Codemasters Halts Future Rally Game Development

Codemasters has officially announced that no further expansions will be released for 2023's EA Sports WRC, marking the end of their development journey on the game. This news comes with the additional blow that the studio is also "pausing development plans on future rally titles." The announcement was made via EA.com, reflecting a significant shift in the studio's focus.

In their statement, Codemasters reflected on their long history with off-road racing, mentioning iconic titles like Colin McRae Rally and Dirt. "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. They emphasized their dedication to providing an immersive experience for rally enthusiasts, working with racing legends, and sharing their passion for the sport.

The World Rally Championship itself responded to the 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." This leaves fans curious about what's next for the beloved franchise.

For motorsports fans, EA's decision to halt Codemasters' rally games is particularly disappointing, especially following EA's acquisition of the renowned British racing studio in 2020. This announcement comes amidst reports of significant layoffs at EA, including over 300 employees, with around 100 at Respawn Entertainment.

Codemasters has been a pioneer in rally video games for nearly three decades, starting with the legendary Colin McRae Rally in 1998. This title set the stage for a series of acclaimed racing games. After the passing of Colin McRae in 2007, the series evolved, dropping McRae's name and continuing as Dirt. The transition was evident in 2009's Dirt 2, known as Colin McRae: Dirt 2 in Europe and other PAL regions, and the series returned to its hardcore simulation roots with 2015's Dirt Rally.

2023's EA Sports WRC 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 successfully captured the essence of 2019's Dirt Rally 2.0 within the framework of an officially licensed World Rally Championship, though it struggled with technical issues such as screen tearing. Updates were released to address these problems, but the game's potential remained overshadowed by its technical shortcomings.