Electronic Arts appears to have placed its legendary Need for Speed racing series on indefinite hold, casting shadows over the future of this once-dominant franchise. While the publisher hasn't made any official statements, multiple indicators from the Need for Speed community and EA's recent strategic decisions point toward a potential long-term pause in development.

Since its debut in 1994 with The Need for Speed, this franchise has defined arcade-style racing with its signature blend of high-speed action, open-world exploration, deep vehicle customization, and distinctive visual identity. However, the series has struggled to maintain its momentum in recent years, with 2022's Need for Speed Unbound failing to achieve the commercial success EA had hoped for despite showing initial promise.

The first major red flag emerged when Criterion Games, the primary developer behind recent Need for Speed titles, was reassigned to work exclusively on Battlefield 6 earlier this year. Although Criterion initially reassured fans that the racing franchise would continue, new evidence suggests otherwise. Matthew Everingham, a longtime contributor to EA-affiliated car culture site Speedhunters, revealed in an Instagram post that Speedhunters has been put "on ice" because "EA shelved Need for Speed." The website hasn't been updated since April 2025, supporting Everingham's claim.

Given the symbiotic relationship between Speedhunters and Need for Speed, the shelving of one would naturally impact the other. EA remains silent on these rumors, but their most recent NFS-related announcement concerned the impending shutdown of online services for Need for Speed Rivals in October 2025. While this server closure alone doesn't necessarily signal the franchise's demise, Criterion's full commitment to Battlefield 6 suggests that even if a new Need for Speed is in development, fans shouldn't expect it before 2030.

The racing game genre has faced significant turbulence recently. Following massive layoffs at Xbox that devastated Forza Motorsport developer Turn 10 Studios, the potential disappearance of Need for Speed would mark another major loss for racing enthusiasts. This comes at a time when open-world racers like Forza Horizon 5 continue to demonstrate the genre's popularity and commercial potential.