Need for Speed ​​franchise returns to Criterion

The Need for Speed ​​series will again be developed by Criterion Games.

According to GI.biz, Need for Speed: Fanatics Ghost Games will now act as an "engineering center." The Gothenburg-based team consists of the architects of the Frostbite engine and will continue to support future EA games.

EA plans to relocate most of its employees from Ghost Games to Criterions and other departments, but about 30 jobs are currently at risk.

EA said: "In addition to the engineers and the engineers we plan to transfer to other positions, Gothenburg will add 30 employees, and we want to assign as many employees as possible to other positions in the company."

EA said it was difficult to set up an independent studio in Gothenburg because the talent needed to work in AAA studios "is just not there for us."

Criterion fully developed the last game of the Need for Speed ​​series, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, and although it partnered with Ghost Games to develop Need for Speed ​​Rivals, the series released the last four games in the series.

Since then, Criterion has been working with DICE to develop Star Wars Battlefront 2 and Battlefield 5.

EA told Gi.biz: "With a long history and passion for racing games, and a vision for what we can create, the Cterterion team will bring Need for Speed ​​to the next generation." "Criterion is a great job We look forward to joining their talented team and creating a bright future for Need for Speed. The engineering team in Gothenburg is also vital to our ongoing EA program. "