There's life with WRC gaming after surprising dismissal of Electronic Arts

WRC has officially announced that NACON will be the new publisher for its video games starting in 2027. This agreement grants NACON exclusive rights to develop and publish official WRC games and eSports competitions for PC and consoles for six seasons, running through 2032.

As part of this partnership, NACON will begin developing an entirely new WRC game series, aiming to deliver an immersive experience that accurately reflects the championship and meets the expectations of both rally enthusiasts and new players. The games will feature official rallies, vehicles, teams, drivers, and sponsors, marking a complete reboot of the franchise with a fresh vision.

Alain Falc, CEO of NACON, expressed excitement about renewing the collaboration, stating that the company has gained solid expertise in translating rallying into a video game experience through its previous work with WRC between 2015 and 2023. FIA World Rally Championship’s Chief Marketing Officer, Arne Dirks, also praised NACON’s vision for the franchise and its ability to deliver great rally games.

The agreement covers the development and publishing of the official WRC games and eSports competitions, granting NACON exclusive rights for PC and consoles for six seasons, from 2027 through 2032.
As part of this strategic partnership, NACON will begin development of an all-new WRC game series, aiming to deliver an immersive experience that faithfully reflects the reality of the championship and meets the expectations of both rally enthusiasts and new players. The games will feature the official rallies, vehicles, teams, drivers, and sponsors among the many anticipated content elements. This project represents a complete reboot of the franchise, based on an entirely fresh vision, and marks an ambitious new chapter in the brand’s development.
“We are thrilled to renew our collaboration with WRC Promoter. This iconic license provides an exceptional playground to build a highly refined driving experience that lives up to the expectations of rally fans,” said Alain Falc, CEO of NACON. “Between 2015 and 2023, we had the opportunity to work closely with the championship’s official teams and many drivers, allowing us to gain solid and unique expertise in translating rallying into a video game experience. This new venture marks a major milestone: a fully reimagined project driven by a passionate and specialized team, with a clear ambition to elevate rally games to new heights.”
“After a comprehensive evaluation, we are delighted to have reached an agreement with NACON,” expressed FIA World Rally Championship’s Chief Marketing Officer Arne Dirks. “Their vision for the franchise stands out, and their expertise in delivering great rally games is unquestioned. We look forward to breaking new ground together in this collaboration, to truly turn the WRC games into epic adventures and offer gaming experiences beyond rally as we know it today.”

This announcement signals a major shift for WRC games, as NACON takes over from Codemasters, which previously held the license. The new direction promises to elevate rally gaming to new heights, offering players an experience beyond traditional rally simulations.