Driveclub

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Hard to believe with 2 million unit sales 8 months ago that the reason for closing this was financial.
 
Johnnypenso
Hard to believe with 2 million unit sales 8 months ago that the reason for closing this was financial.
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The game was heavily discounted and bundled for the majority of its lifespan. There was definitely some sort of financial aspect to the closure as money makes the world go round. Also, the lack of general interest in the racing genre probably made it a harsh but easy choice for Sony when it came to cutting down their studios.

It sucks. Outright sucks.
 
cutmeamango
What would be another sensible reason?
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Reasons don't have to be sensible. An obviously sensible one might be that it's paving the way for a Forza Horizon style GT based game. Another reason might be politics or infighting. Potentially someone on the board, possibly Kaz even, thought that DC might be seen as competition or a rival for sales to the GT franchise and wanted it clear to the buying public in no uncertain terms that there would be no more DriveClub to draw a distinct line in the sand before the launch of GTS or GT7. Could also be some sort of overall internal house cleaning at Sony and anything that was seen as a duplicative effort was given a hard look at and Evo fell into that category.
 
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Brend
The game was heavily discounted and bundled for the majority of its lifespan. There was definitely some sort of financial aspect to the closure as money makes the world go round. Also, the lack of general interest in the racing genre probably made it a harsh but easy choice for Sony when it came to cutting down their studios.

It sucks. Outright sucks.
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True, but with more than 2 million units sold and a brilliant turnaround in their post launch service and reputation, the game has built quite a loyal fanbase and is on a definite upward swing. That's the total opposite to many games at this point in their life cycle. It certainly bodes well for successful sequel with most of the bugs ironed out at this point. They've done everything right after a dodgy launch and pulled the proverbial frying pan out of the fire. If any studio looks primed for future success it would seem to be Evo.
 
Like I said over on the DC photo thread, I was taking these pictures when I heard about the closure - this shot felt to me like even the spectators were talking about it all.
DRIVECLUB™_20160322173209.png


The game has given me much pleasure and focus during the past eighteen months - thank you once again @Rushy33 and all the team at Evolution. Here's hoping to be hearing from you all in the future.
 
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I tried the jaguar on normal mode and HC mode and in normal mode,it is one of the easiest cars in the game but in hardcore mode, it is a bit irritating. I tested the regera and the one:1 and the thing I found is the one:1 is faster when I try to drive both of them normally but when I try to push the regera, then it would set a faster lap time. The regera seems to be better at tight, smooth tracks instead of cambered, fast tracks because those are better with the one:1. The regera haven't beaten my one:1 record around Oliver's landing(I think it is 59.7 or 59.8).
 
Johnnypenso
Reasons don't have to be sensible. An obviously sensible one might be that it's paving the way for a Forza Horizon style GT based game. Another reason might be politics or infighting. Potentially someone on the board, possibly Kaz even, thought that DC might be seen as competition or a rival for sales to the GT franchise and wanted it clear to the buying public in no uncertain terms that there would be no more DriveClub to draw a distinct line in the same before the launch of GTS or GT7. Could also be some sort of overall internal house cleaning at Sony and anything that was seen as a duplicative effort was given a hard look at and Evo fell into that category.
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Something is definitely amiss. Would love to have some sort of interview with @Rushy33 but probably non-disclosure agreements all over Evolution's staff! :lol:
 
So, just 100%'d the final tours. I'm not a grind XP type guy so it seems this is the end of the road for me really, a strange feeling.

Even if we had SOME sort of notice I would have felt ready...now I just feel empty. I worry to think how my PS4 playing time would have been without DC. Aside from Rocket League and Disgaea 5 it's the only title I have been really invested in. Far and away kept me the most company in my spare PS4 time.

(Damn, sorry for double post! :dunce:)
 
Johnnypenso
Reasons don't have to be sensible. An obviously sensible one might be that it's paving the way for a Forza Horizon style GT based game. Another reason might be politics or infighting. Potentially someone on the board, possibly Kaz even, thought that DC might be seen as competition or a rival for sales to the GT franchise and wanted it clear to the buying public in no uncertain terms that there would be no more DriveClub to draw a distinct line in the sand before the launch of GTS or GT7. Could also be some sort of overall internal house cleaning at Sony and anything that was seen as a duplicative effort was given a hard look at and Evo fell into that category.
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Reasons do have to be sensible. They are not kids at a forum playing "team wars".
And it bears repeating that their studio had already suffered cuts last year, which is a clear indicative of financial reasoning.

FH2 is performing lower than FH1, I have my doubts that the "All-new Forza" will be called or be exact same format as past Forza Horizon. In a land where Need for Speed doesn't sell, Burnout is dead and The Crew is an attempt to be the last man standing, this open area racer doesn't seem like the AAA budget format anymore.
But sure, who would develop it? North-west? PD external affairs Amsterdam atelier?

The boogeyman Kaz one is funny. DC wouldn't leave staging if for that reason. You think that two years later and a huge blow they thought it would eat up mindshare?

Now the last one actually sensible, if they were allowed to pitch a future project.
 
cutmeamango
Reasons do have to be sensible. They are not kids at a forum playing "team wars".
And it bears repeating that their studio had already suffered cuts last year, which is a clear indicative of financial reasoning.

FH2 is performing lower than FH1, I have my doubts that the "All-new Forza" will be called or be exact same format as past Forza Horizon. In a land where Need for Speed doesn't sell, Burnout is dead and The Crew is an attempt to be the last man standing, this open area racer doesn't seem like the AAA budget format anymore.
But sure, who would develop it? North-west? PD external affairs Amsterdam atelier?

The boogeyman Kaz one is funny. DC wouldn't leave staging if for that reason. You think that two years later and a huge blow they thought it would eat up mindshare?

Now the last one actually sensible, if they were allowed to pitch a future project.
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Actually no, reasons don't have to be sensible. The petty politics that happens in lower and mid-management also happens in the boardroom. People are still people at all levels of an organization.

Not sure what mindshare is you'll have to explain that one. We're not sure what the plans are for GT, but just spitballing it's entirely possible the GT franchise is going to be split into two parts or maybe even 3. The serious sim, the open world/Forza Horizon/arcade racer, and the all around standard GT game. It's possible Kaz didn't think there was room for all three plus another arcade racer in GT and at the same time believe the market for console racing games is in decline.

Anything is possible at this point and obviously I'm just spitballing and throwing out possibilities. It'll be interesting to see how it turns out but it's sad to see DC go. I thought they did a great job and delivered a solid product in the end and if anyone deserved a shot at a second game in this genre it's them.
 
Looking at the Jaguar XJ220's design, I have to say it's a truly beautiful and sublime car. There are zero sharp angles on this machine; every line just flows elegantly. The one question I had in mind the whole time about the car was "How do the headlights function?" Well, the video below shows it, and it looks like everyone in the comments only watched to find out as well. :lol:

 
Just woke up, it's 07h45, still in a state of disbelief. Twitter is sombre. Man....

One thing I've thought of though, I wouldn't be surprised if the staff at Evo get shifted over to PD for the time being if Sony has its head screwed on straight. It seems that GT would bode well with Evo's touch and honestly it's for the benefit of Gran Turismo.

You have to admit, Evo has love and soul in its games and I'm not just talking about Driveclub. I honestly think it would be a good move.
 
GT and DC cater(ed) for very different elements within the driving game fanbase, so I can't see one being cleared away for the sake of the other.
 
torque99
I know @MeanElf it is just thoughts going through as it has come quite suddenly..What ever they do next I hope they work on that fine graphics/weather engine 👍
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Evolution Studios may be no more but the very talented developers are still around so I am sure we will still see great things in the future. To be honest, I need to get my life back at some point as driveclub has pretty much stolen all my free time since I purchased it in Dec 14, my PS4 can probably also play some other discs for a change!! Not that I have any plans to stop playing any time soon, RIP evo.
 
Maybe I am wrong but now that EVO is no more and no further enhancements will be made by the team, community support will fade and we could see a lot less players playing Driveclub. Their involvement kept players hanging around as well.

We'll see how it turns out for DC.



... am I to negative?
 
doblocruiser
Maybe I am wrong but now that EVO is no more and no further enhancements will be made by the team, community support will fade and we could see a lot less players playing Driveclub. Their involvement kept players hanging around as well.

We'll see how it turns out for DC.



... am I to negative?
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I wouldn't say so, personally I think the comment about the game being 'left with Playstation' means pretty much nothing. I just can't understand a situation where Evolution can be laid off but their game is kept running with new content. It doesn't make any sense at all. Factor in just how many elite and XP levels where added in the last update and it all adds in to being 'one last hurrah'' of sorts.

Its a damn shame, sometimes you can easily forget the video game industry is just that....an industry. In industry, the strongest survive and the middlers fall, Sony obviously felt Evo fell in that category. :(
 
doblocruiser
Maybe I am wrong but now that EVO is no more and no further enhancements will be made by the team, community support will fade and we could see a lot less players playing Driveclub. Their involvement kept players hanging around as well.

We'll see how it turns out for DC.



... am I to negative?
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I feel this too - their enthusiasm formed a sort of feed-back loop, a perpetuation cycle through the players and back to them, and so on. I'm sure that Jamie and Rushy will be keeping an eye on the various galleries they like...but without feeling their energy behind this - well, I fear that the game may fade away pretty rapidly.

Maybe though the remaining city tracks are still on the table for release and even more cars/bikes. We don't know until the next few month have rolled past.

EDIT: @Brend - maybe not middling, more likely too detailed and conscientious (therefore not as productive as perhaps Sony would prefer.) You are right, it is an industry and in tight times, even the mighty can fall.
 
It's what I think as well @MeanElf It's a great game but it's also a game that is almost 2 years old and seeing the age of this game and the studio closing down I fear the worst.

Driveclub is in a great stade and the allround package with the very cheap pricetag will still be great value for money. Even if a playstation team will maintain the support it will be very hard for them to replace EVO in terms of how they interacted with the community.

Will we see new content? I don't know. If it arrives, will I buy it? I don't know.

I sure know that I will keep playing this game for short stints and photo-sessions. But I probably play it less. I'll take part in several TT's from @Brend and @torque99 but I wonder how long it will run after this announcement. I simply have the feeling the GTP crowd is almost ready to move on...

Besides DC there isn't really a racing title that keeps me playing like this game does. Maybe GTS or Assetto Corsa can cut it for me on the simulation part but arcade .... Trackmania ? .... NFS ? I simply don't know....
 

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