Codemasters Halts Future Rally Game Development

Codemasters has officially announced that they will not be releasing any further expansions for 2023's EA Sports WRC, marking what they call the "end of the road" for their work on the game. In a related development, the studio has also confirmed a pause on future rally game development plans. This news was shared via an announcement on EA.com.

Reflecting on their journey, Codemasters stated, “Our WRC partnership was a culmination of sorts for our Codemasters journey with off-road racing, spanning decades through titles like Colin McRae Rally, and Dirt. We’ve provided a home for every rally enthusiast, striving tirelessly to push the boundaries and deliver the exhilarating thrill of driving on the ragged edge. We’ve brought together incredibly talented racing developers, worked with some of the sport’s icons, and had the opportunity to share our love of rallying.”

The World Rally Championship has also addressed the news through social media, hinting at an "ambitious new direction" for the WRC gaming franchise, with more details to be revealed soon.

This decision by EA to halt Codemasters' rally game projects comes as a significant disappointment to motorsports fans, especially in light of EA's acquisition of the renowned British racing studio in 2020. The announcement follows recent reports of over 300 layoffs at EA, including around 100 at Respawn Entertainment.

Codemasters has been a leading force in rally gaming for nearly three decades, beginning with the iconic Colin McRae Rally in 1998. This pioneering rally simulation paved the way for a series of successful and critically acclaimed racing titles. After the tragic passing of Colin McRae in 2007, the series transitioned away from his name, evolving into Dirt. The 2009 release, Dirt 2 (known as Colin McRae: Dirt 2 in Europe and other PAL territories), marked a significant shift in the series, which was further redefined as a hardcore simulation with the launch of Dirt Rally in 2015.

The 2023 release, EA Sports WRC, was notable as the first Codemasters rally game to feature an official WRC license since Colin McRae Rally 3 in 2002. According to IGN's review, EA Sports WRC successfully integrated the class-leading feel of Dirt Rally 2.0 into an officially licensed World Rally Championship experience. However, the game struggled with technical issues, described as a "great racing game trying to fight its way out of an unfinished one." Efforts were made post-launch to address these issues, particularly screen tearing.