Although publisher Electronic Arts is most recognized for its Need for Speed franchise that spans over two decades now of beloved entries, the firm is now entertaining a new landscape with its recent acquisition of Codemasters. Last year, it was revealed that after Take-Two Interactive held great consideration in acquiring the F1/Dirt developer, the firm backed down leaving the opportunity open for Electronic Arts to make the purchase.

However, there is great concern as to how the move will affect Codemasters under new rule. Glancing over at Criterion Games, the developer currently is not working on Need for Speed as Battlefield took priority of the publisher with DICE’s release coming this fall. However, Electronic Arts goes on to reassure that the DNA for Codemasters is to be left unaffected after spending $1.2 billion on the game studio.

Speaking with MCVUK, Electronic Arts presses that the acquisition for Codemasters is to be found in parallel to how Respawn Entertainment progressed following its purchase back in 2017.

Similar to Respawn, our orientation isn’t to come in and take over Codemasters; our orientation isn’t to come in and turn Codemasters into another Electronic Arts studio; our orientation is around the provision of opportunity. This industry is all about amazing, creative talent. And we see little upside in the indoctrination of that amazing creative talent. But we do want to provide them access to the things that we get by virtue of our position in the industry.

And so the way we’re thinking about this, and it’s how we worked with Respawn, it’s more about handing Codemasters a set of keys to the cupboard, and they can come and take what they need from that cupboard, but they get to continue to be who they are, because that’s what made them special in the first place.

Andrew Wilson, Electronic Arts CEO

After the release of Apex Legends back in 2019, Electronic Arts soon found the battle royale to be a cash cow thanks to Respawn Entertainment. In that, the publisher defined the buying of the Titanfall developer to be a “classic example” for an acquisition. In the most recent financial report from Electronic Arts, Apex Legends is recorded to exceed $1 billion in revenue since releasing in February 2019.

To reiterate on Electronic Arts emphasis on its racing franchises, the firm pressed that Need for Speed is still a tent pole series in its library of IPs. “Need for Speed will absolutely be a meaningful part of our future,” Wilson told in the conference call. You can read the full report by heading here.

Are you reassured by the statement from Electronic Arts?

Source: MCVUK