In a statement to GamesIndustry.biz, EA confirmed that the series is coming to an end, and employees of Slightly Mad studio will Move to other EA Sports and racing game teams when possible.
The Slightly Mad studio was acquired by Codemasters for $30 million in November 2019, and as part of the deal, Codemasters acquired the Project Racing IP. Codemasters was subsequently acquired by EA in 2021, so the Project Racing IP was transferred to EA.
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In a statement, EA said: ” Following an assessment of the next-generation Motorsports program and its long-term growth potential, we have decided to stop further development and investment in the franchise.
Decisions like these are difficult but allow us to prioritize areas with the strongest opportunity to create experiences that fans love. We are focusing on our strengths in our racing portfolio, particularly licensed IP and open-world experiences, and expanding our franchise, engaging the global community through long-term live service, making it more socially oriented.”
The first generation of “Project Racing” was released in 2015 and was widely praised for its realistic driving experience. Project Cars 2 launched in 2017 to similar accolades, allowing players to drive 189 cars across 140 track layouts in 60 locations.
However, the latest game, Project Racing 3, saw a dip in reviews after its release in 2020, with critics accusing it of ditching the immersive experience in favor of an arcade style. As a well-known “studio killer” in the industry, EA cuts off one or two game series almost every year, and the studio is also disbanded after being acquired. It seems that “Car Racing Project” and Slightly Mad studio are the next ones.
