Codemasters Halts Future Rally Game Development

Codemasters has officially announced that they will not be releasing any further expansions for the 2023 edition of EA Sports WRC, marking the end of their journey with the game. Additionally, the studio has decided to "pause development plans on future rally titles." This news was shared through a statement on EA.com.

The statement reflects on the studio's long history with off-road racing, mentioning titles such as Colin McRae Rally and Dirt. "Our WRC partnership was a culmination of sorts for our Codemasters journey with off-road racing, spanning decades," the statement reads. It highlights their efforts to cater to rally enthusiasts by pushing the boundaries and capturing the thrill of high-speed rallying. The team expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with racing legends and share their passion for the sport.

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

This development is a significant blow to fans of rally games, especially following EA's acquisition of Codemasters in 2020. The announcement coincides with reports of over 300 layoffs at EA, which included around 100 from Respawn Entertainment.

Codemasters has been a pioneer in rally gaming since the release of Colin McRae Rally in 1998. The series evolved significantly over the years, transitioning from Colin McRae Rally to Dirt after the passing of Colin McRae in 2007. Key milestones include Dirt 2 in 2009, which marked a shift in the series, and Dirt Rally in 2015, which returned to a more simulation-focused approach.

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 successfully built on the foundations laid by Dirt Rally 2.0 from 2019, integrating it into an officially licensed WRC experience. However, the game struggled with technical issues, such as screen tearing, which were addressed in subsequent updates.