EA Hits the Brakes on New Rally Games After WRC Deal Ends
Apr 30, 2025 8:16 PMEA has officially announced the end of its partnership with the World Rally Championship (WRC), which means that development on future rally games has been paused. EA Sports WRC was the result of EA's acquisition of Codemasters and was released in November 2023. The company stated that the 2024 expansion will be its last and acknowledged the culmination of its journey with Codemasters, highlighting their dedication to rally enthusiasts over several decades. This decision comes amidst significant layoffs within the company, as EA shifts its focus away from licensed intellectual properties towards their own IP and online communities.
Why did EA cancel future rally games?EA canceled future rally games due to the end of its partnership with the World Rally Championship and a strategic shift towards developing its own intellectual properties, amidst ongoing layoffs within the company.
EA Sports WRC was a significant title in the rally racing genre, representing a culmination of decades of racing games from Codemasters, known for franchises like Colin McRae Rally and DIRT. The game's sole release highlighted the challenge of maintaining successful long-term partnerships in the gaming industry, particularly given the competitive landscape and shifting market during the 2020s.
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Alex Riverton is a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience in the gaming industry. Known for their in-depth analysis and hands-on previews, Alex has built a reputation for insightful commentary on gameplay mechanics and storytelling in videogames.
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Mr. Bison commented on: 2025-04-30 20:30:09
Man, EA stepping back from rally games right after nailing it with WRC is such a mixed bag—great game, but now we’re left wondering who’ll fill the void. At least we got one solid title out of it before the corporate gears shifted again. Kinda wild how quickly EA’s rally era came and went, especially after absorbing Codemasters’ legacy. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last we see of that gritty, mud-splattered magic in racing games.
N3rdo commented on: 2025-04-30 20:24:08
Bummer to see EA step away from rally games, especially after Codemasters brought so much passion to the genre. Guess we’ll have to rely on mods and older titles to get our dirt-flinging fix for now. EA dropping WRC feels like another case of corporate reshuffling cutting off a solid franchise mid-stride. Here’s hoping another studio picks up the rally torch soon—fans deserve more than just memories.
