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[Grim_Reaper]

Sad to see them shut such great games they made. The lack of being able to use existing steering wheels relegated driving games this gen to the back seat for me.

Not going to go out and buy new £150+ wheel when I had one that worked fine. Not sure if this was Sony or Logitech but they really did put a break on this genre.

 

[silva1991]

I shouldn't be laughing at this, but I couldn't help myself.

 

[Son Of D]

Is this going to replace the "EA kills studio to leave in ditch" image?

 

[SensibleSucker]

Edit Wrong thread. Damn smartphone

 

[No Love]

Fuck you Sony. No, really. Evolution made one of the greatest racing games of all time and pumped out popular post launch support and this is how you reward the fans and studio for their dedication?

Go fuck yourselves, really. Fuck the bean counters and execs that made this ridiculous decision.

 

[ps3ud0]

Amazing to think a 2 month delay after a more comprehensive online beta process would have saved them...

ps3ud0 8)

 

[Lunar FC]

Amazing to think a 2 month delay after a more comprehensive online beta process would have saved them...

ps3ud0 8)

Uhh..the game was delayed almost a full year.

 

[TylerDurden4321]

Turn 10 in the past 3 years released Forza 5 and 6, and Codeveloped Horizon 2.

Evolution was still working on completing DriveClub, that was originally supposed to be a launch game.

There is why Turn 10 stays and Evolution doesn't.

Of course you are absolutely right. And it's also that Turn 10 makes first and third party development tools for Xbox and DX12. I'm well aware of all of that. I was just pissed when I wrote that initial post. But I still doubt that Driveclub wasn't profitable at the end and a second part without a buggy day-1 release, re-used car models, more tracks and a revised handling model that the reviewers would have praised would have sold really well - probably better than GT Sport will. But we'll see, not much is known about that title so far.

 

[Ray Down]

Fuck you Sony. No, really. Evolution made one of the greatest racing games of all time and pumped out popular post launch support and this is how you reward the fans and studio for their dedication?

Go fuck yourselves, really. Fuck the bean counters and execs that made this ridiculous decision.

There a business, they can't just keep giving them chances to get this going.

It sucks but its is what it is.

You did? How so?

Either from MS:A bomb or just a feeling the poster had.

 

[Ninja Sharingan]

I shouldn't be laughing at this, but I couldn't help myself.

Holy shit wow at that image

 

[OmegaDL50]

Because this project failed seemingly, those haven't yet.

2 Million+ sales (Before the PS+ Edition even) for an entirely new IP is considered failure now?

While yes the game had issues with it's online at the beginning it was still a structurally sound game with a full fledged single player tour mode.

 

[Cyborg]

Its all business here. We cant blame outsiders for this.

As a leader of a firm/studio you have the duty to produce good results. Pumping money into something that hasnt realy produced AAA games (in terms of sales) needed to stop.

I love DC my best racing game ever, better than GT (for me) but the bosses of Evo just screwed up big time. This doesnt mean Im not sad for all the people but lets not blame Sony or Shu or this.

 

[leng jai]

DriveClub and Pacific Rift are my two favourite racers ever. Horrible news.

 

[GnawtyDog]

I expected this after DC launched but was surprised they let the studio continue to support the title.

Good luck to the talented folks there.

 

[Croash]

Time to pay my respects by playing a bit of all 3 main Motorstorm titles this evening.

I am glad Evolution got to make amazing racing games. This legacy will live on and ex-Evolution devs will surely keep on bringing us gaming goodness.

Too bad we'll never see how a Motorstorm (and, hey, a WipEout) would have looked like on PS4. Crossing fingers for great spiritual successors.

 

[nelchaar]

Speaks volumes.

 

[ps3ud0]

Uhh..the game was delayed almost a full year.

Yeah I know, but the launch issues only happened at launch because their beta process wasnt robust to test their servers (there just werent enough people stressing the service AFAIK) and find that issue. If it had a 2 month delay would have fixed the game and likely launched within late holiday 2014 (game was fixed before the weather patch was released).

Likely all that would have meant today wouldnt have happened, though no doubt staff cuts still would have.

EDIT: Hell on the back of a year delay why werent they paranoid enough to throw beta testers at it in case - it really doesnt paint a pretty picture how the game was rolled out.

ps3ud0 8)

 

[Ninja Sharingan]

DriveClub and Pacific Rift are my two favourite racers ever. Horrible news.

DC never clicked with me but pacific rift is a classic

 

[Apathy]

Speaks volumes.

You mean mismanaged studios/studios that can't produce hits don't get a free ride? Yeah it does.

These threads really go to show how little most people on GAF understand businesses and how bad a business under their control would do.

 

[wenaldy]

I own all DC expansions just to show my great support to them. They just released some updates and then news came in. I wish all of them a good luck. This is horrible news indeed.

 

[Ray Down]

2 Million+ sales (Before the PS+ Edition even) for an entirely new IP is considered failure now?

While yes the game had issues with it's online at the beginning it was still a structurally sound game with a full fledged single player tour mode.

Depending on how they made those sales (Europe had big discounts and bundling), with the delay and how long it was in development, yes.

 

[Samaritan]

As an ardent fan of the MotorStorm games (yes, even Apocalypse), this one stings. I was always holding out hope that Sony would announce a new Evolution-developed MotorStorm game. Even something small and downloadable would've been enough. Pour one out.

 

[timlot]

I'm not really surprised. Evolution has been spending the last 2 years collecting salaries and pumping out expansion packs. Something had to give.

 

[Gestault]

Wait a minute are you telling me that this is driveclub's bike expansion and not real life?

Driveclub can look really good, especially when you get artful with the camera.

 

[Ninja Sharingan]

If Phil was to blame for miss managing lionhead who gets the blame at Sony

 

[FF Seraphim]

WTF... they were working on DriveClub VR as well WTF SONY!!?!?!?! God fucking dammit...

 

[psn]

Checking date - not april the 1st - still has to be bullshit..

One of the best games this gen, one of the best graphical showcases, easily the worst decision imo...

 

[TheMan]

I expected this after DC launched but was surprised they let the studio continue to support the title.

Same. Driveclub was too ambitious for them to execute efficiently, I guess.

Here's hoping the newly unemployed land on their feet.

edit: almost forgot that VR was coming to driveclub. I actually just bought the game yesterday and was looking forward to that. Fuck.

 

[TylerDurden4321]

Driveclub can look really good, especially when you get artful with the camera.

remember when the Nissan Twitter account had mistaken posted Driveclub images for real life shots?
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/whoops-nissan-mistakes-ps4-racer-driveclubs-graphi/1100-6428660/

 

[CrashPrime]

DriveClub VR couldn't do 60fps. Only explanation I can fathom. Killer app for PSVR down the toilet.

 

[Saty]

Sales-wise, the AAA racing genre is probably the lowest it has been in its history. Even the biggest consistently releasing franchise (Forza) doesn't light up charts on fire. NFS 2015 didn't seem to me like it did super hot. Makes no financial sense for Sony to keep two first-party studios specializing in the genre so it's a no-brainer choice between DC and GT. Sony can hire studios like Slightly Mad if they wanna do another Driveclub.

 

[wispsmoke]

DC has been, to my mind, the best supported post-launch game I've ever seen. I'm not a season pass person, but had to pick DC's up once I saw how Evolution was managing theirs. This closure is such a shame.

 

[Pie and Beans]

Passing on Demon's Souls and closing Studio Liverpool have been the two big "WRONG" choices on his watch.

He's sort of made up for the first by getting Bloodborne, but the fact he'd 100% have a Wipeout VR right now (with fully working online from the start) goes to show how shortsighted closing Studio Liverpool was.

 

[Brazil]

Evolution and Liverpool close down, and yet studios like Ivory Tower remain.

Such is the World we live in.

 

[IcyEyes]

.

 

[Yautja_Warrior]

Sony should apologies to us fans for this shitty news by getting Bluepoint to do a great remastered collection of the Motorstorm Trilogy.

 

[Sorral]

I was looking forward to that DriveClub VR experience. Ugh, what the hell.

No Wipeout, no Motorstorm, no MAG.

 

[Trup1aya]

Damn this sucks! It's been a rough month for first party studios. I hope everyone lands on there feet.

There's no telling how much $ they would have made it DC had function as intended from the start.

Also, what's the deal with racing game studios? They can't seem to keep their doors open. Perhaps the genre is in need of a new business model...

 

[Persona7]

Drive Club wasn't good but I liked Motorstorm. Oh well.

 

[Wavering Radiant]

Don't worry I'm sure Kaz is going to talk some serious business with Shu
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=775466

Spoiler

Shuhei <3

 

[Man-is-Obsolete]

Seems weird that no one from the studio is talking about being out of a job. Makes me wonder if maybe the Evolution brand is just being killed and the team will reform under a new name?

Evolution is known for racing games and seems obvious that may not be a great genre to move forward with. So maybe a new studio name and new ip would be better suited for these guys?

 

[Yautja_Warrior]

Drive Club wasn't good but I liked Motorstorm. Oh well.

Correct DriveClub wasn't good.... It was amazing, it just had a bad launch but after that it got so much better.

 

[slider]

I loved MS and I love DC. Damn shame. Hope people land on their feet. Would love to know the rationale for this (unless it's simply ROI).

 

[Volcane]

Sad news. Driveclub was a great new racing ip. I hope the studio employees regain employment soon.

 

[Malakai]

Sales-wise, the AAA racing genre is probably the lowest it has been in its history. Even the biggest consistently releasing franchise (Forza) doesn't light up charts on fire. NFS 2015 didn't seem to me like it did super hot. Makes no financial sense for Sony to keep two first-party studios specializing in the genre so it's a no-brainer choice between DC and GT. Sony can hire studios like Slightly Mad if they wanna do another Driveclub.

Any ideas why AAA racing genre sales are low?

 

[Gestault]

remember when the Nissan Twitter account had mistaken posted Driveclub images for real life shots?
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/whoops-nissan-mistakes-ps4-racer-driveclubs-graphi/1100-6428660/

So good

 

[Afrikan]

Wish they would've just merged them under Sony London. Like how Cambridge Studios is now under Guerrilla Games.

London Studio is HUGE, so maybe they will take over the Motorstorm/DriveClub series, with the top programmers from Evolution.

it's nice to hope for things.

 

[Xater]

Evolution and Liverpool close down, and yet studios like Ivory Tower remain.

Such is the World we live in.

Closing Studio Liverpool still hurts. Can't say Anything gave much love for Evolution, but it still probably means I will not see a new Wipeout any time soon.

 

[Huw_Dawson]

They bet on the wrong horse by closing Liverpool Studio and siding with Evolution.

Liverpool is now just a morgue of dead game studios.

 

[Glix]

You mean mismanaged studios/studios that can't produce hits don't get a free ride? Yeah it does.

These threads really go to show how little most people on GAF understand businesses and how bad a business under their control would do.

I think making hits can be very hit or miss, there is no exact formula.

Studios should be subject to internal reviews based on the quality of their work and their ability to hit targets and work within the corporate structure.

If you want to structure bonuses on sales, so be it.

FIRST PARTY STUDIOS DO NOT JUST DECIDE WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE.

If it is not dictated by the parent company, they are at least in the meetings and sign off on the final details. The final call is theirs, not the developer.

If a game is everything it is supposed to be, and checks all the boxes the publisher made, and is not a hit, its as much on the pub as the dev, if not more.

I have a number of XBOX One owning friends that are big Forza heads and I started talking to them about this game and they didn't even know it exists. I understand they are in a different ecosystem, but these guys are pretty plugged into racing games.

I have never seen an ad for DriveClub. In real life or the internet.

NOW, all the launch crap may have been the devs fault here, we will really never know. This post was not saying that the studio should not have been shut.

What this post IS saying, is that to just judge a dev by the sales of its output is stupid. That post really shows how simplistic your understanding of business is.