This was sort of to be expected- though they managed to turn it around rather well in the end, the launch of DriveClub was a monumental disaster, saved from further outcry and dissection only by the fact that two even bigger grand screw ups followed just a month later. The bad word of mouth it generated at the start probably created a negative perception against the game and the brand too much for it to properly be able to overcome, and DriveClub’s studio Evolution has now indeed been hit by a round of layoffs.
“Evolution Studios will now focus on DriveClub as a service going forward, in particular, the important launch of the PS Plus Edition. 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,” Sony said.
Notably, this is the first time Sony has actually committed to the eventual launch of the PS Plus edition of DriveClub since the launch of the game last October, but as much as I have been demanding it all this while, it is hard for me to feel too happy about this, considering this news comes on the heels of (and apparently necessitated) so many people losing their jobs.
Speaking about those affected by this, Sony said, “We will be looking to relocate team members throughout the studios, but unfortunately some redundancies will be necessary and in those cases we will assist staff in any way we can.”
As of right now, DriveClub is great fun, and hopefully, the launch of a ‘free’ PS+ edition can convince everyone to give the game a second look beyond what initial impressions at launch may have suggested. And hopefully, Evolution can rally and recover and deliver a great product again sometime soon. Meanwhile, I hope those affected by this can get back on their feet again as soon as possible.
