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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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How It Works • Games & Tech

Need for Speed

Need for Speed is a racing video game franchise published by Electronic Arts.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Need for Speed is a racing video game franchise published by Electronic Arts, known for arcade-style driving and police chases. The series debuted in 1994 and has sold over 150 million copies worldwide.

What it is

Need for Speed is a long-running video game series focused on fast cars, street racing, and evading police. It started in 1994 with *The Need for Speed* and is published by Electronic Arts. The current developer is Criterion Games, though earlier entries were made by EA Canada (formerly Distinctive Software).

Why it matters

The franchise is one of the best-selling racing game series ever, with over 100 million units sold by 2009 and more than 150 million copies across all releases by later counts. It has appeared on major consoles and PC, and its mix of arcade racing and police pursuits has influenced the genre. The latest mainline game, *Need for Speed Unbound*, came out in 2022.

Canadian connection

The series has Canadian roots: EA Canada (originally Distinctive Software) developed early *Need for Speed* titles. The studio is based in Burnaby, British Columbia, and contributed to the franchise's early success.

In short

  • Published by Electronic Arts, now developed by Criterion Games.
  • First released in 1994; latest mainline entry is *Need for Speed Unbound* (2022).
  • Arcade-style racing with street racing and police chases.
  • Over 150 million copies sold across the franchise.
Canadian angle

The franchise has Canadian roots through EA Canada, which developed early entries in the series and was previously known as Distinctive Software.

Quick questions

What is Need for Speed?
It's a racing video game franchise published by Electronic Arts, known for arcade-style driving, street racing, and police chases.
Who makes Need for Speed?
Electronic Arts publishes the series, and Criterion Games is the current developer. Early games were developed by EA Canada.
What is the newest Need for Speed game?
*Need for Speed Unbound*, released in 2022, is the latest mainline installment.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Need_for_Speed
    Supports: Series overview, publisher, current developer, first title, latest title, gameplay style
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Need_for_Speed
    Supports: First game in the series, release year, early development
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Need_for_Speed_video_games
    Supports: Platform history, current developer, series sales, latest title
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Need_for_Speed_(2015_video_game)
    Supports: Xbox One release for a Need for Speed title and series installment count
  5. Need for Speed Wiki — https://nfs.fandom.com/wiki/Need_for_Speed_(Series)
    Supports: Community note that Most Wanted (2005) is the best-selling game in the series