There’s not too many studios out there that can boast a rather impressive line-up of work in just one genre. Fighting games are the domain of Capcom, Rockstar has left their mark on sandbox games and Empire Interactive makes the best Hello Kitty games. Add Criterion to that list, with their rock-solid line of racing games. Except they won’t be doing any driving anytime soon.
After debunking rumours that they would be remaking Need For Speed Underground, Criterion creative director Alex Ward has done some more tweeting via Destructoid, saying that the EA-backed studio will instead pursue a different genre entirely.
After over a decade of making racing games it’s time to make something new. It is early days thus I have nothing to “announce” or talk about
— Alex Ward (@AlexanderJWard) April 15, 2013
Criterion dumping the racing genre is the equivalent of Game Freak tossing Pokemon out the window so that they can concentrate on MMOs. Criterion has been a driving force (Ha!) behind racing games for a decade now, from the ludicrously over the top Burnout series, to their recent work on Need For Speed.
So does that mean that we’ll get to see a sequel to their 2006 ridicudonk shooter, Black? Nope, says Ward:
No Black2 either folks. Volumes to tell on that topic, but will save that forwhen I get a book deal…
— Alex Ward (@AlexanderJWard) April 15, 2013
It’s kind of strange to see EA allowing one of their studios to go off in a new direction, especially when it’s away from one of their premiere franchises, leaving the racing reigns with Black Box. But at the same time, Criterion has most likely earned that right.
Here’s to the future then for that studio.
Last Updated: April 16, 2013
Anon A Mouse
April 16, 2013 at 13:41
I will so love a new Black. It was an awesome game when it came out. But I do feel that racing games have run its course, with nothing new being done and only minor adjustments being made to older games and then re-branded.
Rincethis: Spellalicious
April 16, 2013 at 13:55
I see what you did there!
Ultimo_Cleric_N7
April 16, 2013 at 13:49
Lets hope they actually HAVE a future seperated from EA, and dont just get retrenched…..
matthurstrsa
April 16, 2013 at 13:58
Man I still jam Burnout Revenge sometimes. So much fun.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
April 16, 2013 at 14:01
Sad to see them change but great to see them trying new avenues. Maybe some good ideas and fresh ideas can come of all this
silverscorpio
April 16, 2013 at 14:50
What was wrong with Black? I loved that game. Oh well. Hope they make another shooter in line with what Black was.
Skyblue
April 16, 2013 at 15:01
This doesn’t really make any sense to me, even though Black was an outstanding FPS game (for a console). Criterion have made their reputation on creating some of the most chaotic and more importantly, FUN racing games ever played by gamer’s, ever.
I hope they know what they’re doing…
FoxOneZA - The Chosen One
April 16, 2013 at 15:47
NFS as a franchise has no future now.
Kobus Nel
April 19, 2013 at 09:08
I liked the NFS games up to Underground 2. Everything after that started going downhill. Then discovered that I find myself enjoying the titles from Codemasters 😛 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRsNc-rB-Vs