In a surprising turn of events, Codemasters has officially announced that no further expansions will be released for the 2023 title *EA Sports WRC*. The development team has stated they have “reached the end of the road” in terms of content updates and improvements for the game. More disappointingly, the studio also revealed it is “pausing development plans on future rally titles,” leaving fans concerned about the future of one of racing’s most storied franchises.
The announcement was posted directly on EA.com, where the veteran UK-based racing studio reflected on its long-standing relationship with off-road racing and rallying:
“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.”
The World Rally Championship itself responded to the news via social media, albeit vaguely, stating that the “WRC gaming franchise is going in an ambitious new direction with more news coming in the near future.” This cryptic message has left many fans speculating what this could mean for the official racing series moving forward.
For motorsport fans, EA’s decision to halt Codemasters’ rally development plans comes as a major disappointment—especially in light of EA’s acquisition of the renowned British racing studio back in 2020. That deal was seen as a major milestone, promising a bright future for racing games under the EA umbrella. However, this latest move appears to contradict those early expectations.
This news also follows recent reports of over 300 layoffs at EA, including around 100 at Respawn Entertainment, adding to concerns about the company's broader strategy and commitment to niche but passionate gaming communities like rally enthusiasts.
Codemasters has been synonymous with rally gaming for nearly three decades, starting with the groundbreaking *Colin McRae Rally* in 1998. That iconic title laid the foundation for a long line of critically acclaimed racing games. After Colin McRae’s passing in 2007, the series dropped his name and evolved into what became known as the *Dirt* franchise.
The series underwent several transformations over the years. *Dirt 2* (known as *Colin McRae: Dirt 2* in Europe and other PAL regions) marked a pivotal shift in tone and gameplay. Then, in 2015, the series reinvented itself once again with *Dirt Rally*, which focused heavily on simulation and realism.
Fast forward to 2023, *EA Sports WRC* represented a significant return to form for the franchise—it was the first Codemasters rally title to feature an official WRC license since *Colin McRae Rally 3* in 2002. IGN’s review praised the game for capturing the high-quality handling mechanics from *Dirt Rally 2.0* while wrapping them in a fully licensed WRC package. However, technical issues—including screen tearing—prevented it from being a truly polished experience. As noted in reviews, the game felt like a “great racing game trying to fight its way out of an unfinished one.” Subsequent patches aimed to address these performance problems, but the initial reception left a mark.
