Slightly Mad Studios

Slightly Mad Studios was a British video game developer specialising in racing simulations and automotive simulation technology. Founded in January 2009 by Ian Bell after the acquisition of assets from Blimey! Games, it developed games for PC, consoles and mobile platforms. Its work combined vehicle dynamics, physics simulation and proprietary engine development, with the Project CARS series becoming a central part of its portfolio.

The studio's early releases included Need for Speed: Shift in 2009 and Shift 2: Unleashed in 2011, developed under contract with Electronic Arts. It subsequently developed Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends, released in 2012. These projects preceded its own Project CARS franchise, which launched in 2015 and continued with Project CARS 2 in 2017. The studio later released Fast & Furious Crossroads and Project CARS 3 in 2020, followed by the mobile title Project CARS GO, co-developed with Gamevil in 2021.

Its technical work centred on the proprietary Madness Engine, supporting its racing simulations and extending into licensing for other developers. The company's capabilities also included virtual reality integration, handling simulation and enterprise simulation adaptations. Alongside commissioned development, it explored community-supported production as a way to fund and develop its own games.

Codemasters acquired Slightly Mad Studios in November 2019. Electronic Arts then acquired Codemasters in February 2021, bringing the studio under EA ownership. Bell stepped down in October 2021.

On 8 November 2022, EA announced the end of further development and investment in the Project CARS franchise and the transition of affected personnel to other teams. Slightly Mad Studios subsequently ceased active game development. As of November 2026, the development studio is closed, while its UK legal entity remains registered as a non-trading holding company. Statutory accounts for the periods ending in 2024 and 2025 report no direct employees.