Combining the power of the Unreal Engine with the DiRT Rally series physics, EA Sports WRC delivers longer, more detailed stages than previously possible, with 18* official FIA World Rally Championship locations and over 600km of unforgiving asphalt, gravel, and snow stages. The game also boasts 10 current WRC, WRC2, and Junior WRC vehicles and 68 of the most iconic rally cars spanning 60 years of the sport. Working together with official WRC teams and manufacturers, such as Ford, Toyota, and Hyundai, each vehicle is built to tackle every challenge they'll face throughout the season. The hybrid-powered 4WD Rally1 cars are some of the fastest in the sport's history, capable of incredible speeds while tackling gravity-defying jumps, deteriorating surfaces, and adverse weather.

The advanced Dynamic Handling System refines Codemasters’ original model and gives players the most realistic off-road experience to date. Taking feedback from drivers, including former FIA Junior WRC title contender and 2023 FIA European Rally Championship ERC3 champion, and game designer Jon Armstrong, players can choose a professional driver set-up mirroring the experience drivers encounter every race week. New players can personalise the handling, enabling them to make adjustments to help them master the ultimate player versus environment off-road challenge. The realism extends to audio, with each car intricately replicated, and new pace notes, including simplified commands for rookie drivers, give much-needed information to the player as they battle through each stage.

In a thrilling showdown at the Samitto Gaming Studio, Poland, Guild Esports and Finnish sensation Joona Pankkonen emerged as the inaugural champion of the Esports WRC Knockout Trophy 23, held by the FIA World Rally Championship on EA Sports WRC.

Pankkonen triumphed over four-time Esports WRC champion Nexl in an invitational event that brought together a dynamic blend of esports racers and content creators. The competition played out through three intense qualifying rounds, nail-biting knockout stages and heart-stopping semi-finals. Real-life drivers such as WRC2 frontrunner Miko Marczyk and ERC3 champion Jon Armstrong were also in attendance.

Joona Pankkonen, who lauded the EA Sports WRC game, said, “The whole competition has been super cool. I really enjoy playing EA Sports WRC as it has some really amazing stages, really long ones also.”

Jon Armstrong, Game Designer and a key contributor to the new EA Sports WRC game, highlighted how drivers from different disciplines adapted to the new game’s mechanics and provided a glimpse of the future esports plans for the title. “This is the first organised competition on this platform, and it's been a fantastic way to kick off what we plan to do in the future with EA Sports WRC,” said Armstrong.

The introduction of Builder fulfils the dream of those longing to build their very own modern-era rally car. Select the chassis, body shells, and all-important mechanical parts before customising the interior and exterior, finally personalising with the livery editor. Put the car through its paces and make any necessary adjustments before competing for the World Championship against the best competition WRC has to offer.

EA Sports WRC brings fans together with 32 player cross-platform multiplayer, allowing for competition between friends and the wider rally community. Using EA Racenet, EA’s racing companion app, Clubs serve as community-built hubs offering custom multi-surface tournaments with rallying at any location and time of year. Alongside personalised events, Moments, updated daily in-game, give players the chance to relive pivotal scenarios from the 2023 season alongside classic events from the sport’s archives.

Everyone who pre-orders† EA Sports WRC will receive each of the five VIP Rally Passes that contain additional post-launch content, as well as three vanity packs consisting of liveries and apparel, and up to three days of early access starting October 31, 2023.

EA Sports WRC is availalbe for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC (EA App, Epic Store, and Steam).