EA combines Criterion and Codemasters Cheshire to make new Need for Speed games

Electronic Arts has merged Codemasters’ Cheshire studio with Criterion Games to create a larger team to work on the future of the Need for Speed series, GamesIndustry.biz revealed Thursday.

This follows EA’s 2021 acquisition of Codemasters, though it’s only the Cheshire studio that’s merging with Criterion. Codemasters also has multiple offices where they will continue their work on games, such as the one coming soon. F1 22.

Following the closure of Evolution Studios by Sony in 2016, Cheshire Studios was established. This team had previously developed MotorStorm and was now being hired by Codemasters. DriveClubThe code was renamed Codemasters Cheshire. Cheshire released its 2020 team Dirt 5Many critics described the game as a modern MotorStorm and it was cited among the top games that showcased the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 hardware.

According to the Codemasters Twitter accountStudio mergers do not necessarily mean they are merging offices. However, both studios will still work independently in different locations.