EA: Need for Speed "Is In Safe Hands" With Criterion, Ghost to Continue NFS Heat Updates
With the news of Criterion Games taking over the mantle of Need for Speed development next-generation, many have been concerned on what this might mean for the franchise and the legacy Ghost defined over the last generation. However, EA has assured us it’s in safe hands going forward with Criterion.
During a tweet conversation with BlackPanthaa earlier today, EA Global Community Lead and Former Need for Speed community manager Ben Walke assured fans that the franchise is in safe hands with Criterion, and will continue to remain as the Need for Speed we know today.
Walke further mentioned that he has already held multiple meetings with the Criterion team, detailing what the community thinks of Heat and various aspects of the franchise. Walke stated that Criterion are well-aware and actively listening to what the fans want, praising Criterion as “one of the most player-focused studios” he’s worked with.
As for the future of Need for Speed Heat, Walke stated that updates are still being planned for the game and will not change as Ghost Games down sizes into a support studio. However, we’re unsure if this means Ghost will remain active for a few months before most of the staff transitioning to Criterion and other EA studios, or that updates will continue under Criterion instead.
As for the staff at Ghost, while most seem unsure currently, it seems if Ghost’s lead Vehicle Director Bryn Alban will be transitioning to the UK to work at Criterion. Posted via his Instagram Story, he shared an image outside the main Ghost Games studio in Gothenburg teasing “One chapter closes.. …another begins”.
While there’s still a lot of unanswered questions just yet, its comforting to have Ben reassure the Need for Speed community to have faith in Criterion for future titles and that Need for Speed Heat isn’t completely dead just yet. Don’t let us down, Criterion!
[Source: Twitter]