In a recent interview with Polygon, executive VP of EA Studios Patrick Soderlund has revealed that the Need for Speed franchise has been shifted to the EA Sports banner as the company undergoes a shift in structure.
“When you’ve had a franchise that’s been going on for 20 years like Need for Speed, I think it was time for us to get a different pair of eyes on it, a fresh look and feel on it.”
He also believes that the combination of several divisions under one label will allow other teams to interact and thus bring a new approach to projects “It’s a way for us to push innovation and push a different creative brain or mindset onto Need for Speed.”
The latest game in the series, Need for Speed: Rivals is currently set to release on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 on November 19th in North America and Europe, with a PS4 release due for when the console launches. An Xbox One version will release on November 22nd.