Burnout
News, coverage and analysis tracking Burnout across the outlets.
Latest coverage
"I really want Criterion to be considered the best studio in the UK" – why the home of Burnout has a future with Battlefield
Criterion Games, known for the Burnout series and Need for Speed Unbound, is now fully focused on the Battlefield franchise, contributing significantly to Battlefield 6. Studio leadership emphasizes that the core principles of controlled chaos and spectacle that defined their racing games are still present in their current work on Battlefield. The studio has grown and is aiming to be considered the best in the UK.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer Is Giving Us Serious Burnout Vibes
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is showing promise in capturing the chaotic, high-speed essence of the Burnout series, thanks to former Criterion developers at Fuse Games. While it aims to be more than just a "Star Wars skin" on Burnout, its success hinges on delivering satisfying physics, impactful crashes, and engaging level design that evolves the genre.
EA’s Saudi takeover will be "a real waste" if it turns the publishers into a "sequel-and-mega-franchise machine", Helldivers 2 studio boss says
Shams Jorjani, CEO of Arrowhead Game Studios, expressed concern that Electronic Arts' recent $55 billion acquisition by Saudi Arabian investors could lead the publisher to focus solely on sequels and mega-franchises, potentially wasting its diverse game catalog. He hopes for continued business and creative diversity within EA, despite the consolidation and significant debt incurred by the deal, which may lead to cost-cutting measures and layoffs.
Why does nobody like racing video games anymore? - Reader's Feature
A reader explores the decline of the racing game genre, noting the shift from popular arcade titles like Need For Speed and Burnout to more niche simulators. While Forza Horizon remains a success, the author questions why the genre has lost mainstream appeal, suggesting it may be overshadowed by open-world games or a general lack of innovation.
"Never say never": Criterion aren't ruling out a return to Need For Speed, but Battlefield is their only focus for now
Criterion Games, known for the Burnout and Need For Speed series, is now exclusively focused on supporting the Battlefield franchise as part of Electronic Arts' new strategy. Studio representatives Danny Isaac and Amy Pejic stated that while their current focus is Battlefield, they are not ruling out future projects outside of the series, emphasizing that creative freedom can exist within the vast Battlefield platform. They also confirmed that the Burnout series is unlikely to return, but the future of Need For Speed remains open.
Sorry, You’re (Probably) Never Going To Get Another Need For Speed Game
Rebecka Coutaz, general manager of Battlefield Studios Europe, has stated that Criterion Games is now solely focused on the Battlefield franchise, effectively ending the development of new Need for Speed and Burnout titles. Criterion, which previously developed several Need for Speed and Burnout games, will leverage its expertise in creating intense player experiences for Battlefield. This shift means fans are unlikely to see new installments in the beloved racing series anytime soon.
The Sunday Papers
Criterion Games, known for racing titles like Burnout and Need For Speed, is now solely focused on developing for the Battlefield series, as confirmed by studio leadership. Meanwhile, an analysis of Xbox's recent restructuring highlights the company's significant layoffs and the challenges faced by the division, drawing parallels to past industry missteps.
Criterion’s Future Is Battlefield, but Don’t Forget the Burnout Heritage Within Its Walls
Criterion, the studio behind the Burnout series, has been officially designated as a 'Battlefield Studio'. Despite this shift, the article emphasizes the studio's significant 30-year legacy in developing acclaimed racing games.
Star Wars Galactic Racer is surprisingly deep and pod racing at its finest
Star Wars Galactic Racer, developed by Fuse Games, offers a surprisingly deep and engaging pod racing experience. Creative Director Kieran Crimmins highlights the game's massive scale, intense mechanics, and extensive customization options, aiming for an 'easy to learn, hard to master' approach. The game features a roguelike-esque story mode with third-person hub exploration and a robust upgrade system for speeders.
Star Wars Galactic Racer Is A Burnout Game
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is shaping up to be an excellent spiritual successor to the Burnout series. Hands-on time with the game suggests it will capture the fast-paced racing action fans expect.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer Is A Burnout Game
Star Wars: Galactic Racer, developed by Fuse Games, shifts the focus from lightsabers to an underground racing circuit, drawing comparisons to the Burnout series due to its destructive takedowns. The game will feature podracing and special abilities, and is set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X on October 6.
Sim racing is flourishing, but what happened to the arcade racer?
The article discusses the decline of arcade racers and the rise of sim racing, noting that while sim player counts have surged, mainstream racing games have dwindled to a few franchises like Forza Horizon. The author suggests that the increased accessibility and popularity of real-world motorsport, partly fueled by media like Netflix's Drive to Survive, has driven the growth of sim racing as a more accessible alternative to participating in actual racing.
Stuntman: Hollywood announced, coming soon to PS5
Stuntman: Hollywood has been announced for PlayStation 5, blending arcade racing, destruction, and precise stunt execution inspired by Universal Pictures films and TV shows. Players will perform stunts across various vehicles in movie-themed episodes, earning stars to achieve prestigious awards and progressing through a career displayed in a garage.
Games Inbox: What will be in the June State of Play for PS5?
Readers speculate on the content of Sony's upcoming PlayStation 5 State of Play, with likely appearances from Wolverine, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and God of War related content. The discussion also touches on the potential for a new Uncharted game and the impact of Warhorse Studios' Lord of the Rings title. Other topics include the state of arcade games, the future of franchises like Deus Ex and TimeSplitters, and comparisons between Forza Horizon 6 and older arcade racers.
Games Inbox: Is PlayStation right to abandon the PC?
Readers discuss Sony Interactive Entertainment's strategy regarding PC releases, with some seeing a move away from PC as a positive sign for more single-player focused games. There's also commentary on the state of Xbox, the potential for a big-budget Transformers game, and praise for Forza Horizon 6's refined arcade racing experience.
For One Night Only is a UK-Focused Games Showcase Taking Place on 29th July
A new UK-focused video game showcase event called 'For One Night Only' will take place on July 29th, 2026, aiming to highlight British game development talent globally. Hosted by UK Interactive Entertainment (Ukie), the event will feature developer interviews, exclusive reveals, and a concurrent Steam sale of over 100 UK-developed games. Several prominent UK studios, including IO Interactive and Two Point Studios, are confirmed to participate.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer: The Big Preview – Exclusive access with Lucasfilm and Fuse Games
Fuse Games, with veterans from Burnout and Need for Speed, is developing Star Wars: Galactic Racer, a modernized sci-fi racing game set across various Star Wars planets. Lucasfilm is involved in creating this experience, aiming to highlight the thrill of high-speed racing within the Star Wars universe, drawing inspiration from prequel trilogy podraces and original trilogy trench runs.
