Codemasters has officially 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 statement released on EA.com, the UK-based racing studio also revealed a pause on future rally game developments, signaling a significant shift in their focus.
The studio reflected on their long history with off-road racing, mentioning their journey from the iconic Colin McRae Rally to 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 read. "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 the news on social media, hinting at an "ambitious new direction" for the WRC gaming franchise, with more details to follow soon.
This news comes as a tough blow for motorsports fans, especially in light of EA's acquisition of Codemasters in 2020. The decision follows reports of significant layoffs at EA, including about 100 at Respawn Entertainment, totaling over 300 across the company.
Codemasters has been a leading name in rally gaming since the release of Colin McRae Rally in 1998. This pioneering rally simulation spawned a series of successful and highly respected racing games. After the tragic death of Colin McRae in 2007, the series evolved, dropping the McRae name and continuing as Dirt. Dirt 2, released in 2009 and known as Colin McRae: Dirt 2 in certain regions, marked a significant transition, leading to the more simulation-focused Dirt Rally in 2015.
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 on 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 like screen tearing, which subsequent updates aimed to resolve. Despite these challenges, the game was described as a "great racing game trying to fight its way out of an unfinished one."
