WRC 23 could be coming sooner than expected

With Codemasters taking over the WRC game license from KT racing after WRC Generations, we’re intrigued to find out what direction the series will take under a new tenure. And it looks like we won’t have to wait long to find out.

WRC 23 game reportedly launching in spring 2023

WRC games usually come out towards the end of the year coinciding with the end of the real-life WRC season. WRC Generations, for example, launched on PC and consoles in early November. In the past, other WRC games from KT Racing have been released no earlier than the start of September.

Codemasters’ new WRC game, on the other hand is reportedly coming in spring 2023. That’s according to a report by GamesIndustry.bz about veteran Criterion developers leaving the studio after the recent release of Need for Speed Unbound.

According to GamesIndustry.bz, Geoff Smith, who oversaw the Dirt and Grid games at Codemasters, will be “overseeing EA's WRC game until the spring (when the game is due to launch)."

A spring release for the next WRC game is much earlier than expected, though Codemasters and EA haven’t officially announced next year’s WRC game yet.

A spring release date would put WRC 23's release between 1 March and 31 May next year, coinciding with the Mexico, Croatia or Portugal rallies. F1 games usually have a July release window, so this also means we could be playing WRC 23 before F1 23 next year.

WRC 23 coming just four-six months after WRC Generations seems too soon, but we’ll have to wait for official confirmation from Codemasters and EA.

WRC 23 rumours

Nothing is official yet, but EA and Codemasters have ambitious plans for WRC 23 if a recent juicy rumour turns out to be true.

According to reliable EA leaker Tom Henderson, WRC 23 will let you build your own rally car from the ground up, from selecting a drivetrain to buying an engine, differential, gearbox, clutch, radiator, suspension, brakes, and exhaust with in-game currency.

As for cosmetics, WRC 23 will also allegedly let players customise everything from the front and rear bumpers to mudguards and bonnet pins.

DIRT Rally 3 was also reportedly cancelled to allow Codemasters and EA to focus on WRC.

But the idea of combining DIRT Rally's class-leading visuals, sound, and driving physics with the official WRC license and an innovative car creator is an exciting prospect for rally game fans.