Need for Speed Unbound may have skipped PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, but Criterion Games believes the decision was made to benefit players of the latest Need for Speed title. Criterion Games goes into detail about why Need for Speed Unbound skipped last-gen consoles in favor of the newest hardware, and the choices made during development could impact the future of the series positively.
Need for Speed Unbound is Criterion Games' return to the long-running racing series and a major transition from last-gen hardware. Need for Speed Unbound capitalizes on the success of Need for Speed Heat while bringing a more stylized, underground approach to its visuals and aesthetic. According to Criterion Games creative director Kieran Crimmins, the studio wanted to bring Need for Speed Unbound to PS4 and Xbox One early in the development process. Ultimately, the difficult decision was made by Criterion Games to focus on PS5 and Xbox Series X, and Crimmins believes it may have been for the best.
Crimmins explains the technical capabilities of PS5 and Xbox Series X is "so much better" than what was possible on PS4 and Xbox One for Need for Speed Unbound. Criterion Games wanted to double down on the newfound power of PS5 and Xbox Series X to bring out the best possible Need for Speed experience. Factors such as Need for Speed Unbound's stylish effects, the increasing desire for 4K resolution and 60 FPS support, and the game's new physics engine led Criterion Games to focus solely on development for current-gen platforms and PC.
The creative director believes critics that play Need for Speed Unbound will understand Criterion Games' decision to skip the PS4 and Xbox One versions entirely. Criterion Games wanted to make the best possible player experience according to Crimmins, and the studio's desire to make its best game yet drove their decision during development.
The gaming industry appears to be at a crossroads for last-gen and current-gen development, and Criterion Games has already made its transition clear. If released for PS4 and Xbox One, Need for Speed Unbound may have suffered from technical issues and game-breaking bugs. Criterion Games appears to have prevented such a situation entirely by focusing on current-gen platforms. Need for Speed Unbound still needs to improve upon its own features and mechanics, however.
At the very least, Need for Speed Unbound was developed with the goal of making the best experience for players. Criterion Games' judgment is one that more developers will likely follow in 2023 and beyond as last-gen consoles continue to show their glaring limitations.
Need for Speed Unbound is available now for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Source: Traxion.GG