Here's a small tinge of hope for those who wanted a better Need For Speed title instead of no new NFS game at all.

An Electronic Arts spokesman recently said that Black Box, the group behind EA's long-lived Need For Speed franchise, is not closing down. Rather, the studio is being relocated to Burnaby's EA Canada in June 2009:

This does not mean that the Black Box studio is closing. The studio is moving to our Burnaby campus to share the facility with EAC and other EA teams that operate out of our state-of-the-art facility. We will operate two distinct studios, each with their own distinct culture and teams, out of our Burnaby facility.

As for the Need For Speed franchise's cancellation, the rep said that the company has so far "no announcements regarding franchises". Well no duh, rep man.

Another interesting thing is that UK-based Criterion Games has been rumored to be helping with the next Need For Speed game. You probably know Criterion as the makers of a little racing series called Burnout.

Of course, this info comes from "a purported EA employ who wishes to remain anonymous", so better take it with a pinch of salt (hence the "Rumor" category this post is under). Still, EA actually owns Criterion, so it's possible. We'll keep you updated, but in the meantime, what are your thoughts on a Criterion-developed Need For Speed game? Sound off in the comments section.

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• Confirmed: Electronic Arts closes Need for Speed studio