EA’s Executive Vice President Vince Zampella recently provided an update on the current status of the *Need for Speed* franchise. It's been over two years since the release of *NFS Unbound*, and since then, there has been little to no official news regarding future entries in the series.
The reason behind this silence is largely due to Criterion Games' current focus: developing the next installment in the *Battlefield* series. According to Zampella, EA is prioritizing the development of this new *Battlefield* title, placing a strong emphasis on incorporating player feedback throughout the process. With contributions from four different studios, the company is dedicating significant resources to ensure its success.
Zampella also highlighted that EA wants to avoid repeating the missteps of *Battlefield 2042*, which faced heavy criticism at launch due to divisive gameplay changes. This player-first strategy extends beyond *Battlefield* and into ongoing content updates for *NFS Unbound*.
As things stand, it’s expected that EA won’t return to the *Need for Speed* franchise until after the new *Battlefield* launches and completes its initial support phase. While this may seem like a long wait, it could be a strategic decision. Recent *NFS* titles have failed to impress fans, so taking time to rebuild trust, gather insights, and let nostalgia grow might be the best path forward for a successful reboot.
For now, players shouldn't anticipate any major announcements about a new *Need for Speed* game in the immediate future.