TGS07: Sony nabs Evolution and BigBig Studios

by Nick Doerr { Sep 20th 2007 at 12:00PM }

At Kaz Hirai's keynote speech, there were only a few, erm, key announcements made. One of these was the DualShock3. Another was the expanded remote play presentation and a third was the delay of Home. Another tidbit worth mentioning is Sony's acquisition of Evolution and BigBig Studios, makers of MotorStorm and Pursuit Force, respectively. These are part of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios now and will be overseen by Phil Harrison.

Philly H released this statement regarding the acquisition: "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 ... The incredible people in these studios further extend the depth and skill of the industry's largest platform-exclusive development resource." We're glad to hear it and expect to hear new games coming from Evolution Studios soon. BigBig is releasing their second Pursuit Force game on the PSP at the beginning of October.

Tags: bigbig-studios, evolution-studios, tgs07

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

shase @ Sep 20th 2007 12:08PM

I dont know about these acquisitions.... they both made like 1 game or so and not *that* great.. Maybe Sony is hoping for some breakthrough or talent in those 2 studios?

Popfrogs @ Sep 20th 2007 12:27PM

I think Sony is aiming at becoming their own EA. They'll have alot of badass first party developers under their umbrella and they can provide more direct development support. This will help make new games better/faster as well as mature their own development kit more quickly.

A mature dev kit will make it easier for third parties to build games for the PS3, which takes that nag out of the equation. I hope they snatch up more A+ developers in the near future.

Paul @ Sep 20th 2007 12:47PM

motorstorm 2 confirmed =)

Kxpuc @ Sep 20th 2007 12:54PM

@3 lol yea Motorstorm 2 with Split screen (it better or else) then all those 1st party secrets i'm sure they don't share with the 3rd parties.

Don @ Sep 20th 2007 12:59PM

@shase
Both MotorStorm and Pursuit Force were excellent titles for each system. This is a great pick up for Sony.

SimplyB @ Sep 20th 2007 1:05PM

2.0?

Joe @ Sep 20th 2007 1:11PM

I like seeing that Sony now will have some more studios that make great games but I would have prefered Sony to buy out Insomniac, SuckerPunch and Level 5 more. Even if only one could join that would still be great news.

The only good thing that will come out of this is there now will be a Pursuit Force game for the PS3. Plus I hope in the next MotorStorm game there will be split-screen and the 1080P that was said to be in the first one but was not. I also hope there will be some new places like swamps and Snow courses.

ruibing @ Sep 20th 2007 1:14PM

I think Evolution Studios was a good buy since they already have experience with the PS3.

I believe Sony is making a large coalition just in Microsoft becomes more aggressive in buying exclusives from developers.

Anyways, more games for the PS3 is always good news.

Gar @ Sep 20th 2007 1:21PM

Motorstorm isn't Evolution Studios only game, they also made the WRC games on PS2.
I believe Sony/Evolution own the exclusive rights to the official WRC game, so we'll probably get a PS3 WRC announcement soon as well (they must have been working on something else over the last few months other than a few Motorstorm vehicle packs.)

#1FanBoy @ Sep 20th 2007 3:12PM

CUSTOMIZEABLE SOUNTRACKS FOR MOTORSTORM--it would add sooo much replay value....PATCH IT EVOLUTION,thanks...I'm not talking about in game xmb, even though we need that of course, but I'm talking about taking the songs off the HD but still having the sound effects.

Motorstorm is a bit shallow, but the tech is there and the sequel will be great (if the allow for customizable soundtracks)

mccomber @ Sep 20th 2007 3:18PM

Great news. I think that much like the Burnout series, Motorstorm is going to improve greatly with sequels.

joey2joey @ Sep 23rd 2007 3:53PM

I think Insomniac is already sony's. Microsoft has to change buisness tatics because of the justice department so that means no more 30fps latter games for the ps3

Jeff @ Sep 20th 2007 4:35PM

I'm glad to hear it, Evolution is a pretty good developer. But yeah, I think Sony is using this as a response against Microsoft's Buy As Many Exclusives as possible scheme. I think this beacause at E3, they said NCsoft would be making games for the PS3, and now their is this. They should top it all of with a 2K/Rockstar Purchase.

Jeff @ Sep 20th 2007 4:38PM

http://www.reuters.com/article/technology-media-telco-SP/idUST22620920070920

So it looks like Sony may be aquiring more developers.

Sammy @ Sep 20th 2007 5:36PM

BigBig were a subsidary company of Evolution Studios and they have been producing the WRC titles for a while. Both companies have released exclusively for Sony anyway.

Andy @ Sep 20th 2007 7:38PM

My thoughts on a Motorstorm 2 sequel. Completely scrap the offroad racing theme. I won't buy it if it only looks better and has more features.

I want a game that no one has done before. I want offwave racing. Racing through the ocean in boats as small as seadoos and as large as yachts. Hazardous racing through European canals. While I doubt this will happen this is what I want.

Whats the point of buying a company if they already make games for you?