EA Confirms Codemasters Remains Open Amid Closure Rumors: Official Statement Debunks Speculation

EA Confirms Codemasters Remains Open Amid Closure Rumors: Official Statement Debunks Speculation In a week rife with speculation in the gaming industry, Electronic Arts (EA) has officially responded to persistent rumors about the status of its renowned development studio Codemasters.

Addressing widespread claims on social media regarding the closure of Codemasters and large-scale layoffs, EA has firmly denied these suggestions, ensuring stakeholders that Codemasters will continue to operate for the foreseeable future. Founded in the 1980s, Codemasters is celebrated for its contributions to the racing game genre, developing acclaimed titles across multiple Nintendo systems—including the NES, SNES, Wii, DS, and the Wii U.

Their last release on a Nintendo platform, 'F1 Race Stars: Powered Up Edition,' launched for the Wii U in 2014, stands as a testament to the studio’s history with Nintendo’s hardware.

Codemasters has long had a history of bringing innovative gameplay to both home and handheld consoles, with beloved classics like 'Micro Machines V3' cementing their legacy among Nintendo fans. Concerns over Codemasters' future intensified after recent restructuring within EA.

The publisher had previously announced that Codemasters would no longer manage development duties for the World Rally Championship (WRC) series, leading to job reassignments and some layoffs.

Amplifying these worries, social media posts began to circulate claiming EA would soon shut down Codemasters’ main headquarters, with remaining staff being integrated into other projects like F1 and Need for Speed—two of EA’s flagship racing franchises. However, an EA spokesperson swiftly contacted press outlets to address these claims, providing a clear and direct statement: “The speculation around Codemasters is entirely unfounded and inaccurate.” This authoritative clarification confirms that recent reports of imminent closure and a mass layoff at Codemasters were not based on factual information.

While the studio has faced industry challenges and personnel changes—as has much of the game development landscape in 2024—Codemasters remains operational and continues to be an integral part of EA’s development portfolio.

This is particularly significant in light of broader industry trends, including recent closures of studios like Cliffhanger Games and downsizing at major publishers.

The clarification from EA provides reassurance to fans of Codemasters’ acclaimed racing titles who were concerned about the future of the studio. As the gaming community awaits any forthcoming Nintendo Direct announcements and future releases for the Nintendo Switch and other platforms, Codemasters’ continued existence is positive news for the game development community.

Their storied history with Nintendo systems and persistent influence on racing games ensure that both industry insiders and players alike will continue to watch Codemasters with great interest. For now, Codemasters is staying on track—much to the relief of its employees, fans, and the greater gaming industry.

Nintendo EA Codemasters F1 Race Stars WRC F1 Need for Speed Cliffhanger Games Monolith Productions Warner