DriveClub PS4 PlayStation 4

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]