After more than two decades, EA has made a bold move with one of rally’s most iconic franchises. “For now, we have paused development plans for future rally titles. We assure you that EA SPORTS WRC will remain available to new and existing players,” the company stated.

For over 20 years, rally games have delivered raw intensity, blending terrain-based challenges with technical driving to create something truly special. The franchise began back in 2001, and following several iterations, it found its way to Electronic Arts in 2021 when the publisher acquired Codemasters — the studio behind numerous F1 games and the latest installment in this rally series, EA Sports WRC, launched in late 2023.

Goodbye to WRC: EA Shelves Its Rally Racing Future

Electronic Arts has now confirmed via an official statement that it’s “pausing development” of its World Rally Championship franchise, putting a hold on the series that once carried the legacy of Dirt. EA also noted that the most recent downloadable content, Hard Chargers, would be the final content drop for EA Sports WRC, although the title will remain fully accessible for both new and returning players. “Every great journey eventually finds its finish line, and today we announce that we have reached the end of the road working on WRC,” reads the post.

“For now, we have paused development plans for future rally games. We assure you that EA SPORTS WRC will remain available to new and existing players. We hope it continues to be a source of joy, excitement and thrill for rally racing. We have poured our hearts into making it for the fans, and we know you will keep the passion alive.”

What this means for Codemasters is still unclear. The studio is currently focused on F1 25, due out on May 30, but the long-term future of its rally team is uncertain — especially after EA recently laid off over 300 staff members across its portfolio, including developers from Respawn Entertainment and other internal teams. Meanwhile, studios like KT Racing could step in to fill the vacuum left by the absence of new official WRC titles. For now, fans are left to wonder: is this a pause… or the end of the road?

Source: 3djuegos