Source: Kotaku.com

The Electric Playground's show on Friday reported that Electronic Arts has cancelled development of new titles in its Need for Speed franchise. An EA spokesman gave a generic response that did not dispel the rumor.

Electronic Playground did not name its source. Reached for comment, EA said: "We're working through a process on people, products, and facilities at EA and don't have any announcements today." That's no defense for a franchise that goes back to 1994, so, it sounds like something's up.

There probably taking a break for a year or two. Much needed, I think.

I don't think they would be canceling the series anytime soon, unless this last game didn't sell at all...though every NFS game before it has sold ridiculous amounts (can't see that changing).

nah, even the recent shitty NFS sold more than something far superior to it, such as Burnout. They sell like hotcakes regardless of how shitty they are. If they are however halting development for a year(or maybe 2 which would be better) to make an actual really GOOD game, that would be a great idea.

They should stop trying to revive the NFS franchise, and create a new one all together. See the two Skate games, start something new.

they need to let it go for a while, and work on a burnout sequel with real cars in a real location

yup.  burnout > need for speed [minus ps1 need for speeds - they rocked]

EA made a smart move scrapping the series for the time being.  The franchises that maintain a high level of quality tend to spread the games out farther.  Take a cue from Polyphony and how they handle Gran Turismo.  Sure they take a while to develop, but Gran Turismo is arguably the best racing series around.

Need For Speed should come back in 2012 with some great new ideas and plenty of polish.

If true, this is an extremely weird decision. The NFS brand is one of EA's biggest. Even if the games completely suck and they spend all of £2 developing them they will sell. Maybe this means EA are finally doing whats right for gamers, and not it's bank ballance? Nah, I'm sure there's something more sinister behind this that means £$€¥.

"If true, this is an extremely weird decision. The NFS brand is one of EA's biggest. Even if the games completely suck and they spend all of £2 developing them they will sell. Maybe this means EA are finally doing whats right for gamers, and not it's bank ballance? Nah, I'm sure there's something more sinister behind this that means £$€¥."

"they need to let it go for a while, and work on a burnout sequel with real cars in a real location"

Scrap for good, probably not.

But have Need for speed released once every couple years like Burnout, more likely.

Maybe now Burnout will get the recognition it deserves sales wise.

Isnt there one more coming out and then production of NFS is put on hold?

I think they'll do what they are doing with Tony Hawk at the moment. Give it a year to sit, make the exact same game with some weird new useless feature, then slap the NFS name on it and sell another billion copies.

good

Well, given that they are doing a lot of staff layoffs at Black Box (which is the studio responsible for developing the NFS series), then it's safe to say that they are more than likely halting the series for a couple years.  With the Burnout IP picking up so much steam since EA bought Criterion, however...it's safe to say that they may very well be getting rid of NFS altogether.  Who knows?

There's no way they're going to stop making Need for Speed games.  Each iteration sells millions, and it looks like the current one will be no exception.  Though, I don't think the current NFS will do near as well as previous titles due to the horrible reviews.

meh