Sony shuts down Driveclub developer Evolution Studios

Sony has confirmed the closure of Driveclub and Motorstorm developer Evolution Studios.

According to the company’s full statement [via GamesIndustry.biz], Sony plans to reallocate some members of Evolution’s staff to other studios in its first-party after assessing all of its current projects.

Here’s Sony full statement:

Regular reviews take place throughout SCE Worldwide Studios, ensuring that the resources that we have in such a competitive landscape can create and produce high quality, innovative and commercially viable projects.

As part of this process we have reviewed and assessed all current projects and plans for the short and medium term and have decided to make some changes to the European studios structure.

As a result, it has been decided that Evolution Studio will close.

It is regrettable that this decision will lead to compulsory redundancies. We accept that this decision will mean that we risk losing high calibre staff but by focusing on other Studios that already have exciting new projects in development we believe we will be in a stronger position going forward and able to offer the best possible content of the highest quality for our consumers.

Where possible we will try to reallocate people onto other projects. If appropriate opportunities are not possible within the company, we will assist staff in any way we can, including speaking with local employers and with other development companies.

Evolution has been an important part of SCE Worldwide Studios for over 10 years – working on ground-breaking racing titles like WRC, Motorstorm and DRIVECLUB.

This decision should not take anything away from the great work that Evolution has produced.

Evolution Studios’ final project was PlayStation 4’s Driveclub, which was marred by server issues early on in its lifetime. Despite this, the game did manage to sell over 2 million copies and get a bike-centric spin-off.

Gaming Trend’s hearts go out to all those affected, and we hope to see everyone land on their feet.

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