Nacon Reclaims WRC License in Six-Year Deal, Plans Full Franchise Reboot Starting 2027

French publisher Nacon is officially back behind the wheel of the World Rally Championship (WRC) video game franchise, announcing a new six-year licensing agreement that will see the company develop and publish all official WRC titles and eSports competitions from 2027 through 2032.

The deal marks a significant return for Nacon, which previously held the WRC license from 2013 to 2022. During that tenure, the company — through its development studio KT Racing (formerly Kylotonn) — released nine WRC games, culminating in WRC Generations.

Now, after a brief interlude under EA and Codemasters, Nacon is preparing a “complete reboot” of the series, aiming to push rally racing games into a new era.

“This new venture marks a major milestone: a fully reimagined project driven by a passionate and specialised team,” said Nacon CEO Alain Falc. “We are thrilled to renew our collaboration with WRC. This iconic license provides an exceptional playground to build a highly refined driving experience that lives up to the expectations of rally fans.”

From EA to Nacon: The Rally License Changes Hands Again

The announcement follows recent turbulence for the franchise under EA Sports. After acquiring Codemasters in 2021 for $1.2 billion, EA launched EA Sports WRC in November 2023. However, in April 2025, EA announced it was pausing all development on WRC titles, a move that came shortly after the company enacted over 300 job cuts.

Although EA Sports WRC was praised for its driving physics, the title struggled with performance and stability issues. With the development team impacted by layoffs and no further WRC titles in the pipeline, the FIA turned to familiar hands — Nacon.

“After a comprehensive evaluation, we are delighted to have reached an agreement with Nacon,” said FIA WRC chief marketing officer Arne Dirks. “Their vision of the franchise stands out, and their expertise in delivering great rally games is unquestioned. We look forward to turning WRC games into epic adventures and offering experiences beyond rally as we know it today.”

What to Expect: A New Chapter Begins in 2027

Nacon’s new WRC series will launch its first title in 2027, kicking off the six-season run. While development details remain under wraps, the company promises a modernized experience with:

• Official rallies, drivers, cars, teams, and sponsors

• A new gameplay engine (TBC)

• Expanded esports integration

• A design aimed at both hardcore sim fans and new players

Whether KT Racing will again lead development has not been confirmed, though the studio — now a Nacon subsidiary — has extensive experience with rally titles.