Criterion in control of Need for Speed and Burnout

Criterion will be in charge of the Need for Speed and Burnout franchises in the future.

Different internal EA developers have handled the Need for Speed games in the past, however it now appears Criterion will be in full control of the series.

Criterion vice president, Alex Ward, told Gameinformer: “Our stamp’s going to be in everything you see in Need for Speed and Burnout going forward in the future.

“It’s not going to be spread anymore across different companies. Different studios have had a crack at it – it’s definitely a Criterion gig now.

“Going forward now, with Most Wanted and what we’ll do in the future [will have], shall we say, a strong Criterion involvement.”

Ward also outlined his involvement in the newest Need for Speed, adding: “I’m personally involved in how the cars drive, how the game will play out, how connected they are and what the features are.”

Need for Speed: Most Wanted is released 30 October. EA recently announced a deal to produce a Need for Speed film.