Evolution Studios will lose around 55 team members, sources have told Eurogamer.net. It was announced last week that the Runcorn-based outfit would be struck by layoffs, but now we have an idea of just how hard. The developer, which is currently supporting PlayStation 4 exclusive DriveClub, is roughly 100 staffers strong, so this will affect approximately half of its team.
That's a big cull, and obviously our thoughts go out to all of those affected, but one source is taking a glass half full view of the sorry situation. "The staff that they kept are the best at what they do," the anonymous insider said. "If you wanted a fresh start for Evolution Studios, those are the people to do it."
Of course, it's unclear whether the first-party developer will get a fresh start. Sony's said that the studio will now focus on "DriveClub as a service going forward", which at least confirms that it's committed to the racer's Season Pass, as well as the long overdue PlayStation Plus version. Whether it will turn its attention to a second, full PS4 project thereafter remains to be seen; we'd love to see a native MotorStorm title on the next-gen system, so fingers crossed, eh?
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 19
Evolution should make a little PSN title and make it great, get some traction and success to regain Sony confidence in make a new big title to the PS4.
I tried MotorStorm multiple times but I couldn't get into it :/ I am looking forward to getting the DriveClub PS+ version. if its fun I might buy the full game for 25 since I dont have a racer on PS4 yet.
@ferrers405 The funny thing is, they did this once already. I'm not sure how true this story is, but apparently the success of MotorStorm RC gave it a second chance after MotorStorm Apocalypse flopped.
By all accounts, DriveClub has sold really well, though.
@get2sammyb exactly and for me at least worked, I loved play Motorstorm RC on the Vita/PS3, I got the Platinum and kept playing.
That's terrible to hear.
@AyeHaley DRIVECLUB is the best racing game on any console right now. You're missing out by not buying it.
Well I assume they're not working on anything else yet?
@BloodyBill some Nintendo fans might disagree...
@get2sammyb
I wonder what were the development margins on the game and coupled with the bad PR I could see why it happened. Its a shame as Evolution is top tier developer and I was hoping to see them announce a Motorstorm PS4 and a downloadable Wipeout game.
Shame because this news makes it seems that once Evolution finishes the drive club DLC commitment the dev will either be shuttered or paired down for the bare minimum of people needed to make tracks and cars.
@BloodyBill
I'd say both Forza games and Mario Kart are way better games than DriveClub.
Shingi_70 I wouldn't compare Mario kart with forza5,horizon2 or driveclub..in fact out of the 4 games the only direct(although handling on both games is different they are both track based) comparison is forza5 and driveclub.. And driveclub is the better game out of those two
Why do people take this as bad news? after development of a big game a down size happens a lot, the fact is you don't need 100 dev's supporting Driveclub DLC. Watch Evolution hire again once they really start development on a new game, you really think Gearbox is going to keep all the dev's they hire after they've finished Borderlands 3?
@teknium_ maybe on the ps4 and xbox one, unfortunately your comparing a pretty, enjoyable at times arcade racer with limited customisation and passable gameplay against a flawed micro transaction fuelled tightly controlled and fun simulation racer which had better previous entrees on a previous console. I would argue that Forza has the best core systems and physics of any racing game and the customisation is phenomenal, however 5 is bare bones and was rushed to release. The next gt and project cars will race away and really put driveclub in the distance. And the next forza will make me jealous.
@themcnoisy the only thing I did was compare driveclub and forza 5(these 2 are still closest out of the 4,i wasn't comparing handling, just that they are track based, forza does have great handling and physics for a console racer but these pale in comparison to many pc racing sims) ..keeping fh2 out of it as it's open world and Mario kart out of it
as it's...mario kart!..ive played all the forza games upto and including 5(with 3 being my fave), for me forza 5 is horrible and driveclub is the better, more fun game...the amount of cars in driveclub is spot on(I don't really see the need for 100 or 200+ when realistically most people would use less than 50)and I'm a huge fan of forzas customisation and driveclubs doesn't come close but it's no great loss for me personally as I generally keep cars in "normal" colours anyway...i think Gran turismo is quite a way of on ps4,which could be a good thing as the game needs a lot of work to make it count again, project cars delay is a little bit worrying but given the people working on it I'm sure it will deliver.. And then onto to forza 6 which I'm really looking forward to hearing more about
@teknium_ your a big racing fan like me. I agree Driveclubs good, but its not a must have or even great. Its good, 7/10, enjoyable, alright, passes the time. Its definitely worth £20 of anyone's money and anyone on the fence should just take the leap. But its not In the same class as forza or gt. I dont agree with your summary that there is a better car simulation on PC and most critics dont either. if you can remember on forza 3 when you press down on the dpad the Techtronic information comes up, starting at obvious things like tyre heat, body damage, g force,. Then more difficult information gear shift ratios, suspension variance, g force on each part of the car, engine damage, brake heat etc. This is just touching the surface. The amount of tools you have rewinds, alter difficulty, abs toggle, racing line (full, partial or off), a never ending choice of cups, you can customise everything mechanically with the car from ride height to the engine management. Driveclub offers none of that. But its still looks great and at times is great fun.
It sucks because MotorStorm was pretty decent. I wish Sony had let Polyphony move on from last gen, made GT 6 its big PS4 racing game and given MotorStorm one more shot on a console that has been placed in a much better spotlight than PS3 ever was. Who knows, maybe the series never would've taken off, unfortunately now I don't think we'll ever to get to find out. Always hate to hear about people losing their jobs but the good thing about the game industry is it does seem like its one of the few where people can bounce back fairly quick, especially if they're very talented. Hopefully Sony doesn't shutter Evolution. Even if it never gets a shot at another 'AAA' game I'm sure it could still contribute in other ways. We know it has a hell of a graphics engine.
@Bad-MuthaAdebisi
Mario cart is not a real racing game sort buddy. It is a good game though...
@shingi_70 I'd say you don't have taste in gameplay, but do have taste in pillow biting.
@shingi_70 I'd say you're wrong! ;p
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