Sony paid $32.6m for Evolution studios

Wollan · (10-11-2007, 09:56 AM)

A lot of cash. I'm guessing MotorStorm has sold somewhere past 1.5m now (1m crossed late May or so I believe).

Quote:

Chief exec Martin Kenwright earned GBP 12m from sale

Sony's acquisition of MotorStorm developer Evolution Studios and its PSP satellite Bigbig Studios cost the company £16 million (EUR 22.9m / USD 32.6m).

According to a report by the Liverpool Daily Post, chief executive and co-founder Martin Kenwright held a 75 per cent stake in the company, netting him GBP 12 million from the sale. Ian Hetherington, chairman and co-founder, held most of the rest of the shares.

Quote:

Evolution is currently working a disc-based sequel to MotorStorm as well as further downloadable content, while Bigbig Studios is putting the finishing touches to Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice for the PSP.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=29476

Darkman M · (10-11-2007, 09:59 AM)

I thought a Sony didn't buy exclusives? Good news for Sony anyway hopefully motorstorm 2 is the full experience PS3 users were looking for.

pswii60 · (10-11-2007, 10:00 AM)

10th of the price of Rare. And if you imagine purchasing 10x Evolution Studios-type developers, you can understand how much of a rip-off Rare actually were, even if Rare do have 4/5 development teams.

xaosslug · (10-11-2007, 10:02 AM)

wow, pretty cheap considering MS paid 50m just for GTA DLC. lulz

Lobster · (10-11-2007, 10:02 AM)

Thats so dam cheap.

Darkman M · (10-11-2007, 10:04 AM)

Originally Posted by pswii60:

10th of the price of Rare. And if you imagine purchasing 10x Evolution Studios-type developers, you can understand how much of a rip-off Rare actually were, even if Rare do have 4/5 development teams.

How much did they pay for rare? Like 300 mill? What a shame

How much did thye pay for bungie when they had em?

sionyboy · (10-11-2007, 10:04 AM)

Originally Posted by pswii60:

10th of the price of Rare. And if you imagine purchasing 10x Evolution Studios-type developers, you can understand how much of a rip-off Rare actually were, even if Rare do have 4/5 development teams.

4/5 development teams who are hard at work on... Banjo....and.....hmm. Something for the DS?
(I'm thinking that we'll get more than one title out of Rare next year. Given this years no show, I'm expecting 3 titles to hit from Rare in Q4 08.)

PolyGone · (10-11-2007, 10:05 AM)

whats the point of buying up devs who are already making you games, unless Evolution was planning on jumping ship?

Loudninja · (10-11-2007, 10:05 AM)

Originally Posted by xaosslug:

wow, pretty cheap considering MS paid 50m just for GTA DLC. lulz

cheaper than DLC!

Ten-Song · (10-11-2007, 10:06 AM)

Originally Posted by PolyGone:

whats the point of buying up devs who are already making you games, unless Evolution was planning on jumping ship?

Not sure. Maybe it's like Microsoft buying Lion Head? Just go ahead and bring them into the flock officially to ensure the games stay on their platform.

Grayman · (10-11-2007, 10:07 AM)

Originally Posted by PolyGone:

whats the point of buying up devs who are already making you games, unless Evolution was planning on jumping ship?

technology sharing and giving first party IPs?

Oblivion · (10-11-2007, 10:07 AM)

Originally Posted by Darkman M:

How much did they pay for rare? Like 300 mill? What a shame

How much did thye pay for bungie when they had em?

375 mil for Rare.

Midas · (10-11-2007, 10:08 AM)

Originally Posted by Darkman M:

I thought a Sony didn't buy exclusives? Good news for Sony anyway hopefully motorstorm 2 is the full experience PS3 users were looking for.

Exactly, they buy companies.

Wollan · (10-11-2007, 10:09 AM)

Bizarre Studios is a recent example that shows why it could be in their best interest to aquire certain devs.

Lobster · (10-11-2007, 10:09 AM)

Originally Posted by Oblivion:

375 mil for Rare.

Wow. Nintendo could've just skipped out on the whole of last gen.

reilo · (10-11-2007, 10:09 AM)

Originally Posted by Midas:

Exactly, they buy companies.

For a lot cheaper than it would cost to secure an exclusivity deal for a third-party IP. Brilliant!

Loudninja · (10-11-2007, 10:10 AM)

Originally Posted by reilo:

For a lot cheaper than it would cost to secure an exclusivity deal for a third-party IP. Brilliant!

Or DLC.....

Steroyd · (10-11-2007, 10:10 AM)

Originally Posted by Darkman M:

How much did they pay for rare? Like 300 mill? What a shame

How much did thye pay for bungie when they had em?

I've seen the $25 million figure hover around Bungie's acquisition the going rate is usually around $30 million... unless you're Rare.

pswii60 · (10-11-2007, 10:10 AM)

Originally Posted by PolyGone:

whats the point of buying up devs who are already making you games, unless Evolution was planning on jumping ship?

In addition to this, Sony/Evolution already had a contract in place for exclusivity of their next three titles.

But, it's important to remember that Sony needed some positive news, they needed to show commitment. Also, perhaps Evolution were actually keen for the financial stability, or perhaps they wanted to expand to have more than one team, but with Sony's backing.

Barnolde · (10-11-2007, 10:10 AM)

Not bad at all, I guess you get what you pay for doesn't apply to devs.

Darkman M · (10-11-2007, 10:10 AM)

Originally Posted by Midas:

Exactly, they buy companies.

Wouldn't that be the point of buying the company? Or were you just being sarcastic?

Mr. Pointy · (10-11-2007, 10:12 AM)

It's a good purchase. Let's just hope none of the really important devs at Evolution start bailing.

Loudninja · (10-11-2007, 10:12 AM)

By the Way, Sony ahs alot of game deasl we dont know the full details about

1.Rockstar exclusive IP
2. Cellius games
3.EAT Sleep And Play exlcuive PS3 games as well

pswii60 · (10-11-2007, 10:13 AM)

Originally Posted by Steroyd:

I've seen the $25 million figure hover around Bungie's acquisition the going rate is usually around $30 million... unless you're Rare.

Rare aren't a one-team developer though. They have four console teams and one handheld team.

They released Conker, Kameo and PDZ in 2005, Viva Pinata in 2006, Diddy Kong DS and Jetpac XBLA in 2007.

They also own a wad of classic IPs, which are sadly being underused at the moment, with only Banjo on the horizon (that we know of).

So, $200m+ makes sense, but $360m seemed way too high.

mr_bishiuk · (10-11-2007, 10:15 AM)

Originally Posted by xaosslug:

wow, pretty cheap considering MS paid 50m just for GTA DLC. lulz

God the lack of facts some times on here astonishes me!

MS paid $50m to fund development but it is repayable

reilo · (10-11-2007, 10:18 AM)

Originally Posted by mr_bishiuk:

God the lack of facts some times on here astonishes me!

MS paid $50m to fund development but it is repayable

Somehow I highly doubt it costs $50mil to develop DLC for GTA4. That would be twice the budget of Killzone 2.

xaosslug · (10-11-2007, 10:22 AM)

Originally Posted by mr_bishiuk:

God the lack of facts some times on here astonishes me!

MS paid $50m to fund development but it is repayable

wait, what? Source it, or STFU, pls.

Ceb · (10-11-2007, 10:22 AM)

Originally Posted by Darkman M:

I thought a Sony didn't buy exclusives?

Jesus, why must there always be a jackass like this?

"Bubububu I thought Sony didn't pay for exclusives?"
"Bubububu I though rumble was a last-gen feature?"

ram · (10-11-2007, 10:23 AM)

how much money paid activison to get bizarre creations? just curious...

Tieno · (10-11-2007, 10:24 AM)

Originally Posted by Darkman M:

How much did they pay for rare? Like 300 mill? What a shame

How much did thye pay for bungie when they had em?

I read MS payed around 50mil for Bungie.

Darkman M · (10-11-2007, 10:27 AM)

Originally Posted by Ceb:

Jesus, why must there always be a jackass like this?

"Bubububu I thought Sony didn't pay for exclusives?"
"Bubububu I though rumble was a last-gen feature?"

Cry much? stfu and get over it.

Phoenix Fang · (10-11-2007, 10:28 AM)

Originally Posted by pswii60:

10th of the price of Rare. And if you imagine purchasing 10x Evolution Studios-type developers, you can understand how much of a rip-off Rare actually were, even if Rare do have 4/5 development teams.

And how many IPs do these guys own? Off the top of my head Rare has:

Banjo
Kameo
Battletoads
Killer Instinct
jet Force Gemini
Perfect Dark
Viva Pinata
Sabre Wulf
Conker
Blast Corps
Mr.Pants

What does Evolution have?

Hooker · (10-11-2007, 10:29 AM)

Originally Posted by pswii60:

10th of the price of Rare. And if you imagine purchasing 10x Evolution Studios-type developers, you can understand how much of a rip-off Rare actually were, even if Rare do have 4/5 development teams.

Didn't Retro cost Nintendo $1 million?

Grayman · (10-11-2007, 10:30 AM)

Originally Posted by Phoenix Fang:

And how many IPs do these guys own? Off the top of my head Rare has:

Banjo
Kameo
Battletoads
Killer Instinct
jet Force Gemini
Perfect Dark
Viva Pinata
Sabre Wulf
Conker
Blast Corps
Mr.Pants

What does Evolution have?

a good game from the past year

Ten-Song · (10-11-2007, 10:32 AM)

Originally Posted by Grayman:

a good game from the past year

ZING!

Actually, I take that back, Viva Pinata was awesome.

Snah · (10-11-2007, 10:33 AM)

How big is evolution studios?

I hope they branch out from doing titles like MotorStorm.

Tieno · (10-11-2007, 10:34 AM)

Originally Posted by Grayman:

a good game from the past year

Which latest rare games have you played?

Mario · (10-11-2007, 10:35 AM)

Originally Posted by PolyGone:

whats the point of buying up devs who are already making you games, unless Evolution was planning on jumping ship?

A few probably relevant reasons in this case including acquisition of technology, reducing the cost of development (no up front profit margins), increasing the value of Sony stock, easier to place other projects into the , and having some desired personnel move into SCEE over time. The cost of the purchase would also be offset against any royalties Sony would otherwise owe them over time.

Steroyd · (10-11-2007, 10:36 AM)

Originally Posted by pswii60:

Rare aren't a one-team developer though. They have four console teams and one handheld team.

They released Conker, Kameo and PDZ in 2005, Viva Pinata in 2006, Diddy Kong DS and Jetpac XBLA in 2007.

They also own a wad of classic IPs, which are sadly being underused at the moment, with only Banjo on the horizon (that we know of).

So, $200m+ makes sense, but $360m seemed way too high.

Weren't they more or less up ported from the Xbox? Jetpac is a XBLA game I'd be surprised if they used a lot of resources for that.

Evolution Studio's has 1 console team and 1 handheld team so should their value have been more in the $50 million range then?

devilscallmedad · (10-11-2007, 10:38 AM)

Originally Posted by Grayman:

a good game from the past year

Viva Pinata ?

And i have been meaning to ask this how exactly do you buy a studio, i mean who got these $32 million.

Phoenix Fang · (10-11-2007, 10:38 AM)

Originally Posted by Grayman:

a good game from the past year

According to Gameranking:

Motorstorm 83%

Evolution Studios (1 half ass finished game in a year)

Viva Pinata 85%
Perfect Dark Zero 81%
Kameo 81%

Rare (3 games in a year Nov 2005 to Nov 2006

Visualante · (10-11-2007, 10:41 AM)

Originally Posted by Phoenix Fang:

According to Gameranking:

Nobody cares. Sales > Critical acclaim.
Investment should equal sales.

I will expect good PSN stuff from BigBig studios Phil.

Wollan · (10-11-2007, 10:42 AM)

MotorStorm has terrific gameplay and graphics (as well as lagless online). Too bad they seemingly went out of their way to create slow unresponsive menus and long loading times preventing you from getting much game in. A feature rich MS2 can't come soon enough (and already happening in 2008 it seems).

Geezer · (10-11-2007, 10:43 AM)

Originally Posted by Phoenix Fang:

According to Gameranking:

Motorstorm 83%

Evolution Studios (1 half ass finished game in a year)

Viva Pinata 85%
Perfect Dark Zero 81%
Kameo 81%

Rare (3 games in a year Nov 2005 to Nov 2006

Motorstorm is indeed half assed, but it's more fun than those 3 put together so GTFO.

Phoenix Fang · 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by Visualante:

Nobody cares. Sales > Critical acclaim.
Investment should equal sales.

I will expect good PSN stuff from BigBig studios Phil.

Oh you're one of them.

Btw Last I checked PDZ sold over a million and Kameo over 700k.

Originally Posted by Geezer:

Motorstorm is indeed half assed, but it's more fun than those 3 put together so GTFO.

if you say so. It's one of the crappiest racers I've played in a long time. There are better racers out there to spend my money on. Hell I'm not a GT or Forza fan but I'd rather play those games before I waste a minute of my life with that racer again. So GTFO with that Motorstorm crap.

Flo · (10-11-2007, 10:44 AM)

Can't wait to play the next Pursuit Force on PSP! One more week!

adelante · (10-11-2007, 10:46 AM)

Originally Posted by xaosslug:

wait, what? Source it, or STFU, pls.

His key word being "repayable". Now, how bout you STFU?

Visualante · (10-11-2007, 10:46 AM)

Originally Posted by Phoenix Fang:

Oh you're one of them.

Btw Last I checked PDZ sold over a million and Kameo over 700k.

Last time I checked MotorStorm was still in the UK charts which means it is selling hardware in a key area. Which is why Sony invested in this studio and had them set on making a sequel immediately.

Tieno · (10-11-2007, 10:47 AM)

So this thread turned into console wars bullshit?

Originally Posted by Wollan:

MotorStorm has terrific gameplay and graphics (as well as lagless online). Too bad they seemingly went out of their way to create slow unresponsive menus and long loading times preventing you from getting much game in. A feature rich MS2 can't come soon enough (and already happening in 2008 it seems).

So true. It rivals Burnout for me as far as my favourite racing gameplay/game. It was incredible experience, yet it was hampered by sometimes (too) brutal AI and bad menus. I always forget how amazing Motorstorm could be at times.

RubberJohnny · (10-11-2007, 10:48 AM)

Who the hell managed to turn this thread into system wars?