Need for Speed is going open world once again according to job listing

EA studio Criterion is reportedly already working on a new Need for Speed title following the release of Unbound late last year.

The details:

• According to a job listing at Criterion, the next Need for Speed title will continue to feature an open-world design similar to other modern releases in the franchise. A now-closed LinkedIn posting for a "World Artist" at the developer stated that it was looking for someone to work on a "new and exciting endeavor to create an open world offering the player a fast, visceral, and authentic experience." "With a proud history working on beloved franchises including Battlefield, Star Wars Battlefront, and Burnout, we're now challenging the conventions of the racing genre to take the Need For Speed franchise to the next level," the studio wrote.
• The listing doesn't reveal much else, but it appears to be in an urban setting, with the team looking for an artist with "an appreciation or knowledge of architecture, urban planning, and visual design." Based on the previous two entries, Heat and Unbound, the map is likely to feature a city surrounded by mountainous areas, allowing for both on-road and off-road racing.
• Unbound received generally positive feedback due to its arcade driving mechanics and customization, which allowed players to tune their cars for tight racing or looser drifting styles. The game also included a police wanted system akin to Heat, with player notoriety increasing with each race completed, resulting in tougher, more aggressive police units and even helicopters. The entry stood out from previous releases due to its animated art style, which received mixed reviews from long-time fans.

More gaming news:

• Chinese technology company Tencent is acquiring a majority stake in Dying Light developer Techland for an undisclosed sum. Techland will continue to operate normally and will retain all rights to its intellectual property.
• Bandai Namco has announced that Gundam Evolution, its first-person shooter title, will be shut down one year after its initial release. The game received a mixed reaction after its release due to its heavy reliance on microtransactions, which led to many players abandoning the game shortly after.