It looks like the Need for Speed franchise is hitting the brakes for now. EA has confirmed that it’s ending support for Need for Speed Unbound, the latest entry in the long-running racing series, and there isn’t a new game in active development at the moment. This news comes as Criterion Games, the team behind Unbound, shifts its focus entirely to the upcoming Battlefield 6.

Released in 2022, Need for Speed Unbound had a longer post-launch support cycle than many of its predecessors, with Criterion actively engaging with fans and incorporating their feedback into new content. However, with the studio now moving on to Battlefield, the NFS franchise is effectively on ice.

No New Need for Speed—For Now

In a statement shared via Eurogamer, EA acknowledged the shift in focus, explaining that the Need for Speed team at Criterion is now fully integrated into Battlefield development:

“The Need for Speed team at Criterion are joining their colleagues working on Battlefield. As a company, it was important to us to take the last year to listen to our Need for Speed community and use their feedback to create content for Unbound.”

While this may be disappointing for fans who were hoping for another NFS game sooner rather than later, EA reassured players that the franchise isn’t going away permanently. The statement continued:

“With an increased understanding of what our players want in a Need for Speed experience, we plan to bring the franchise back in new and interesting ways.”

What’s Next for Need for Speed?

The Need for Speed series has had a rocky few years, with longer gaps between releases. Unbound came out three years after NFS Heat, which was already a longer-than-usual wait. Now, with Criterion focused on Battlefield, it seems like fans will have to be extra patient for the next entry in the street-racing saga.

That said, there’s a silver lining. EA’s mention of “new and interesting ways” to bring back Need for Speed suggests that the franchise might evolve in some fresh directions when it eventually returns. Whether that means a reinvention of the formula, a shift to a new developer, or something else entirely remains to be seen.

Criterion’s New Role in Battlefield

Since Criterion took over the Need for Speed series, fans have been hoping for a return to form. Many felt that Unbound was a step in the right direction, offering a unique blend of street racing and stylized visuals. However, with the studio now dedicating all its efforts to Battlefield, it raises questions about whether they’ll return to NFS in the future or if EA will hand the series off to another developer.

EA is gearing up for a major playtesting program for the next Battlefield game in the coming weeks, and Criterion will be playing a key role in that process. With the Battlefield franchise needing a strong comeback after the mixed reception of Battlefield 2042, EA is clearly putting all hands on deck to ensure its success.

What Do You Think?

Are you disappointed that there’s no new Need for Speed on the horizon? Were you hoping for a follow-up to Unbound sooner rather than later? Let us know your thoughts!