Criterion Games co-founders leave studio

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he co-founders of Criterion Games have left the studio, it has been confirmed by Electronic Arts.

Confirming the reports of Polygon, EA said that Alex Ward, Vice President & Creative Director, and Fiona Sperry, Studio Director, have officially left the studio, founded in 2000.

Criterion Games, owned by EA, are the developers of the popular Burnout racing series and also worked on two Need for Speed games including Hot Pursuit and Most Wanted.

An EA spokesman said: “We appreciate their many contributions through the years and wish them well in their future endeavours.”

The spokesman went on to reveal that Criterion are current working on a new project for next-gen consoles with Matt Webster, a Criterion employee for years, leading the development and studio into the future.

“The incredibly creative and talented team at Criterion are hard at work on a new project for next-gen consoles as new IP continues to be a major priority across EA,” said the Spokesman. “Matt Webster is leading development of the new game and the Criterion studio moving forward. Matt has been part of Criterion for years and has an exciting vision for this new game.”

After reports of their departure surfaced, Ward sent out a tweet saying he and Sperry intend on forming a new studio. “Just decided to start afresh and form a new games company with Fiona Sperry,” he wrote.