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Layoffs at DriveClub developer Evolution, [UPDATE: 55 laid off (~50% of studio)]
- Thread starter Quentyn
- Start date
Cornbread78
Member
Oh wow... How incitefull and awesome of you. The game itself isn't the problem, it was the terrible delay and launch mess... If Sony never said it would be free on PS+, there never would have been a problem.
djplaeskool
Member
Comparing Driveclub to iRacing, seriously?
I'm simply saying there is precedent for the move.
Racing as a service is something people have paid $10/car $15/track and $50/year to access.
DC is no where near as indepth as iR, and will need a lot of additional work to be able to bear the burden of being a "service"
If anything, this is sort of PR speak for the likelihood of additional paid content/more season passes/content schedule extending 1+ years out
AmuroChan
Member
It probably means they want to turn DC into a platform rather than a franchise. So think MMOs or MOBAs. You buy the game once, but new content comes out all the time and you just pay for what you want moving forward. It's been a good business model for MMOs and MOBAs. We'll see how that translates to a racing game.
Skellig Gra
Member
Yeah it sounds horrible.
I agree. If that means more DLC like we have been seeing, then I am all for it.
I think more games need to do this, serialize additional content onto a base game than focus on bi-annual full releases. Particularly in the digital realm where you can install a base game that can grow over time. Some genres are particularly well suited for this, and racing is one of them as you can have a central hub, then various sub areas that can grow over time. Add an off-road Season pass, add a cities based season, add continent based seasons, really they can go in many directions with a basic platform underlying the whole thing.
Sidewinder
Member
Well that's it then for ever getting a new Motorstorm or anything else by Evo ;(
Driveclub as a service, damn, would be fine with it if they had another team working on a new game, but not like this...
Driveclub as a service, damn, would be fine with it if they had another team working on a new game, but not like this...
I think this is the best-case scenario for downsizing, at least the way it's being presented. It's clear they're trying to protect as much of the talent they can while still being practical about the situation. Still, things must be brutal for anyone involved.
The higher-ups deserve real credit for continuing to support the project itself, which in the end means retaining as many staff as possible and continuing to support a game a lot of people rally behind.
The higher-ups deserve real credit for continuing to support the project itself, which in the end means retaining as many staff as possible and continuing to support a game a lot of people rally behind.
NullPointer
Member
Why a DriveClub 2 instead of just adding more cars, environments, modes and features to the DC we already have? They can always re-release DC+DLC-to-date as needed.Damn this sucks. I don't just want more of Driveclub, I eventually want Driveclub 2
Driving games seem like perfect candidates to treat as a real platform rather than as isolated titles to sequelize. And there's nothing to stop companies from adding new features as well as overhauling existing ones with updates and patches.
I'm still trying to parse this news though. On its face it doesn't sound too bad but some here are reading this as pretty dire. Don't know what to think really.
hastethedav
Member
Maybe they will have a second season pass and just keep adding content
Well, driving sim-ish games are one of the few genres that have a customer base perfectly willing and able to fork over significant amounts of money for stuff that would bring out the pitchforks in other audiences. However, there's an egregious amount of competition going on, so they will have to be consistent and provide high quality updates and downloadables. Best of luck to the survivors, they have their work cut out for them.
Still, sucks for those who were laid off, hope they land on their feet.
Still, sucks for those who were laid off, hope they land on their feet.
Psycho_Mantis
Banned
I don't see why Evo will be restricted from making other games whether its a new Motorstorm or whatever.....Driveclub is not going to last forever, I'll doubt it will last till the end of 2016.
Skellig Gra
Member
Layoffs are always bad. I think that's how a lot of us are viewing it.
WickedLaharl
Member
Are you serious?
kinoki
Illness is the doctor to whom we pay most heed; to kindness, to knowledge, we make promise only; pain we obey.
Driveclub is the best arcade racing game since Ridge Racer on PSP in my book. The additions they've made in the DLC are all amazing, even though I'm not skilled enough to beat all of them.
If they by "Driveclub as a service" means a season two and three with some more locations and an expansion pack with a new concept (futuristic or buggies, etc) I'm all for it. But not making new games is a sad thought.
If they by "Driveclub as a service" means a season two and three with some more locations and an expansion pack with a new concept (futuristic or buggies, etc) I'm all for it. But not making new games is a sad thought.
Miles Quaritch
Member
Service leads me to believe it'll eventually go free to play and will be micro-transaction driven.
NeoGeoOwner
Banned
I hope the people who got laid off will find a new job as soon as possible.
SniperHunter
Banned
rip evolution
Or they are just going to make more DLC, just like they have been doing from launch.
"Service" does not imply "F2P" in my mind. Netflix is a service and it's certainly not free.
Yea this is what I'm thinking, they'll make the base game free to play and keep adding content as microtransactions. If they price it right, I don't see a problem. Like 5 new cars and 1 new location for $4.99.
SymbiantXenos
Member
As happy as I am they'll be supporting driveclub. It's saddening to hear people will become redundant because of it.
Duxxy3
Member
I dunno. Driving games are different. I played GT3 for three years, constantly trying to improve on my times. I would have played for even longer if more content was added to the game.
A game like Need for Speed has an ending. Forza, Gran Turismo and Driveclub... they don't really end, ever. People play them as long as there's something to do.
FonkyByNature
Member
Sad news.
I love Evolution and their games. What will Sony have as an arcade racer ?
This is a big reason for me why i have a Playstation console. I love my arcade racers and now that Burnout is non existent and Ridge Racer too, Evolution Studios were here to fill that void and fill it in a very good way. And my hopes for a new Motorstorm are gone for good now. Damn !
I love Evolution and their games. What will Sony have as an arcade racer ?
This is a big reason for me why i have a Playstation console. I love my arcade racers and now that Burnout is non existent and Ridge Racer too, Evolution Studios were here to fill that void and fill it in a very good way. And my hopes for a new Motorstorm are gone for good now. Damn !
Yeah, me too. There's something wrong if the devs of such great gamea get fired so easily.
Well, it's not that I don't welcome the idea but you'll never know what they could come up with developing a proper new game.
bananafactory
Banned
Driveclub as a platform/service makes a lot of sense and is something many of us expected/wanted.
However, the restructuring and layoffs are very unfortunate. Best of luck to all affected.
However, the restructuring and layoffs are very unfortunate. Best of luck to all affected.
I'm really glad Evolution didn't close; I play Driveclub almost day. I wouldn't be surprised if this announcement, coupled with the extended delay of the PS+ version, means that they'll be relaunching the game as a more a la carte version where you can pick and choose what you want to buy. I'm just glad it wasn't a catastrophic shutdown and hopefully this'll lead to even more people playing Driveclub
Wish everyone that is getting canned all the best for them. Getting a year delay and getting a broken game (when first released, not now) never bode well for evolution. Now was it an issue with devs or management? Who knows. Either way, I don't think anyone really thought they were going to make it through without some changes in staff.
Yep, at least good sales.
Agreed.
NullPointer
Member
Yeah, I can feel that. And I hope those displaced can find more lucrative work soon.
Basically RIP, they will be the new Cambridge.
But honestly....how could an investor or executive justify to give money for an other 2-3 years to a studio which was granted a extra year of development for their last game and still shipped a broken product which didn't set the charts on fire? Hint: it can't.
But honestly....how could an investor or executive justify to give money for an other 2-3 years to a studio which was granted a extra year of development for their last game and still shipped a broken product which didn't set the charts on fire? Hint: it can't.
IAmRandom31
Banned
oh look they are working on the PS Plus version! HAPPY DAYS!!
amirite?
augh.
gamers these days suck. just purchase the f'in game because its awesome.
amirite?
augh.
gamers these days suck. just purchase the f'in game because its awesome.
Wasn't it Phil Harrison that closed the European studios?
NullPointer
Member
Its already got the whole premium mini-expansion packs thing going for it. I wonder how well that DLC has done for them.
dr guildo
Member
Excellent, it is exactly that !!
Yeah that goes without saying I was not talking about layoffs of course.
Shark Attack
Banned
I don't want to sound against sony but they have been doing alot of layoffs lately, SSM get's their destiny clone shut down and an entire team shut down, evolution, sucker punch.
bananafactory
Banned
It's also important to note that the studio is not shutting down, it sounds like they are just downsizing/restructuring.
I think it's too early to rule out another game from them, just that the near-future is Driveclub focused.
They could always re-hire/expand again once they are finished with DC.
I think it's too early to rule out another game from them, just that the near-future is Driveclub focused.
They could always re-hire/expand again once they are finished with DC.
No, SCE Liverpool and BigBig were shuttered under Yoshida's watch.
It's becoming farcical now with these constant layoffs.