Criterion ditching racing genre, suggests Ward

Criterion could be moving away from the racing genre that made it famous, according to the studio’s creative director.

Taking to Twitter, Ward told followers not expect a new Burnout or Need For Speed game from the Guildford studio, as after over a decade of making racing games, it was time "to make something new".

He warned fans that there was “no point” in saving up their money and waiting for one of the titles to arrive, and added if they were expecting an announcement soon, they would be disappointed.

“After over a decade of making racing games it’s time to make something new,” said Ward.

“It is early days thus I have nothing to ‘announce’ or talk about. I will do my best to keep folks in the loop who want to follow what we play or what inspires us. Or what we might be listening to.

“But if you are following me expecting some Megaton of a new Burnout game, or an Underground remake then I have to disappoint you.”

Criterion, owned by EA, is well-known for its racing games, which include the Burnout series and two well-received entries into the Need for Speed franchise, Most Wanted and Hot Pursuit.

The developer has developed games in other genres before, such as FPS Black released in 2006. Ward stressed however that fans would also not be seeing a sequel to that title.

“No Black2 either folks,” he said. “Volumes to tell on that topic, but will save that for when I get a book deal.”

Since making the tweets however, Ward has said that "personally" was the key word in his statements, suggesting that although he is not working on those titles, other developers could be.

"The key word was ‘personally’….#tothefuture #weseefarther," he said.