The Need for Speed franchise, well-known among racing games, is reportedly coming to an end. Launched in 1994 with Need for Speed, this series seems to be losing its priority battle against Battlefield. Both franchises, developed by Electronic Arts, have millions of devoted fans. However, recent internal changes indicate that Battlefield is taking precedence.
In February, EA reassured fans that the Need for Speed franchise would return in new and exciting ways. Despite this assurance, recent insider reports suggest that Criterion Games has shifted its focus to support the development of the next Battlefield game. As a result, the future of the racing franchise is now uncertain.
At the time of writing, no official information has surfaced, but the recent clues and EA’s business strategy shifts are hinting at something big. It appears that the Redwood City-based video game developer company is shifting its focus from its fast-paced arcade-style racing franchise.
Despite the NFS’s earned reputation for open-world exploration, massive customization, and a distinctive visual style, the last few installments didn’t perform up to expectations. Therefore, what started as a huge commercial hit turned into a mediocre commercial performance.
For a while, there was no news of this franchise. The EA shelves Need for Speed rumor was generated after Speedhunters, a car-culture website closely tied to NFS and funded by EA, ceased updates after April 8, 2025.
Contributor Matthew Everingham took it to Instagram and announced, “Speedhunters is on ice. EA shelved Need for Speed, and that means no more funding for the site.”
Other reports mentioned that EA is more interested in pursuing higher profitability. That’s why the racing franchise was put on indefinite hold without any announcement. There’s no solid evidence whether EA holds Need for Speed or not; it has sparked discussion in the EA community.
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Earlier this year, EA went through internal restructuring. Up to 2023, a core developer team was working on Need for Speed. However, earlier this year, Battlefield head Vince Zampella mentioned that the remaining NFS team will soon join “their colleagues working on Battlefield.” This move eliminates the chance of NFS having a dedicated team or resources.
Furthermore, earlier this month, EA announced that it would shut down online servers for Need for Speed Rivals on October 7. This server closure doesn’t mean anything significant, but the entire NFS team helping the development of Battlefield 6 likely means that the NFS entry isn’t in EA’s plan. So, no further installment will come before 2030, at the earliest.
Need for Speed has run for nearly three decades with more than 20 mainline titles. However, the current failures and moderate receptions are probably the reason behind EA holding Need for Speed for an indefinite time. The last title of this franchise holds over 40,000 reviews on Steam, and the average is ‘Mixed’.
Until EA announces this shelving officially, it’s just a rumor. However, if it’s true, then it’s going to mark a significant shift for EA’s portfolio. NFS has been a continuous presence in their gaming lineup for decades. This change may result in something important.
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