Codemasters has recently announced layoffs following the loss of its World Rally Championship (WRC) license, marking its second round of workforce reductions in under two years. The exact number of positions that will be cut has not yet been disclosed, but Electronic Arts (EA), Codemasters’ parent company, is reportedly planning to eliminate around 400 roles across its divisions by summer 2025. As part of this downsizing, Codemasters plans to lay off certain employees in the near future.
The studio, known for its F1 and Grid franchises, confirmed to VGC that the loss of the WRC license would lead to job reductions. While specific details remain limited, a representative indicated that the company has started assessing potential role reductions. However, not all reductions may result in layoffs, as Codemasters is also seeking to find alternative positions for affected employees across EA’s corporate structure.
This situation at Codemasters reflects a broader trend within EA, which has seen several of its subsidiaries, including Respawn Entertainment, also take steps to downsize. Respawn recently canceled two games and laid off numerous staff, and reports indicate that EA plans to cut hundreds more roles beyond those affected at Respawn. The difficulties faced by EA stem in part from disappointing performances of high-profile projects.
Notably, Dragon Age: The Veilguard and the soccer sim FC 25 did not meet sales expectations, leading to a significant drop in EA shares, although they have since rebounded following news of upcoming layoffs. With the cessation of WRC support and the halt of related projects, Codemasters faces a pivotal moment, focusing its efforts on its remaining sports license in Formula One. As one studio representative remarked, “Every great journey eventually finds its finish line.”