed poor sequel after poor sequel people simply won't spend the cash on them the same as they did when the series were young. How about a sequel to Black?

  • magusat999

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 7:40 am PT

    I'd like to identify myself as a street racing fan. I don't care for the "realistic" games, although I like realistic graphics. That being said, I would love the NFS series to comeback ala Underground, High Stakes, or open world like Porche Unlimited. I wish EA would stop thinking it needs to knock the realistic racers off the block, messing up the franchise with these half-asp attempts at "outdoing" games like Forza and Gran Turismo. They need to make what they have had success with, and with the highest quality - open world street racers.

    The problem with Undercover was the graphics - I have yet to hear anyone say anything else that was so bad about the game except for that. Most Wanted was good - but EA made it frustrating with the stupid rubberband AI. That was gone in Undercover, which I consider a good thing. There is still a lot of life in the series, but they have to make it right, and no skimping - or else it's going straight to the scrapyard.

    I know Criterion made Burnout - which was great - but didn't they also make Crackdown, which was nothing but a big heavy handed "get online and pay for stuff" hard sell disguised as a game? Which Criterion is working on this game? The gamers or the marketers???

  • JustMe64

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 2:32 am PT

    @hotrider12 I can't agree with you more! My favorite is NFS High Stakes

  • Makhdoom82

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 1:33 am PT

    Shift was a failure and regular N4SPD versions like most wanted were much better. Better try that formula then churn out garbage like shift. And MOH crown has been snatched by Call Of Duty. But respect for the title as i played it a lot in LAN CAFE's long time ago

  • hotrider12

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 12:56 am PT

    NFS shift may have been better more than recent NFS but i still
    didnt dig it too much, not compared to Forza 3. And dont say you cant compare them - you absolutely can and should. I think NFS would do best if it went back to its original style gameplay. even before underground. im talking about NFS 3, and NFS HP2. Those were some incredible games. IMO, NFS Porsche Unleashed was a SUPERB racing game completely underrated. Go back to that direction, NFS, and I will love you once again

    COULD NOT AGREE WITH YOU MORE PUNKDSK8ERDUDE
    thats what NFS need to do go back to originality

  • holidaysins

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 12:45 am PT

    ea your wasting your time and money on moh. i was a fan at one point untill rainbow six and cod gave you some competition, and what did you do, you rehatched the same game over and over,now you've burnt out the brand and call of duty has taken over. with that said nfs can still be revamped. how i dont no, but you have done it once already and with a trillion dollars youll figure it out.

  • hotrider12

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 12:19 am PT

    IMO last great NFS was underground!! hoping criterion bring hope back to NFS undercover and shift was not it sorry guys, just was not feeling shift after playing easy, med, hard still was not feeling need for speed in shift.
    if only highstakes or hotpursuit 2 had shift graphics on ps3.... hey criterion sound like a IDEAL to ya with COPS???

  • chechak7

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 11:49 pm PT

    Medal of Honor reboot is it modern or what ?

  • kkkkknaruto

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 10:43 pm PT

    too much need for speed chill........this game needs a break from the public they r destroying the franchise

  • Nintenkid49

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 8:19 pm PT

    Need for speed series is getting dull........

  • TehUndeadHorror

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 7:44 pm PT

    @ SimulationStim
    You sir are a genius. Activision applauds your thinking.

  • bisonfan2010

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 7:37 pm PT

    Medal of Honor Airborne was actually a good game. It was just overshadowed by the innovating COD 4.

  • SimulationStim

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 6:56 pm PT

    Yeah, screw innovative rpgs that require thought and tactics to actually play, lets have more sports games that come out ever year and have about as much new content as dlcs, except that they're full price.

  • Broken_Cerberus

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 6:30 pm PT

    Medal Of Honor is starting to wear on me. How many Nazi's can i kill with a BAR over and over? I mean I play old medal of honor on my laptop but After European Assault I just tuned out.

  • mesk14

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 6:15 pm PT

    this is exactly why ea is laying off 17%of their workforce,nobody cares about the ancient medal of honor franchise ea needs to stick with what made them----QUALITY sport games not their ancient franchises or one of their pathetic rpg's---like dragon age

  • JJB03

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 5:25 pm PT

    they need to stop clinging to the same old titles as good as the original medal of hounours were on ps2 and 1 and the same goes for need for speed they just completely ruined nfs and MOH by stretching it out this far although to be fair MOH airbourne wasnt bad but it was hardly competition for COD though

  • ivandoomer

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:21 pm PT

    Sorry EA and Criterion, but I will never pay again for any EA or Griterion game, I'm waiting yet for DLCs BigSurfIsland and Cops'n'Robbers of Burnout Paradise por PCs.

  • ShadowOfKratos

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:20 pm PT

    Omg omg omg!!! A NEW NEED FOR SPEED GAME!! I'm soooooo NOT GETTING IT!

  • guilhem_r

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 1:01 pm PT

    MoH Airborne wasn't all it could have been, but it was a very ambitious project. I hope they keep the non linear level design from that game and don't revert to dated, linear level design.

  • Madertus

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 12:20 pm PT

    This NFS screenshot... Oh My God... It looks killing!!!

  • xFL4WL3SSx

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 11:05 am PT

    All I want is a Re-make of NFS Underground 2 with ofcoarse better graphics,diff story and more customizable cars. THATS IT

  • blaze_adeel

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 10:13 am PT

    and if new nfs is coming can we keep it in rockport city with 2 to 3 new areas cuz frankly NFS MW was excellent and IMO 30 % of the goodness was due to the enviromnt of RPC

  • blaze_adeel

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 10:10 am PT

    noooooooooo no nfs !!!
    MOH hellyeah!!

  • micro19

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 9:47 am PT

    waiting to check out Need for Speed

  • micro19

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 9:46 am PT

    waiting to check out Need for Speed

  • Megamanx266

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 9:36 am PT

    Hey at least it isn't as bad as Craptivisions' Guitar Hero in terms of millkage.

  • Hancock495

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 9:29 am PT

    ...... ok Medal of Honor was cool when WWII games were cool but now... they seem a little played out. Not to dis Medal of Honor! I love the series but the whole WWII thing just got kinda old.

  • kweeni

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 9:19 am PT

    poor nfs...it will get milked untill it simply dies..

  • xXZak-ataKXx

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 9:01 am PT

    poop is bad for your cat

  • jesusismyhomie

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 8:39 am PT

    NFS IS DEAD! Burnout will prevail!!

  • Frankasti

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 7:53 am PT

    again? another NFS? come on, the cow will die at this rate...

  • Huskerz09

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 7:01 am PT

    Hopefully Criterion can provide the attention to detail and QC that's been sorely lacking in the NFS series. With Underground 2, you could tell EA pegged it as a cash cow and the series was on a downhill slide. Most Wanted was the last great entry with a variety of cars from across the spectrum, decent customization options, great scenery/level design and--dare I say it--a halfway decent story.

    If the series wants to venture into authentic-race sim territory where console heavyweights like Forza (XBox/360) and Gran Turismo (PS-2-3) are king.....developers are going to have to slow down, take their time and copy the attention to detail that have helped make the above 2 series benchmarks for the genre.

    Otherwise, just stick to what's worked (in the vein of Most Wanted): Open world, action-movie style gameplay with great graphics, a variety of cars, customization and a story that doesn't sound like a half-assed Miami Vice rerun. If someone can get creative and come up with a *good* story, all you gotta do is build the next game around that concept.

    Medal of Honor on the other hand.....oh man. Most will argue that the WWII genre has been played out (if not, where else/how much farther can you go??). I'd tend to agree (Pacific Assault was the best IMO) and for the series to move forward, it's going to have to move into the present/future where CoD/MW is already at......unenviable for sure, but at least it gives whoever a high bar to shoot for......

  • Dav_id83

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 5:29 am PT

    In the same call, CEO John Riccitiello said the company would now "provide greater focus on titles with higher [profit] margin opportunities."

    Does this mean that EA are now turning there back and getting games out slowly and making sure quality is there too for there old tricks like Activision it's all about money and we couldn't give a crap if our game is broken at launch.

  • NoDzombie

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 4:41 am PT

    NFS is dead, SHIFT was a terrible game and deffinately not a sim racer, made all the more obvious after the release of Forza 3. GRID and DIRT do arcade and Forza does sim (or as close as ur gonna get on a console) Criterion shouldnt be wasting their time on another NFS they shold be making the next Burnout game, paradise was an amazing arcade racer!

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 4:24 am PT

    i used to absoloutely love MOH: Allied Assault on my old PC, it was (in my opinion) the best WW2 shooter.

  • Excedra

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 2:59 am PT

    im done with nfs, medal of honor was great, then they screwed it. They should end medal of honor and make something else.

  • Duffleman

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 1:51 am PT

    If Criterion are doing NFS, and have been working on it for some time, expect it to be good.

  • BigBacon87

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 1:31 am PT

    Need for Speed is on a downhill slope but not enough for EA to leave it behind then. I know Im not interested. Gran Turismo 5 os going to blow away everything available now, and everything to come.. for quite some time. Medal of Honour isn't going to make any waves either, maybe EA should realize that making new franchises isn't the problem, you just have to make amazing games to get amazing sales.

  • game_overdose54

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 1:05 am PT

    Why did people complain about MOH: Airborne? Even though it was short, I LOVED that game. I can't wait to see another Medal of Honor. I, personally, don't want them going modern or to another war.

  • badman11226

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 12:54 am PT

    I love MOH i had Allied Assault and spearhead. Man those game were awesome.

  • kurtkamalcoabin

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 11:47 pm PT

    Ps2???

  • badtaker

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 11:31 pm PT

    NFS is dead.First go and play Forza, GT, and Dirt 2 and then make a Good NFS games.I don't want another medicore NFS game.
    MOH game would be awesome.Allied Assault is my Favourite MOH game.

  • Lynghiepminh

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 11:15 pm PT

    After NFS: Prosh1t, Underwear, & Sh1t lately, I'm surprised EA still got the gut to think about another version for the series.

  • namdar

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 10:28 pm PT

    Need for speed crash bang boom burnout?

  • punkdsk8erdude

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 10:17 pm PT

    NFS Shift may have been better than more recent NFS but i still didnt dig it too much, not compared to Forza 3. And dont say you cant compare them - you absolutely can and should. I think NFS would do best if it went back to its original style gameplay. even before underground. im talking about NFS 3, and NFS HP2. Those were some incredible games. IMO, NFS Porsche Unleashed was a SUPERB racing game completely underrated. Go back to that direction, NFS, and I will love you once again...
    As far as MoH, to be honest, MoH was dominating that genre till COD came along. And COD is here to stay, i don't think MoH can really make much of a comeback....

  • Flamerdragon

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 10:16 pm PT

    Always wondered how can EA have 2 car franchise series (NFS, Burnout) and one is messed up (NFS) and the other one is so great (Burnout).

    I expect some quality work. Might be slightly different (new developer), because of Criterion's style, but a change like this (good manner) is very welcome since Carbon and series followed where a fail.

    Amaze us Criterion.

  • Blargsman

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 9:52 pm PT

    I don't know about Medal of Honor anymore. There is just too much disappointment associated with that franchise that the common consumer most likely won't click with it; like Halo or Call of Duty.

    To be honest, Battlefield is already taking hold of EA's shooter genre against Activision's Call of Duty franchise. Why not just save the money and forsake an inevitable misfire.

advertisement

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!

Related Game

Need for Speed: Shift Boxshot
Need for Speed: Shift

Game Stats

  • Rank:
    208 of 76,528
    (down by 14)
    X360 Rank:
    47 of 1,857
    Highest Rank:
    1 in 2009
    Tracking:
    2,239 Track It»
    Wishlists:
    600 Wish It»
  • Users Now Playing:
    181
  • Top 5 User Tags:
    1. shift
    2. racing
    3. need for speed
    4. nfs
    5. need for speed shift
  • Everyone Rating Description

    Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language. Learn more

Full Game Details »Close
Also on

Related Games

Recent News

See All News »

Site Blogs