“Need for Speed” has undeniably been – and still is – one of the most successful racing video game series. Developed by EA Black Box and published by the popular Electronic Arts, the game was available for all the 5th generation gaming consoles, and in 2008, it was compatible with all the 7th generation gaming consoles, too.

The storyline is quite simple – you race other drivers but also try to avoid being caught by the police. You also have the option to freely roam a city of your choice, from the available options offered to you by the game.

Because the standard cars can become quite tiresome after a point and because for each level you need a more competitive vehicle, “Need for Speed: Underground” featured car body customization, which hasn’t been missing from the later versions. The first installment of the game was “The Need for Speed” and it was released back in 1994. It was followed by 15 other installments, the last being “Need for Speed: Undercover”, released in 2008. “Need for Speed: Most Wanted”, which was released in 2005, was one of the first games adapted for the Xbox 360.

Although a very successful series, it seems that Electronic Arts has decided to cancel the development of any future installments of the Need For Speed series, The explanation given by Electronic Arts officials was generic and bland: “We're working through a process on people, products, and facilities at EA and don't have any announcements today.”

The comment was bound to give birth to rumors about the true reasons of the sudden cancellation. It seems that “NFS” sales have significantly dropped, partially because the economic crisis is making people reorder their spending priorities.