Need for Speed to skip 2016 as Ghost Games focuses on 2017 sequel

Need For Speed fans will have to wait a bit longer for the popular franchise's next racer. Publisher EA has announced that the franchise will skip a 2016 launch, with the developer of Ghost Games planning to release the next game in 2017.

"We are now building upon the foundations that have been laid with Need For Speed and delivering our next game in 2017," Ghost Games said in a blog post. "That's not to say that we're going quiet between now and then ... far from it. We'll be working with our community and there will be multiple opportunities to bring many of you into the studio in the coming months to get your feedback on where we're headed."

The team also says they aren't planning on staying mum about their plans between now and then.

"Far from it," the developer wrote. "We'll be working with our community and there will be multiple opportunities to bring many of you into the studio in the coming months to get your feedback on where we're headed."

Ghost Games also shared an infographic revealing some of the accomplishments players have made in the franchise since its launch on 5 November. Players have collected over 9.8 billion rep points, raced in over 10 million drag races and beaten over 52 million Eddie's Challenge Events. Gamers have also spent 950 million minutes customising cards and racked up #2.5 trillion worth of in-game cash.

For more than 20 years, EA has consistently released a new Need for Speed title every year, skipping its annual release only in 2014 to revamp the franchise. Developed by Ghost Games, the rebooted Need for Speed was eventually released in November 2015 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and in early 2016 for Windows PC.

Since its release, Ghost Games has continued to support Need for Speed, delivering new content updates including hot rods, steering wheel support, drag racing, manual transmission, a photo mode and others. However, the developer has also confirmed that its recently released multiplayer SpeedLists feature will be its last free content update for the racing game.