TGS '07: Sony buys Evolution, readying MotorStorm 2

By Justin Calvert, GameSpot UKPosted Sep 20, 2007 4:02 am PT

Sony Computer Entertainment announces the acquisitions of racer developer and Pursuit Force creator Bigbig Studios, says sequel en route.

TOKYO--Sony Computer Entertainment today announced that it has completed the acquisitions of UK-based Evolution Studios and its subsidiary, Bigbig Studios. Both studios have been developing games exclusively for Sony platforms for a number of years. Now that they're members of SCE's Worldwide Studios (WWS) network, they'll have the opportunity to benefit from sharing technology and production methodology with other studios in the network, which include the Cambridge and London teams, Zipper Interactive, Guerrilla Games, Polyphony Digital, and others in Japan, the UK, and the US.

"Our strategy is to create the best games by working with the best talent, and Evolution and Bigbig are world-class additions to our team," explained SCE Worldwide Studios president Phil Harrison. "The incredible people in these studios further extend the depth and skill of the industry's largest platform-exclusive development resource."

At this point, Evolution Studios is best known for its million-selling MotorStorm on the PlayStation 3, but the studio--established in 1999--made its name developing the World Rally Championship series on PlayStation 2. According to Sony's statement, Evolution is currently working on downloadable content for MotorStorm, as well as a sequel to the game scheduled for release sometime in 2008.

Founded in 2001, Bigbig Studios made a name for itself with the 2005 release of Pursuit Force for the PSP. The game was voted GameSpot's best PSP game of show at Electronic Entertainment Expo 2005 and has sold over 800,000 copies to date. Bigbig is currently working on Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice, which will debut on the PSP in October and get a PS2 release early next year.

93 Comments

  • Ravage27

    Posted Mar 14, 2008 11:58 pm PT

    great news ^^

  • ZahrimThoth

    Posted Nov 19, 2007 7:14 am PT

    "For example, in the Realtime Strategy Genre the Xbox 360 has three games currently available, and four mour planned...but the Playstation 3 has zero games currently available, and zero games planned for 2008...games like Halo Wars are being released only for Xbox 360, and there are a ton of RTS games being released for both Xbox 360 and PC, but not Playstation 3...just like Command & Conquer 3.
    "
    ===============================
    If I want to play RTS games, I'll buy them for my PC and enjoy the mod community. I bought a PS3 for the exclusive titles that will never grace the 360 or a PC.

  • superbeast1370

    Posted Oct 16, 2007 3:15 pm PT

    now if sony could buy Insomniac

  • theJZA

    Posted Oct 14, 2007 8:01 am PT

    The only thing that bothered me about MotorStorm was the lack of offline mutliplayer, other than that, the game was awesome! MS2 just needs to add that multiplayer capability to be officially labed "the best racing game ever made"

  • kajtrooper

    Posted Sep 24, 2007 6:10 pm PT

    "PureLaise I think it's great that Sony is purchasing companies with talent and ability. Just because they are making ''Motorstorm 2'' its does not mean that they are incapable of other things. Think of the effect ideas etc that multiple companys under one network can share and produce. Although there is a lack of multi genre games there is some great gaming that the PS3 has to offer at the moment. I think a year from now gaming on the PS3 will be greatly evolved and that other consoles won't matter anymore, but until such a joyful time is here and flourishing; Patience is key. "

    Okay, I agree with everything except for the fact that PS3 has a lack of multi genre games. I think PS3 has the most diverse line-up of games coming out.

  • PureLaise

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 5:45 pm PT

    I think it's great that Sony is purchasing companies with talent and ability. Just because they are making ''Motorstorm 2'' its does not mean that they are incapable of other things. Think of the effect ideas etc that multiple companys under one network can share and produce. Although there is a lack of multi genre games there is some great gaming that the PS3 has to offer at the moment. I think a year from now gaming on the PS3 will be greatly evolved and that other consoles won't matter anymore, but until such a joyful time is here and flourishing; Patience is key.

  • SalarianChemist posted Sep 21, 2007 5:11 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    SalarianChemist

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 5:11 pm PT (hide)

    I think Sony needs to worry about making New games, and filling all the gaps in empty Genres before they go and make more "sequels."

    That problem is called "sequelitas."...and that is what makes it so poor quality games like Killzone (which received very low ratings) end up getting sequels.

    Remember, there are Genres where the Playstation 3 has zero games, and zero games planned.

    For example, in the Realtime Strategy Genre the Xbox 360 has three games currently available, and four mour planned...but the Playstation 3 has zero games currently available, and zero games planned for 2008...games like Halo Wars are being released only for Xbox 360, and there are a ton of RTS games being released for both Xbox 360 and PC, but not Playstation 3...just like Command & Conquer 3.

  • Brainkiller05

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 3:00 pm PT

    Can't wait, I'll definitly be getting it

  • playstation_wii

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 2:40 pm PT

    Cool, 2008 is Motorstorm 2!

  • EliteMBT

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 1:14 pm PT

    good thing.

  • NinjaMunkey01

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 1:11 pm PT

    OH YEH!!!!!!!!

    dynomitemasta get a new game then. I just got warhawk and it is amazing. honestly I think that this will beat halo 3's online play, no matter what gamespot's review sais and players do. then I am getting the game so I will be able to compare. warhawk is great, theres always loads of servers, and literaly NO lag, I have never had a plane, jeep, tank or person jump or anything. even when literaly there are 16 players on both teams fighting the same battle to get/protect the flag. none whatsoever!!!!!!!!

    moterstorm better have better graphics, better crashes, more maps and cars and more race modes. this is an exclusive game and one of the few chances to show how the ps3's graphics are always going to be on top once developers get the hang of the complex machine. this better be so good that I drool when I first play the game, the graphics and gameplay better blow my mind, and I want split screen or I will not be happy. Evolution you have been warned...

  • P-MaT000

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 10:52 am PT

    MOTORSTORM 2 SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Get_Shorty

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 10:06 am PT

    Aww yeaa the second MotorStorm is coming

  • jamalnos

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 5:54 am PT

    Evolution, they played right.

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 5:10 am PT

    just saying motorstorm 2 gets me all excited about it

  • milnet

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 3:57 am PT

    Well PS3 games are not region coded so even if it is a Euro release you can still get it.

  • IsmirZone

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 3:22 am PT

    I love the WRC games and can't wait for them to make one on the PS3. I just hope it wont be Euro only relese.

  • Doolum

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 2:15 am PT

    oh yes,Pursuit Force.

  • Lewpy79

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 1:13 am PT

    Finally, I think the penny has dropped...hopefully they'll keep this up, It's the only way they can guarantee exclusives to their machine.

  • HXCDEW

    Posted Sep 21, 2007 12:50 am PT

    That's a good news. I hope they work on a new IP also.

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