A Burnout-infused edition of the aging Need for Speed series is not in the works according to EA CEO John Riccitiello. In a recent interview with Kotaku,  Riccitiello addressed the future on the Need for speed series, and the three NFS titles headed to different platforms this year. Along with the previously announced Need for Speed: Shift, Need for Speed: Nitro, and free-to-play NFS: World Online, Criterion Games, developers of the Burnout series, are working on an entirely new take on the Need for Speed series. The Burnout team, headed by Alex Ward, are working on the Need for Speed project and there is no word on any current development on a new Burnout title. The team at Criterion have continued to support the latest Burnout title, Burnout: Paradise, with both free and paid downloadabale content, with the Big Surf Island expansion set to release this month.

I have mixed reactions to the idea of the Burnout team working on a new Need for Speed. The Burnout series is my favorite racing series; the fast-paced arcade-style play instantly holds my attention, without the need for endless customization. It’ll be difficult to wait for a new Burnout, but if Criterion continues with the free (preferably) and paid downloadable content, it might be enough to keep the title fresh. And by shifting the Burnout team to Need for Speed, EA has achieved the improbable: I’m actually excited to revisit the Need for Speed series.