Criterion Games has officially shifted gears, leaving behind its iconic racing franchises Burnout and Need for Speed to focus entirely on Battlefield. In a candid interview with IGN reflecting on 30 years of the studio’s history, Criterion revealed its new identity as ”Criterion: A Battlefield Studio”-a clear sign the developer is doubling down on the Battlefield shooter series instead of reviving their celebrated arcade racers.
From EA’s perspective, the move is straightforward. Rebecca Kutas, Vice President and Head of Battlefield Studios Europe, told IGN that Criterion is now ”completely focused on Battlefield.” After the troubled launch of Battlefield 2042, EA assembled several internal teams to revitalize the franchise, and Criterion was among those tapped to lead this reboot effort.
EA has already branded the upcoming Battlefield 6 launch as the biggest in the series’ history, positioning the franchise once again as a heavyweight competitor against Call of Duty. In this high-stakes environment, reallocating one of EA’s most experienced studios away from racing makes strategic sense-and underscores why Burnout has been sidelined indefinitely.
Criterion’s racing legacy remains a proud part of its story but no longer part of its future plans. The studio’s expertise in crafting fast-paced action, vehicle dynamics, and chaotic gameplay now fuels Battlefield’s ambitions. For fans hoping for a Burnout revival, patience is the only option-EA’s last original Burnout release was 18 years ago, and only a renewed commercial appetite for arcade racers will bring it back.
While Burnout left a lasting mark on arcade racing, Criterion’s complete pivot signals a clear focus on FPS development within EA’s larger strategy. What remains unclear is whether player demand and industry trends will someday prompt EA to dust off the Burnout brand-or if Battlefield will continue to be Criterion’s singular spotlight going forward.