EA and Codemasters have finally officially unveiled their first officially licensed WRC game together. Called EA Sports WRC, the game is out this November, and is being billed as “the first truly next-generation rally game and the quintessential title for sim-racing enthusiasts.”
According to a press release sent out by EA, EA Sports WRC will “combine ombining the power of the Unreal Engine with the DiRT Rally series physics”. It will feature 18 official FIA World Rally Championship locations (though one of them – Central Europe Rally – will be added post-launch), each of which, according to the publisher, will be “longer and more detailed” than previously possible.
10 current WRC, WRC2, and Junior WRC vehicles will be included, as well as 68 of the most iconic rally vehicles, which will include hybrid-powered 4WD Rally1 cars. Meanwhile, EA Sports WRC will also feature the new Dynamic Handling System, a refinement of Codemasters’ previous handling model, which will allow players to choose a professional driver set-up for greater accuracy and authenticity in how each vehicle handles.
EA and Codemasters are also touting “intricately replicated” audio design for each vehicle, as well as new pace notes, including simplified notes for newcomers. Meanwhile, as previously leaked, EA Sports WRC will also allow players to build their own rally car with the Builder, which will let you select your car’s crucial mechanical components, customize its interiors, personalize its livery, and more.
On the multiplayer side of things, EA Sports WRC will feature 32-player cross-platform multiplayer across all platforms, while the new Clubs mode, which is taking cues from the FIFA EA Sports FC games, will serve as a community-driven experience where players will be able to participate in custom multi-surface tournaments with rallying at any location and time of year. There’s also Moments, which will be updated daily give players the chance to relive pivotal scenarios from the 2023 season alongside classic events from the sport’s archives.
“EA Sports WRC is the purest form of motorsport where every stage is a fight against the clock, the terrain, and yourself,” said Ross Gowing, Senior Creative Director at Codemasters. “This is the rally game we’ve always wanted to make, combining our studio’s deep knowledge and expertise with the power of the official WRC license representing the pinnacle of rally motorsport. The game’s new engine has enabled us to push rally to the edge of what’s deemed possible, and the additional features, including Builder and Moments, give players even more ways to interact with the sport they love.”
EA Sports WRC launches on November 3 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (via Steam, Epic Games Store, and EA App). True to previous leaks, it won’t be cross-gen. Those who pre-order the game will get early access on October 31, and will also receive additional in-game cosmetics and five VIP passes, each of which will add new post-launch content.