"New Need For Speed Release Delayed"

EA's Executive Vice President, Vince Zampella, recently provided an update on the current status of the Need for Speed (NFS) series. It's been over two years since the release of NFS Unbound, and since then, EA has not announced any new developments for the franchise. This pause in activity has a clear reason behind it: Criterion Games, the studio responsible for NFS, is now fully focused on developing the next installment in the Battlefield series.

According to Zampella, EA's primary focus at the moment is the new Battlefield game, which is being crafted with a strong emphasis on incorporating player feedback. This ambitious project is being developed by a collaborative effort involving four different studios, showcasing EA's commitment to delivering a high-quality gaming experience. The goal is to steer clear of the missteps seen with Battlefield 2042, which faced significant backlash upon its release due to contentious gameplay choices.

The "we're listening to the players" approach adopted for the new Battlefield is also being applied to future content for NFS Unbound. This suggests that EA is taking a thoughtful and responsive approach to their game development strategies across their franchises.

It appears that EA will likely shift its focus back to Need for Speed only after the launch and initial support phase of the new Battlefield game. This delay might actually benefit the NFS series. Recent titles in the NFS franchise have left fans feeling underwhelmed, and taking the time to reboot the series with a focus on player feedback could be a strategic move. Allowing time for fans to move past previous disappointments and build up nostalgia could set the stage for a successful revival.

In the meantime, fans should not anticipate any new Need for Speed announcements in the near future. EA's current priority is clear, and it's all about ensuring the next Battlefield meets and exceeds player expectations.