Need for Speed
News, coverage and analysis tracking Need for Speed across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Three PS1 Games That Sat On Every ’90s Kid’s Shelf
This article discusses three iconic games that were staples on nearly every PlayStation 1 owner's shelf during the 1990s. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, Final Fantasy 7, and Gran Turismo are highlighted for their immense popularity and impact on the console's success. The piece also briefly mentions other notable titles like Tomb Raider and Metal Gear Solid.
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.
On Sale
Several games are currently on sale on Steam, including the Need for Speed franchise, The Stanley Parable, Black Jacket, and Neon Inferno. Discounts range from 25% to 50%.
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.
EA seems to have killed off the Need for Speed franchise
Electronic Arts appears to have discontinued the Need for Speed franchise. Criterion Games, the long-time developer of the series, has been reassigned to support the Battlefield franchise, indicating the end of new Need for Speed titles.
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.
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.
Stuntman Hollywood will feature a homage to Fast & Furious' most ridiculous stunt
Saber Interactive's upcoming game, Stuntman Hollywood, will feature a homage to a ridiculous stunt from the Fast & Furious franchise, specifically the Lykan HyperSport jump between buildings. Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits confirmed the inclusion, highlighting the game's focus on daredevilry and collaborative licensing with other IPs like Back to the Future and Knight Rider.
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.
Dave the Diver becomes a real boy in this new live-action trailer for the upcoming In the Jungle DLC
A new live-action trailer has been released for Dave the Diver's upcoming 'In the Jungle' DLC, launching on June 18. The trailer showcases new gameplay elements including photography, rhythm games, and combat against jungle creatures, alongside land-based activities and relationship building reminiscent of Stardew Valley. The DLC will introduce the new Utara Lake area with mangrove trees and sunken ruins.
Remember when Star Wars and Command & Conquer ruled PC gaming? June in PC Gamer 10, 20, and 30 years ago
This article looks back at PC gaming from June 1996, 2006, and 2016, highlighting cover stories like Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter, Command & Conquer 3, and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 3. It also touches on the evolution of gaming monitors and significant news from those respective months.
Forza Horizon 6 gets customisable interiors thanks to a modder who couldn't resist swapping the seats of their beemer
A modder named Smidgeee has introduced customizable interiors to Forza Horizon 6, starting with the BMW M4 Coupé. This mod allows players to swap seats, steering wheels, and customize interior colors, addressing a notable omission in the game's existing customization options. The modder plans to expand support to more vehicles in the future.
Forza Horizon and Need for Speed Meet in Maverick Games’ Debut Driving Project
Maverick Games has revealed its debut AAA title, Clutch, an open-world action-driving game. The project draws inspiration from established franchises like Forza Horizon and Need for Speed.
16 years after attending a Fallout: New Vegas launch event, Aaron Paul gets cast in Fallout Season 3
Actor Aaron Paul, known for his role in Breaking Bad, has been cast in the upcoming third season of Prime Video's Fallout series. Paul previously attended a launch event for Fallout: New Vegas in 2010 and has appeared in other video game adaptations like Need for Speed and Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV. His casting adds to a growing list of actors transitioning between video games and television.
Steam week in review: Forza Horizon is the last truly mainstream multiplatform racing series
Forza Horizon 6 is a top seller on Steam, with over 500,000 pre-orders reported by mid-April, indicating strong consumer interest despite the game's not yet being released. The article discusses the declining mainstream relevance of racing games, with Forza Horizon being a notable exception, and analyzes sales trends for various racing titles on Steam.
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.
Screamer Review - Pedal to the Metal | TNS
The review for Screamer suggests the arcade racer lacks innovation, focusing on flash over substance with a weak story mode. While some players enjoy arcade racers, the article notes that the genre has declined, with many titles failing to capture lasting appeal or becoming niche.
Screamer Review - Old School Racing Vibes with a High Speed Twist | COGconnected
The review for Screamer suggests it offers old-school arcade racing vibes with a high-speed twist, though some players feel the hype outpaces the actual gameplay. Discussions in the comments highlight a divide between realistic and arcade racing preferences, with many lamenting the perceived decline of the arcade racing genre.
