Since its debut in November 2019, Need for Speed Heat has enjoyed a solid run. But now, developer Criterion Games is preparing for the next console generation with the series’ next game. However, Criterion and Electronic Arts will be sending Need for Speed Heat off in style with a final, massive update on June 9.
In a press release, Matt Webster, Criterion Games’ general manager addressed fans to lay out the final update’s features and to tease a new Need for Speed game. Although developer Ghost Games created Heat, EA has assigned Criterion to focus on the Need for Speed franchise once again.
According to Webster, Criterion is introducing crossplay in its last major contribution to Need for Speed Heat. According to the press release, Need for Speed Heat is the first EA game to allow PS4, Xbox One and PC fans to play together. The patch notes also promised some final bug fixes. Now that Criterion is ending support for Heat, it is gathering feedback from players for the franchise’s next installment.
Webster also announced that the game would release on EA Access and the Origin Access Basic Vault for subscribers on June 16. Criterion hopes that this move, alongside the decision to release Need for Speed Heat on Steam, will make the series more accessible to newcomers. The press release ended by inviting players to watch EA Play Live for Criterion’s next announcements.
Many fans expressed their disappointment that EA was ending support for Heat in favor of a new Need for Speed game. Although several Twitter users were excited about crossplay, more responses to the news pointed out how short the game’s life cycle was. While some fans argued that Heat had potential and deserved more support, others complained about the “mediocre” quality of the series so far and announced that they would not be pre-ordering the next installment. Criterion’s desire to focus on a new game that it built from the ground up is understandable, but its decision appears to be highly unpopular with longtime fans.
Although Need for Speed Heat may not have lived up to its predecessors in the end, the title was still an enjoyable entry with solid gameplay. Now that a seasoned racing game developer is back in the saddle, perhaps the next Need for Speed game will exceed fan expectations.
Need for Speed Heat is available now on PC, PS4 and Xbox One. Its final update will be available on June 9, 2020 and it is coming to EA Access and the Origin Access Basic Vault on June 16, 2020.
