Though the F1 franchise has become EA-owned Codemasters’ bread and butter, rally racing sims have been a massive part of the developer’s identity for decades. It seems like a there has been a significant shift behind the scenes, however.
In an official blog post, Codemasters has announced that it is ending development support for EA Sports WRC, which released in 2023, and that it has also ended its partnership with WRC, with the exclusive license having spanned just one game. Not only that, Codemasters – the studio behind the likes of Colin McRae Rally, Dirt, and Dirt Rally – also says that, at least for now, it has no plans to make more rally racing sims.
“Every great journey eventually finds its finish line, and today, we announce that we’ve reached the end of the road working on WRC,” the developer writes. “After releasing EA SPORTS WRC in 2023, the 2024 season, including the recently released Hard Chargers Content pack, will be our last expansion.
“For now, we are pausing development plans on future rally titles. Rest assured, EA SPORTS WRC will continue to be available for existing and new players. We hope it remains a source of joy, excitement, and the thrill of rally racing. We’ve poured our hearts into making it for fans, and we know you’ll keep the passion alive.
“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.
“Thank you to all the fans who have and continue to be part of our rally journey.”
How this change will affect Codemasters remains to be seen. There’s currently no word on whether the studio will be eliminating positions.
EA confirmed on Wednesday that it had laid off roughly 300 employees across a number of studios. Reports have claimed about a hundred of those affected were employed at Respawn Entertainment, and that the studio also cancelled a Titanfall extraction shooter.