Just because E3 is over doesn’t mean we’ve run out of news or surprise announcements. Take, for instance, EA’s chief operating officer John Pleasants’ announcements at the William Blair Growth Stock Conference in Chicago. Not only did he seem to confirm Battlefield 3, but also that Criterion Games, the team that brought us the Burnout series, will make the next Need for Speed title.
Pleasants said he’s seen DICE’s work on Battlefield 3, and he’s impressed.
“I’ve had the luxury of looking at Battlefield 3 over at DICE in Sweden and was highly impressed by the way the team is working on that product,” he said. “Of course, that’s not (coming out) in the fiscal year, but that is a product that is looking very good.”
It appears Pleasants is referring to an actual sequel to Battlefield 2, not a new Battlefield: Bad Company.
Also at the conference, Pleasants explained that Criterion Games will make the next installment of Need for Speed. He says EA has combined the Burnout team with the Need for Speed franchise to bring Criterion Games’ experience with creating a more online-centric and notably high-quality game.
We’ll be sure to pass on more information about both titles as it becomes available.