In a statement released to GamesIndustry.biz, EA confirmed that the series is coming to an end and that Slightly Mad Studios employees will be transferred to other EA Sports and racing game teams where possible. In a statement to GamesIndustry.biz, EA confirmed that the series is coming to an end and that Slightly Mad Studios employees will likely move to other EA Sports and racing teams.
Slightly Mad Studios was acquired by Codemasters in November 2019 for $30 million, and as part of the deal, Codemasters acquired the Project Cars IP. Codemasters was subsequently acquired by EA in 2021, so the Project Cars IP was transferred back to EA’s name.
In a statement, EA said, “After evaluating the next generation of Project Cars and its long-term growth potential, we have decided to discontinue further development and investment in the franchise. Decisions like this one are very difficult, but allow us to prioritize areas that have the strongest opportunity to create fan-favorite experiences. We are focused on our strengths in our racing portfolio, particularly licensed IP and open world experiences, and expanding our franchises to be more socially driven by engaging the global community with long-term live services.”
The initial generation of Project Cars was released in 2015 and was widely acclaimed for its realistic driving experience. Project Cars 2, released in 2017, received similar praise, allowing players to drive 189 cars on 140 track layouts in 60 locations. However, reviews for the latest installment, Project Cars 3, declined after its release in 2020, with critics accusing it of abandoning the immersive experience in favor of an arcade style.
EA is known as the industry’s “studio killer,” cutting one or two game series almost every year and disbanding studios after acquisitions, and it looks like Project Cars and Slightly Mad Studios are next.
