Codemasters, the British publisher and developer behind the F1 and Dirt racing series, among a long list of other games, is joining forces with DriveClub’s recently shut down developer, Evolution Studios.
In addition to Codemasters taking on “most” of the studios’ staff, former Evolution Group Director Mike Hocking will also become the company’s new VP of Product Development. According to Codemasters CEO Frank Sagnier, the move, which involved “no financial element”, is a step in “[scaling] our business and [strengthening] our leadership as the world’s premier racing game developer”.
This notion was echoed by Hocking, who told GamesIndustry that they’re building a “racing powerhouse: a UK studio which is hopefully going to be the world number one in racing”. He added that the team was “very happy to be able to go forward and work on multiple platforms and work on new IP” and also clarified that yes, “multiple platforms” will involve PlayStation as well.
Paul Rustchynsky, former veteran Evolution developer and Driveclub game director, showed plenty of enthusiasm for the move on Twitter:
Couldn’t be more excited to announce that myself & the team from Evolution Studios will be joining @Codemasters https://t.co/ZjvQm8whkH
— Paul Rustchynsky (@Rushy33) April 11, 2016
We can’t wait to start work with @Codemasters on a new racing IP! Keep following myself & @PhenomEvolution for news. https://t.co/qwdVTNCGPY
— Paul Rustchynsky (@Rushy33) April 11, 2016
It’s important to note that Codemasters only offered jobs to the studio staff: the IPs for Driveclub and Motorstorm remain with Sony. Only time, and Sony, can tell if the ex-Evolution team will ever get to work on the two series again.
Comments
4 responses to “Codemasters Acquires Recently Shut Down Driveclub Studio”
Good move. Too good a developer to just disappear.
Wow, I can’t wait for their first game. I loved Driveclub and have loved many of Codemasters driving sims. What a team.
Id love to see a new V8 Supercars from codemasters!
And kinda glad these guys moved away from DriveClub – the game felt good until i played Project Cars and more recently Dirt Rally! SIM racing is where its at and Codemasters have always done pretty well in the realism department!!!
This is actually brilliant news! Very happy to hear this!
Looking forward to Codies new title: “Street”
Codemasters will not stop until everyone is using the Ego Engine.