Which company publishes the Need for Speed series?

Electronic Arts publishes the Need for Speed series. EA has overseen the franchise since its beginning, although different studios have developed individual games across its history.

The series originated with Distinctive Software, a Vancouver studio that Electronic Arts acquired in 1991 and renamed EA Canada. That team developed the first Need for Speed title, released in 1994. Later installments were produced by studios including EA Canada, EA Black Box, Slightly Mad Studios, Ghost Games, and Criterion Games.

This distinction between publisher and developer is an important source of confusion. Electronic Arts is the company responsible for publishing and marketing the series, while the studio credited with development has changed from game to game. EA also owns the Need for Speed brand, but the franchise is generally associated with EA Entertainment rather than the EA Sports label used for Madden and FIFA.

The series has moved through several styles, from the realistic driving focus of the original game to police pursuits, open-world racing, customization, and online play. Its changing developers helped produce those different eras while EA remained the publisher.