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[Auctopus]

Lay-offs at Evolution, studio to restructure and focus on Driveclub as a service.

I hope all the involved parties land on their feet and we hear from the studio and their future in near future. Sorry to hear, Rushy.

 

[Ranger X]

Can you tell me what the fuck means "Driveclub as a service"?

What an ambiguous call!
No Driveclub 2 but a subscription for another year of updates??

 

[bananafactory]

Leaderboards are getting fixed

@Rushy33 31 minutes ago

@tomt2002 We are going to be clearing the leaderboards of impossible times in a future server update.

https://twitter.com/Rushy33/status/578612945250328576

 

[AristoCat]

Can you tell me what the fuck means "Driveclub as a service"?

What an ambiguous call!
No Driveclub 2 but a subscription for another year of updates??

Maybe a season pass every 6 Months or so ?

 

[#1 defender]

Final race of Elements championship is driving me crazy. I'm actually ok with the blinding snow and darkness, but on the last two laps of the race, the AI just ramps up like crazy. I'm leading the race doing just fine, but then they rocket past me like I'm not there. So damn annoying.

i'm going trough the same. omg at the snow. I tried using another camera, but no luck. and the AI is just too agressive. I will keep trying, i guess.

good luck!

I don't know, guys, to quote myself from earlier in the thread:

I've just beaten the main Elements Tour, wasn't too bad. I've only had to repeat the 2nd race once, because i came in 2nd and wanted to ensure i got enough points for the championship star requirement, in case the last race proved to be extraordinarily difficult. While the weather on the last one really was crazy, thankfully the AI wasn't.

I really didn't think the AI in the last race was especially tough, and i'm by no means a great driver. I actually fucked up and lost a few places in the 3rd lap, but still managed to edge my way back to first place, to my own surprise.

 

[Auctopus]

Can you tell me what the fuck means "Driveclub as a service"?

What an ambiguous call!
No Driveclub 2 but a subscription for another year of updates??

'Driveclub 2' is a season pass. To be honest, that's a silver lining for me.

Edit: That other thread is gonna get ugly. Don't get yourselves banned, people.

 

[GoldenCrow]

Can you tell me what the fuck means "Driveclub as a service"?

What an ambiguous call!
No Driveclub 2 but a subscription for another year of updates??

Driveclub prior to launch was described as a game that was going to be treated as a service. Changing to the requirements of the gamers and bring new regular content over time outside and part of the season pass. They had been true to their word on that so far and I view it as a positive if they keep up with the updates they have been doing.

Depending on how ambitious the plans are will depend on what comes to the game, if people ask for it enough they may make large road tracks similar to the length of the EVO triangle, city tracks, rally cars, race cars or other elements that aren't part of the game at the moment. Usually padded with paid DLC and season passes to bring in extra revenue.

DOTA, LOL, Hearthstone are all viewed as games as a service. I'd take a punt and guess this was part of the plan pre-PS4 announcement as what is the point in the PS+ version.

 

[benzy]

Can you tell me what the fuck means "Driveclub as a service"?

What an ambiguous call!
No Driveclub 2 but a subscription for another year of updates??

Driveclub 2 would be a bit risky now. With a bunch of critics panning the game Evo would have to make considerable changes to the base game to the point where it probably wouldn't be Driveclub anymore. If they cater to the reviewers' complaints then they'd alienate their current fanbase.

Getting more updates and possible content for an already awesome racing game is the best we can hope for I think. Hoping the future looks a bit brighter for Evostudios and Rushy.

 

[DHC-Shannow]

Driveclub prior to launch was described as a game that was going to be treated as a service. Changing to the requirements of the gamers and bring new regular content over time outside and part of the season pass. They had been true to their word on that so far and I view it as a positive if they keep up with the updates they have been doing.

Depending on how ambitious the plans are will depend on what comes to the game, if people ask for it enough they may make large road tracks similar to the length of the EVO triangle, city tracks, rally cars, race cars or other elements that aren't part of the game at the moment. Usually padded with paid DLC and season passes to bring in extra revenue.

DOTA, LOL, Hearthstone are all viewed as games as a service.

Yep I don't think their plans have changed but sadly some job roles aren't going to be required for the production of cars / tracks & events. I dare say the numbers sold and success of the season pass has brought this about as they have a solid user base to build upon.

 

[kie25]

https://youtu.be/GM8qDzhmeW8

This was my last race the elements I just like to get in lead and build that lead up

 

[tusken77]

Posting in this thread for some sensible discussion. The other thread is already full of plenty of the usual suspects on my ignore list.

So, my reaction to the news. Speaking as a huge fan (it was my GOTY http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=146925989&postcount=1408), I think it makes sense. I mean, there's already been much conversation here on the topic of 'Keep supplying DriveClub with DLC vs making DriveClub 2'. Building on the core game with tracks, cars, tour, events seems like the best direction to me.

 

[Auctopus]

Evo just countered with a really good Lamborghini Veneno duel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBXRkpikJkc&feature=youtu.be

 

[bananafactory]

Posting in this thread for some sensible discussion. The other thread is already full of plenty of the usual suspects on my ignore list.

So, my reaction to the news. Speaking as a huge fan (it was my GOTY http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=146925989&postcount=1408), I think it makes sense. I mean, there's already been much conversation here on the topic of 'Keep supplying DriveClub with DLC vs making DriveClub 2'. Building on the core game with tracks, cars, tour, events seems like the best direction to me.

Yeah this is definitely good for the game, but it sucks for all the staff.

 

[hawk2025]

I don't know, guys.

I want to be as positive as you, but from what has been said I simply cannot parse out the PR from the reality yet. Here's to hoping for the best.

 

[lordxar]

I don't know, guys.

I want to be as positive as you, but from what has been said I simply cannot parse out the PR from the reality yet. Here's to hoping for the best.

I was bummed until my phone alerted me to the Lambo vid posted earlier. Somebody is still pushing buttons and their moving somewhat forward so that's good short term at least.

 

[AMG]

Driveclub a la Moon Over The Castle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=573f23OCZN8

Used a combo of gameplay, photo mode and replays.

🙌 that was very impressive! They should get you to make the GT7 video! That song just belongs to Gran Turismo! As good as the video was the song now made me look forward to see what GT7 will have in store for us. Please don't get me wrong both games can co exist and should do so to take care of both 'arcade' and 'simulation' needs.😀

 

[GoldenCrow]

I don't know, guys.

I want to be as positive as you, but from what has been said I simply cannot parse out the PR from the reality yet. Here's to hoping for the best.

Well you have to look at what were Sony's options. If they were serious about Driveclub being a service then it requires a dedicated team at delivering content on schedule over a period of years. This means one of two things; either Evolution needs to be restructured (which means downsizing) or they need to grow so they can have another team focusing on another game. I'm assuming Sony as a company are now placing more focus on profit accumulation so it wouldn't make much sense for them at this point to have Evolution work on the two as that is high risk. In either case target figures would have to have been met and ongoing estimates calculated, if this wasn't met and it looks like the studio would lose money then the decision to restructure doesn't make sense as it takes quite a lot of effort to redirect a company, it isn't simply just fire a bunch of people and carry on like normal. If it fails to hit future targets then yeah it most likely will get shut down and assets moved or sold but that is a different situation.

 

[hawk2025]

Well you have to look at what were Sony's options. If they were serious about Driveclub being a service then it requires a dedicated team at delivering content on schedule over a period of years. This means one of two things; either Evolution needs to be restructured (which means downsizing) or they need to grow so they can have another team focusing on another game. I'm assuming Sony as a company are now placing more focus on profit accumulation so it wouldn't make much sense for them at this point to have Evolution work on the two as that is high risk. In either case target figures would have to have been met and ongoing estimates calculated, if this wasn't met and it looks like the studio would lose money then the decision to restructure doesn't make sense as it takes quite a lot of effort to redirect a company, it isn't simply just fire a bunch of people and carry on like normal. If it fails to hit future targets then yeah it most likely will get shut down and assets moved or sold but that is a different situation.

Makes sense, but then it seems like the best approach is to couple this news with the announcement of, say, Season 2.

We were just left out to dry with this.

 

[GoldenCrow]

Makes sense, but then it seems like the best approach is to couple this news with the announcement of, say, Season 2.

We were just left out to dry with this.

Business usually doesn't think in those terms, with most companies it wouldn't even be an issue or for the larger public but as the gaming community has a strange obsession with the ongoings of companies everything gets scrutinised ad infinitum.

Probably best for Sony to stop announcing things though until they are on road to release as it has come back to bite them a few times. We have no idea what the content is for the current season pass beyond the Lambos and the Renault so it would be a bit early to announce something like that anyway really. Would be good to have a video discussion on where they would like to take the game maybe a few little teasers of unseen stuff and clear the air on a few things.

 

[IKizzLE]

Well you have to look at what were Sony's options. If they were serious about Driveclub being a service then it requires a dedicated team at delivering content on schedule over a period of years. This means one of two things; either Evolution needs to be restructured (which means downsizing) or they need to grow so they can have another team focusing on another game. I'm assuming Sony as a company are now placing more focus on profit accumulation so it wouldn't make much sense for them at this point to have Evolution work on the two as that is high risk. In either case target figures would have to have been met and ongoing estimates calculated, if this wasn't met and it looks like the studio would lose money then the decision to restructure doesn't make sense as it takes quite a lot of effort to redirect a company, it isn't simply just fire a bunch of people and carry on like normal. If it fails to hit future targets then yeah it most likely will get shut down and assets moved or sold but that is a different situation.

The playstation PR didnt sound good at all. FUCK!!!
It really sounded like they are gonna keep enough people until the season pass is over in the summer then shutdown the studio. Sigh....I don't think we will EVER get another racer like Driveclub. I'm assuming they will all move to Playground games or get scooped up by Polyphony or something.

 

[sneaky77]

i it means updating the game via season passes or downloadable expansions I am ok with that

The playstation PR didnt sound good at all. FUCK!!!
It really sounded like they are gonna keep enough people until the season pass is over in the summer then shutdown the studio. Sigh....I don't think we will EVER get another racer like Driveclub. I'm assuming they will all move to Playground games or get scooped up by Polyphony or something.

that would be terrible, driveclub is a great game, too bad about the network issues when it launched

 

[Ame]

🙌 that was very impressive! They should get you to make the GT7 video! That song just belongs to Gran Turismo! As good as the video was the song now made me look forward to see what GT7 will have in store for us. Please don't get me wrong both games can co exist and should do so to take care of both 'arcade' and 'simulation' needs.😀

The only thing that sucks about Moon Over The Castle is that the Japanese versions of GT get that track for the opening movie.

I'm glad everyone enjoyed the video. I didn't think it would get such praises. I slapped that together pretty quick.

 

[IKizzLE]

i it means updating the game via season passes or downloadable expansions I am ok with that



that would be terrible, driveclub is a great game, too bad about the network issues when it launched

You know what, I take back what I said about understanding Sony's decision about firing certain members responsible for the netcode at launch. This whole thing reeks of foul play by Sony after their decision today.

It really does seem that 2 years ago, when DriveClub was announced, that Evo was the sacrificial lamb for Sony's short term gain. I bet they didn't start full production until that announcement and Sony announced DriveClub and the PS+ edition as a selling point for launch, knowing damn well they weren't going to make that date and thus the 1 year delay.

And even with a 1 year delay, that is not enough, because that is 18 months of development for a brand new IP, where AAA quality titles take around 24 months to deliver. But Sony wasn't going to budge on the deadline and Evo was literally forced to cobble together their networking infrastructure due to the lack of development time and Sony announcing the game too early, thus the eventual collapse come launch.

And now they are literally paying for Sony's rope a dope by possibly getting shuttered in the summer. Man, the AAA videogame industry is a shark tank. I'll stick to being a structural design engineer over a software engineer in the gaming industry.

 

[GoldenCrow]

The playstation PR didnt sound good at all. FUCK!!!
It really sounded like they are gonna keep enough people until the season pass is over in the summer then shutdown the studio. Sigh....I don't think we will EVER get another racer like Driveclub. I'm assuming they will all move to Playground games or get scooped up by Polyphony or something.

I didn't get that from it at all. Just sounded like standard press release about restructuring and the new studio focus which would have been in the works for a while especially as Sony have stated they are looking at alternative business models for game studios.

I have seen many companies (not game industry companies) change directions like this and never seen it done in a way to shut it down. Some have shut down as it was a gamble that didn't work out but generally those that have a quality product with a clear vision and road map to the new direction usually do very well. If Sony were planning on shutting it down in four to five months time they may as well have announced it now as that was the intentions that they are going to finish off the season pass content and any other obligations then close the doors, by doing that they can save as much money as possible.

To the guys that lost their job it is going to suck especially for those that have been there a long time but from what has been released there is nothing to suggest that the plan is to get rid of the studio and it just appears that it is a change of strategy, one that sound like it has been in the works for a decent amount of time.

 

[Apeboy]

Just hope everyone lands on their feet. Will worry about what's to come when we get there.

 

[Melchiah]

Just drove few clear weather PTPs in India and Japan with Caterham, and it seems like the car loses grip more easily in the corners after the latest patch. Has anyone else experienced the same? It's really a shame if it's been changed to serve drifting.

 

[Auctopus]

Just drove few clear weather PTPs in India and Japan with Caterham, and it seems like the car loses grip more easily in the corners after the latest patch. Has anyone else experienced the same? It's really a shame if it's been changed to serve drifting.

You're not the first to suggest this, I've felt it too and a few others. We're quickly shot down though. I think it's less because handling has changed and more because drifting has changed therefore our driving habits might now lead us to drift more if that makes sense?

 

[Melchiah]

You're not the first to suggest this, I've felt it too and a few others. We're quickly shot down though. I think it's less because handling has changed and more because drifting has changed therefore our driving habits might now lead us to drift more if that makes sense?

And that's why it's a shame, because I very rarily use drifting with Caterham and BAC Mono. So, if it's indeed been changed, they are now worse for the non-drifters. I actually managed to spin around the Caterham by accident, and ended up facing the wrong way. That has never happened before in clear weather races.

 

[johnny_park]

I still suck at drifting. Any tips?

 

[sneaky77]

That endurance race is brilliant.. I wish there had been a few more of those sprinkled in the tours.

I don't know if the update may have broken anything but in that endurance race, one of the driving lane challenges was 42000 points it seemed, (not set by evo)

 

[Shaneus]

Driveclub a la Moon Over The Castle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=573f23OCZN8

Used a combo of gameplay, photo mode and replays.

Internet famous!

 

[kie25]

Just drove few clear weather PTPs in India and Japan with Caterham, and it seems like the car loses grip more easily in the corners after the latest patch. Has anyone else experienced the same? It's really a shame if it's been changed to serve drifting.

I can't say I've noticed this, I've just been using the caterham and smashed my previous best time by nearly 1 second on 1 of the original tour time trial events around mapplewood 1. There is no change in drifting I tried a few with pad before it is exactly the same as b4 the patch just scores different now that is the only change, the handling has not been altered at all. I've put loads hours in Driveclub and if there had been a change I'm sure I would felt it. The caterham has always had a little oversteer moment if you push to hard in 2nd gear around tight bends, It happened to me before on mapplewood spun it but it was my fault nothing that wouldn't have happened before the patch.

 

[Melchiah]

I can't say I've noticed this, I've just been using the caterham and smashed my previous best time by nearly 1 second on 1 of the original tour time trial events around mapplewood 1. There is no change in drifting I tried a few with pad before it is exactly the same as b4 the patch just scores different now that is the only change, the handling has not been altered at all. I've put loads hours in Driveclub and if there had been a change I'm sure I would felt it. The caterham has always had a little oversteer moment if you push to hard in 2nd gear around tight bends, It happened to me before on mapplewood spun it but it was my fault nothing that wouldn't have happened before the patch.

Interesting. I certainly take your word for it, given your experience with the game. It just felt different in corners and high speed maneuvering. It's my most played car, and now it felt kinda unfamiliar. I'll have to try it again and see how it feels.

 

[nib95]

Completed the Sakura and Apex Tours finally. I know I'm a little behind lol. Hopefully I can get most of Downforce and Midnight done before the new one's are out. Problem with me is that I don't like leaving any Tour event unless I'm at least in the top 3 of my friends list for it, which means I often re-start some of them several times lol. Luckily Kie25 isn't on my friends list, otherwise I'd have an impossible task.

 

[Shaneus]

Completed the Sakura and Apex Tours finally. I know I'm a little behind lol. Hopefully I can get most of Downforce and Midnight done before the new one's are out. Problem with me is that I don't like leaving any Tour event unless I'm at least in the top 3 of my friends list for it, which means I often re-start some of them several times lol. Luckily Kie25 isn't on my friends list, otherwise I'd have an impossible task.

Still ahead of me. I'm only just doing the tour that's after the Venom Hot Lap 2 one. About half-way through, but still, that's where I am.

Which tour was the "easy" one people weren't happy with?

 

[krioto]

Still ahead of me. I'm only just doing the tour that's after the Venom Hot Lap 2 one. About half-way through, but still, that's where I am.

Which tour was the "easy" one people weren't happy with?

Sakura was noticeably easier than the others

 

[Drifters]

Can you tell me what the fuck means "Driveclub as a service"?

What an ambiguous call!
No Driveclub 2 but a subscription for another year of updates??

Only thing I can think of is a la Killer Instinct on Xbone. I can see DriveClub like that.

 

[kie25]

Interesting. I certainly take your word for it, given your experience with the game. It just felt different in corners and high speed maneuvering. It's my most played car, and now it felt kinda unfamiliar. I'll have to try it again and see how it feels.

The only thing I can think of that may be doing what your saying is that they may have altered the steering assist for pad users as the pad has always had a very high amount of assistance in it's steering on Driveclub, you can see the difference when drifting with a wheel compared to a pad, I may give the pad a go later if I get time see if it feels any different, i can't see there being much difference as I was only watching eb4 yesterday streaming destroying the time trials, and he uses pad and auto gears. I'm sure they would have put it in the patch notes if there was any change aswell.

 

[Summer Haze]

These latest DLC tours are way too easy. The only race I've found challenging is the endurance one. That was perfect difficulty-wise.

Feeling a little disappointed if I'm honest. Being out in front for the majority of a race with little challenge isn't very fun. I'd give my left nut adjustable AI difficulty.

 

[DHC-Shannow]

Had a race against some of the quickest guys online last night - Hui4ence, DJW_GT and Anythingbut66. You know the slightest mistake is going to be punished but great to race against such clean drivers - shame I got nerfed into the barrier on the first bend by someone else but I doubt it would've made a difference to the result.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9wXUMkg2Fc

And unusually, here is the same race but from AnythingBut66's viewpoint - we had a great scrap but you can tell from his video that he was being slowed down by me for a while and he was a gentleman and didn't make any risky overtaking move that could've wrecked us both. I was probably a bit forceful at one point but in my defence it's a lot clearer from his view than mine ;-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1vzu6KAu1k

Another AnythingBut66's vid, this time with the closest finish ever!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DtoCH65aRg

 

[Pachimari]

So I am close to buying DriveClub today. But is the community here on GAF still very active? And would it be too late to join a club? I don't want to feel like I am left behind, because it have been half a year since the game came out.

 

[Nyx]

So I am close to buying DriveClub today. But is the community here on GAF still very active? And would it be too late to join a club? I don't want to feel like I am left behind, because it have been half a year since the game came out.

It's never too late to join in, there's bound to be clubs with open spaces for you.
And the DC community is still going strong I guess!

 

[Pachimari]

But don't we have a GAF club I can join?

 

[Leunam]

There are lots of GAF clubs, since clubs only accommodate six people at a time.

 

[nib95]

But don't we have a GAF club I can join?

We have two slots open in our club, but ideally I want people who play the game quite a lot. Been sitting on a similar Club level for far too long now.

Club is GAF EU, PSN is NIBZY.

 

[nib95]

Still ahead of me. I'm only just doing the tour that's after the Venom Hot Lap 2 one. About half-way through, but still, that's where I am.

Which tour was the "easy" one people weren't happy with?

Sakura was noticeably easier than the others

I found Sakura and Apex far too easy tbh. Hoping Midnight and Downforce are slightly more challenging. Luckily there's you guys on the leader boards that provide the challenge and keep me busy lol.

 

[Pachimari]

We have two slots open in our club, but ideally I want people who play the game quite a lot. Been sitting on a similar Club level for far too long now.

Club is GAF EU, PSN is NIBZY.

I can imagine I need practice first, and that might take a few days, but I will add you to my PSN friendlist to start with if you don't mind.

 

[nib95]

I can imagine I need practice first, and that might take a few days, but I will add you to my PSN friendlist to start with if you don't mind.

Don't worry about skill level. It doesn't matter if you're good or bad, just that you're playing. Driveclub rewards players with fame (experience) for just about anything. The sooner you join the club, the sooner you start adding fame to it.

There was someone else who added me a few weeks back, but I have so many on my friends list I've forgotten who it was. To that person, if you're reading and you still want to join the club, please search the club out and join or request an invite, or drop me a PM. Details above.

 

[xrnzaaas]

These latest DLC tours are way too easy. The only race I've found challenging is the endurance one. That was perfect difficulty-wise.

Feeling a little disappointed if I'm honest. Being out in front for the majority of a race with little challenge isn't very fun. I'd give my left nut adjustable AI difficulty.

Yeah they should introduce more endurance events. This one was great. The Autodromo Frontera track isn't suited for my driving style and they chose the shit hyperclass car for the event. So the result was that I had to be aggressive on the initial laps and then successfully block and avoid mistakes. I did that on my fourth try and in one attempt I crashed on the last lap.

 

[>-Baron-Spamedi-<]

It always saddens me to hear of people losing their jobs. Hope everybody affected manages to find something else quickly.

As for 'Driveclub as service', it could be really good if handled well.
Currently we have a model in gaming that leads to you buying a game, not really finishing with it and then a year later the sequel comes out. Then you have to buy the sequel because most everyone migrates to it as they know support for the original will dwindle and the user base will shrink.

Driveclub as a service could mean that we get a Season Pass 2.
Hopefully we will get four or five new countries (Italy, Australia, USA, France, Germany?) for free to all Driveclub owners so it doesn't fracture the user base for the base game.
Then we could get some strongly themed car packs and events.

Added to that we could have extea packs and add-ons outside of the season passes that add loads of value to the game and help add appeal to a broad variety of racing fans.
For example an off road add on could add a couple of off road tracks to all the base game locations and a bevy of rally cars and off road vehicles.

A 'Real Racing' pack could add a real life racing circuit to every country. This would satisfy those who want to run their own mini Le Mans 24h for example.

Meanwhile keeping the same base game for several years would hopefully stop the splintering of the user base and allow Evolution to keep adding useful and interesting features and tweaks in line with requests from the users In a way you just don't see once games fall into the 12/24 month development cycle.