Electronic Arts has recovered the license rights WRC, which covers the World Rally Championship. The studio revealed EA Sports WRC at the beginning of the month, the title will be developed by Codemastersand we are already entitled to a new trailer that promises very good things for players:
This first video Deep Dive ofEA Sports WRC focuses on the stages, the vehicle classes, the hybrid system of the new cars, the improved controls, the audio, the driving aids and even the adjustment of the indications on the screen. The developers detail all this:
- Heritage and experience :
EA Sports WRC draws on over 25 years of rally gaming experience through development studio Codemasters. The team’s previous game, DIRT Rally 2.0, paved the way for a new generation of rally games based on the Unreal engine.
The move to the Unreal engine gave the team more freedom to create the longest stages in Codemasters history with tracks spanning over 30km, approximately double that of previous titles. In total, EA SPORTS WRC features over 600km of unique routes, almost double what was available in DiRT Rally 2.0.
EA Sports WRC offers more than 200 stages across 17 authentic WRC events, and follows the real championship calendar. An 18th event, the Central European Rally, for the first time on the program, will arrive later via a free post-launch update. The game’s events are some of the most realistic the Codemasters team has ever created, with each location including replicas of real roads. For example, the Col de Turini from the Monte Carlo Rally has been reproduced, as has the iconic El Chocolate from the Mexico Rally, the Fafe from the Portugal Rally, and much more.
With over 70 cars in the game at launch, there will be plenty of driving options in EA Sports WRC. Since the 2023 season, ten WRC, WRC 2 and Junior WRC cars have been represented. You will be able to trace 60 years of rally history, from humble beginnings with two-wheel drive cars to the era of the powerful Group B, 18 different classes are represented.
To find out exactly what cars and classes are in the game, check out our article on the list of cars.
In the game, Rally1 2023 cars feature a complex hybrid system, just like in real life. You’ll need to charge the battery by braking hard into a corner, and choose when to deploy that extra power for more speed by re-accelerating.
Adjusting the behavior of this hybrid system and finding the right balance for each stage will be the key to success. Between an aggressive, high-power strategy that drains the battery more quickly and a more cautious approach at the expense of speed, these are all decisions that must be made before each rally stage.
- Dynamic driving system :
The EA Sports WRC Dynamic Driving System delivers an authentic driving experience whatever the terrain. Building on the DiRT Rally 2.0 driving system, improvements have been made to on-track handling, force feedback, aerodynamic simulations, drivetrain inertia, progressive braking and more. By incorporating feedback from professional rally drivers like game designer and European WRC-3 champion Jon Armstrong, the team has produced a hyper-realistic driving model that experienced gamers will enjoy.
For novices looking to experience the sport through EA Sports WRC, the game’s dynamic driving system comes with plenty of tools and options that will allow them to enjoy a driving experience tailored to their skill level.
In addition to fine-tuning assistive elements such as anti-lock brakes and traction control, you’ll be able to choose between two co-driver note systems.
In real life, pilots use a complex language of coded notes to accurately describe the route. Although faithfully reproduced in the game, a simplified co-pilot notes system helps break down this complex language into simple, understandable terms for everyone.
Additionally, EA Sports WRC retains the accessible yet challenging driving experience of DiRT Rally 2.0, where controller or keyboard players can feel as confident on the road as those with state-of-the-art simulators.
- Face the elements :
Logically, the mechanical and physical differences between rally classes are significant and each car behaves differently. The modern all-wheel drive Rally1 and Rally2 cars are incredibly sophisticated and stand out from similar Group A and B cars of the time.
Additionally, for the first time in Codemasters Rally history, you will be able to participate in rallies in spring, summer, fall and winter. Different climates and weather conditions present unique challenges. A special in the middle of summer will be very different from a special on the same roads in winter, in the rain and snow.
Audio plays an important role in authenticity and has received special attention from Codemasters’ renowned audio team. Riders will hear the sound of every bump, scrape, gear shift and engine roar in incredible detail. Real-world HQ recordings of modern and classic rally cars, combined with enhanced audio technology, will fully immerse players in the environment.
To enhance this experience during the special stages, co-drivers and engineers will guide you throughout the race for valuable advice. The co-drivers recorded their notes in Codemasters studios, so their voices faithfully reinforced the feeling of being in a real rally car. And, between two special stages, big names in the WRC will analyze the performances on the grid, as during real WRC broadcasts.
Electronic Arts And Codemasters will share more such videos before the racing game launches. EA Sports WRC release date set for November 3, 2023 on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, you can pre-order it for €49.99 on Amazon or to there Fnac.