Slight Mad Studios CEO is Leaving the Company

Ian Bell, who founded the studio in 2009, said that, "With the studio's future now assured, the time is right for me to step aside."

Posted By | On 29th, Oct. 2021

Project CARS 3_08

Slightly Mad Studios’ CEO Ian Bell, who helped found the company and develop the Project CARS series over the years, has announced that he will be departing. The news was announced on Twitter with Bell stating that “With the studio’s future now assured, the time is right for me to step aside. It’s been a ride and a privilege to share our dreams with you.”

This is likely in reference to the acquisition of Codemasters, parent company of Slightly Mad Studios, by Electronic Arts for $1.2 billion. Bell isn’t the only executive to leave following the acquisition with Codemasters CEO Frank Sagnier and CFO Rashid Varachia having departed this year in July. A spokesperson for Electronic Arts provided a statement to GamesIndustry.biz, confirming Bell’s departure from the company.

“After more than a decade in the driving seat of Slightly Mad Studios, today we are sad to announce that Ian Bell will be leaving his role at SMS and Electronic Arts. As CEO of Slightly Mad Studios, Ian was a visionary and an innovator, pioneering not only a new era in racing simulation but also reimagining how games are funded and produced. We wish Ian the best as he moves on and thank him for his contribution to EA, Codemasters, SMS, and the wider industry.”

While Slightly Mad Studios’ next project is unknown, DiRT 5 developer Codemasters Cheshire is currently working on the “most ambitious and biggest game that Codemasters has made in over a decade.” This was revealed in a job listing for development manager with the company and EA yet to formally announce the project’s existence. Stay tuned for more details on it in the coming months.


Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out!

Share Your Thoughts Below  (Always follow our comments policy!)



Keep On Reading!

Cyberpunk 2077 and Phantom Liberty Have Generated Roughly $750 Million in Revenue

Cyberpunk 2077 and Phantom Liberty Have Generated Roughly $750 Million in Revenue

In 2023, the action RPG and its expansion raked in roughly $206 million in revenue, CD Projekt has revealed.

The Witcher 4 Has Over 400 Developers Working on it, Still in Pre-Production

The Witcher 4 Has Over 400 Developers Working on it, Still in Pre-Production

Meanwhile, Cyberpunk 2 and Fool's Theory remake of the first Witcher are both in the concept stage of producti...

Predator: Hunting Grounds is Coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in Late 2024

Predator: Hunting Grounds is Coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in Late 2024

Developer IllFonic has taken over publishing for the title, with a new update next month and additional Predat...

Helldivers 2 Patch Fixes Freezes From Arc-Based Weapons and Stratagems

Helldivers 2 Patch Fixes Freezes From Arc-Based Weapons and Stratagems

The new patch ensures the Arc-12 Blitzer, Arc Thrower, and Tesla Tower will no longer cause players' games to ...

Like a Dragon, Judgment Developer is Seemingly Teasing an “Important Announcement” for Monday

Like a Dragon, Judgment Developer is Seemingly Teasing an “Important Announcement” for Monday

But Monday is April Fool's Day, so it could be a whole lot of nothing. Then again, it could be Judgment 3.

Princess Peach: Showtime! Beats Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Rise of the Ronin to Top Weekly Japanese Charts

Princess Peach: Showtime! Beats Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Rise of the Ronin to Top Weekly Japanese Charts

Princess Peach steals the spotlight from both massive, new open world action RPGs in the latest sales charts f...