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Forums - Sony Discussion - Sony closes Evolution Studios

poklane on 22 March 2016

Evolution Studios, the developer behind franchises like World Rally Championship and MotorStorm, has been shut down by Sony, we've just learned. The company's most recent DriveClub was a troubled project for the studio and Sony, having seen delays and online problems - 55 people had been cut from Evolution just one year ago. Now, Sony has made the tough decision to make the rest of the Evolution staff redundant.

In the complete statement, which you can read below, Sony said it would try to reallocate some of the Evolution team to other studios, but the company's aware that it may also lose some serious talent.

Regular reviews take place throughout SCE Worldwide Studios, ensuring that the resources that we have in such a competitive landscape can create and produce high quality, innovative and commercially viable projects.

As part of this process we have reviewed and assessed all current projects and plans for the short and medium term and have decided to make some changes to the European studios structure.

As a result, it has been decided that Evolution Studio will close.

It is regrettable that this decision will lead to compulsory redundancies. We accept that this decision will mean that we risk losing high calibre staff but by focusing on other Studios that already have exciting new projects in development we believe we will be in a stronger position going forward and able to offer the best possible content of the highest quality for our consumers.

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.

Evolution has been an important part of SCE Worldwide Studios for over 10 years - working on ground-breaking racing titles like WRC, Motorstorm and DRIVECLUB.

This decision should not take anything away from the great work that Evolution has produced.

Source: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-03-22-sony-confirms-closure-of-evolution-studio




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Ruler on 22 March 2016

pretty sad, maybe its a general phenomenon in the UK with regolations/taxes etc. as it was with lionheads



Why i left PC gaming

 

(2015) Question for PS4 owners: if the situation would be reverse? would you still play on PS4?

(2015) The "I don't care PS4 is the most powerful console" thread

GribbleGrunger on 22 March 2016

Already posted:

http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=214994&page=1#



 

The PS5 Exists. 


Darwinianevolution on 22 March 2016

I thought Driveclub series in general was a finantial success. What could be the reason for the shut down?



You know it deserves the GOTY.

Come join The 2018 Obscure Game Monthly Review Thread.

poklane on 22 March 2016
GribbleGrunger said:
Already posted:

http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=214994&page=1#

That was about it just being a rumor first, don't think I didn't notice ;)



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Ruler on 22 March 2016
Darwinianevolution said:
I thought Driveclub series in general was a finantial success. What could be the reason for the shut down?

well it was dicounted heavily for 20 bucks even. And the game was heavily oversupplied with DLC and all kind of editions 



Why i left PC gaming

 

(2015) Question for PS4 owners: if the situation would be reverse? would you still play on PS4?

(2015) The "I don't care PS4 is the most powerful console" thread

poklane on 22 March 2016
Darwinianevolution said:
I thought Driveclub series in general was a finantial success. What could be the reason for the shut down?

Took over 8 months to sell 2mil, and that was with the game being discounted for PS+ members since Day 1 and heavy discounts since the game's launch.



demonfox13 on 22 March 2016

Sad and upsetting like how they closed lightbox.



Make games, not war (that goes for ridiculous fanboys)

I may be the next Maelstorm or not, you be the judge http://videogamesgrow.blogspot.com/  hopefully I can be more of an asset than a fanboy to VGC hehe.

Roronaa_chan on 22 March 2016

After VR flops Sony London and Cambridge Studio will be the next ones to go



TheGoldenBoy on 22 March 2016

I don't get it. I always knew the studio had a chance of being closed, especially after they had major layoffs, but with all the post-launch content they've put out for Driveclub and the fact they were working on Driveclub VR, I thought they'd be safe for a while longer.

It just seems to be at random time.