Criterion Games CEO Leaves Studio After More Than 23 Years – Gaming

Matthew Webster vice president AND general manager From Criterion, he left the studio after just over 23 years. Besides him, four other notable people left the studio, who had shown a desire to “explore new possibilities beyond Electronic Arts”.

The departure of the head of the study was confirmed by EA a GamesIndustry.biz. Their departure came shortly after the release of Need for Speed ​​​​​​​​Unbound, which was released on December 2nd. Webster has been with Criterion Games for over 23 years and has been with EA since 1990. He was part of the first EA team to be responsible for the first FIFA game, precisely in 1993 for the Mega Drive. Other than that, go away Executive producer Pete Lake, who started at Criterion in 1996 and Chief Technical Director Andrei Shires who worked at the studio for 16 years.

Additionally, studio development head Alan McDairmant left EA after 17 years and Steve Uphill, who directed Isi He left after a 6 year stint. Uphill worked at EA from 2004 to 2008 as Artistic director It reverted to the developer in 2016.

EA confirmed to GamesIndustry.biz that Charity Joy, which it owns Executive producer From several EA Sports games, it was ported to Criterion. This is what you play Executive producer Investigation. Jeff Smith, who previously worked on racing games DiRT and Grid, now senior doctor For product development in the Need for Speed ​​series. Criterion Games has been a part of EA since 2004. The studio is best known for its Burnout games and made four Need for Speed ​​games between 2010 and 2022: Hot Pursuit, Most Wanted, Rivals and Unbound.