Codemasters acquires Evolution Studios

[yabiggoose]

http://blog.codemasters.com/community/04/codemasters-welcomes-the-team-from-evolution-studios/

Codemasters has acquired Evolution, which to me is very tantalising news.

Sorry if this is a wrong section.

 

[LeGeNd-1]

Already being discussed over at Driveclub forums: https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/evolution-studios-closed-by-sony.344230/page-9

Not sure where this belongs to tbh. DC forums? GRID/DIRT forums? General gaming?

 

[Rallywagon]

I'd say this is a safe place, since it is company specific, not game specific. Does the article say if Codemaster is getting the rights to driveclubs intellectuals? After dirt rally, my confidence had grown a bit in Codemaster, and would love to see something like DC for the PC.

 

[bluemoon_19]

I'd say this is a safe place, since it is company specific, not game specific. Does the article say if Codemaster is getting the rights to driveclubs intellectuals? After dirt rally, my confidence had grown a bit in Codemaster, and would love to see something like DC for the PC.

According to the article I read Sony will keep the rights to DC and Motorstorm. I wouldn't like DC to leave PS4 exclusive not because I'm a fan boy but being a multi platform the graphics wouldn't look as nice. When you focus on one system you can push it to the max but you can't do that on multi platofrm useless you individual optimize each platform to the max.

 

[Tornado]

Sony's loss.

 

[Rallywagon]

According to the article I read Sony will keep the rights to DC and Motorstorm. I wouldn't like DC to leave PS4 exclusive not because I'm a fan boy but being a multi platform the graphics wouldn't look as nice. When you focus on one system you can push it to the max but you can't do that on multi platofrm useless you individual optimize each platform to the max.

Considering both consoles and PC all run on 86x architecture, there is very little differences really between the three. A case, compiler and OS differences are really it, optimizing for a system now isn't the same, nor as difficult now as it was even just a generation ago, which is why we are beginning to see a lot more cross platform games. Holding a game exclusive simply for optimization doesn't really make sense anymore. All that would be required would be small tweaks here and there to accommodate RAM CPU and GPU differences. But at its base, coding is pretty much the same.
In the future, optimizing for one system will be even less likely as consoles plan on moving to more upgradable units as well, working pretty much exactly like a PC. Or more like a Steam box actually.
That said it's a shame they didn't get DC. I wonder what went with evolution to make it worth the purchase.

 

[JvM]

I wonder what went with evolution to make it worth the purchase.

Their highly skilled devs? Technically many of their games have been excellent. Also synergies with CM's knowhow on the same field. - my guess atleast.

 

[Rallywagon]

OK, so it's more than just intellectual assets. Guess I'll have to look into this more when I have a minute after work.

 

[MagpieRacer]

It's gonna be somewhat tech related. Sony own the ip for driveclub and motorstorm but Evo own the engine.

 

[sesselpupser]

I'm cautiously optimistic about this. On the one hand, Evolution's games do look great and are fun, but on the other hand their games are on the end of the scale that I'd hoped Codemasters were moving away from, and Codemasters have a pretty poor reputation when it comes to running their business - the term 'revolving door' springs to mind.

Maybe CM will run ES into the ground after stripping what assets they can from them, maybe they'll get them working on their staple casual games leaving another team free to work on new serious racers at the Dirt Rally level, who knows. It's an interesting move and I hope it works out, I'm just glad those still at Evolution are still in the business.

 

[RACECAR]

After reading the article, shouldn't it actually read "Codemasters aquires former staff from EVO"? Kinda hard to aquire a studio that is already closed.

 

[Rallywagon]

After reading the article, shouldn't it actually read "Codemasters aquires former staff from EVO"? Kinda hard to aquire a studio that is already closed.

Depends if they plan on running the Evolution moniker or not. I guess a "revival" would be more appropriate?

 

[Huks]

Depends if they plan on running the Evolution moniker or not. I guess a "revival" would be more appropriate?

I was going to say that Codemasters are missing out on a huge opportunity if they don't re-establish Evo under the name Revolution Studios, but turns out that name has already been taken. Furthermore, Revolution had a partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment until 2007. What are the odds?

 

[Rallywagon]

Interesting that Hocking mentioned Micro Machines. Might that be an Easter egg or just a nod to the older Codemaster game? It does seem that they just hired on the team though, as opposed to actually acquiring Evolution studio

 

[L8 Apex]

Hmm...

Anyone else thinking we might see a multi-platform GT/Forza fighter from them in a few years?

 

[Rallywagon]

With Micro Machines!!!

 

[TiZzla]

Please make a new TOCA game please please please

 

[LeGeNd-1]

Gamesindustrybiz article mentioned that they will likely operate separately from the existing team at Codies. The ex-Evo team will probably still produce arcade racers, and Codies will still produce simcade GRID/DIRT/F1. Maybe some assets (cars/tracks/AI) are shared, but that's about it.

Interesting that Hocking mentioned Micro Machines. Might that be an Easter egg or just a nod to the older Codemaster game? It does seem that they just hired on the team though, as opposed to actually acquiring Evolution studio

Codies released Toybox Turbos recently which is supposed to be a homage to Micro Machines (http://store.steampowered.com/app/287260/). It was also released on PS3 IIRC. Maybe they reacquired the license again this time and can release it under a proper name

 

[VXR]

With racing games returning to wider spread popularity, it's a great time for Codies to strengthen their skill base.

 

[RACECAR]

http://blog.codemasters.com/community/04/codemasters-welcomes-the-team-from-evolution-studios/

Codemasters has acquired Evolution, which to me is very tantalising news.
.

Sorry to bring this up again but Technically, Codemasters acquired the staff from Evolution (even says so in that link) so "Codemasters aquires Evolution Studios" should be "Codemasters acquires team from Evolution" instead.

 

[occasionalracer]

I wonder how much of this has to do with Sony shuffeling some of Evo's VR work over towards the GT franchise? I thought that game was already shown running at shows and was supposed to be one of the first racing games available? Maybe the work on the VR front was so impressive Sony figured they'd hand it (intellectual property) to PD to make sure the Gran Turismo name can be flaunted at VR launch and be helpful to a complete and finished title. Or it's just a clash of interests overall with licenses and own competition that made this decision an apparent must. Or there were other difficulties Sony had with them in the area of trust..

 

[RACECAR]

I wonder how much of this has to do with Sony shuffeling some of Evo's VR work over towards the GT franchise? I thought that game was already shown running at shows and was supposed to be one of the first racing games available? Maybe the work on the VR front was so impressive Sony figured they'd hand it (intellectual property) to PD to make sure the Gran Turismo name can be flaunted at VR launch and be helpful to a complete and finished title. Or it's just a clash of interests overall with licenses and own competition that made this decision an apparent must. Or there were other difficulties Sony had with them in the area of trust..

Why do so many people think this? I seriously doubt their shut down had to do with Sony favoring PD over evolution Studios.

 

[occasionalracer]

Well it's gonna have to do with something. Not sure how possible it is to just take know-how of certain aspects of a completely different game and implement it into another, simply don't know enough about coding etc.. However with the downturn in the racing genre that has come to light over the last years, Sony might have figured 'why operate two studios making nearly identical games'? Whatever Driveclub can do Gran Turismo can do.. (PD just need to do it). Whether that means seperate games is the question, or if they'll pack everthing into one main game and have DLC add-ons to unlock open world type tracks. If Codemasters-Evo start working on a Driveclub type game for Playstation and have it VR compatible ittake a serious chunk of time I'd assume, so with GT being the only serious racer in PS town now, they've just eliminated any possible forseeable competition.

 

[RACECAR]

Or maybe as indicated by Evo losing some of its members (on top of a horrible launch with Driveclub), it had nothing to do with VR at all? I agree there was certainly a reason, I just don't think taking their VR work or this favoritism (especially since PD isn't exactly in Dire shape itself) is the reason.