Need for Speed 2022 Map Leak Teases Rumored Chicago-Inspired Setting

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An alleged map leak for Need for Speed's next installment recently hit the web, hinting at the fictionalized Chicago setting that's rumored to appear in-game. Apparently, Electronic Arts initially intended to release the new racing title in 2021. Developer Criterion Games' temporary transition to Battlefield 2042 support team forced the publisher to delay the next Need for Speed to 2022, according to word relayed by EA Chief Studios Officer Laura Miele at the time. At the time of writing, however, the racer has yet to receive a formal reveal.

Burnout and Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit developer Criterion reentered the franchise's driver's seat a couple of years ago, a result of Electronic Arts taking the torch away from Payback and Heat studio, Ghost Games, in early 2020. This move reverted the latter back into the role of a support crew, which, in turn, culminated in the team reclaiming its old name of EA Gothenburg. With Criterion Games leading the charge again, the wait is on for where Need for Speed will go next. Notably, recent rumors indicate NFS' upcoming game won't launch on last-gen hardware.

Related: Need for Speed Carbon & More Games Being Delisted And Shut Down

According to Reddit user Max_Lazy_10 (via Comicbook.com), "notorious" Need for Speed leaker ynk has uploaded a leaked map, screenshot, and UI image of the next NFS title on the franchise's Discord. The Redditor notes in a subsequent post that the map supposedly offers a glimpse at Need for Speed 2022's Chicago-like setting, which allegedly bears the name of Lake Shore City. Interestingly, both the open-world map and UI have a lot in common with the Ghost Games' Need for Speed: Heat in terms of design. Max_Laxy_10's post and the images in question appear