Codemasters Halts Future Rally Game Development

Codemasters has officially announced that no further expansions will be released for 2023’s EA Sports WRC, marking the end of their journey with the game. The UK-based racing studio has also confirmed a pause on the development of future rally titles. This news was shared via EA.com, signaling a significant shift for the studio known for its rich history in off-road racing.

In their statement, Codemasters reflected on their long-standing partnership with the World Rally Championship, which began with titles like Colin McRae Rally and evolved through the Dirt series. The studio expressed pride in having created a haven for rally enthusiasts and in pushing the boundaries to capture the thrilling essence of rally racing. They highlighted their collaboration with racing legends and their commitment to the sport.

The World Rally Championship acknowledged the news on social media, hinting at a new direction for the WRC gaming franchise with more details to be announced soon. This development follows EA’s acquisition of Codemasters in 2020, a move that had raised hopes among motorsports fans for continued innovation in rally gaming.

The decision to halt development comes amidst reports of over 300 layoffs at EA, including about 100 at Respawn Entertainment, adding a layer of concern for the future of gaming within the company. Codemasters, a pioneer in rally video games since 1998's Colin McRae Rally, has been instrumental in shaping the genre over nearly three decades. The series saw significant milestones, such as the transition to Dirt after Colin McRae's tragic passing in 2007, and the reinvention of the series with 2015’s Dirt Rally.

EA Sports WRC, released in 2023, was the first Codemasters rally game to feature an official WRC license since 2002's Colin McRae Rally 3. According to IGN's review, the game attempted to blend the class-leading feel of 2019’s Dirt Rally 2.0 with the official World Rally Championship experience. However, it struggled with technical issues like screen tearing, which marred the overall experience despite subsequent updates aimed at addressing these problems.