Electronic Arts May Have Paused the Need for Speed Franchise

The Future of the Need for Speed Franchise in Question

Recent developments suggest that Electronic Arts (EA) may have put the iconic Need for Speed franchise on indefinite hold. This revelation originates from an unexpected yet credible source, igniting conversations among fans and industry experts alike.

Insight from Speedhunters Contributor

Matthew Everingham, a contributor to the well-known automotive website Speedhunters, shared a noteworthy update via Instagram. He stated:

Speedhunters is on ice. EA shelved Need For Speed, and that means no more funding for the site. Grateful for everything — the trips, the stories, the lifelong mates. I’m still shooting, just shifting gears into more video.

Speedhunters and Its Role in the Car Culture

For those who are not familiar, Speedhunters is recognized as a global collective of writers, photographers, and automotive enthusiasts dedicated to showcasing the most thrilling narratives of car culture. Interestingly, the site appeared to have financial backing from EA, which might explain the recent lack of updates—its last post was on April 8, 2025.

The Current State of the Franchise

This news is unlikely to surprise many Need for Speed fans. The franchise has faced several challenges in recent years, particularly during the period from 2015 to 2019. During this time, the games developed solely by Ghost Games failed to impress, with three titles underperforming. In contrast, 2022’s Need for Speed Unbound, created alongside Criterion Games and Codemasters, performed better but still fell short of generating enough sales to justify a sequel.

EA’s Strategic Shift

As of September 2023, EA had reassigned Criterion Games to the EA Entertainment group, directing their focus toward the upcoming Battlefield 6 and a new title in the racing genre. This shift might raise questions about the future of Need for Speed, suggesting that EA might prioritize Battlefield over its racing franchise, given the vast player base it aims to secure.

Market Comparison and Player Engagement

Need for Speed’s relevance pales in comparison to Battlefield within EA’s portfolio. The publisher is ambitiously targeting 100 million players for Battlefield 6, a challenging but feasible goal if the game achieves blockbuster status. In contrast, the most successful racing game in recent years, Forza Horizon 5, has only reached approximately 45 million players, including those on Game Pass, highlighting the niche nature of racing games.

Upcoming Changes for Need for Speed Players

In a related announcement, EA recently confirmed that support for the 2013 title Need for Speed: Rivals, co-developed by Criterion and Ghost, will officially end on October 7, 2025. This decision further underscores the uncertain future of the franchise.

As the situation unfolds, fans and industry observers will be keenly watching whether EA will revitalize Need for Speed or focus its efforts solely on more commercially viable projects.

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