Criterion staff cut to 16 during Need for Speed: Rivals development

Criterion is now a small studio.

In the middle of development on Need for Speed: Rivals, new brand owner Ghost Games has reduced the size of Criterion to 16 people, according to creative director Alex Ward, who revealed the news over Twitter.

The majority of the staff — about 60-65 people — have transitioned into a new studio called Ghost Games U.K., where they will continue to work on the racing title.

"We still exist," Ward tweeted of Criterion. "We chose not to continue making NFS games."

Rivals launches in November for PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.

Criterion worked on last year's Need for Speed: Most Wanted and 2010's Hot Pursuit. Before that, it developed the Burnout series.

Via: VideoGamer