EA has shared its choice to “cease additional improvement and funding” in Venture CARS, the racing sport sequence developed by Barely Mad Studios.
In accordance with GamesIndustry.biz, EA evaluated the standing of the Venture CARS sequence and decided that it will be greatest to retire the franchise to concentrate on different titles in its portfolio. The writer confirmed its choice in an announcement to the outlet, noting that affected workers can be moved into “appropriate” roles throughout the firm, wherever attainable.
“At present we introduced internally an replace to our racing portfolio,” an EA spokesperson stated. “Following an analysis of the subsequent Venture CARS title and its longer-term progress potential, we now have made the choice to cease additional improvement and funding for the franchise.
“Choices like these are very laborious, however permit us to prioritise our focus in areas the place we imagine we now have the strongest alternative to create experiences that followers will love. We’re specializing in our strengths in our racing portfolio, notably licensed IP and open-world experiences, and increasing our franchises to be extra socially-led with long-term dwell providers that can interact world communities.
“We’re working with everybody impacted by this choice to position them into appropriate roles throughout our EA Sports activities and racing portfolio, in addition to different components of EA, wherever we will. Our precedence now could be on offering as a lot help as attainable to our individuals by means of this transition.”
Barely Mad Studios was acquired by Codemasters in 2019. EA then bought Codemasters in 2021 for $1.2 billion. As a part of its takeover, EA recognized additional room for progress in racing video games, with the acquisition permitting the writer to extend its presence on the observe and “ship racing experiences to followers on a extra common foundation.”
Nevertheless, the primary two video games within the Venture CARS sequence have been delisted from digital storefronts in September and October because of expiring automobile and observe licenses, whereas cellular sport Venture CARS GO shut down seven months after its launch in March 2021. The third title was poorly obtained by critics, with IGN calling it “a complete 180 for the sequence.”
Adele Ankers-Vary is a contract leisure author for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.
