14 DAY TRIAL // Electronic Arts has talked about its long running Need for Speed series and admitted that last year's iteration, The Run, wasn't as good as it could have been. The publisher does admit that this year's upcoming Most Wanted reboot will make things better and once again bring the franchise into the spotlight.
The Need for Speed franchise has seen a few ups and downs in recent years as quite a few developers have had a go at the racing series, from action-oriented installments like Undercover or The Run by Black Box, to simulators like Shift 1 and 2 from Slightly Mad Studios, to more arcade experiences like Hot Pursuit from Criterion Games.
While last year's The Run marked a return to story-based experiences by Black Box studios, the game didn't do so well, a fact admitted by EA Labels President, Frank Gibeau.
"We're not happy with the reception that we got on Need for Speed: The Run. We tried a lot of new things; we added linear moments and action scenes between level to try and spice it up... but frankly it just didn't come together to the level of quality that I wanted or that the Need for Speed team wanted," he told CVG.
"So we're going to try something different and Criterion is going to take a shot at innovating in that category."
The feedback and the lackluster reception has motivated EA to continue building the franchise, and the results will be evident in this year's Most Wanted.
"[The Run] did well and there's a lot about it that we really liked and were impressed with, but ultimately we want to make 80-90 rated games and it was a bit of a shock to see how poorly received it was with some editorial groups and customers.
"We don't ignore that feedback, but we don't curl up into a ball and cry either. We try to do something about it. Criterion were always planned to be on this next one. Now it's the time to dial it up and go even bigger."
Need for Speed: Most Wanted is out this October on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.