EA-owned developer Criterion is reportedly working on a new Need for Speed game, and it could be an open-world title. The job listing for a World Artist at Criterion mentions the “exciting endeavour to create an open world.”
The job listing also says that Criterion is looking for someone with “an appreciation or knowledge of architecture, urban planning, and visual design.” This suggests that the game could take place in a city, or at least partially.
Neither Criterion nor EA have commented on the job listing or the speculation it has created. However, if the game is indeed an open-world title, it would be a significant departure from the most recent Need for Speed game, Need for Speed Unbound.
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Unbound was a semi-open world game that featured a variety of different environments, including cities, beaches, and forests. However, the game was not fully open world, as players were restricted to certain areas of the map.
If Criterion is indeed working on an open-world Need for Speed game, it would be a welcome change for fans of the series. Open-world racing games offer a lot of freedom and replayability, and they can be a lot of fun to explore.
Of course, it is also possible that the game will not be an open-world title. The job listing does not explicitly state that the game will be open-world, and it is possible that Criterion is simply looking for someone with experience in creating open-world environments.
We will have to wait and see what Criterion is actually working on. However, the job listing is certainly an exciting development for fans of the Need for Speed series.