Codemasters Rally Games Put on Hold – End of an Era or Just a Pit Stop?

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Hey everyone,

Big shakeup in the racing game scene: Codemasters has officially announced they’re stepping away from rally development, “pausing” any future plans following the last update for EA Sports WRC (2023). No more expansions are coming, and there's no word on a successor. This essentially puts the brakes on over 25 years of legendary off-road titles that began with Colin McRae Rally back in 1998.

The studio’s statement feels like a heartfelt farewell, citing decades of innovation and their love for rally racing, but it’s hard not to see this as a disappointing shift. Especially considering the pedigree—Dirt Rally 2.0 is still considered one of the best rally sims ever made.

The World Rally Championship itself has teased an “ambitious new direction,” but that’s vague PR speak until we see who’s actually taking the reins. Meanwhile, fans of hardcore rally sims are left wondering: if not Codemasters, then who?

Also worth noting—this comes after a rough stretch for EA, including mass layoffs affecting several studios. Is this a creative shift, or just more cost-cutting?

So here’s the question:
Has EA dropped the ball by halting Codemasters’ rally legacy? Or is it time for something new in the WRC gaming space? What do you think this means for the future of realistic rally racing games?

Let’s hear your thoughts—whether you’re a longtime McRae fan, a Dirt Rally devotee, or someone who still remembers racing through the forests in a Mitsubishi Evo on a PlayStation 1.