Dirt team teamed up with Need for Speed development studio

Codemasters Cheshire (Dirt) and Criterion Games, which created Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012), have joined forces. Now they will work together to create the next Need for Speed.

“This integration builds on the close collaboration between the two studios that has developed over the past few months. Sharing common values and a similar culture, we firmly believe that combining the vast experience of both teams will help us deliver the best racing experience to our players,” said Codemasters.

As a result of the merger, there were no layoffs, and Codemasters Birmingham continues to work on the Formula One franchise.

Recall that Electronic Arts acquired Codemasters in early 2021 for $1.2 billion. And in February 2020, the publisher announced that the Criterion Games studio will return to the Need for Speed series.

Criterion Games is mostly known for Burnout series, as well as Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010) and Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012). In addition, it helped in the development of Need for Speed Rivals and several games of DICE studio.