Criterion Games, a subsidiary of Electronic Arts has quietly changed its name over the past few days. The studio has been developing all of the mainline entries in the Need for Speed series since 2012, and has taken the mantle of developing Battlefield 6. In spite of it being the studio's first contribution to the series though, it appears to have shifted its focus exclusively towards it for the foreseeable future. Why do we suspect this, you may ask?
Because the new name of the company is "Criterion - A Battlefield Studio". The only place you can find the logo in hidden away on the footer of the company's game page, but nonetheless it is still there.
It however isn't quite as simple as giving the franchise to a new developer though, because it seems that "Battlefield Studios" is made up of four companies: Criterion, Dice, Ripple Effect, and Motive, all of which are brands of Electronic Arts. Dice have been developing the Battlefield franchise since the beginning, so you may take comfort in knowing the original studio is still very much there.
Fans of Need for Speed have been wondering what's happening to the franchise if Criterion is focused on Battlefield. At the moment, no official word has been given on whether Criterion will keep making Need for Speed games despite the name change, or if any other company will take the mantle. This has also lead to the belief that the series may be entirely dead as a result of the shift in focus.
What do you think of the name change? What do you think will happen to Need for Speed? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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