14 DAY TRIAL // Video game development studio Evolution, which created DriveClub, is seeing a number of layoffs at the moment, as Sony aims to move to a more service-oriented model for the future of the racing title that is offered on the PlayStation 4.
The new structure of the company will allow it to continue to deliver updates for the video game and to finish working on the long-delayed PlayStation Plus version, which still lacks an official launch date.
But the downsizing is also a good indication that Sony is not interested in making DriveClub an ongoing series for the PlayStation 4 and that it will probably divert more resources to Polyphony Digital, the studio working on the Gran Turismo series.
The official statement, quoted by Eurogamer, states, "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 supposed to be a launch title for the PlayStation 4 in November 2013, but the game was not ready on time and was delayed for one year.
When it was finally launched, the servers posed major problems to those looking to play and Evolution needed time in order to fix the problems.
DriveClub offers some solid racing mechanics
The title has not managed to deliver the experience gamers were expecting from it on day one, and after a lot of patching, DriveClub is a solid game with some interesting ideas.
Evolution and Sony have delivered new tracks recently and the two companies will probably continue to introduce more content to keep players engaged.
DriveClub has delivered solid sales despite its problems and might become more important for the PlayStation 4 ecosystem when the free PS Plus version is finally introduced.
Sony is relying on the teams that are part of the Worldwide Studios structure to deliver flagship titles for its hardware and at the moment there are no plans to restructure other companies like Guerrilla Games or Naughty Dog.