EA Puts Need for Speed on Hold as Criterion Focuses Fully on Battlefield

Electronic Arts confirms that Criterion Games is now dedicated to developing the next Battlefield title, with plans to revisit the Need for Speed franchise in the future.

Criterion Games, the studio behind recent Need for Speed titles, has shifted entirely to work on the next Battlefield game as part of EA's Battlefield Studios collective.
EA has stated that the Need for Speed franchise is not being discontinued but is currently on pause, with no new game actively in development at this time.
The last Need for Speed entry, 2022's Unbound, has received post-launch updates, informed by player feedback, to refine the series' direction.
EA promises to bring Need for Speed back in 'new and interesting ways,' although any future installment is likely years away from release.
The next Battlefield game is set to return to a modern setting, with pre-alpha gameplay footage and a new community testing program, Battlefield Labs, recently announced.