Whereas issues have been quiet concerning the Want for Pace sequence because the launch of Want for Pace Unbound, it was believed that we might see one other entry within the storied franchise in some unspecified time in the future down the road. A brand new report, nevertheless, signifies that EA may need determined to completely shelf the Want for Pace franchise. The report comes courtesy of a press release by EA-funded automobile web site Speedhunters.
In an Instagram put up, Speedhunters contributor Matthew Everingham revealed that the web site itself can also be being shelved on account of funding from EA coming to an finish. For context, Speedhunters has been described as “a global collective of photographers, writers and drivers with a shared ardour for uncovering the world’s most fun automobile tradition tales.” A fast look on the web site would certainly affirm that not a lot has been occurring there for a bit, with the most recent put up having been printed again in April.
“Speedhunters is on ice,” posted Everingham on Instagram. “EA shelved Want For Pace, and meaning no extra funding for the positioning. Grateful for all the pieces — the journeys, the tales, the lifelong mates. I’m nonetheless taking pictures, simply shifting gears into extra video.”
The concept Want for Pace may need been completely shelved by EA runs counter to the assertion that the corporate had made concerning developer Criterion earlier this yr. In its assertion, EA had mentioned that Criterion was presently busy with engaged on the subsequent Battlefield recreation. The studio, nevertheless, would finally return to engaged on Want for Pace with new content material for Unbound.
“The Want for Pace group at Criterion are becoming a member of their colleagues engaged on Battlefield,” mentioned EA exec Vince Zampella. “As an organization, it was essential to us to take the final yr to take heed to our Want for Pace neighborhood and use their suggestions to create content material for Unbound. With an elevated understanding of what our gamers need in a Want for Pace expertise, we plan to convey the franchise again in new and fascinating methods.”
The final time Criterion had spoken about Want for Pace was final yr, when it had confirmed that assist for NFS Unbound would proceed to get extra updates and content material. As a part of celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of the Want for Pace franchise, the studio had introduced further content material, and updates to its PvP playlists and updates for Freedrive. Nonetheless, this announcement was made greater than a yr in the past at this level.
Again in 2023, there have been additionally rumours going round a couple of potential remake of probably the most beloved video games within the franchise – 2005’s Want for Pace: Most Needed. The hearsay took place because of cryptic teases concerning the authentic Most Needed by actor Simone Bailly, who performed the function of the unnamed accomplice of Sergeant Jonathon Cross within the recreation’s predominant story.
Within the meantime, Criterion, together with DICE and Ripple Impact, has been engaged on the subsequent Battlefield recreation, and has been serving to with improvement on the Battlefield Labs playtests. The Battlefield recreation is presently slated for launch later this yr, and is coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Collection X/S.