100°

Opine: The closure of Evolution leaves a gaping hole in Sony’s 1st party offerings

Psgamer: Evolution had created some well loved PlayStation franchises during its 15 year history and its closure leaves a hole in Sony’s first person studio portfolio. Specifically, a racing game shaped hole.

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psgamer.co.uk
Omac_brother3013d ago

I'm guessing you didn't read the article then huh?

IGiveHugs2NakedWomen3013d ago (Edited 3013d ago )

Yes I've read it.

Polyphony Digital says hello.

Xbox has Turn 10, Playstation has Polyphony Digital. Sony also owns all of the Evolution Studio IP's so there is no "gaping hole" as the author puts it.

WickedLester3013d ago (Edited 3013d ago )

The "gaping hole" for me is the fact that it takes Polyphony so damn long to get their games out. The fact that we are well into year 3 of the PS4's life and still don't have Gran Turismo to play on it is borderline stupid! Yet Turn 10 can crank out Forza every 2 years and manages to make it better each time. It makes me wonder, what the hell is Polyphony doing all that time? If Turn 10 can be so prolific and maintain high quality with Forza, why can't Polyphony?

GameDev13013d ago

Cause Japan studios run under different situations to Western studios and Turn 10 has a bigger staff set to crank out forza year after year

Polyphony Digital is just a big team within Japan studio who are not just trying to make racings game but innovate on them as Sony World Wide studios like they studios achieve

WickedLester3013d ago

@GameDev1

Yeah but what exactly are they innovating? Other than the upgrade in graphics, GT has not evolved all that much since GT3 A-Spec. Certainly not enough to justify the long long wait between releases.

IGiveHugs2NakedWomen3013d ago

I prefer developers take their time with their games to provide the most bug and glitch free experience as humanly possible, instead of rushing franchises to release that have repetitive gameplay and terrible glitches that could have been prevented with adequate Q&A testing.

Liqu1d3013d ago

Only GT5 really took ages. GT5 - GT6 took 3 years and if GT Sport is released in 2016 then that would be 3 years between GT6 - GT Sport.

WickedLester3013d ago

@Liq1d

GT Sport is NOT GT7 and Polyphony has made that very clear. GT7 isn't anywhere in sight.

bloop3013d ago

Don't know why you're getting disagrees Lester. GT hasn't been on top in a long time. They need a complete overhaul of the series, and could learn quite a few tips from what Evolution did with driveclub. If you could pick all the best elements from both games and combine them it could make the greatest racer ever. Polyphony really need to up their game with GT 7. Ditch the duplicate cars, get sound design on par with driveclub, full damage model and the most important thing that GT has really been lacking in, bring a sense of thrill/excitement into the racing like driveclub. The physics and visuals will be there anyway knowing polyphony, but there's lots of other areas they really need to drastically improve.

freshslicepizza3013d ago (Edited 3013d ago )

polyphony digital needs new management. they have proven time and again they take too long and the results don't really show the innovation or evolution. i mean when you use old assets to market your game as having a thousand cars how do you validate the many years it takes? reviews also pointed to the stagnation in the franchise.

we also had polyphony said the ps4 will not produce the same delays they faced working with the ps3 yet here we are and once again they take forever. and again delays.

as for the gaping hole it doesn't matter, sony can and will rely on third party to fill any voids in their line-ups.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 3013d ago
GameDev13013d ago

Infact I really rather than scrapping Evo, Sony should have spun it off into Polyphony Digital Europe to make GT spin offs since the Japan studio takes too long

Therefore the GT franchise will still make money, they wont have risky IPs they dont want, they will be able to transfer some staff between Europe and Japan instead of people losing their jobs

But yeah not really a gaping hole considering PD is in the same genre as Evo was

svoulis3013d ago

I wouldn't say a gaping hole but I see where they are coming from Polyphony Digital has a habit of taking their sweet time releasing games.

That being said those games they release are still being played for years on end so...gaping hole? Nahhhhh

Team_Litt3013d ago (Edited 3013d ago )

Years and years? Didn't Sony kill GT5 servers after just 3 years?

Pintheshadows3013d ago

I wouldn't describe it as a 'gaping hole' but it is definitely a blow considering how long it takes PD to make a game.

I think Sony has made a real mistake here. No Studio Liverpool and now no Evolution studio, and suddenly their ability to provide a variety of racers dwindles even further.

hells_supernova3013d ago (Edited 3013d ago )

Yes however Project Cars, 2 or 3 WRC games out already, the crew, NFS, MotoGP if you are into that.

If they made a Motorstorm game then that would be different but there are plenty of racing games on the market

http://www.redbull.com/nz/e...

Add some of those this year and there are plenty to scratch that racing itch

TheTony3163013d ago

I think DC and Motorstorm will continue to exist under a different team. Just like Halo and Gears of War.

jillSandwich3013d ago

I really hope so. The question is, who's going to develop them?

jb2273013d ago

What happened to the dev that did LBP Karting? United Front or something to that effect? Can't remember if they were first party or if they were dissolved since then or what.

I'd personally like to see some kind of kart racing/arcade hybrid, a bit more meaty & substantial controls & cars w/ all of the fun of a wacky kart racer w/ cool track designs. Like Burnout on LSD.

jillSandwich3013d ago

They went on to do Sleeping Dogs and Sleeping Dogs Triad Wars. Now... Not much by the sounds of things.

WickedLester3013d ago

I hope so. Two of my favorite games from the PS3 era were Wipeout HD and Motorstorm. Now both of those IP's are in limbo. Add to that Mod Nation Racers and that's 3 great racing games, all very different yet equally fun, that are completely missing from the PS4.

GameDev13013d ago

Well DC is still being supported by the playstation team which am sure includes some Evo staff

DC VR is likely going to go with the new Sony North west studio

Team_Litt3013d ago

Yeah...I don't know. Hasn't happened for SOCOM or Wipeout.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3013d ago
Wallstreet373013d ago

Itll be the same as always. Half of Evo will go under different Sony studios and the other half might go elsewhere or form their own independent studio. Either way we still will get some awesome games from some of the key members that worked for Evo. These closings have been happening every year on multiple consoles and these ppl always resurface and we usually see a title like "From some of the x...... team comes blah blah blah"

Team_Litt3013d ago

Same as always? When did Sony shut down a team and half of them went to another studio? Links please. Especially if you are going to say Sony Liverpool because that didn't happen.

Wallstreet373013d ago (Edited 3013d ago )

Just Sony and when? Lol i wont even entertain this question its happened several times where a good part of a team went to another or started their own.

Team_Litt3012d ago

So no links then? Thought as much.

Wallstreet373012d ago

I dont have time to entertain frivilous bs like looking for links of things that been happening for years. Google is your friend. I rather work than prove somebodys asanine comment wrong lol

Enjoy your day sir. Yes devs lose their jobs, go in a black abyss and never resurface again.

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400°

Sony Rewards Program Is Coming To An End on Dec. 31, 2024

Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced that it is ending the Sony Rewards program on December 31, 2024, and as a result that date will be the last time possible to redeem points and access your account.

helicoptergirl2d ago

This is a shame. I've been using it since the start. It had a few problems and issues but overall I did end up saving a little bit over 60 dollars using this program. There was probably not enough people using it.

Cacabunga2d ago

Is it playstation stars?? I really never understood it. I am still level 1

PS_HCT2d ago

This is not playstation stars. Sony Rewards is a US rewards program linked to a visa credit card.

darthv722d ago

I just checked... I have 144 points at the moment. Not even enough to get a $5 PS card. I can get a $1 digital gift card to Target or home Depot though.

blackblades2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

I thought they were been done with this, I redeem some good stuff with this in the past. Wonder how much i got its been awhile

OtterX2d ago

I've gotten so many free games throughout the years w this program, this sucks. I've been with it since the beginning.

I just run a majority of my needed purchases through it and pay it off immediately instead of using cash or debit. The most recent was on Tuesday I got a $10 dlc free. It was great as long you're not borrowing out large amounts of money that you don't have.

ChasterMies2d ago

Realistically, those weren’t free games. You could have used another cards rewards points or bought Sony products on sale and then used the savings to buy PlayStation games.

OtterX2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Well there was a large boost on any purchase made on PSN, so there was an incentive to use over other cards' rewards. It used to be better, then they lowered it. I forget the exact multiplier though.

I pretty much got this $10 DLC free this week just by resubbing my PS+ Premium. (On sale during Days of Play) Not a lot of other cards would give that much back

dumahim2d ago

Right. I can do the same thing with my credit card rewards, but I have much more flexibility in what I can redeem those points for, including buying PS games.

shadowT2d ago

I never owned the credit card. Was this program available in Europe and Asia?

Profchaos2d ago

Seriously it was awesome Ive gotten a few free psn vouchers out of it.

FPSRUSSIA2d ago

i remember getting Assassin creed black flag for free with Redeeming my Points for 10 dollars when it was on sale this is very sad news.

OtterX2d ago

I actually believe that was one of my first cashouts on the program! haha

I remember I had just gotten the PS4 and I used it on Black Flag or Battlefield 4 to go with it.
I'm pretty sure I remember it being Black Flag though! (Great choice, as it became my favorite AC of all time)

Show all comments (25)
200°

Sony shares big new PS Plus stat, but not the one we want to see

PlayStation Plus has improved the split of PS4 and PS5 players on its priciest tiers, but Sony continues to hide total subscriber numbers.

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theloadout.com
mandf22d ago

lol acting like it’s equivalent to ms numbers

Mr Logic22d ago

Uh...They're definitely not equivalent.

"Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass service now has 34 million subscribers."

"the total number of PS Plus subscribers across all tiers was 47.4 million"

darthv7222d ago (Edited 22d ago )

That PSN number seems like it should be much higher... especially when you consider that PS4 alone has a sell through of over 117m. To not even be at least half that is rather interesting.

To the XB side, having 34m to an install base of roughly 50m (XBO sell through) or even 85m (360 sell through) is a greater percentage of unit to member ratio than PSN.

bloop22d ago

That's not the "gotcha" you think it is Darth.

darthv7222d ago

^^it's not supposed to be bloop.... it's just an interesting observation.

Einhander197222d ago

darthv72

"That PSN number seems like it should be much higher... especially when you consider that PS4 alone has a sell through of over 117m. To not even be at least half that is rather interesting.

To the XB side, having 34m to an install base of roughly 50m (XBO sell through) or even 85m (360 sell through) is a greater percentage of unit to member ratio than PSN."

Have you ever heard of a PC before? I hear they are pretty popular.

fr0sty21d ago

MS started lumping gold subscribers in with those GP numbers... keep in mind.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 21d ago
shinoff218322d ago (Edited 22d ago )

What. Definitely more os plus subscribers but that makes sense due to actual console sales

Darth the difference between the bases are huge your right but you gotta think. Ps players buy more games, where as the Xbox base relies on gamepass for their gaming. So it makes perfect sense

darthv7222d ago (Edited 22d ago )

What makes perfect sense though? You say PS players buy more games... so then logically there should be more PS+ subscribers given the increased number of online multiplayer games in the PS4 generation alone. The PS4 was the first time that + was required for online play much like Gold was for 360 users.

Keep in mind we are talking subscribers, not simply XB/PS users. I assume you meant to say offline single player games, which is most likely true as well. That gen also saw a significant increase in games with an online component comparted to the previous gen.

victorMaje22d ago

I for one will be going back to essential at the next renewal. When I feel a game is good & right up my alley, I’ll check trusted reviews & just buy it.

jznrpg22d ago (Edited 22d ago )

I have the top tier until 2028 as they gave me a massive discount for all the years I had left but I’ll most likely go to essential as well. I buy my games but my kids do use the service occasionally. They do prefer to own their games as well since any game can leave the rental service at some point and they don’t like that idea. They mostly use it to demo games then ask me to buy games if they really like it.

RedDevils21d ago

For me, I will cancel it all together but unfortunately I still have it till 2030 lol

meganick22d ago

I would like to see Sony add a fourth tier of PS Plus for people who just want to be able to play games online without any of the perks like monthly games, store discounts, or anything like that, and it should cost $20 annually, $30 maximum. There’s no way I’m paying $80 just to play games online. Even the original $60 fee was too much, and I would often wait for sales to re-up my subscription.

P_Bomb21d ago (Edited 21d ago )

Essential is too expensive, I agree. We’ve got one Essential and one Premium sub. Dropping the Premium when it expires.

gamerz21d ago

Just let my subscription lapse for the first time since 2010. Will sub again every now and then for a month or so to access my old ps+ games but for me it's the end of an era.

DivineHand12521d ago

Let those numbers continue to drop because it is now too expensive. $80 per year just to play online. I noticed they didn't offer any discounts on the subscription or controllers during this year's days of play for the first time in many years and they will feel it when people choose not to renew.

My subscription will lapse next month and it will stay that way until further notice.

KevtheDuff21d ago

There were savings on subs and controllers here in the UK? I bought a controller yesterday in the sale..
It would be weird if those deals were not in other territories too?

300°

Sony Says The PS5 Is Its “Most Profitable Generation To-Date"

During Sony’s recent business segment meeting and investor presentation regarding its game and network services, the PlayStation company revealed that PlayStation 5 is the company’s “most profitable generation to-date.”

It’s the top slide of the presentation, showing that in its first four years, the PS5 generation has already hit $106 billion in sales, having almost caught up to the PS4’s total $107 billion generated.

Operating income for the PS5 generation has also already surpassed that of the PS4, having now reached $10 billion.

ApocalypseShadow23d ago (Edited 23d ago )

I wouldn't doubt it. They released a high quality system. A lot of high quality games from themselves and their support of 3rd party developers and indies. They released many high quality remakes and remasters. They released a high quality GaaS game going against the naysayers thinking Sony would abandon single player games. And they most likely are profiting a lot more than PS1, PS2 PS4 and the loss leading PS3 that drained all their profits.

Now, I'll wait to see what's cooking tomorrow. But can you use some of those profits to better support your high quality VR headset? Because, by supporting it, you can sell more games and more systems and make more profits?

jznrpg23d ago (Edited 23d ago )

I want RPGs for PSVR2! Good ones of course

shinoff218323d ago

If it had some rpgs I would buy right fking now. It looks dope and alot of fun, but it's biggest game resident evil 4(maybe) I've got no interest in. I'm not a fan of racing games, even with that metro game coming i was never much into that series. Rpgs would be fantastic.

MrNinosan23d ago

Lemme know if ya wanna play some Zenith 🙌
Bought it at release, but haven't played it more than 1-2 hours but for sure on my "todo list".

Cacabunga23d ago

Normal when they released mostly cross gen games so far. That’s a lot of money saved..
We haven’t seen what PS5 can do yet. 4years in and PS4 games still look great to me. The gen leap isn’t quite there yet.

--Onilink--23d ago

The interesting metric for me is the $106billion in operating income/profit (not sales as mentioned in the article) reaching the same as the PS4 did with only half the consoles sold.

In particular because they all are supposed to be making the most per hardware sold after a few years when manufacturing costs are down.

So even putting inflation aside(and the higher console price), it is interesting that they could reach PS4 $ with just half the consoles sold.

Maybe there is more to the metric thats whats seen at face value, but they have clearly been making a lot more money than before on the software side (with also less games released I suppose, given its only been half the generation so far)

VersusDMC23d ago

The bulk of the money has to be coming from the 30% cut on all games and microtransactions. Especially on all the free to play juggernauts like genshin, apex, fortnight, etc.

--Onilink--23d ago (Edited 23d ago )

@Versus

They are definitely making a lot on that for sure (which the $70 price increase factors into as well), but its not like many of those games werent around for the PS4 too.

They might be counting the gen as a whole and not just PS5 itself (so extra profit from PC sales, whatever that may be)

PS+ price increase and different tiers probably amount to part of that too.

But in general, its still quite a surprising metric. Half the time, half the consoles sold, less first party games released so far and still already making more of a profit than last gen is quite something, and as mentioned, there is probably more to it that we dont know, after all, since we are talking about operating income, all the expenses they have also factor into it, so it is also possible that they have found ways to significantly reduce that + all the means of increased revenue that appear to be factoring into the equation

All in all, just an interesting situation from a business perspective

porkChop23d ago

It's for the whole generation, so it would likely be including PC. They also make much more profit on digital sales vs retail, and digital is far more prominent these days. The generation also started at the height of COVID when everyone was home, spending far more money on gaming/hobbies. It makes a lot of sense for this gen to be more profitable.

Abnor_Mal23d ago

This will surely shut up all the new trolling accounts trying to spread lies and non facts in other articles comment sections before this article is posted.

Hofstaderman23d ago (Edited 23d ago )

Obscurely, those trolls or troll will not show in these articles as the truth is contradictory to his or their orchard-sized daily dose of copium and hopium.

Tacoboto23d ago

Or... They're intentionally trolling you guys specifically. Because they know it upsets you so easily.

Name-dropping Orchard, after this many months? How long has it been and he's still in your thoughts?

Elda23d ago (Edited 23d ago )

I'm quite sure the individual is reading these positive comments downvoting & seething at the same time. Edit: It just downvoted my comment...lol!!

Hofstaderman23d ago

No I'm entertained by this individual. I love unhinged people, they are so interesting lol.

repsahj23d ago

Wow! I am super impressed that in just 4 years, ps5 already caught up to the PS4's. Congratulations.

JackBNimble23d ago

That happens when half of your games are cross platform. I'm still waiting to see what the ps5 is capable of, because they sure haven't pushed any limits.

And where are all these ps5 exclusive games?

sagapo23d ago

Not really surprised as Sony barely has any competition at the moment.

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