Codemasters Halts Future Rally Game Development

Codemasters has announced that no further expansions will be developed for the 2023 release of EA Sports WRC, marking the end of their journey with the game. In a somber update, the studio also revealed they are "pausing development plans on future rally titles." This decision was communicated through an official statement on EA.com.

Reflecting on their legacy, 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 acknowledged this news on social media, hinting at a new direction for the WRC gaming franchise with further details to be shared soon.

This development will be disappointing for motorsport fans, especially following EA’s acquisition of the storied British racing studio in 2020. The announcement coincides with reports of significant layoffs at EA, including about 300 employees, with around 100 from Respawn Entertainment.

Codemasters has been a leading force in rally gaming for nearly three decades, starting with the iconic 1998 release, Colin McRae Rally. This pioneering rally simulation launched a series of successful and critically acclaimed racing games. After the tragic passing of Colin McRae in 2007, the series transitioned away from using his name, evolving into the Dirt series. The 2009 release, Dirt 2 (known as Colin McRae: Dirt 2 in Europe and other PAL regions), marked a significant shift, which was further refined with the hardcore simulation focus of 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, EA Sports WRC combined the exceptional driving feel of 2019's Dirt Rally 2.0 with an officially licensed World Rally Championship setting. However, the game struggled with technical issues, described as a "great racing game trying to fight its way out of an unfinished one." Subsequent updates aimed to address these issues, particularly screen tearing.