...assuming Criterion makes it an arcade-style racer instead of the simulation-style that the series has used for past few years.

So, yeah. Criterion Games, the makers of the critically acclaimed, and just plain awesome, Burnout series, was revealed to be developing the next Need for Speed title for next year. Which, the way I see it, can either end up being the best thing to happen to this series in ages, or it could just be another step toward the series' demise.

I'm hoping for the former, personally. Especially if it ends up being an arcade-styIe racer, as that's the kind of racing games I like. Simulation-styIe while fine (DiRT 2 was pretty fun), isn't really my thing. But even then, I might just play it because it's from Criterion. That's what got me to play Black originally, and subsequently got me into the first-person shooter genre, so it's not out of the realm of possibility.

And who knows, if this goes well, then maybe they'll get Criterion to make other games for them, like that Burnout rhythm game Shaun came up with on the HotSpot a while back.

You know, what? Forget Need for Speed. They should be making that rhythm game instead. Make it happen EA!