TheForzafranchise is one of the most popular racing franchises in gaming today. Between its two sub-franchises -Forza MotorsportandForza Horizon- theForzafranchise has plenty to offer for fans of racing games. Alongside non-racing franchises such asHaloandGears of War, the series has become one of the biggest staples for Microsoft and their Xbox platform and has remained an in-demand game since its first entry in 2005.
Recently, Microsoft announced that the franchise’s 2021 entry,Forza Horizon 5, will bereleased on its competitor’s platform, the PlayStation 5. This is one of the most notable indicators of Microsoft’s change in approach to the Xbox ecosystem, as while previous Xbox titles have made it to PlayStation and Nintendo systems, this is the first time the publisher has shown a willingness to bring one of its hallmark IPs to competition systems.Forza’s arrival on PlayStation should motivate one more racing game franchise to get a new entry:Need For Speed.
Forza’s Move To PlayStation Should Be The Return Of Need for Speed Too
With Forza On PlayStation, Need For Speed Should Race Back
Now thatForzais making its way to PlayStation, theNeed for Speedseries should get a new entry. One of the most popular franchises in its genre,Need for Speedcelebrated its 30th anniversarylast year but 2024 came and went with no major announcements. While it’s had plenty of critical and commercial success, the franchise has been passed around numerous developers which contributed to the more mixed reception of its recent entries.
The latest entry,Need for Speed Unbound, was handed back to developer Criterion Games and was seen as a return to form for the franchise, although sales numbers were down 64% compared to 2019’sNeed for Speed Heat. Since then, Criterion has been focused on an upcomingBattlefieldgame, though publisher EA has confirmed thattheNeed for Speedfranchise will continue. It may take a while for the next game to come along, but it may be a good idea for EA to fast-track the franchise’s return.
Need For Speed Would Distinguish Itself From Forza and Gran Turismo
AsForzamakes its way to PlayStation, a newNeed for Speedgame would fit right alongside it. After all,Forza’s arrival already means that, for the first time, it will exist on the same platform asSony’s iconic racing game series,Gran Turismo. Bringing out a newNeed for Speedgame with all the bells and whistles means that three of the most iconic racing franchises will get to sit on the PlayStation 5 together.
A newNeed for Speedgame would also give the PlayStation 5 a little fresh form fromForzaandGran Turismo. As those games are known for their realistic gameplay,Need for Speedleans harder on the arcade racing style, with an emphasis on illegal street races. Given its greater sense of bombast compared to Microsoft and Sony’s racing games, it fills a different niche and offers a unique angle on these other titles.
AsForzamakes its way to PlayStation, a newNeed for Speedgame would fit right alongside it.
Need For Speed’s Return May Take A Long Time
IfNeed for Speedis to come back, it may have to take a while for its return. Again, developer Criterion Games is focusing ondeveloping the nextBattlefieldgame, where they will be handling the next title’s single-player campaign. Thus, if a brand-newNeed for Speedgame is to enter full development, fans may have to wait until the beginning of the next decade to play it.
Still, EA has a great opportunity to bringNeed for Speedback withForza’s arrival on PlayStation. As Sony’s platform is now set to have two noteworthy realistic racing game franchises, a newNeed for Speedgame would give fans an arcade twist to set itself apart from other racing games. It may take a long time to get it, but EA’s iconic franchise deserves another chance with a brand-new game.
