Criterion: "After Over a Decade of Making Racing Games it's Time to Make Something New"

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Lee Bradley

Criterion Games is not working on a new Burnout, Need for Speed or Road Rash game, Creative Director Alex Ward has revealed. Instead the studio is making “something new.”

Ward made the statement on Twitter in response to fan messages calling for new Criterion-developed  games in existing franchises. 

“Here is what I want folks to know,” wrote Ward. “Some folks are eternally disappointed. Nothing I can do about that. So many tweets asking for new Burnout.

“Equally many tweets asking for a new NFS game from us. Also Road Rash. Whilst I love all of those games, I am personally not doing any.

“No point saving up hard earned money for your fave game not to come. Trust me, I have been there,” he continued.

“After over a decade of making racing games it's time to make something new. It is early days thus I have nothing to ‘announce’ or talk about.

"I will do my best to keep folks in the loop who want to follow what we play or what inspires us. Or what we might be listening to.

"But if you are following me expecting some Megaton of a new Burnout game, or an Underground remake then I have to disappoint you."

“I am proud of all of the Burnout games. When it feels right we will make another one. We are creative people.”

As a final sting in the tail for fans expecting a return to Criterion’s hit 2006 Xbox shooter, Ward said, "No Black2 either folks. Volumes to tell on that topic, but will save that for when I get a book deal... 

So what can we expect from Criterion as the next generation of consoles looms on the horizon? We’ll have to wait and see. But whatever it is, considering the studio’s pedigree, our hopes are high.

Comments
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  • No burnout? wtf! It's one of few racing games that I actually like because love the game because it doesn't force myself to be too serious with the driving.
  • No new Underground or Black 2? Well, I am very disappointed.
  • Would have loved a new Burnout and an Underground 2 remake but what can we do.
  • No new Burnout makes me sad. Criterion not making Racers is like Epic making a Farming Simulator. Or Creative Assembly making a sports game. Or EA Sports making a RTS....
  • Please make BLACK 2. The first BLACK was amazing and Bodycount wasn't really a good successor to it. We need a proper BLACK 2. C'mon Criterion. You know you want to.
  • About time we saw some innovation, instead of just recycling the old products over and over again. I, for one, applaud this decision, even if it should have been done a long time ago.
  • @4 And that would be good. Studios and ppl like that need to get out of their comfort zone. That would challenge them and the gaming industry.Could create new unexpected things. Fresh blood in stall gender. Reason why so many games are alike and to a point boring, is because they're always done by the same ppl. Mix it all, that will spark creativity! Well that my way of seeing it anyway.
  • Oh, so Criterion are moving on to cookery programs now? Nice!
  • THANK YOU!!! happy they're not doing anymore racing sequels, bring on the new IPs please!
  • New stuff is nice and all, but so help us all if it turns out to be just another shooter. Excluding Black 2, of course, though I do fear it'll be one of those "won't live up to its expectations" like other recent games.
  • @6: Here, here!
  • You know, the last developer that said this was Bizarre Creations...
  • @6 @7 Innovation and fresh beginning are over rated Imagine you were an incredible painter in real life. You could paint the most incredible portraits and people talked about your work for years. You tried painting vistas and scenic views, and found they were decent, not great. Is the logical step to never paint portraits again and instead try sculpting ice? Not really Also....worse analogy in the world. Sorry about that
  • When i read EA making new material i automatically think. how much is this REALLY going to cost me. £40 for the game. 80Microspoft points per game update. 70Microsoft points to un pause the game. Maybe they will put petrol in the racing game cars and ever 5 miles u have to use micro transactions to fill it back up when your petrol goes
  • @13 yeah that was literally the worst analogy ever made. Mostly because it doesn't compare. At all. Innovation in games is a good thing. Look at the shit like NFL/NBA/Fifa etc. It is basically the same product released on a yearly schedule. Pretty much the same goes for games like Call of Duty. Very few changes, makes for boring sequels, and ultimately very poor gameplay. I know the games I mentioned are popular products, but I, as a gamer, refuse to partake in buying shit like that. I want innovation. Hell, I'd even settle for those new beginnings you mentioned, because I'm frankly tired of just seeing the market flooded with yearly releases of the same product and/or franchise. Now don't get me wrong, sequels isn't a bad thing if the game was good. But that is not what I'm talking about here. I understand that not everyone want the same as me, but all we can do is vote with our wallets (and I do), and see what happens down the line.
  • A new way of making race games from EA? Buy the game brand new with only the first gear available. So you have to buy DLCs to get other gears to be able to win the race!
  • As excited as I am to see them do something totally new, I kind of wish they had gone out on a better racing game than Most Wanted. Don't get me wrong, it was good, but nowhere near their best.
  • They definitely peaked with Burnout Paradise.
  • How about a multiplayer bro shooter? EA like them.
  • Airblade 2?
  • I don't understand how the majority of you are being so pessimistic about this. I would rather a developer go out, try something new and FAIL, than keep making the same thing over and over. If they fail, they learn, meaning better titles in the future. But, i guess most people now-a-days think they're too entitled to their games. Yes, I do believe that some games, gamers should have a (short) say in what they would like to see in it, but sometimes, it's better for us to stay out of a developer's way and speak with money than voices. Some times, people need to learn the hard way. I fear for next gen because the way the industry is, and because of the mindset gamers have any more. Might be better off going to PC soon. Who knows?
  • @16: These DLC gags have never been funny. Please stop you terrible bastard.
  • Wow:( These guys are the only ones who can match the legendary SEGA racing greats IMO. Especially NFS;HP & NFS; MW2012... they really are amazing, fun games. I thank all involved in bringing us these fantastic games & wish them well with all future projects. Just remember; your loyal fans will eagerly wait years for your next racing game:)!
  • That's excellent news! Burnout was always over rated. Road Rash sucks. And even though they did a great job on their version of Hot Pursuit in 2010, they completely ruined Need for Speed Most Wanted, making one of the worse NFS games ever. But now we know what will happen to them, the big bosses at EA will put them to work on some new FPS, they'll fail miserably, and go out of business. Goodbye Criterion!
  • OK go make something shitty but after that make a new Burnout please.
  • fucking cunts hope they go into administration
  • If they make an FPS I swear....
  • Their NFS games SUCKED IMHO. I would like a new Burnout.
  • Sad and happy at the same time. I'll give their new game a chance, but I'd much rather have another Burnout Paradise being made.
  • @26 I hope you go into administration.
  • It's a shame, Criterion were pretty much the last remaining quality racer maker (now that Bizarre and Pygnosis have gone) but it seems there is no glory in making these games anymore. Unfortunately this has probably come from EA, who are just a money making machine and I guess partly from the community wanting all things FPS. Sad day for racing fans. Hope Criterion fight back with something that isn't an FPS and don't end up defunct like the others.
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