Electronic Arts (EA) are a step closer to acquiring Codemasters after a $1.2-billion offer for the sim racing developer was made last year, and accepted now by the board.
This was confirmed by EA CEO Andrew Wilson during EA’s Q3 financial results meeting this week in which his team outlined aspirations for the titles, with ambitious plans for the F1 title in particular.
EA’s presentation outlined Codemasters’ IP line-up, which includes: Dirt, Dirt Rally, Grid, Project Cars, and upcoming mobile franchise Project Cars Go, as well as licensed IP F1 and upcoming licensed games for World Rally Championship beginning in 2023.
In the same earnings call, EA COO Blake Jorgensen said that the F1 Game “is one of the best growth opportunities there is.”
And added, “On top of the fact that the Dirt Franchise, the Grid franchise, all of their franchises are incredible games, but none of them are actually taking advantage of a large publishing organization and the marketing muscle that we are able to deliver.
“And we think that has growth to it. Not to mention, the talent that can continue to help our Need for Speed business or our Real Racing business could be very powerful. So we know it is not a FIFA-sized business, but we know there is an incredible opportunity to own essentially all of the driving business there is.”
Apart from the official Formula 1 title, EA’s billion for Codemasters means they now own the DIRT and GRID titles, as well as Project Cars.
But those are mere crumbs compared to what the F1 Game can be developed into as a popular mainstream title, with Wilson stating: “F1 plus live service plus our marketing muscle is a profound opportunity.”
