Founders leave Criterion Games, the "Burnout" and "NFS: Most Wanted"

Alex Ward and Fiona Sperry, co-founders of Criterion Games, responsible for "Burnout", "Black" series and the recent "Need for Speed​​: Hot Pursuit" and "Most Wanted", left the production, said the Polygon site.

The pair left the Criterion and EA but will not turn away from the video games: "We decided to renew and start a new game company," Ward said on Twitter.




"We appreciate his many contributions over the years and wish him good luck in his future projects," said a spokesman for Electronic Arts, publisher of the studio. Matt Webster, executive producer of "Most Wanted" now commands reduced the Criterion team.

Ward and Sperry founded the Criterion in 2000, developing RenderWare technology used in games of the series "Grand Theft Auto" for PS2 and, more remarkable for the company, "Burnout" racing game developed by the studio which became a franchise of success. In 2004, they were bought by EA.

Ups and downs

After the success of "Burnout Paradise" and "Need for Speed​​: Hot Pursuit" for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360, Criterion was indicated as the main responsible for the franchise "Need for Speed​​", released "Most Wanted" in 2012.

Not long after, however, EA has created an own studio to deal with the series, Ghost Games UK. In September, Ward said about 60 people were transferred to this new Criterion team, leaving around 20 people in the developer.