Evolution Studios closed by Sony

[Robin]

What if Evolution got eaten by PD ?

Somehow I don't think the workforce is going to relocate to Japan!.... and suddenly become fluent in Japanese.

 

[wvmgmidget]

Well this sucks! Evolution has done a superb job with post-launch content, I hate to see them go down like this. In other news, the new DLC still hasn't dropped over here yet.

 

[dice1998]

I don't think Sony would have folded DC because it was "competing" with PD. At least I would hope Sony didn't close Evolution for that reason.

 

[Ridox2JZGTE]

Somehow I don't think the workforce is going to relocate to Japan!.... and suddenly become fluent in Japanese.

PD has an office in LA if I'm not mistaken.

 

[torque99]

I wish them all the best for the future, So sad as both Rushy and Jamie just had little boys, the support from them was the best I have seen and I think a bad move by Sony- Sometimes it is not all about the large profit!

 

[GBalao888]

I am devastated by this news, by the time I bought my PS4, Driveclub was my first ever PS4 game, enjoyed it for a long time and really enjoyed all the DLC brought into the game and I'm still waiting for their "Finish Line" DLC. Driveclub reminded all of us of Project Gotham Racing, the game it was based on.

R.I.P. Evolution Studios. They crossed their finish line. Now it's either Driveclub is dormant or Polyphony will take over or get the assets from Driveclub.

As a result of this, I'd drive the Koenigsegg One: 1 on the Old Town circuit as a salute.

 

[nick98]

Honestly, I feel like doing another race on DC to honor EVO and what they've done.

 

[Terronium-12]

This is certainly going to leave a sour taste in my mouth for a while. Other than Driveclub there's currently 2 (3) other reasons why I even have a PS4 in the first place.

And they're all highly expendable.

 

[Suzumiya]

http://www.nooooooooooooooo.com/

 

[Rubber]

RIP DriveClub

The launch disaster tainted the franchise in many people's eyes, but I was still expecting a sequel. I guess no more.

 

[Denur]

I actually chocked up when I learned about this. 👎🤬

Lost for words

 

[RACECAR]

I would have figured if they wanted to close down the studio they would have done it after the game's disaster of a launch, or when the PS+ version became such a joke. Not after two years of trying to win back the community of players or after 6 months of using their game as being the main showcase title for the $400 console peripheral that they are trying to get people to buy.

Exactly my thoughts.

Also while people are Shooting Sony to the ground, you guys missed this part:

Where possible we will try to reallocate people onto other projects. If appropriate opportunities are not possible within the company, we will assist staff in any way we can, including speaking with local employers and with other development companies

Keep in mind that Microsoft did a similar thing recently to one of their developers and nowhere in their announcement did they mention doing any of this.

 

[Samus]

Ok so DriveClub didn't have the greatest launch ever, which did hurt sales, but they more than made up for that with the inclusion of some spectacular DLC and people did actually buy it.

It's interesting that they're giving exactly the same reason for closing Evo as they did Psygnosis ("focus on studios with new and exciting products"), and makes me wonder if, with their financial difficulties, they're slowly falling out of love with the video games industry even though it wasn't video games that got them into a financial mess...

You do have to wonder who these studios are. Are they new ones? Because as of now, the first party Sony devs are getting a little thin on the ground, at least in terms of those knocking out unique triple A games.

Japan Studio - Gravity Rush, Knack, Last Guardian
PD - Currently make only one game series, very slowly
Bend - Last projects have been portable games and Syphon Filter
Naughty Dog - Uncharted, Last Of Us
San Diego - Mostly just do the yearly MLB games
Santa Monica - Biggest titles recently were God Of War
Sucker Punch - Infamous, Sly Cooper
London Studio - Do Singstar and all that sort of thing
Guerilla Games - Killzone series and Horizon Zero Dawn
Media Molecule - Tearaway, LBP type 'arty' games

I mean it seems like a lot on paper, but most of them aren't doing much big. They also have a few other studios that merely collaborate with the bigger ones.

 

[forzaturismo]

 

[Terronium-12]

Also while people are Shooting Sony to the ground, you guys missed this part:

Keep in mind that Microsoft did a similar thing recently to one of their developers and nowhere in their announcement did they mention doing any of this.

Most corporate employers do this unless there's no reason to bother. Whether or not it's specifically mentioned, especially in a situation such as this one, is almost explicitly used for endearment.

As is the case here.

 

[Furinkazen]

I only think of the WRC series of PS2 era and blasting up and down Col De Turini in a 600hp Focus.

 

[RACECAR]

Most corporate employers do this unless there's no reason to bother. Whether or not it's specifically mentioned, especially in a situation such as this one, is almost explicitly used for endearment.

As is the case here.

After the way Nissan let go of they're employees, I thought the way this unfolded was far less rough in comparison (that and it felt like no one read the article the way everyone was just jumping on Sony). Granted it happening around Christmas time did sort of made it look twice as despicable.

 

[sems4arsenal]

What will probably happen is former devs form indie studio, Sony sign indie studio.

 

[jm79]

Gutted.

Was amazed at how this was turned around. Really set a fantastic example to the industry.

And this is their reward? What a joke.

 

[skydragon49]

Two things I can say today:

- thanx Evo for this amazing game, and congratz on your huge comeback after the bad release. Well done.

- why, Sony? Why? I feel like writing an F word to you right now.

 

[Terronium-12]

After the way Nissan let go of they're employees, I thought the way this unfolded was far less rough in comparison (that and it felt like no one read the article the way everyone was just jumping on Sony). Granted it happening around Christmas time did sort of made it look twice as despicable.

That had more backstory to it than this because this just came from out of nowhere with no real indication, other than the staff layoffs and them focusing on Driveclub "more as a service."

 

[nick98]

...Focusing on Driveclub "more as a service."

And that truly paid off, considering how DC is doing right now.

 

[FoRiZon]

Quite prophetic...

View attachment 529051

I think they planned it all along.

Honestly, for all the bad descisions Sony has made recently, i wanted to know what happened to them honestly.

 

[Chikane_GTR]

Funny that it was Evo and not

 

[nick98]

Funny that it was Evo and not

I see what you did there.

 

[queleuleu]

And for the people who have pre ordered the PSVR for Driveclub?

 

[AudiMan2011]

Very sad news. DC was the best racing game on PS4 and now Evo is dead. Now a full time move to Xbox is now certain.

 

[nick98]

Very sad news. DC was the best racing game on PS4 and now Evo is dead. Now a full time move to Xbox is now certain.

Same here.

 

[Oelix]

I wonder what this means for Rushy & the lot. Also, as someone who wants more Driveclub: They have teased more city tracks. When they were first announced they showed two (I think) areas that are definitely not in Old Town. I wonder how far along these tracks are?

 

[Oelix]

Also, didn't Rushy just two days ago say on Twitter that they now have more people working on cars? I took this to be a good sign.

Edit: Sorry for the double post, didn't think this through.