Codemasters has officially announced that no further expansions will be released for their 2023 EA Sports WRC title, marking the end of their journey in off-road racing games after decades of pioneering efforts. The studio expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to bring the thrilling world of rallying to life through beloved franchises like Colin McRae Rally and Dirt. In a statement published on EA.com, they highlighted their commitment to delivering authentic rally experiences while collaborating with industry legends and nurturing exceptional talent.
Following this announcement, the World Rally Championship acknowledged the development shift on social media, hinting at an exciting new direction for the gaming franchise with more details expected soon. This news arrives amidst EA's acquisition of Codemasters in 2020 and recent reports of significant layoffs across the company, including at Respawn Entertainment.
Codemasters has long been synonymous with rally gaming excellence since the release of the groundbreaking Colin McRae Rally in 1998. Over the years, the series evolved under various names, including Dirt and Colin McRae: Dirt, culminating in the critically acclaimed Dirt Rally games. EA Sports WRC, launched in 2023, marked the first official WRC-licensed game from Codemasters since 2002’s Colin McRae Rally 3. Despite its promising foundation, the game faced challenges such as technical issues, which reviewers described as a polished racing experience hindered by incomplete polishing. Updates addressed some of these problems, but the project ultimately reached its conclusion without further expansions.
