Criterion the studio behind the glorious Burnout series is next to get their hands on the Need for Speed series according to EA boss John Riccitello. And he should know after all. In an interview with Kotaku he said that there are no current plans for a new Burnout as the team is occupied with a "revolutionary take" on the Need for Speed franchise.
EA have plans for three Need for Speed games this year. Simulation style Need for Speed: Shift from Slightly Mad Studios for PC, PS3, PSP and Xbox 360. Arcade style Need for Speed: Nitro from EA Montreal on Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii. And finally Need for Speed: World Online for PC from EA Black Box and EA Singapore. When the Criterion developed Need for Speed will launch is unknown, but the latter part of 2010 is an educated and reasonable guess. Perhaps the plan is to have Criterion and Slightly Mad Studios take turns and make the main installation of the series every other year?