Tag Archives: EA Sports

Games, Gaming, News

The End of an Era: Electronic Arts and Codemasters Abandon WRC Games

For rally racing fans, the name Codemasters has long been synonymous with high-quality, immersive rally games. From the legendary Colin McRae Rally series to the Dirt franchise, Codemasters has been a driving force in bringing the thrill of off-road racing to gamers worldwide.

However, recent developments have signaled the end of an era—Electronic Arts (EA) has announced that Codemasters will no longer be developing World Rally Championship (WRC) games, effectively halting the studio’s involvement in rally gaming.

The decision to step away from WRC games comes amid broader changes within EA. The publisher has been restructuring its gaming portfolio, leading to layoffs and project cancellations. While EA initially acquired Codemasters in 2021 with the promise of becoming a “global leader in racing entertainment,” the reality has been far more turbulent. In 2022, EA shut down Codemasters’ Project Cars series, and in 2023, the studio faced significant layoffs.

Now, with rally racing off the table, Codemasters appears to be shifting its focus entirely to Formula 1 (F1) games, with F1 25 set to release soon. This marks a major shift for the studio, which has spent nearly three decades crafting some of the most beloved rally titles in gaming history.

What’s Next for WRC Games?

While Codemasters is stepping away, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has assured fans that WRC gaming will continue. The organization has hinted at an “ambitious new direction” for the franchise, though details remain scarce. This suggests that another developer may take the reins, potentially bringing fresh ideas and innovations to the WRC gaming experience.

For now, EA has confirmed that EA Sports WRC will remain available for existing and new players, ensuring that rally fans can still enjoy the latest installment. However, without Codemasters at the helm, the future of WRC gaming remains uncertain.

Codemasters’ departure from WRC games is a bittersweet moment for rally enthusiasts. While the studio’s legacy in rally gaming is undeniable, the shift toward F1 titles reflects the evolving priorities within EA. The hope now lies in the FIA’s promise of a new direction—one that could breathe fresh life into WRC gaming.

As we wait for more details, one thing is certain: rally fans will be watching closely to see who takes the wheel next.

This is the second and almost immediate bad news we got from Electronic Arts right after Respawn Entertainment acknowledged cancelling two gaming projects to concentrate on Apex Legends and Star Wars games.

Games, Gaming, News, Nintendo, PC, Playstation, Xbox

EA Sports Shakes Up the Football Gaming Landscape with Major Announcements

EA Sports has officially unveiled its plans for Madden NFL 26 and College Football 26, and the gaming community is buzzing with excitement—and a bit of controversy. The announcement, made on NFL Draft Day, confirmed that both titles will launch this summer, but with a significant shift: neither game will be available on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. This marks a pivotal moment in EA Sports’ transition away from previous-generation consoles, fully embracing the power of modern hardware.

For years, EA Sports has maintained support for older consoles, ensuring that players who hadn’t upgraded could still enjoy their annual football fix. However, with Madden NFL 26, the franchise is making a clean break, focusing exclusively on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and the upcoming Switch 2. This decision aligns with the industry’s broader trend of prioritizing current-gen hardware to deliver higher fidelity graphics, improved gameplay mechanics, and deeper immersion.

Meanwhile, College Football 26 is set to continue the revival of EA’s beloved college football series, which returned last year after a decade-long hiatus. The game promises an expanded career mode, allowing players to take their athlete from high school to college and eventually the NFL. This seamless progression between the two games is a major selling point, reinforcing EA’s vision of a connected football universe.

Why Leave Previous-Gen Behind?

The exclusion of PS4 and Xbox One is a bold move, but not entirely unexpected. These consoles, launched in 2013, are now over a decade old, and their hardware limitations have increasingly hindered developers from pushing the boundaries of gaming technology. By focusing on current-gen platforms, EA Sports can leverage advanced physics engines, enhanced AI, and more detailed player animations, creating a more authentic football experience.

Additionally, the shift allows EA to streamline development, ensuring that both Madden NFL 26 and College Football 26 take full advantage of next-gen capabilities without being constrained by outdated hardware.

Release Dates and Pre-Order Details

Gamers eager to dive into the action won’t have to wait long. College Football 26 is set to launch on July 10, 2025, with early access available on July 7 for those who pre-order the Deluxe Edition. Madden NFL 26 will follow shortly after, arriving on August 14, 2025, with early access beginning August 11.

For players looking to grab both games, EA is offering an MVP Bundle, which includes exclusive in-game content and early access perks. This bundle is designed to cater to die-hard football fans who want the full EA Sports football experience.

EA Sports’ decision to leave behind previous-generation consoles is a clear signal that the gaming industry is moving forward. While some players may be disappointed, the shift promises better graphics, smoother gameplay, and deeper immersion. With Madden NFL 26 and College Football 26, EA is betting big on the future of football gaming—and it looks like they’re ready to deliver.

Business, Games, Gaming, News

Electronic Arts Acquires TRACAB Technologies: A Game-Changer for EA Sports

Electronic Arts (EA) has recently announced its agreement to acquire TRACAB Technologies, a leader in advanced sports optical tracking and analysis solutions. This acquisition is set to revolutionize EA Sports’ approach to creating immersive and realistic sports experiences.

What is TRACAB Technologies?

TRACAB Technologies specializes in real-time data capture and analysis using advanced optical tracking technology. Their systems can track almost everything happening on the field or pitch at 60Hz per second, generating 600 million data points per game. This includes 65 unique data points per player and referee, capturing live skeleton data from 21 joints on each body on the pitch.

https://media.contentapi.ea.com/content/dam/eacom/videos/2025/02/ea-sports-realism-technology-article-sc2-16x9.mp4?_=1

Why is this Acquisition Significant?

  1. Enhanced Realism and Immersion: By integrating TRACAB’s technology, EA Sports aims to create lifelike animations and simulations that closely mimic real-world sports action. This will significantly enhance the realism and immersion of their games.
  2. Advanced AI and Machine Learning: TRACAB’s technology will enable EA Sports to harness advanced AI and machine learning models, powered by real-world volumetric data. This will lead to incredible advancements in gameplay and animation capabilities.
  3. Beyond Games: EA Sports envisions the EA SPORTS App as the leading interactive sports platform in the world. TRACAB’s technology will support this vision by providing near real-time insights for media broadcast teams, referees, players, coaches, and fans.
  4. Global Expansion: Currently available in Spain, the EA SPORTS App plans to expand globally, offering fans new opportunities to create highlights and predictive simulations.

The acquisition is expected to close in EA’s first fiscal quarter of FY26. With TRACAB’s cutting-edge technology and expertise, EA Sports is poised to accelerate groundbreaking new features in their games and the EA SPORTS App. This will not only enhance the gaming experience but also create more dynamic and engaging sports experiences for fans worldwide.

The acquisition of TRACAB Technologies marks an exciting new chapter for EA Sports. By leveraging TRACAB’s advanced tracking technology, EA Sports is set to push the boundaries of sports simulations, creating living, breathing simulations of sport that will captivate and engage fans like never before.

Games, Gaming, Nintendo

Electronic Arts is proud of the Nintendo Switch version of EA Sports FC 24

One thing that this current and past generation of gaming has taught us, is that Nintendo can have its bad days but knows how to make a comeback and maintain the trends and yes, it is admirable that Nintendo Switch being technically “inferior” has managed to make Playstation and Xbox run for their money.

Read more here.