Codemasters Halts Future Rally Game Development

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In a recent update, Codemasters confirmed that no additional expansions will be released for EA Sports WRC, marking the end of development for the 2023 title. The studio also announced it is “pausing development plans on future rally titles,” bringing an unexpected halt to its long-standing legacy in off-road racing games.

The veteran UK-based racing developer shared the news through an official post on EA.com, reflecting on its journey in the world of rally simulations.

“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 continued, highlighting the team’s dedication to rallying: “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 organization also addressed the news via social media, offering a general statement indicating that the WRC gaming franchise is moving forward in a new direction, with more updates expected soon.

This decision by EA to halt Codemasters’ rally game development comes as a major disappointment to motorsport fans, particularly following EA’s acquisition of the renowned British studio back in 2020.

The announcement follows recent reports of over 300 layoffs at EA, including approximately 100 positions at Respawn Entertainment—adding to the growing concerns about the company's strategic direction.

Codemasters has been a leading force in rally gaming for nearly three decades, beginning with the groundbreaking Colin McRae Rally in 1998. That pioneering title launched a series of critically acclaimed racing games that evolved over time. After the passing of Colin McRae in 2007, the series dropped his name and rebranded as *DiRT*. The 2009 release of *DiRT 2* (known as *Colin McRae: DiRT 2* in Europe and PAL regions) marked a significant shift in tone and gameplay. The series took another turn in 2015 with *DiRT Rally*, embracing a hardcore simulation approach.

EA Sports WRC, released in 2023, was the first Codemasters-developed rally title to feature an official WRC license since Colin McRae Rally 3 in 2002. IGN’s review noted that the game successfully combined the high-quality mechanics of 2019’s *DiRT Rally 2.0* with the authenticity of an officially licensed WRC experience—described metaphorically as “a steel rod in Timo Rautiainen’s backside.” However, technical issues, including screen tearing, initially held it back from reaching its full potential. Post-launch patches aimed to resolve these performance problems.