Support NeoGAF

[Shaneus]

That's true... I'm just really bummed out that they haven't released it yet. I've been tempted to actually go out and buy the game, but I can't justify it without car customization options that other racers like Gran Turismo, Forza, etc. have.

Trust me, it's actually better for not having those options. Assuming you're talking about tuning/upgrades etc. Knowing that the car you're driving is exactly the same as the next guy's (or girl's) and that the time you have to beat on a track is without any tuned options is a godsend. If you've played any of the PGR games, you'll know what I mean

 

[Amir0x]

Trust me, it's actually better for not having those options. Assuming you're talking about tuning/upgrades etc. Knowing that the car you're driving is exactly the same as the next guy's (or girl's) and that the time you have to beat on a track is without any tuned options is a godsend. If you've played any of the PGR games, you'll know what I mean

Pure skill vs. Pure skill

<3 Driveclub *swoon*

 

[Jachaos]

This has gone on way too long without any transparency as far as what is really going on regarding the PS+ edition that was promised as a PS+ perk at the PS4 reveal, then delayed a year along with the launch.

 

[le-seb]

WHAT is taking them so long? WHY is this so hard? What is wrong with Evolution's servers/PSN that this cannot be solved after 100+ days?

They already said that they had underestimated the load people playing the game would put on their servers.

There's not much to say about it without going too technical, but here's my guess on the matter since the beginning:

Server capacity does not necessarily mean number of servers.
I suspect database (low) performance and (bad) scalability is what hurt the game at launch, and still does a bit now on rush hours.
And you cannot really just throw new servers into the equation to solve this kind of conceptual problems, they need to rethink a lot of things, to rewrite some client and server code, etc, and all this takes a lot of time.
Given the massive influx of new players the PS+ edition will lead to, they better be safe than sorry.

This coming from a guy who had to deal with serious relational database performance problems in a previous life.
These fuckers don't scale well, and this game generates a lot of transactions.

 

[Auctopus]

He means the Playstation and Playstation Plus fan base. Not everyone sees this issue from the eyes of the DriveClub fans or Evolution. Some of us are just customers interested in playing a game that was promised.

How interested are you though, really? If you wanted to play the game so much, it's had heavy discounts everywhere.

I think at this point, it's either about principles or a reason to whine/be entitled about something. It's nothing to do with the actual game anymore.

 

[I Wanna Be The Guy]

How interested are you though, really? If you wanted to play the game so much, it's had heavy discounts everywhere.

I think at this point, it's either about principles or a reason to whine/be entitled about something. It's nothing to do with the actual game anymore.

Oh god there's that word again. How dare I feel entitled to something they promised.

Many people are curious but don't want to drop any money on it until they can try it. Many people just aren't going to buy when they were promised a free version. It's part curiosity and interest, and yes part principle. They didn't deliver what they promised and until they do people have every right to whine about it.

 

[Agent X]

What do you want them to do? Releasing this game free on PSN will bring a ton of new users, which will break the game again.

What does that accomplish? You get a broken game, and the people who actually bought the game get a broken game. Now what?

Every time the subject of "What happened to DriveClub PS+ Edition?" is brought up, someone always gives this excuse. "Well, they can't release it, because that would open the floodgates for bunch more new users, which would undoubtedly ruin the whole game for everyone else."

How come no one ever makes this excuse for any other major game from a major publisher? Games like Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, Borderlands, Far Cry, Destiny...ahem, Need for Speed, Forza...they all hit the shelves, and such a collapse of the online component just never seems to be a concern for those games.

At this rate, they will never release the game, because they'll always give this ready-made excuse that any increase in the user base would be detrimental to the health of the servers for those who paid for it. Well, if that was really the case, then why haven't they taken the only truly responsible action, and suspend sales of DriveClub until they're reasonably sure everything is up to snuff? After all, any potential increase in user base could bust the game...the "straw that breaks the camel's back" could occur with another million new users, or another hundred.

The truth is they will never truly know if the servers can handle the added user load unless they actually release it. Excuses aren't going to cut it anymore...they need to step up to the plate.

Also still no tentative date on the PS+ version means to me they have no idea how to fix the server issues without completely redoing the game and if we do get a date it'll be quite some time when people just don't care anymore so the servers can handle it.

It's been 6 1/2 months and they still haven't "figured it out"...or so they say. I have a gut feeling that this is some form of a stall tactic, to attempt to soak up as many sales as they can before some government agency turns up the heat and forces them to release the PS+ Edition that they promised.

 

[visiblemode]

Oh god there's that word again. How dare I feel entitled to something they promised.

Many people are curious but don't want to drop any money on it until they can try it. Many people just aren't going to buy when they were promised a free version. It's part curiosity and interest, and yes part principle. They didn't deliver what they promised and until they do people have every right to whine about it.

I totally agree. I really want the game and was going to buy it, but I really dislike how this was handled. While I very much do view a lot of gamers as entitled, this is not an example...and I find the accusation really frustrating. Sony mishandled this, why deny it? They do a lot right...not this.

Until a PS+ version, as promised, I won't buy it. Why do some people think that is a position worthy of harsh judgment?

 

[Jingo]

I dont like how this was handled, its not a question of honesty, cause the way i see it, its more or less like this:

Ps plus version wasnt offered to not overload the servers.
But you can buy that ps plus version.
What happened if every ps plus member decided to buy the game?
It would all be shutted down? Seriously doubt that.

If the servers have to work for anyone who buys the game, it has to work for everyone, even those who didnt buy it.

 

[krioto]

Well, if that was really the case, then why haven't they taken the only truly responsible action, and suspend sales of DriveClub until they're reasonably sure everything is up to snuff?

holy hyperbole Batman!

For the current paying customers, the online/servers etc has been working fine, with the odd hiccup here and there.

Evo have just done a server upgrade, and added a new 'Starting Line' tour, which looks to be aimed squarely at a PS+ release, so I expect it to be released soon.

I'm not defending Evo, as it has been a monumental fuck up, but I've been playing since day 1, and is has become my favourite racing game, so I can forgive them providing new content to their paying customers whilst the server team works out the issues for a PS+ release.

 

[le-seb]

^ This. Don't forget that the people who bought the game were also affected by the server problems.

What happened if every ps plus member decided to buy the game?
It would all be shutted down? Seriously doubt that.

Up until a month or two, you could tell whenever a wave of new players got into the game, though: spinning wheels, spinning wheels everywhere...
More players equates more load on the servers, it's that simple.

That being said, Evolution seem to have now fixed most -if not all- of these issues, from what I can tell.
The PS+ edition is coming, there's no doubt about that.

 

[HighResTomato]

Are people still expecting this to come out?

 

[Neuromancer]

Are people still expecting this to come out?

Most reasonable people are, I would say. They've said very recently that it's still in the works. Not to mention the recent Startline tour, as previously brought up by me and others, which seems like every PS+ member would get.

 

[Sangetsu-II]

My ass.

Disregard my statement no point in putting fuel in the fire, I'll just let it die out like all the other broken games released this year.

 

[SixStringPsycho]

Went to gamestop to buy the game since its 19.99 and its discontinued and nowhere to be found. Found it on bestbuy, went to the clerk to pricematch and told me they couldnt since it says its not available online.

 

[GoldenCrow]

How interested are you though, really? If you wanted to play the game so much, it's had heavy discounts everywhere.

I think at this point, it's either about principles or a reason to whine/be entitled about something. It's nothing to do with the actual game anymore.

For many I don't think it was ever about the game, Rather it is due to the PS+ version specifically being used as a marketing tool for the PS4/PS+ as an incentive. It could have been anything and the response would have been the same.

They need to take as long as they need though to get the PS+ version out because if the same happens again then the shit will really hit the fan.

 

[Lebneney]

Trust me, it's actually better for not having those options. Assuming you're talking about tuning/upgrades etc. Knowing that the car you're driving is exactly the same as the next guy's (or girl's) and that the time you have to beat on a track is without any tuned options is a godsend. If you've played any of the PGR games, you'll know what I mean

That's good to know. I might have to pick it up, the only car games I currently have are on my "lower level" PC (frame rate is fine, graphics not so much) and Vita. I love/miss PGR I wish Bizarre Creations was still around... had PGR 2 for the original Xbox and those were some good times.

Follow up question, do you find the game repetitive (I don't mind repetition, e.g. Destiny, though I don't want to have to surmount a huge difficulty curve, e.g. The Crew)?

 

[Banjo-Kazooie]

Source?

Anecdotal probably. I can add my own examples:

Most of my 360 friends switched to PS4, which totals around 7. Only myself and my brother bother to download the free games every month. 1 of my friends is aware about the free games but thinks they all look bad so he doesn't even bother to download them (I don't agree with it but who am I to make him do it). The other 4 were not aware of any free games until I told them, and even now they might only download 1 of the games each month of it looks "cool", otherwise they don't even bother to download r despite it being free.

I really wouldn't doubt that a good amount of PS+ members do not download the games, otherwise you would be seeing more PR.

 

[Shaneus]

Follow up question, do you find the game repetitive (I don't mind repetition, e.g. Destiny, though I don't want to have to surmount a huge difficulty curve, e.g. The Crew)?

Not at all. Even during what you'd think would be the most tedious moments (time trials) it keeps you going by downloading the next closest ghost that you can chase... and that's with any car around any track/location. Bettering yourself only through better driving in this game is one of the most satisfying experiences I've encountered in recent years.

Even during tour events where you only need to get X time to get the three stars, I still find myself continuing to lap because I know I can improve. It's fantastic.

 

[Laughing Banana]

I am quite certainly mind-blowned by the revelation that customers asking for what has been promised by a developer/publisher is something that many seem to find aggravating/wrong.

 

[Zolbrod]

I think most people who were interested in the game have already bought it by now.
You can buy a physical copy for pretty damn cheap already.

 

[jroc74]

Anecdotal probably. I can add my own examples:

Most of my 360 friends switched to PS4, which totals around 7. Only myself and my brother bother to download the free games every month. 1 of my friends is aware about the free games but thinks they all look bad so he doesn't even bother to download them (I don't agree with it but who am I to make him do it). The other 4 were not aware of any free games until I told them, and even now they might only download 1 of the games each month of it looks "cool", otherwise they don't even bother to download r despite it being free.

I really wouldn't doubt that a good amount of PS+ members do not download the games, otherwise you would be seeing more PR.

I wonder if they know that by using the website you can set them to be downloaded at a later date....would it change their attitude towards the free games.

Some games I wouldnt have got if not for that. Glad I did. Knytt Underground was a pleasant surprise. And definitely a game I would've passed on downloading. And by doing that I had a lot if games available when I finally got a PS4 and I will have alot when I get another Vita.

I think most people who were interested in the game have already bought it by now.
You can buy a physical copy for pretty damn cheap already.

Yea I can get it for $20 now. I wouldnt be surprised if it finally makes it to PS+ as the full game and not the stripped down version as intended. I know a few others think this too.

 

[Shaneus]

I am quite certainly mind-blowned by the revelation that customers asking for what has been promised by a developer/publisher is something that many seem to find aggravating/wrong.

Is it that, or more that people are asking, getting answers from the developer (as vague as they may be) but continuing to show their frustration?

I'm not in the camp of waiting for the PS+ version so I can't make that call, but I don't think the Evo/Sony "defenders" are still getting pissed by people still wanting their free version of the game. Maybe just that it seems to be the same complaints being repeated. Maybe it's the speculation that it'll never appear, or that the full game will be making an appearance as a freebie PS+ title instead, I don't know. It's a shame that Evo haven't released an official statement regarding what progress has been made towards releasing it, because I think that would go a long way in stifling the complaints that appear in this thread.

For what it's worth, I'm more here to quell any misinformation/offer hope in case of anything that might be in-game that non-buyers wouldn't see (such as the Startline tour campaign). People have every right to complain, that's understandable.

If anyone has any specific questions regarding the game, online, or whatever, I'm happy to respond via PM so as to not derail this thread (or give the appearance of shilling or whatever). I do this as a fan of the game, not as some PR monkey or defender of either Evo or Sony.

 

[Brutalitops]

After getting tired of waiting for the promised Plus version, I went ahead and bought Driveclub (preowned of course). It's okay, but I just can't help but feel soured by this whole thing.

TWICE I have subscribed to PS+ to get this (once when it was announced at E3 2013, again a year later after the delay), and I still don't have it, just the same "information will follow soon" line they have recycled for hundreds of days now.

 

[travisbickle]

I've come to the point where I just don't care. I was excited for this when I was thinking I'd get the chance to try it out and see if it was for me at launch. PC is right around the corner, anyway.

I didn't realize there was a free version of project cars available on PS+? I mean how else could you have validated whether it was for you at launch?

 

[Portugeezer]

After getting tired of waiting for the promised Plus version, I went ahead and bought Driveclub (preowned of course). It's okay, but I just can't help but feel soured by this whole thing.

TWICE I have subscribed to PS+ to get this (once when it was announced at E3 2013, again a year later after the delay), and I still don't have it, just the same "information will follow soon" line they have recycled for hundreds of days now.

I hope you subbed for 1 month.

 

[Brutalitops]

I didn't realize there was a free version of project cars available on PS+? I mean how else could you have validated whether it was for you at launch?

Was there a free PC version promised that I didn't hear about?

 

[travisbickle]

Was there a free PC version promised that I didn't hear about?

If you're not buying it because you were promised, fair enough.
His post implied he needed the free version to try before buying to see if it's for him. Im shocked he's willing to purchase Project Cars without a free version available, or 95% of next gen games without a demo ... It's like there are other ways of finding out if a game is suitable?

 

[Novocaine]

I was waiting for the PS+ version and I ended up just buying it when it was on a sale.

Glad I did too, it's quite good.

 

[Lebneney]

Bettering yourself only through better driving in this game is one of the most satisfying experiences I've encountered in recent years.

It's fantastic.

That's great to hear I really should pick it up this week.

I was waiting for the PS+ version and I ended up just buying it when it was on a sale.

Glad I did too, it's quite good.

Do you mind me asking how much you paid for it?

 

[VariantX]

I don't see people wanting this type of specific answer with BF4, Sims, MCC and Unity? What do you want? A screenshot of their net code running the server?

The game works, Server run fine with 200k+ people on it, it's the features that are what is breaking the game, any additional influx of people playing the game (possible 10 million PS+ Owners) would break the game again via these features:
-Creating millions of clubs
-Doing billions of challenges
-Running on the Multiplayer Servers

Naturally Evo/Sony stopped people from downloading the PS+ Edition on launch because they saw that the features in DriveClub broke every time a new user joined. Their solution would be to strengthen the servers to support set amount of users doing these key feature to prevent what most likely will happen. Everyone downloads all PS+ games, people will play this the day it launches, they need to be ready. I'll give them time, but I won't throw shit at their face while they are at it.

How did you possibly miss all that?? There were threads specifically talking about these issues now. The battlefront trailer was met with skepticism because of games like those and more either not performing as promised or worse. Compared to the lashing those games got, Driveclub got off pretty lightly. I mean the BF4 CTE exists today because of peoples demand for answers about why the game they purchased was constantly crashing, deleting their saved game progress, and having generally poor network performance to the point where the multiplayer was unplayable on some maps due to excessive rubberbanding.

 

[Gen X]

Every time the subject of "What happened to DriveClub PS+ Edition?" is brought up, someone always gives this excuse. "Well, they can't release it, because that would open the floodgates for bunch more new users, which would undoubtedly ruin the whole game for everyone else."

How come no one ever makes this excuse for any other major game from a major publisher? Games like Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, Borderlands, Far Cry, Destiny...ahem, Need for Speed, Forza...they all hit the shelves, and such a collapse of the online component just never seems to be a concern for those games.

No one else makes the "excuse" for those other games you mentioned because none of those other major publishers give away playable MP demos on launch day that can be played with the full product.

 

[foolishoptimist]

I was one those people planning to play the PS+ version at the PS4 launch, then again a year later, eventually, I gave up waiting on the free version and just bought it with Xmas vouchers.

Glad I did, as it's easily one of my favourite games ever.

Evolution need to deliver the free version, but not until it's ready.
I don't care if you claim to only have paid for PS+ to get access to this one item.
You're not entitled to it just because you think it's ready.
Evolution get's to decide when they think it's ready.
And IMO, the servers still aren't ready.

Issues since Xmas:
I've had consistent though minor connectivity issues since I bought it(without even touching MP)
I've had to close/re-open the game because I couldn't make it re-connect.
It can sometimes take a minute to connect and highlight club/challenge options on the main menu.
The number of challenges displayed will be out of sync between different levels of menus, and it can take minutes to display the fact that you have no challenges, even though the prev menu said there were.
I've also had issues where winning times posted in a challenge kept disappearing throughout the last day of the challenge. It all ended fine, but I had no idea what was going to happen with that all day.
As a paying customer, I'm still waiting on the IOS app to track my challenges

This is all without the extra users the PS+ version would inevitably bring.

I expect a PS+ version is close to being released with the recent update to the starter tour - making the game a bit friendlier for new comers. But I'm still unsure that the servers are ready.

 

[Jimrpg]

The right thing to do is to release the PS+ version as single player only... With the start line tour.

Delaying the ps+ version/demo by over 200 days is ridiculous.

 

[Tigress]

No one else makes the "excuse" for those other games you mentioned because none of those other major publishers give away playable MP demos on launch day that can be played with the full product.

And neither has Drive Club.

 

[OrangeYouGlad]

Went to gamestop to buy the game since its 19.99 and its discontinued and nowhere to be found. Found it on bestbuy, went to the clerk to pricematch and told me they couldnt since it says its not available online.

Oh really?

The game isn't discontinued. Looks like GameStop just isn't replenishing their stock.

 

[CouchMaster]

The Startline tour is almost guaranteed to be what PS+ version will be, because on its own it makes no sense in the full game.

Also feel sorry for people who bought PS+ solely for Driveclub and felt cheated, I feel your pain.

 

[foolishoptimist]

And neither has Drive Club.

Incorrect. It was available for a very short amount of time

 

[AbandonedTrolley]

The Startline tour is almost guaranteed to be what PS+ version will be, because on its own it makes no sense in the full game.

Also feel sorry for people who bought PS+ solely for Driveclub and felt cheated, I feel your pain.

The thing is how many people with a PS4 bought PS+ solely for Driveclub, I don't for one second think that someone has purchased PS+ and not downloaded the games each month, or used their machine online in other games. Driveclub was just an addition to the service. If someone has bought a PS4 and played single player games ever since getting PS+ then they have an argument, other than that, it's all just salt.

 

[Fixed2BeBroken]

Went to gamestop to buy the game since its 19.99 and its discontinued and nowhere to be found. Found it on bestbuy, went to the clerk to pricematch and told me they couldnt since it says its not available online.

oh shit its $20 now at gamestop and only gamestop? this post made me check my local gamestop via the website and they got it so I have one on hold. thanks!

 

[AbandonedTrolley]

oh shit its $20 now? this post made me check my local gamestop via the website and they got it so I have one on hold. thanks!

Did you get them to hide it behind something else for you?

 

[Mabufu]

Those who are still waiting for PS+, I'll tell you something:
You are just hurting yourselves.

Meanwhile you whine about broken promises and how unfair the world is and dont getting anything, I'll have fun with my DC + Season Pass more than worth every single cent I payed.

Still, I dont get how you can be so so rude because of a mistake, like if Evo had ruined your life or something.

 

[GoonerTRON]

Whats the chance the whole Drive Club PS+ Edition was just to get racing fans pre-ordering a PS4 instead of a XB1...

 

[GHG]

Those who are still waiting for PS+, I'll tell you something:
You are just hurting yourselves.

Meanwhile you whine about broken promises and how unfair the world is and dont getting anything, I'll have fun with my DC + Season Pass more than worth every single cent I payed.

Still, I dont get how you can be so so rude because of a mistake, like if Evo had ruined your life or something.

What really gets me is that it was never going to be anything more than an extended demo... You would still have to shell out more money to get the full game and season pass if you wanted that.

Meanwhile, there have been multiple opportunities to get the game and season pass for less than the price of an annual ps+ sub.

 

[mrklaw]

they should have put out an offline version for PS+ and then waited until they could fix things to update it to online. At least then you'd have people playing and possibly deciding to buy the full version.

 

[GoonerTRON]

Those who are still waiting for PS+, I'll tell you something:
You are just hurting yourselves.

Meanwhile you whine about broken promises and how unfair the world is and dont getting anything, I'll have fun with my DC + Season Pass more than worth every single cent I payed.

Still, I dont get how you can be so so rude because of a mistake, like if Evo had ruined your life or something.

Have fun, I bet alot of people just want the PS+ version to check out the graphics like I did. Game really isnt that great...

 

[Mabufu]

Have fun, I bet alot of people just want the PS+ version to check out the graphics like I did. Game really isnt that great...

Did you play it for more than 1 hour?

Because my 50h+ disagrees hard. Also my laughs, my excitement with hypercars and headphones, and my jaw on the floor.

Not a single racing game can top the races DC can provide.

 

[MaxiLive]

The PS+ version probably doesn't have much to do with servers issues any more as the numbers would of dropped significantly, there would however be high demand once the PS+ version arrived.

The biggest problem is probably the man power to create the PS+ version, test it and add any tweaks while working on DLC which also needs testing, crafting and such. Will the layoffs and probably not much assistance from Sony to pick up the PS+ version tab it will remain dead for a good while.

I bet they have a PS+ build in the works but it just sitting there at the moment due to much higher priorities within the studio to keep the studio in business. The only way I could see the PS+ version turning up is if Sony outsourced it to another team or provided Evo with a good amount of cash to hire some staff but even that would take months to catch up.

 

[Neuromancer]

Whats the chance the whole Drive Club PS+ Edition was just to get racing fans pre-ordering a PS4 instead of a XB1...

Roughly 0%

 

[Muzicfreq]

At this point it's cheap as fuck at gamestop... IF they have it anymore for like $20 or $30 used.... odd how new is cheaper.... Don't change gamestop
http://i.imgur.com/jwMnwK8.jpg
Sorry for the meme stuff but this shit matches EXATLY what I am talking about.

Mind you the preowned that was $30 didn't even have a goddamn case... HOW THIS EARLY THIS GEN DO YOU LOSE YOUR CASES FOR YOUR GAMES?!