NFS, Burnout Studio Will Work On Next Battlefield Game (And Also More NFS)

Electronic Arts has confirmed that Burnout studio Criterion Games is joining EA Entertainment and will be working on the next Battlefield game that's now in early development. The UK-based studio owned by EA will also work on the future of Need for Speed.

Group general manager Vince Zampella said in a blog post that Criterion will assist the wider network of teams working on the "new era" for Battlefield going forward. Criterion will work alongside DICE, Ripple Effect, and Ridgeline, under the leadership of former Call of Duty executive Byron Beede, who is the general manager of Battlefield for EA.

Criterion previously worked on Battlefield V and Battlefield 2042, as well as Star Wars Battlefront II. The studio is best known, however, for its work on the Need for Speed and Burnout racing franchises.

"Criterion's experience with Battlefield, our technology and building engaging experiences will have an immediate positive impact as we continue to work on Battlefield 2042, and as we continue pre-production on a connected Battlefield universe," Zampella said. "There is no better studio to join us on this journey and I couldn't be more excited."

Zampella went on to say that "work will also continue on what's next for Need for Speed," but he stopped short of saying if any new games are in development. "You might not know I have a passion for cars, which also makes Criterion a perfect match for me to explore another genre in gaming that I love," Zampella said. "I'm really looking forward to working with a core group as we shape what's next for the franchise."

The next Battlefield game is a "reimagination" of the series, according to EA CEO Andrew Wilson, featuring some kind of "connected" universe.

EA has multiple new Battlefield experiences in the works, including a single-player campaign from Halo veteran Marcus Lehto's new studio. A multiplayer experience is also on the way from DICE. Ripple Effect, another Battlefield studio, is making an "entirely new Battlefield experience." It will "complement and build upon the series' foundations," EA said.

"A global effort has been launched, coordinating multiple studios under a leadership team of industry veterans to build a connected Battlefield universe," EA said.

Despite its struggles, Battlefield 2042 was the No. 5 best-selling game of 2021 in the US. Plans were in place to bring the Battlefield series to mobile, but EA abruptly canceled Battlefield Mobile and shuttered its developer.