Codemasters has officially announced that no new expansions will be developed for EA Sports WRC released in 2023, marking the end of their journey with the game. The UK-based racing studio has also confirmed a pause on future rally game projects, signaling a significant shift in their development focus.
The announcement was made through EA.com, where Codemasters reflected on their long history with off-road racing. "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 read. It highlighted the studio's commitment to rally enthusiasts, their efforts in pushing the boundaries of rally gaming, and the collaboration with racing icons to share their passion for the sport.
The World Rally Championship has responded to the news on social media, hinting at an "ambitious new direction" for the WRC gaming franchise with more details to follow soon.
This development is a tough blow for motorsport fans, especially following EA's acquisition of Codemasters in 2020. The news comes amidst reports of over 300 layoffs at EA, including approximately 100 at Respawn Entertainment, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the future of gaming at EA.
Codemasters has been a leader in rally gaming for nearly three decades, starting with the iconic Colin McRae Rally in 1998. This game set the stage for a series of successful and critically acclaimed titles. After the tragic passing of Colin McRae in 2007, the series evolved, dropping McRae's name and continuing as Dirt. The 2009 release, Dirt 2 (known as Colin McRae: Dirt 2 in Europe and other PAL regions), marked a pivotal moment, with the series later shifting to a more hardcore simulation with 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 built upon the acclaimed handling 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 patches aimed to address these problems, particularly screen tearing.
