F1 Developer Codemasters Suffers Round of Layoffs

ign.com:

Veteran UK developer Codemasters has suffered a round of layoffs following the launch of racing games F1 23 and EA Sports WRC.

Codemasters owner EA confirmed the redundancies in a statement issued to IGN, although failed to disclose the number of staff affected.

“Our business is constantly changing as we strive to deliver amazing games and services that keep our players engaged, connected, and inspired,” an EA spokesperson said. “At times, this requires the company to make small-scale organizational changes that align our teams and resources to meet evolving business needs and priorities. We continue to work closely with those affected by these changes, providing appropriate support throughout this process.”

EA bought Codemasters, best known for the racing franchises Grid, F1, and Dirt, in 2021 for $1.2 billion. At the time, EA boss Andrew Wilson said he wanted to let the company retain its identity without too much outside interference. Codemasters CEO Frank Sagnier and CFO Rashid Varachia left soon after, and Codemasters, including Project Cars developer Slightly Mad Studios, was made a part of EA Sports.

Then, in May last year, EA merged the development team at Codemasters Cheshire with Guildford-based Criterion Games to create one large development studio to work on Need for Speed Unbound, which struggled to find an audience. Codemasters Birmingham continued to work on the Formula 1 franchise.

This year, Codemasters released two racing games that have struggled to find commercial success: F1 23, which came out in June, and EA Sports WRC, which launched in November. Codemasters holds the official licence of the World Rally Championship, and WRC is the studio’s first rally game to have the official WRC licence since 2002’s