John-ShepardDepending on how you look at the numbers, NASCAR is the most popular sport on earth. But despite this, EA doesn't appear to be too enthusiastic about continuing the NASCAR video game tradition.
According to GameSpot , EA boss Peter Moore has revealed that the company "has no plans" to pursue a new NASCAR installment. Since the franchise's debut way back in 1997, EA has produced almost 20 different entries with the "NASCAR" name in the title, but Moore says they've had to make some "tough trade-offs" and at least for the time being, NASCAR is one of the casualties. Said Moore:
"There are no plans right now for NASCAR from EA. We had a great relationship over the years that I thoroughly enjoyed when I first got here. Unfortunately…we had to make some tough trade-offs. We've had to redeploy some of those folks. A number of the NASCAR team has moved over now to EA Sports MMA, which will be shipping next year. [We're] still a huge fan of NASCAR, but no plans right now to develop any further games for NASCAR from EA Sports."
Oddly enough, despite all the numbers seeming to point towards massive sales success on the video game side, EA's NASCAR series was never as giant as the likes of Madden . Maybe it's because the NASCAR games always fell just a little shy of simulation superiority, or maybe it's because NASCAR is more of a spectator sport (which doesn't seem right; who hasn't wanted to try it?). Whatever the reason, EA just doesn't feel the need for another NASCAR title. Oh well.
