There's nothing quite like the Summer game announcement season. Fans of every genre and franchise usually have something to look forward to among the E3 presentations, State of Play announcements, and Nintendo Direct streams.
Mixed in with the big console & industry events are publisher streams like EA Play Live. However, it has recently been announced that EA, makers of Need For Speed and owners of Codemasters, will be forgoing their usual Summer fanfare.
This will have some big implications for those hoping to hear about Need For Speed 2022.
Why EA Play Live matters
EA Play Live is the big annual showcase for everything EA. From FIFA and Madden to Dead Space and Battlefield, everything EA has coming up gets the spotlight here.
It's where GRID Legends was revealed last year, in Codemasters' first appearance as an EA Studio.
For race fans, it is the prime spot for Need For Speed updates.
Following the delay to the franchise last year, EA Play Live 2022 was the event we all had circled for a big launch for the new NFS title.
Instead we are left in limbo. So what is happening instead?
When will Need For Speed 2022 get announced?
EA isn't replacing EA Play Live 2022 with another big all-in show. Instead they are making announcements as and when they are ready.
This should be good for getting around the over-hype, under-deliver issues of Battlefield 2042, but it's not reassuring for NFS fans.
Speaking through IGN, EA said:
“We love EA Play Live as it’s our way of connecting with our players and sharing what’s new with all of you. However, this year things aren’t lining up to show you everything on one date. We have exciting things happening at our world-class studios and this year we’ll reveal much more about these projects when the time is right for each of them. We look forward to spending time with you throughout the year!”
This means that NFS news could come through at any time!
Given the traditional release date of Need For Speed is in October/November, a Summer announcement still makes sense for NFS. It just won't have the glitz and the glamour of a big stage and millions of eyes on it.
Hopefully this doesn't impact the popularity and success of the next instalment of the grand old franchise.