Criterion Games: Battlefield is the only focus for now

By Shafiq Hassan Biplob, Senior Writer Published Jul 15, 2026, 3:52 PM UTC 2 min read

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Criterion Games: Battlefield is the only focus for now

Criterion Games, the Guildford-based studio known for the Burnout series and its recent contributions to the Need for Speed franchise, has officially rebranded as Criterion: A Battlefield Studio. The change, announced by EA last week to coincide with the studio's 30th anniversary, signals a shift in the developer's output. Criterion is now one of four studios dedicated to the future of the Battlefield franchise.

Quick Facts

Criterion has been involved with the Battlefield series since 2015's Battlefield 1.
The studio is now exclusively focused on Battlefield development.
Criterion has confirmed that work on the Burnout series is effectively over.

While the studio has moved away from racing, the leadership at Criterion suggests the shift does not necessarily mean the end of their racing roots forever. When asked about a potential return to Need for Speed, senior producer Danny Isaac remarked, “Yes, for now, we're focused on Battlefield Studios. But you've seen the journey that we've been on, I'd never say never. Things change.”

For the time being, however, the studio's creative efforts are tied to the Battlefield platform. According to Isaac, this focus includes work on multiplayer, single-player campaigns, and user-generated content like Portal. “The way I see it is that the Battlefield franchise, now platform, is so vast there's a lot of opportunity,” Isaac said. “Sometimes that constraint can drive creativity.”

Amy Pejic, Criterion’s director of operations, emphasized that the studio's integration into the larger Battlefield team does not mean they have lost their creative identity. “EA picked four really unique studios for their skills,” Pejic noted. “It hasn't muted what makes Criterion 'Criterion'. There's still room to defy those expectations and to think about things a little bit differently.”

When pressed on whether the public has seen the last of a Criterion-led Need for Speed or Burnout title, Isaac was clear regarding the current priorities. “I think Burnout, we put that one down a while ago,” he stated. For Need for Speed, the studio remains committed to its current assignment, with Pejic reiterating, “We can do any game, right now we're focused on Battlefield.”