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, signaling the end of their journey with the game. In a surprising move, the studio has also decided to "pause development plans on future rally titles." This news was shared through an announcement on EA.com, marking a significant shift for the veteran UK racing studio.

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 responded to this news on social media, hinting that the “WRC gaming franchise is going in an ambitious new direction with more news coming in the near future.”

For motorsports fans, EA's decision to halt Codemasters' rally game development is a tough blow, especially following EA’s acquisition of the renowned British racing studio in 2020. This announcement comes amid reports of significant layoffs at EA, affecting over 300 employees, including approximately 100 at Respawn Entertainment.

Codemasters has been a pioneer in the rally gaming genre for nearly three decades, starting with the iconic Colin McRae Rally in 1998. This groundbreaking rally simulation paved the way for a series of acclaimed racing titles. After the tragic passing of Colin McRae in 2007, the series evolved, dropping McRae's name and continuing as Dirt. The 2009 release of Dirt 2 (known as Colin McRae: Dirt 2 in Europe and other PAL regions) was a pivotal moment, leading to the series' reinvention as a hardcore simulation with 2015’s Dirt Rally.

The 2023 release of EA Sports WRC marked the first time since 2002’s Colin McRae Rally 3 that Codemasters produced a rally game with an official WRC license. According to IGN’s review, EA Sports WRC built upon the class-leading feel of 2019’s Dirt Rally 2.0, integrating it 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.” Subsequent updates aimed to address these problems, particularly the screen tearing issues.