As has been rumoured for the past couple of days, DriveClub developer Evolution Studios has been struck by a round of layoffs. The studio best known for the MotorStorm series was purchased by Sony in 2007, but has had to weather some nasty storms in recent years. Long-term readers will remember MotorStorm Apocalypse being delayed due to the Japanese earthquake – before being deployed during the big PlayStation Network outage.
These were out of its control, however, whereas its issues with DriveClub were very different. The game was originally set to launch alongside the PlayStation 4 but was pushed back a year. When it did eventually arrive, though, it was struck by serious server issues, which has prompted the promised PlayStation Plus version to remain missing in action for over six months now. The game, at least, does work as intended these days.
And it sold really well, becoming the best selling exclusive in the UK last year. However, that hasn't prevented people from losing their jobs. "Evolution Studios will now focus on DriveClub as a service going forward, in particular, the important launch of the PlayStation Plus Edition," a statement said. "We will be restructuring Evolution Studios to ensure that SCE WWS and, in particular, Evolution Studios are in the best position to achieve these goals."
Sony continued: "Our first party development studios are key to our creative strategy, and we are very excited about the future projects being worked on and the role Evolution Studios will play." The developer's definitely not being shutdown, then, but it remains to be seen whether it will get another crack at a full PS4 project. While we await more information on that, it goes without saying that our thoughts go out to all of those affected by this news.
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 29
Sad but expected after two big failures with Motorstorm Apocalypse and Driveclub...
surprise, surprise...
the families :/ it sucks to lose your job
This sucks, it seems like Evolution was able to bounce back after the bungled initial launch of Drive Club. I was hoping that the studio would bring back Wipeout alongside a new Motorstorm.
It may be hyperbole on my part but I feel that SCEE has been ravaged these past few years and that SWWS has really gone down the PS4 generation thus far.
"We will be restructuring Evolution Studios to ensure that SCE WWS and, in particular, Evolution Studios are in the best position to achieve these goals." Nothing puts you in a stronger position than losing staff, especially in the service industry as apparently driveclub is going to be a service. Wow, the kahunas on that statement, driveclub a service? Has anyone paid any attention to the tiny percentage of people trophying the dlc? Losing people to be better off? I hate business double speak.
@rockman29
It is normal but those are contracted workers so it isn't considered a layoff because they were temporary. A layoff suggests that this is effecting more permanent Evolution team members.
This game is amazing. I was Playimg with a friend of mine and we were blown away thanks the awesome tracks and challenges.
So I hope everyone whining about the free PSN version are happy that they will get it, at the cost of a person's job. But then again I am sure they don't care. Now if it was them losing there job......
Terrible news. I hope people who got laid off can find equivalent or better jobs. About the game, it is fantastic currently. I just hope this does not mean that there won't be any more Driveclub after all the DLCs are out.
@Tasuki wow, worst post ive ever read in this site
And its coming from a mod
@Faruko Agreed. Absolutely ridiculous.
So I can't be truthful? I mean come on every time a Drive Club article comes up here or anywhere else online people are crying where's the free version that we were promised instead of just supporting the company and buying the game. I mean I can see wanting a free version if it was still broken but the game has been fixed now. At this point the only reason for them to release a free version is to shut all the whiners up.
@Tasuki
But a chief reason they're so to speak was because the game was launched broken and the PS+ version never launched. The fact that he game was delayed didn't help things either.
While i'm sure there were super diehard Sony guys who bought the game on launch day, the fact is when you have new IP called Driveclub and for about a month the Club part didn't work looks really bad for prospective buyers. Evo fixed the problem as fast as they could badly didn't the benefit of say 343 and Halo has gotten.
@Tasuki the link between the job losses, the psplus trim version and our expectations for it to be released last year dont support that statement unfortunately. I have the game, and everyone who moaned - well there is a time to get over it and stump up. But that doesn't change the fact that this was openly marketed as a cornerstone of the ps4 experience and to this day still isn't out. The job losses suck big time, but they are not losing them because of the psplus version - surely that would make more work not less. Reality is the development has come to a conclusion and because of the debacle of the launch the work force is being trimmed to take on less stressful projects in the future.
I can understand the frustration about the ps+version , it was promised and so far it had failed to appear..but i can also understand tasuki point of view..here in UK driveclub has been as low as £18-£20 used(is the £19.99 price on ps store correct?)i know the extended demo version was promised but at that price surely it's a no brainer?.. If you are willing to wait around for the ps+ version then you already have at least a little interest in the game, so why not just take the plunge and buy a used copy?..ive been out of the UK for 5months and when I got back last Tuesday, I dropped my bags at home and when out and bought a used copy of driveclub..and it is brilliant!
And whoever posted above saying that driveclub is a failure..wrong(server issues at launch were horrible tho from what I read)..the game was UK's biggest selling exclusive of 2014..
Driveclub was a commercial success, though.
@goonow
We don't know how much it sold relative too its budget. Also Sony in general has been ramping down their first party studios a bit and focusing on work for hire games like Helldivers.
A million units in its first week and it outsold forza horizon 2. I just can't imagine them losing money.
@Tasuki It was promised to us at launch on Plus, so we have good reason to want it. I'm sad they lot their jobs, but we can't just take crud from companies because we're worried about that. If we never voiced ourselves or acted because we we're worried about people's jobs gaming would probably start to go down a dark route. Imagine if no complained about AC:Unity because they were worried about somone losing a job.
@goonow Horizon 2 wished it had half the amount of publicity and pr as this game did
While i dont see it being a flop, i dont think it was a smash success either
@Tasuki
"So I can't be truthful?"
Which bit of rant #10, exactly, was supposed to be truthful? I suppose in your defense most of #10 was about what you think the people who have been "whining" wanted, rather than what they actually wanted.
@Faruko (#12) my thoughts exactly
Refused to buy this game as it was offered as a PS+ title but never materialised. However when I realised it wasnt going to show and learned the problems were all but fixed I hesitantly forked out £25 for this on PSN. Best £25 of the PS4 so far for me. Without any DLC etc the base game will give you hours of fun and enjoyment not to mention them jaw dropping moments when you turn a corner and the visuals just stop you virtually dead in your tracks.
Sad to see layoffs but it's common to slimline in the games industry when jobs are deemed complete or mostly over. Good luck to Evo because they can make a cracking game. They got my backing. So much so that when I accumulate a few quid again I'll be getting the extra DLC's also. Driveclub is a keeper for me and is a game that lets you pop in for a quick race or three often and regularily.
If I had make a smart assumption it seems like the game being push back a year and the terrible launch plus the Content given away really killed their bottom line. Being a first party studio still means you have a budget, that is very finite, so it's really sad for those affected after putting much labor and time into Drive Club and to have to go through the PR turmoil only to end up unemployed. My heart truly does go out to them.
@Tasuki @Faruko @eLarkos This man is right! I hope the whiners enjoy their free game will someone sits at home without a job. Also freedom of speech! He can say what he wants without some internet losers harrasing him from their keyboards
Sorry having a horrible day at work
@Sanquine Sorry mate, what's the link between the psplus version and job losses? No ones harassing anybody, we are all surprised that the link between the psplus version (trimmed downs needs a PAID upgrade for the full fat version) and job losses. Its not true. The games out, the dlc is all finished, they don't need the staff. That's it. The psplus version would actually bring more work to evolution on the server and admin side - but obviously not enough to cover job losses.
@Sanquine You can't attack people for attacking someone, using 'freedom of speech' as the excuse as you're arguing they have the right to argue. End of the day @Tasuki is perfectly entitled to think want he wants but the people who said his comment are out of order are allowed to as well. If Evolution had bothered to make sure their game worked before release and not kept people in the dark for so long afterwards then no-one at the company would be losing their job. Blame is Evolution's and Sony, the latter as they clearly saw the game wasn't in working condition but authorised it's release. It's sad, pathetic and laughable that in this day and age a video game - costing hundreds of millions in some cases - are allowed to release in incomplete condition. In no other line of work would that be acceptable and people would be fired. As is always the case though the people who make the final call get away scot free and it's the 'littlemen' who lose their job for other's failings.
Personally the only bit of @Tasuki's comments I found odd was "At this point the only reason for them to release a free version is to shut all the whiners up" as it completely misrepresents why people are 'whining'. They want what they were promised and contractually obligated to get when purchasing a PS4 and PS+. Nobody wants people losing their job (except Cheryl Cole on X-Factor USA, that was funny) because of broken promises made by heads of companies but acting like they are happy about it was completely out of order, especially for someone working for the site.
@Faruko I have absolutely no sympathy for them. This is what you sign on for when you choose to work for a big game development studio. If you dont like that life, dont work for a big studio. Your job is not stable (not even close) in that field, and if thats not something you are equipped to handle regularly, then you (the general you) need to choose another field.
@Tasuki You are right ! we should support companies that develop and release not only unfinished games but that downright doesnt work ! I mean, unfinished games is one thing, but that they dont work ? and for months ? (because reports said the game was fully playable on december, yet the game was released in October)
to add a little insult to the injury, this is a Sony developer, i DOUBT they lack the money for a proper test and stuff (because they sure had for all the publicity and PR)
Why should i support a company that rightfully so earned its bad reputation ? That they had the nerves to release the game in the state it was, was just the nail in the coffin.
OOOH THANK YOU Evolution for patching YOUR BROKEN GAME !
Is this the standard nowadays ? We should be thankfull for them to patch a game that WE ALREADY PAY FOR (not in my case, but it is for many) ? Thats what i dont get about fanboys either, they say "be patient" oh sure, because X company was surely patient when they took my money
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