Need for Speed: The Run. 13 games that sunk their dev teams
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The Need for Speed series needs no introduction. Probably many of you remember classics such as Underground 2 or the original Most Wanted. Since then, however, countless installments expanded the series, and they were more or less successful. One of the less fortunate entries was Need for Speed: The Run – more an interactive movie than a racing game.
In a stark contrast to the entire franchise, The Run allowed us to get out of the car, diversifying the fun with Quick Time Event sequences. The problem was, however, the very core of this production – no car customization, and greatly simplified driving model that felt the same for all machines. In addition, the amount of scripts meant that it was nearly impossible to lose a race. These changes made Need for Speed: The Run one of the lowest-rated installments of the entire series.
The title was developed by Black Box, one of the branches of Electronic Arts. Oddly enough, it was the same studio that had given us the legendary Most Wanted and both Undergrounds. They were also responsible for Need for Speed Carbon, ProStreet and Undercover. However, due to poor sales of the last two games, EA decided to temporarily remove this team from the Need for Speed brand. They returned with the online World, and released The Run a year later – and this was the last dance with the series.
EA Black Box was renamed to Quicklime Games, intended to support Need for Speed: World. This didn't last, as in 2013, after a reorganization in Electronic Arts, the studio was closed. Need for Speed: World servers were shut down two years later.
