And just like that, a title in one of EA’s most loved franchises, Need for Speed, is also getting crossplay.
Criterion Games, long time developers for the Need for Speed franchise have updated us gamers on this fantastic news. Need for Speed has a very special place in my heart personally, being a game I would play with my cousins and friends often. I have very fond memories of Need for Speed Underground, with its fast-paced and exciting gameplay. Something about playing these games with friends and family, sharing the adrenaline rush, and celebrating victories just became infectious in my younger years. Even though I fell out of touch with the franchise, more recent installments such as Need for Speed Rivals definitely scratched that itch again.Crossplay brings the heat
Back to the matter at hand though. Crossplay will be making its debut in Heat on June 9th, 2020, and will bring together the community across all platforms. Seriously, we’re talking all PC digital distributors alongside PS4 and Xbox One. This news ties in nicely with the also recent announcement that Origin Access is coming to Steam too! This meshing of the communities is sure to be welcomed among fans of the franchise both new and old. Matt Webster, General Manager of Criterion Games, had this to say about Criterion’s decision to add this feature in:At Criterion, we’ve always believed that games are better with friends. We don’t want your platform of choice to be a barrier for that experience. So we’re thrilled to let you all know that on June 9, Need for Speed Heat will be the first EA title to offer cross-play, meaning that players – regardless of their platform – can jump into Palm City together as one, united community.I don’t know about y’all, but that sounds good to me. I’m sure we’d all agree though, that giving the player’s freedom and flexibility in how they play their games is always going to be a good thing. It seems Criterion has got the right idea and a real handle on what the fans are wanting, too:
Since the launch of Need for Speed Heat and as players continue to tear it up in Palm City, we’re listening to what you love about this experience, and what you all believe could be even better. With these insights, we have a terrific foundation to create the most expressive, most socially connected, action-packed game yet for Need for Speed fans and beyond.