Sony buys Evolution and Bigbig

Evolution and its satellite studio Bigbig have been acquired by Sony.

Based in Runcorn and founded in 1999, Evolution has developed the WRC series exclusively for Sony and most recently PS3 launch title MotorStorm. Spin-off studio Bigbig opened in 2001 and has developed the Pursuit Force series of games for PSP and PS2.

MD Mick Hocking will now become group studio director for Evolution, Bigbig, and also SCE Worldwide Studios’ Liverpool Studio as well, reporting to SCE WWS VP Michael Denny. A report on Gamesindustry.biz says that founders Ian Hetherington and Martin Kenwright will depart from Evolution.

Announced at the Tokyo Game Show, according to Sony the deal is "a strategic move to secure excellence in game development for current and future PlayStation platforms".

"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," said Phil Harrison, president of SCE Worldwide Studios. "The incredible people in these studios further extend the depth and skill of the industry’s largest platform-exclusive development resource."