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Layoffs at DriveClub developer Evolution, [UPDATE: 55 laid off (~50% of studio)]

Q

Quentyn

Member
Update

Close to half the studio will be laid off.

Evolutions Studios, the developer of PlayStation 4-exclusive racing game DriveClub, is set to lose 55 staff, sources familiar with the matter have told Eurogamer.

Two independent sources close to the studio mentioned the 55 figure to Eurogamer after the cuts were announced to staff at the Runcorn-based developer last Friday, 20th March.

That's roughly half of the studio, sources say, with the redundancies affecting permanent staff. One source indicated some of the 55 may be retained as contractors, but that's up in the air at this point.
Click to expand...

The redundancy process is now ongoing. Sony has yet to explain its decision, but sources have speculated.

"Pure finances" was one phrase mentioned to us. "Perhaps a smack for DriveClub's problems" was another.

There is also some concern that the redundancies are another step for Evolution on the road towards closure, but for now the focus is on DriveClub, with more downloadable content and the PS Plus Edition waiting in the wings.

"The staff they kept are the best at what they do," one source said. "If you wanted a fresh start for Evo, those are the people to do it."
Click to expand...

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-23-driveclub-developer-set-to-lose-55-staff-sources-say

Driveclub developer Evolution has suffered a number of layoffs, Sony has confirmed to Eurogamer.

Sony has restructured Evolution to focus on updating its PlayStation 4-exclusive racing game as a service, as well as the launch of the long-delayed PS Plus Edition.
Click to expand...

Here's Sony's statement:

Evolution Studios will now focus on DriveClub as a service going forward, in particular, the important launch of the PS Plus Edition. 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.
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.

And specifically about the redundancies:

We will be looking to relocate team members throughout the studios, but unfortunately some redundancies will be necessary and in those cases we will assist staff in any way we can.
Click to expand...

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-19-layoffs-at-driveclub-developer-evolution
 
P

Pachimari

Member
Doesn't seem like we'll get another racer or MotorStorm from them any time soon. But I'm all for them focusing on Drive Club for now.

Seriously, gaming is making me depressed today.
 
C

chubigans

y'all should be ashamed
I have no idea what focusing on a game as a service would mean. Guessing just filling out the season pass?

Ugh. Hope everyone lands on their feet.

edit: glad to hear the studio isn't shutting down though.
 
Duxxy3

Duxxy3

Member
Always tough to see people lose their jobs.

With the game turning into a service it makes me wonder if the the PS+ copy of the game will be sort of a "starter pack". From there you can mix and match whatever tracks and cars you want.
 
N

Nokterian

Member
Fuck! :( Bought the game and season pass best money spend a long with the great updates and new features. Best of luck to those who lost there job.
 
D

djplaeskool

Member
I'm okay with DriveClub being a platform for a ton of content.
I'm not okay with Evolution not moving forward with any other projects.
 
GHG

GHG

Member
chubigans said:
I have no idea what focusing on a game as a service would mean. Guessing just filling out the season pass?

Ugh. Hope everyone lands on their feet.

edit: glad to hear the studio isn't shutting down though.
Click to expand...

Finishing this season pass and then season pass 2 is my guess.

Don't think they will make Driveclub 2 as from what I recall when it was 1st announced they talked about expanding upon the base game across the generation.
 
N

Nafai1123

Banned
Sad to hear some people will be using their jobs, but I'm actually kind of happy (and surprised) that they are doubling down on DC support.
 
5

5taquitos

Member
Yeah, this doesn't sound as bad as rumors were suggesting, but it does hurt my hopes for a new MotorStorm announcement any time soon.
 
HighResTomato

HighResTomato

Member
Racing game as a service...

srecij.jpg
 
O

Occam

Member
So no new Motorstorm. Wouln't have minded them to take a shot at Wip3out, but that's probably not going to happen now.
 
OmegaDL50

OmegaDL50

Member
Service sounds like turning DriveClub into some monetary fueled microtransaction title. I really hope this isn't the case.

I liked the flow of monthly content they had going to adhere with the Season Pass schedule. I hope they don't try to turn DriveClub into something like Asphalt 8 with it's overabundant of paid content that costs beyond the scope of the game.

I enjoy DriveClub as a racer. I bought it as a quality game. Not to subscribe to a "service"
 
S

SSReborn

Member
OmegaDL50 said:
Service sounds like turning DriveClub into some monetary fueled microtransaction title. I really hope this isn't the case.

I liked the flow of monthly content they had going to adhere with the Season Pass schedule. I hope they don't try to turn DriveClub into something like Asphalt 8 with it's overabundant of paid content that costs beyond the scope of the game.

I enjoy DriveClub as a racer. I bought it as a quality game. Not to subscribe to a "service"
Click to expand...
I read it as them keeping that type of thing going.
 
P

Pezus

Member
Well at least it's nice that they remain focused on DriveClub. Hopefully it will be supported for many more months!
 
H

Harp

Member
With innovative new features that have been patched in like replays and photo mode. I wonder what other great new services they will work on.

/s
 
B

BeeDog

Member
This piece of news sucks :( I love Evo, one of my top 3 Sony developers.

Let's hope this doesn't hit them hard... I still wanna see a new MotorStorm eventually.
 
V

Valnen

Member
Duxxy3 said:
With the game turning into a service it makes me wonder if the the PS+ copy of the game will be sort of a "starter pack". From there you can mix and match whatever tracks and cars you want.
Click to expand...

That's basically what it was going to be, I thought?
 
D

Deleted member 17706

Unconfirmed Member
Nirolak said:
Well uh... I guess it's less bad than shutting down entirely...
Click to expand...

I'm sure that part is next, sadly :(

Skeleton crew to finish up support of DriveClub and fulfill their PS+ promise, then it's probably lights out.

I hope not, but we see this kind of thing happen far too often.
 
C

crooked spin

Member
I wonder if "games as a service" is the future of triple-A development.

If it costs $50-100MM to develop a triple-A title why move on to spend another, similar sum on a new game when a (leaner?) team can service the existing game with new content that costs far less to develop. Not unlike how MMOs exist now.
 
W

watership

Member
Wow, I guess the layoffs were significant. Sony is obviously unhappy with Evolution. Delays, launch state incomplete and server problems and on top it all, the PS+ version being MIA. However, they've been operating Driveclub as a service for a long time now, so nothing much will change there.
 
H

hawk2025

Member
Harp said:
With innovative new features that have been patched in like replays and photo mode. I wonder what other great new services they will work on.

/s
Click to expand...
What a dick post.

How about the best time of day and weather system ever seen in a videogame?
 
D

Decado

Member
I really wanted a current gen MortorStorm :( We're stuck with another run-of-the-mill racer.

Can't generate enough interest to pick up a ps4, and news like this doesn't help.
 
N

NullPointer

Member
DriveClub being considered a service makes all kinds of sense. It looks like its been in continual development since release, adding new features and fixes along with a mix of free and paid content. There's no reason they couldn't just keep doing the same, provided they can fix the network issues and the DLC sells decently enough.

But how many layoffs are we talking about here? And who?
 
Duxxy3

Duxxy3

Member
Valnen said:
That's basically what it was going to be, I thought?
Click to expand...

Kind of. Originally you could upgrade the PS+ version to the full version. Now they may decide to let PS+ owners slowly expand the PS+ version. Probably a better deal to just get the full version, but some people just want certain cars and certain tracks.
 
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