Evoltuion Studios & SCEE Liverpool Merging Studios?

[The Mana Knight]

These are both Sony Computer Entertainment owned studios.

While Evolution studios is working on new MotorStorm projects, it's also likely to create new IP in the future, as it bonds further with the racing team at Sony Liverpool.

"Evolution and our Liverpool Studio have now merged in terms of management structure and using combined resources. Liverpool had great success this year with Wipeout HD and they also helped on MotorStorm as well," revealed Denny.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sony-new-studios-will-help-us-innovate

This was mentioned within an article. This is something that doesn't surprise me, since they've been working a little closer together as of late. Both studios are closeby (less than 20 miles I hear, since Evolution is just outside of Manchester while SCEE Liverpool is in Liverpool). They also mostly make racing games, and I felt it seems to be a good idea to make all racers under one roof. Some racers made were:
Formula One (SCEE Liverpool)
MotorStorm (Evolution)
Wipeout (SCEE Liverpool)
World Rally Championship (Evolution)

I kind of wonder if a combined team will see a racer pumped out each year. I'd personally like to see them create various types of racing games each year, and every once in a while pump out a sequel.

[The Mana Knight]

More news on the subject:

Two of Europe's brightest development teams will share a home in the future, according to a recent interview with SCEE's Michael Denny. Studio Liverpool, developers of the popular Wipeout franchise, and Evolution Studios, developers of the MotorStorm series, will eventually merge to work at one location. The two teams have already merged "management structure" and are currently using "combined resources." The two teams are already in close proximity to each other, so it makes sense that these PlayStation teams should combine.

Each studio will continue to have their own "internal concepting group" to think up "new opportunities and new IPs." Perhaps their next game will feature futuristic hovering ... off-road monster trucks. Wait a sec. That sounds incredibly awesome.

http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2009/01/07/scee-plans-to-merge-liverpool-and-evolution-studios/

[freakyzeeky]

Maybe it's a cost-cutting decision? Due to the bad economy and all... seems like every company is cutting costs these days.

[zenprime]

Makes sense to me. Since they're that close to each other after all.

I'd like a racer with Wipeout vehicles and weapons but the super large open tracks and of Motorstorm.

[freakyzeeky]

Racing in the Pacific Rift with the Assagai... :drool: