Codemasters, Developer of F1 and EA Sports' WRC, Faces Layoffs

Codemasters, Developer of F1 and EA Sports' WRC, Faces Layoffs

Codemasters, the renowned UK games company behind F1 and EA Sports WRC, faces another blow with a wave of layoffs hitting the industry

Codemasters, known for creating games such as F1 23 and EA Sports WRC, has recently downsized its developer team. The parent company, Electronic Arts, confirmed the layoffs but did not disclose the number of employees affected.

"Given our commitment to delivering exceptional games and services that keep our players engaged, connected, and inspired, our company is constantly evolving," stated an EA spokesperson to IGN. "As a result, we occasionally need to make minor organizational adjustments to align our teams and resources with changing business needs. We are dedicated to supporting those impacted by these changes throughout the process."

In 2021, Electronic Arts acquired Codemasters for $1.2 billion. Codemasters, known for its racing genre games including F1, Grid, and Dirt, recently released F1 23 and EA Sports WRC. The merger of Codemasters Cheshire and Criterion was aimed at developing the Need for Speed franchise under a single studio. Unfortunately, several UK studios, including Media Molecule, Team17, and Creative Assembly, also experienced layoffs in 2023.

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of Codemasters, I am deeply saddened by the news of layoffs hitting the company. Codemasters has been a legendary developer in the racing genre, delivering exceptional games such as the F1 series and EA Sports WRC. The news of layoffs raises concerns about the future of these franchises and the talented developers who have made them possible.

The impact of layoffs on the gaming industry is significant. Not only does it affect the livelihoods of the affected employees, but it also raises questions about the stability and long-term viability of the studios involved. The racing genre, in particular, has seen several high-profile layoffs in recent years, which is a worrying trend for fans and enthusiasts.