The DriveClub of today is not the disjointed, shambling mess that DriveClub was when it launched. It’s now more than just a competent racing game, it’s actually a pretty damned good one – but those launch issues mired whatever hopes of genuine success developer Evolution games could have hoped for the racer. It really is one of the saddest stories of this generation to date – and it’s just gotten sadder. Evolution’s just shed half its workforce.
According to Eurogamer, two independent sources have verified that Evolution’s going through some significant downsizing, shedding 55 members of staff – which is about half the number of people working there.
“Evolution Studios will now focus on DriveClub as a service going forward, in particular, the important launch of the PS Plus Edition,” Sony said a statement to VideoGamer.com. “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.”
DriveClub was originally set to launch alongside the PS4 as a launch title in November 2013, but ended up being delayed a few times before being launched in October last year. Server issues prevented the game from working as it should – a problem that persisted for months; long enough for people to stop caring.
The game was meant to be released with a free, limited version of the game for PlayStation Plus subscribers, but that promised version is yet to happen. Presumably, the remaining staff at Evolution will be tasked with making that a reality.
Last Updated: March 23, 2015
Francois Knoetze
March 23, 2015 at 15:03
this is very sad. after all the fixes this game is actually really damn solid now. pity they are being downsized
Admiral Chief
March 23, 2015 at 15:06
Indeed, very sad
FoxOneZA
March 23, 2015 at 15:10
Sad but shocking that Sony never hired Bizarre Creations after MS let go off them. Most of the same devs got rehired again and created the masterpiece Horizon.
K1FF J1MB0B (sizzle edition)
March 23, 2015 at 15:26
Typical fanboy comment.. “this is so sad.. BUT.. (insert a dig)”. How about for once just put aside all that bias and be a normal caring human?
Pieter Kruger
March 23, 2015 at 16:11
Sony can’t afford to hire…….anyone! ????
FoxOneZA
March 23, 2015 at 15:04
News just in! GT5: Remastered is coming! :p
Blood Emperor Trevor
March 23, 2015 at 15:12
Hmm, I just had a random thought. Maybe 2014, the year of broken games, is the reason 2015 looks to become the year of the remakes? Because they finally learned people don’t actually like games that are broken at launch & it’s easier to remake something they know works.
Rock789
March 23, 2015 at 15:22
Hmmm… Me thinks you have a rather brilliant point there!
“Nail, meet Emperor Trevor – he’s about to smack you right upside the head!”
The D
March 23, 2015 at 15:30
We were unable to reattach the one half of the studio, to the other half of the studio…
Speak English doc!
Admiral Chief
March 23, 2015 at 15:34
ENGRISH
Hammersteyn
March 23, 2015 at 15:39
I bet more people are playing Evolve than this (Too soon?)
Gr8_Balls_o_KFM_Fire
March 23, 2015 at 17:47
I’ll bet that was the planning department.
z1n
March 24, 2015 at 13:32
Well now I thought a developer was literally cut in half. Click bait these days…