Criterion is moving away from racing games and sequels

Creative director says next game will not be a Need for Speed, Burnout, or Black sequel

Criterion creative director Alex Ward has had enough with floating rumors, so he’s taken to Twitter to debunk speculation that his team is working on a Need for Speed or Burnout sequel. In addition, he said his next game won’t be a Black or Road Rash sequel. In fact, it won’t even be a racing game.

“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,” Ward wrote.

Though a game announcement may not be upon us, it’s noteworthy that Criterion is making a departure from racing games, especially since they are on Electronic Art’s payroll and EA rarely lets studios do something new.

Ward drops hints that a sequel to Black was pursued but met with difficulty: “No Black2 either folks. Volumes to tell on that topic, but will save that for  when I get a book deal…”

Here’s the rumor I’d like Ward to debunk: After a Black sequel being shot down, the studio is now developing a first-person shooter in a different or new franchise. I hope it’s not Medal of Honor.

In the near future, expect to see Black Box and not Criterion on Need for Speed releases.