Codemasters Halts Future Rally Game Development

Codemasters has officially announced that no further expansions will be developed for the 2023 release, EA Sports WRC, signaling the end of their journey with the title. Additionally, the studio has confirmed a pause on future rally game development. This news was shared through an announcement on EA.com, marking a significant moment for the veteran UK racing studio.

In their statement, Codemasters reflects on their extensive history with off-road racing, which began with titles like Colin McRae Rally and evolved through the Dirt series. "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,” the statement reads. The studio takes pride in having created a haven for rally enthusiasts, continuously pushing the envelope to capture the thrill of racing on the edge, collaborating with racing legends, and celebrating their shared passion for rallying.

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

The decision to halt Codemasters' rally game development is likely to disappoint motorsports fans, especially following EA's acquisition of the British racing studio in 2020. This announcement comes amid reports of over 300 layoffs at EA, including approximately 100 at Respawn Entertainment.

Codemasters has been a frontrunner in the rally gaming scene for nearly three decades, starting with the iconic Colin McRae Rally in 1998. This game laid the foundation for a series of acclaimed racing titles. After Colin McRae's tragic passing in 2007, the series transitioned from bearing his name to becoming known as Dirt. The 2009 release, Dirt 2 (renamed Colin McRae: Dirt 2 in Europe and other PAL regions), signified a shift in the series, which later returned to its simulation roots with 2015's Dirt Rally.

EA Sports WRC, launched in 2023, marked Codemasters' first rally game with an official WRC license since 2002's Colin McRae Rally 3. According to IGN's review, EA Sports WRC builds on the exceptional driving experience of 2019's Dirt Rally 2.0, integrating it into an officially licensed World Rally Championship setting. However, the game's release was marred by technical issues, including screen tearing, which subsequent updates aimed to resolve. The review likens the game to a "great racing game trying to fight its way out of an unfinished one," capturing the essence of its struggle between potential and performance.