Criterion Games shifts focus from racing, rebrands as 'a Battlefield Studio'; EA parks Need for Speed and buries Burnout

Criterion Games, once a leader in racing games, has rebranded as 'a Battlefield Studio', focusing solely on the Battlefield franchise. VP Rebecka Coutaz emphasized this shift during the studio's 30th anniversary, stating, “We are solely focused on Battlefield.”¹³

The studio, based in Guildford, has collaborated on the Battlefield series for the past decade, contributing to titles like Battlefield 1 and Battlefield 2042. However, this rebranding signals a significant departure from its roots in racing games, particularly the Need for Speed and Burnout franchises.⁴⁵

EA has effectively sidelined these iconic series, with no new installments announced and no lead studio currently working on them. The Burnout series, which has not seen a major original installment since Burnout Paradise in 2008, remains in limbo, with EA opting to keep the brands alive without investing in new content. This approach reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry, where companies maintain brand value while reallocating resources to more profitable ventures.

As Criterion embraces its new identity, the future of its former racing titles hangs in the balance, raising questions about the long-term viability of these beloved franchises.