Need for Speed Most Wanted Confirmed For E3 Reveal, Criterion in Driving Seat

While it’s hardly a surprise, a confirmation is always great, especially when it’s accompanied by such a beautiful screenshot. Geoff Keighley has recently revealed via Twitter that the next title in the Need for Speed series will indeed be Need for Speed Most Wanted, and is in development over at Criterion Games (Burnout Paradise, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit).

It’s an interesting turn of events for a number of reasons, though considering the success both critically and publicly Hot Pursuit, it wouldn’t have been hard to guess that EA would stick with Criterion for future titles. The original Most Wanted was released back in 2005, with Black Box at the helm, who most recently worked on Need for Speed The Run. While that game wasn’t quite as well received, it’s interesting that they’ve given the Most Wanted property to a different studio, as generally each spin-off is given its own identity through a chosen production team, for example the Shift series was developed by Slightly Mad Studios. Regardless, Criterion will do the name proud. Another subtitle is also expected, since to have a ‘reboot’ on the current gen would seem odd.

It’s set for a world premiere on Monday, meaning that we’ll surely be seeing it at EA’s Press Conference. Stay tuned to Push-Start@E3 for up to date information, and follow us on twitter for instant updates.

Source – Geoff Keighley’s Twitter