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A Need for Speed Arena trademark has been filed by EA, but while some fans are expecting a new open-world racer, others hope for something completely different.
When it launched back in 2016, gaming reviewers called the Need for Speed reboot a “solid driving game,” but also one that’s “non-essential.” Furthermore, despite developer Ghost Games having created a title that would leave casual racing game fans “satisfied,” the reboot of Need for Speed wasn’t successful in “reinventing the wheel.” Some reviews have also pointed out that those who are certain about buying the game could wait for a “bigger, better installment.”
Even though fans will probably not see a improved successor happening in 2016, as it is predicted in the reviews, a new Need for Speed game is most definitely in development. On November 7, the series’ publisher EA filed a trademark with the European Union Intellectual Property Office for something called Need for Speed Arena.
Unfortunately, the trademark didn’t contain any information as to what the game could feature, but some fans have suggested that it could be a rival to arena-based title Rocket League, which has sold over 1 million copies on Steam alone. Although it’s understandable why EA would want to get a piece of that cars-playing-sportsball cake, that seems highly unlikely and antithetical to the core Need for Speed experience. Nevertheless, something new and refreshing to the Need for Speed formula could be just what the franchise needs.
Others have said that they want Need for Speed Arena to be more open-world, something like the Need for Speed reboot. As the franchise’s reboot aimed to focus on the ‘core’ aspects of the series, it would make sense for that to be preserved further down the road. With Need for Speed’s reboot requiring an online connection, many fans have their fingers crossed that this feature will not be a part of the next game.
