Slightly Mad Studios is a British video game developer founded in 2009 by Ian Bell and colleagues, many of them from the GTR and GT Legends racing simulation teams. They are best known for the Project CARS series and Need for Speed Shift. Codemasters acquired them in 2019 for approximately $32 million. Electronic Arts subsequently acquired Codemasters in 2021, making Slightly Mad a subsidiary of EA. Slightly Mad Studios Key GamesNeed for Speed Shift (2009)Slightly Mad’s first major release, co-developed with EA. A departure from the street racing arcade direction of the series, bringing simulation-style racing physics and a cockpit camera. Well received and spawned Shift 2: Unleashed in 2011. Project CARS (2015)Crowdfunded through a community funding model where investors received a share of profits. Positioned as a hardcore racing simulation with extensive customization. Found a dedicated simulation racing audience. Project CARS 2 followed in 2017 and Project CARS 3 in 2020. The series appears to have been discontinued following the EA acquisitions. |