EA Sports has announced the release date and details of its upcoming rally game, EA Sports WRC, which will feature the official license of the FIA World Rally Championship. The game will launch on November 3, 2023, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via EA App, Epic Store, and Steam.
A new era of rally gaming with Unreal Engine and DiRT Rally physics
EA Sports WRC is developed by Codemasters, the studio behind the critically acclaimed DiRT Rally series, with over 25 years of off-road videogame heritage. The game uses the Unreal Engine and the DiRT Rally series physics to deliver a truly next-generation rally game and the quintessential title for sim-racing enthusiasts.
Ross Gowing, Senior Creative Director at Codemasters, said: “EA Sports WRC is the purest form of motorsport where every stage is a fight against the clock, the terrain, and yourself. 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 will feature longer, more detailed stages than previously possible, with 18 official FIA World Rally Championship locations and over 600 km of unforgiving asphalt, gravel, and snow stages. The realism extends to audio, with each car intricately replicated, and new pace notes, including simplified commands for rookie drivers.
A diverse and historic car list with 10 current WRC vehicles and 68 classics
EA Sports WRC boasts 10 current WRC, WRC2, and Junior WRC vehicles and 68 of the most iconic rally cars spanning 60 years of the sport. Working together with official WRC teams and manufacturers, such as Ford, Toyota, and Hyundai, each vehicle is built to tackle every challenge they’ll face throughout the season.
The game will include the hybrid-powered 4WD Rally1 cars, which are some of the fastest in the sport’s history, capable of incredible speeds while tackling gravity-defying jumps, deteriorating surfaces, and adverse weather. The game will also feature World Rally Cars from 1997 to 2021, Rally2, Rally4, NR4/R4, S2000, S1600, F2 Kit Car, Group A, Group B (4WD and RWD), H3 (RWD), H2 (RWD and FWD), H1 (FWD), and Builder Cars.
The Builder mode will allow players to create their own modern-era rally car by selecting the chassis, body shells, mechanical parts, interior and exterior customisation, and livery editor. Players can then test their creations and compete for the World Championship against the best competition WRC has to offer.
A social and competitive experience with 32 player cross-platform multiplayer
EA Sports WRC will bring fans together with 32 player cross-platform multiplayer, allowing for competition between friends and the wider rally community. The game will also have a VR mode for players who want to immerse themselves in the virtual cockpit and feel the thrill of driving their dream rally car.
The game is available for pre-order now on all platforms. Players who pre-order the Champions Edition will get three days early access to the game starting from October 31st. They will also receive exclusive content such as a bonus car pack featuring six legendary vehicles from past eras of WRC.
