While EA’s big franchises are typically annual affairs, Need for Speed is taking a year-long break. Or, rather, Ghost Games is being given more time to work on the newest Need for Speed title, now due out in 2015.
General manager Marcus Nilsson explained the situation in an open letter after EA announced the decision yesterday.
“We are already deep in development on our next game and want to make this promise to you: we will listen to you,” said Nilsson. “We’re going to give you the game you’ve been asking for. It will be the game you deserve, but to do that will take us some time.”
Nilsson promised that after this announcement, the team won’t be going dark. “That doesn’t mean we’re going to go silent until then,” he said. “From now on, you’ll be hearing from us regularly because we need your help to shape the future of Need for Speed. We want your input on future gameplay and features we know you’re passionate about. We will keep innovating, always making sure to continue the celebration of cars and the joy they bring.”
Ghost Games has been taking its control of the franchise pretty seriously ever since Criterion stepped down last year. The studio is keen to add some consistency to a series that has been tossed around between multiple developers.
Can you wait another year to feel the wind in your hair as you crash into yet another bollard?
Cheers, VG24/7.