Nacon Acquires WRC Franchise Rights for Development and Publishing

Nacon, a French publisher, has secured a six-year partnership with the World Rally Championship game franchise, marking a significant milestone in the company's history. The partnership, which will commence in 2027 and run until 2032, involves the development of new WRC games for PC and console, signaling a complete overhaul of the franchise. According to Nacon CEO Alain Falc, this new venture represents a major turning point, driven by a team of passionate and specialized individuals with a clear goal of elevating rally games to unprecedented heights. Falc expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We are excited to renew our collaboration with WRC, as this iconic license offers an exceptional opportunity to craft a highly refined driving experience that meets the expectations of rally enthusiasts." FIA WRC Chief Marketing Officer Arne Dirks also shared his thoughts, saying, "Following a thorough evaluation, we are pleased to have reached an agreement with Nacon, whose vision for the franchise is impressive, and their expertise in delivering exceptional rally games is undeniable." Dirks added, "We look forward to pushing the boundaries of innovation together, transforming WRC games into epic adventures and providing gaming experiences that exceed the current standards of rally games." Nacon previously held the rights to the WRC series from 2013 to 2022, during which time the company released nine games. In 2020, British developer Codemasters took over the license, only to be acquired by Electronic Arts in 2021 for $1.2 billion. EA Sports subsequently oversaw the franchise, launching EA Sports WRC in November 2023. However, last month, EA announced that it would be "pausing development" of the WRC series, following significant job cuts at the firm. The impact of these layoffs on the Codemasters WRC team remains unclear.