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Driveclub studio kicks the tires, lights two free DLC fires
Game launches can be tricky to nail, as there are plenty of variables where things can go wrong. Such was the case for the unfortunate Driveclub from developer Evolution Studios, which has already seen several fixes deployed and a delay of the game's PlayStation Plus version. Naturally, these developments have led to unhappy customers. To thank fans for their support in light of such problems, Evolution Studios will be giving away two DLC packs for free to customers who have purchased the game. The Ignition Expansion Pack and Photo-Finish Tour Pack, both due on November 25 in North America (November 26 in Europe, November 27 in Japan), will add five new cars, 22 new tour events, 10 new trophies and 10 new livery items. Since these new items will be given away for free, Evolution Studios will be offering Driveclub's Season Pass holders two extra DLC packs in July of 2015 so that, according to a Facebook post by the studio, "players who purchased the pass get everything that was promised." The studio will also be rolling out another update to the game on Tuesday, November 18, which will add the increasingly popular Photo Mode, as well as several game balances and fixes. [Image: Evolution Studios]
Driveclub PS Plus version delayed 'until further notice'
Shuhei Yoshida, Sony's president of worldwide studios, would like to an offer an apology to fans burned by the problematic launch of socially-connected PlayStation 4 racer Driveclub, but his mea culpa comes with more bad news. "[T]he road to launch has been a little rocky, and we are truly sorry that so many of you have not been able to enjoy everything that we had hoped Driveclub would deliver," Yoshida writes in a Facebook status update. He then claims that Sony has dedicated additional resources to fixing Driveclub's connectivity issues, but warns fans that there is currently no estimate for when the game will work properly. From there things only get worse. "With the high volume of new players and additional server load the PS Plus Edition is anticipated to bring, we are currently not confident that we can guarantee the best online experience," Yoshida adds. "Until we can ensure that everyone can enjoy the full social connected online experience, we will be postponing the release of the PS Plus Edition until further notice." For those keeping score at home, the free-to-play PS Plus Edition that Yoshida mentions was originally slated to launch alongside Driveclub on October 7. [Image: Sony]
Driveclub deploys server update, PS Plus Edition 'on hold'
PlayStation 4-exclusive racer Driveclub has seen a "significant" server update to address online issues that linger after the game's launch earlier this month, developer Evolution Studios announced. Players should see improvements in Driveclub's competitive multiplayer component starting this week, and leaderboard fixes are also on the way. Many of Driveclub's online features were previously disabled as its developers addressed connectivity issues that cropped up post-launch. "The issues with server performance were never encountered during the past year, in any of the many rounds of testing prior to launch," a reply from Driveclub's official Facebook account reads. "The servers were actually live for over a week before Oct 7 for reviewers and none of these issues were discovered during that time either. "The servers hit their absolute limit soon after the midnight launch on Oct 7 [...] and we have been working around the clock every day since, to get more servers online and improve the way that the servers handle social activity between players." The team is additionally holding back Driveclub's free PlayStation Plus Edition, pending online fixes. "The PS Plus Edition is on hold while this work progresses and we want to get it back on track as quickly as possible, because we want everyone to enjoy the game we've poured our hearts into throughout development," Evolution Studios revealed via Facebook. [Update: Evolution Studios has issued another Facebook update explaining this week's fixes in detail. "Our diagnostics show the majority of you are now able to get online and racing," the developer states. "Today we also released a server update to optimize multiplayer matchmaking so you will now be matched with more suitable players based on the type of internet connection you have, which means matchmaking should be more reliable. This update will also fix some bugs we had with clubs where some players couldn't join or leave a club."] [Image: Sony]
Let's look at each game console's lineup of exclusives for holiday 2014
Can you smell that? It's the aroma of game lovers' tears everywhere as they realize their bank accounts likely can't sustain buying every title coming out in the annual deluge of fall video game releases. That's to say nothing of the amount of time you'd need to play absolutely everything that's come out since September. Or even on November 18th alone! But what is each console offering exclusively this holiday? That's a bit more manageable, and we compare them below.
Driveclub patched again, server woes still plague the racer
Developer Evolution Studios has issued a new patch for socially-connected racing game Driveclub, which it hopes will alleviate the ongoing connectivity issues that have plagued the game since its debut. "Over the next 24 hours we are rolling out a new game update alongside server upgrades that will help to improve server performance, clubs and multiplayer functionality," reads a recent post on the game's Facebook page. "We are also running essential diagnostics periodically to help us continue to improve server performance, which may disrupt online play for you when you get connected. This will be kept to a minimum." Evolution then goes on to apologize for the connectivity issues that are especially troubling in a game based around a core gimmick of social networking, and claims it is "working around the clock to improve connectivity." Our review of Driveclub was middling. Ludwig awarded the game three of five stars, and while he praised its undeniably attractive graphics he also noted that the game features braindead AI and a career mode he quite diplomatically described as "old-fashioned." These ongoing server woes have not improved our opinion of the game. [Image: Sony]
Driveclub's imminent update to re-enable some online features
Server woes remain ongoing for PS4 racer Driveclub, but developer Evolution Studios announced a new update should allow the team to bring more functionality to the game's online side. Yesterday afternoon the UK studio said the update was due "within 24 hours," and would mean the dev could "switch on more of the online features, so that you will be able to play more of Driveclub online." When Driveclub launched last week, its servers buckled so hard under the traffic that Evolution decided to delay the launch of the content-lighter PlayStation Plus version to ease the load, as well as the companion iOS and Android app. Over the weekend a new patch allowed the servers to handle more players, but the studio added further work would make certain online features unavailable, such as challenge and social updates.
Alien: Isolation debuts 2nd in UK charts, doesn't scare off FIFA 15
Again and again, the UK charts prove that when all is said and done, FIFA FIFA and FIFA some more. This time around it was Alien: Isolation that failed to prevent FIFA 15 from notching a third week on top of the country's retail sales charts. Still, Creative Assembly's zeal for xenomorphs was enough to take its newly hatched space horror into second place. Regular charters will remember FIFA 15 held off three major new releases last week in Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, Forza Horizon 2 and Super Smash Bros. 3DS. This week, EA's sportsball sim denied four new challengers. In addition to Alien: Isolation, PS4 racer Driveclub had to settle for fifth, as it didn't manage to overtake Forza in fourth. Like Mordor which placed third, the Xbox game dropped just a place in its second week. Meanwhile, basket case NBA 2K15 debuted seventh. As for the fourth challenger, PS4, Xbox One and PC remaster Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition fell short of the top ten in 12th place. As for what kept it out, once again if you regularly keep up with our UK charts posts, you won't be at all surprised to see the two entries sat in ninth and tenth place - as ever, check out the full top ten and customary music video below the break.
Joystiq Weekly: Vib-ribbon launches, Driveclub Review, RE: Revelations 2 preview and more
Welcome to Joystiq Weekly, a "too long; didn't read" of each week's biggest stories, reviews and original content. Each category's top story is introduced with a reactionary gif, because moving pictures aren't just for The Daily Prophet. "Better eight years late than never," PlayStation Network users probably said during this week's return of Vib-ribbon. Sure, we're not exactly in drought season, but what's stopping you from impulsively bailing on 2014's release calendar to revisit a 1999 cult classic? Beyond money and life's responsibilities, anyway. If Vib-ribbon is fair game for a 2014 appearance, can we go ahead and get our hopes for comparably-unlikely surprises? Sure, StarCraft: Ghost's indefinitely-on-hold status is probably irreversible at this point, but if Blizzard felt like continuing development in secret for years and launching it without warning, we wouldn't be upset. Valve, you're more than welcome to do the same with fresh installments in the Half Life or Left 4 Dead series. There was more to this week than feeble wishes though, including resolution news for Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Assassin's Creed: Unity, reviews for Driveclub and Neverending Nightmares, and previews for AC: Unity and Resident Evil: Revelations 2. All those and more are tidied up for you after the break!
Driveclub features disabled as devs seek to fix online woes
Driveclub hasn't reached new, silky-smooth pavement just yet, and it appears server issues will keep racers on rougher roads for a while longer. A post to the game's official Facebook page explains that while a recent update has increased the number of drivers on Driveclub's tracks, updates over "the coming days" will "affect availability of some of the online game features." The post specifically notes the unavailability of challenges and social updates, but reminds players that leaderboards, clubs and online multiplayer races are good to go, should you be able to connect in the first place. These server problems follow the delayed launch (and continued unavailability) of Driveclub's PlayStation Plus version, a content-lite counterpart to the full racer that hit the pavement this week. Our review describes Driveclub as a "well-made, sometimes irritating juxtaposition of the old and new," noting the presence of exceptionally-robotic AI and a dated progression system in its career mode. [Image: Sony]
Driveclub PS Plus temporarily held back to ease server load
Evolution Studios announced it's delaying the PlayStation Plus edition of Driveclub following the server troubles and connectivity issues the retail version's endured since launch. In a Facebook post, Game Director Paul Rustchynsky apologized for holding back the content-lite version free for Plus subscribers, which was due to launch alongside the full game this week, noting that "we want to ensure that when you come on board, you get the best experience possible." Rustchynsky didn't provide a new due date for the Plus edition, but said once Evolution's happy with server performance the studio will announce when it'll be available. The delay also applies to the racer's companion iOS and Android app, which did launch on Google Play yesterday but was since pulled. As for users who've pre-ordered the full game upgrade from the Plus edition, Rustchynsky said "you will still get the full version of Driveclub digitally." - we've reached out to Sony to clarify if that means they can obtain the full version now or when the Plus version launches [Update: A Sony UK spokesperson told Joystiq, "If someone has purchased the PS Plus version, they will be able to get the full game - as the game isn't out yet here, this would be on Friday in the UK."]
Driveclub review: The Stepford Drives
(PS4) You choose what you look like in Driveclub, which adds a tinge of humanity to a game characterized by competitive pieces of metal orbiting a scenic road at high speed. It may seem like a trifling detail, just a simple tweak to the biped behind the wheel, but it's the subtle setup for what Driveclub is really about: a human trying to purge all emotion and blend in with a community of robot race-car drivers. The computer-controlled drivers infuse their route with a glorious, mechanical perfection – slingshotting around insane curves as sunlight ripples across their Mercs and Paganis. Who wouldn't want to be part of such calculated beauty? Who would not want to fit snugly into a 12-car snake slinking around the corner?
Joystiq Streams: Ride the fader and ride it low in PS4's Driveclub
Last week, Joystiq closed out the week with a look at Forza Horizon 2 on Xbox One, the signature racer for Microsoft's machine in the fall push of 2014. Its open world delights are well documented! What of the circuit racing fan, though? What if you don't want to roll around in a golden Bentley, dodging clearly mad drivatars? Nearly a year after its expected launch day release, PlayStation 4's Driveclub is here. For the driver more concerned with shaving half-seconds off laps, Driveclub lets you do so with your pals in a variety of ways. We'll be taking them all out for a test drive today on Joystiq Streams. Starting at 4:00PM EST on Joystiq.com/Twitch, Ludwig Kietzmann (@LudwigK) and Anthony John Agnello (@ajohnagnello) will check out the complete retail version of Driveclub on PS4. Come by, check out some cars, ask some questions. Joystiq.com/Twitch brings you Joystiq Streams every Tuesday and Thursday at 4:00PM EST, but we regularly do unscheduled streams like these so follow us on Twitch if you want to catch them all. [Images: SCEA]
Driveclub bundle fills passenger seat with white PS4 in Europe
When European racers start burning rubber on Driveclub's streets on October 8, PS4-less fans will face one of the most timeless questions in all of tech upgrades: white or black? The PlayStation Blog has detailed console bundles for either shade, though what's under the cardboard hood of each box differs a bit. Those enamored with the Glacier White PS4 can steer a matching controller in a bundled copy of Driveclub for €439.99. The Glacier White bundle will appear in France, Germany, the UK, Greece, Israel, Portugal, Norway, Spain, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Cyprus, Belgium and Luxembourg. Drivers after the standard shade of PS4 can pick up the Gamer Edition bundle, which offers a black PS4, two DualShock 4 controllers, a PlayStation camera and a copy of Driveclub for €499.99. Oddly enough, the Gamer Edition will be a bit more rare than the Glacier White bundle, with sales planned for the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium. If this the "Driveclub bundle" concept sounds familiar, a basic, European-only package announced in July will offer a black PS4 and Driveclub for €440. None of these bundles have been confirmed for the States yet, but you can always learn more about Driveclub via our extensive video preview, regardless of which market you're in. [Image: PlayStation]
Driveclub additional to regular PS Plus allocation, says Sony [update]
PlayStation Plus members are getting the service's edition of Driveclub on top of next month's regular number of games, according to Sony Europe. That means the PS4 racer's lite edition is effectively a bonus for Plus subscribers, who can download and play it as well as the two PS4, two PS3 and two Vita freebies due monthly in the Instant Game Collection. The confirmation comes from Sony Europe's Fred Dutton on the region's PlayStation Blog, so we've reached out to Sony America to confirm the same deal applies. [Update: A Sony Computer Entertainment America spokesperson told Joystiq the same does apply for North America] Evolution Studio's sim is out October 7 as a full retail game and in an edition free for Plus members, with the latter missing most of the cars and tracks available in the former. The Plus edition includes 10 cars and 5 tracks with 11 variations or routes, while the full game features 50 cars and 25 tracks with 55 routes. It's unclear whether or not the hashtag is included in the Plus edition, but the good news those who download the Driveclub freebie can upgrade to the full game for $50. [Image: Sony Europe]
Free DLC tracks, cars coming to Driveclub post-launch
Driveclub developer Evolution Studios has revealed new information on the racing game's planned post-launch DLC, a scheme that includes quite a bit of additional content in both free and premium formats. According to Evolution's community manager Jamie Brayshaw, at launch Driveclub will feature 25 tracks, each of which will boast multiple routes from start to finish. Over the course of the following year, the developer plans to release seven more tracks at no cost to players alongside new, gratis vehicles which will appear each month. While all of that content is free, Evolution also plans to release for-pay DLC content at the same time, which will add an additional 38 cars and 176 events to Driveclub. Individual pricing on this DLC is currently unavailable, but those interested in picking up everything coming to Driveclub will save some money by purchasing all the DLC at once via the game's $25 Season Pass. According to Brayshaw this represents a 60 percent savings over purchasing all of the content piecemeal. Driveclub is currently slated to launch on the PlayStation 4 on October 7. [Image: Sony]
Sony's Gamescom trailers showcase Bloodborne, Rime, Until Dawn, and more
Sony's Gamescom press conference unleashed a flurry of new trailers for upcoming PlayStation releases, and new information flooded in via a series of back-to-back announcements. If you blinked at any point during the show, you probably missed a key revelation or two. Here, we've collected a handful of new trailers for games like Bloodborne, Rime, Shadow of Mordor, and more. Give them some love, won't you?
Driveclub Special Edition peeling out (stickers) in Europe
Sony's socially-driven racer, Driveclub, is getting the special edition treatment in Europe. The special edition comes packed with some bonus in-game goodies, most notably access to five cars, including the McLaren P1, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series, Ferrari 458 Italia, Aston Martin v12 Vantage S and Alfa Romeo 4C, and each will feature an "exclusive" livery design. On top of that, players will get access to two more exclusive livery designs. Finally, in an apparent effort to corner the crucial Trapper Keeper demographic, the special edition will include two vinyl stickers of the Driveclub emblem. The special edition has a suggested retail price of €69.99. Driveclub launches October 8 in Europe. We've contacted Sony to find out if the special edition will be available in North America as well. [Image: Sony]
Driveclub gets wet in new dynamic weather teasers
As if racing supercars at high speeds wasn't dangerous enough, Sony's upcoming racer Driveclub also features a dynamic weather system capable of turning a relaxing drive through the country into a harrowing, frictionless battle against Mother Nature herself. [Image: Sony]
Driveclub joins the PS4 bundle club in Europe
Driveclub is gearing up for its October launch with a newly unveiled PS4 bundle, as if to cement over the chances of another delay. The package is only confirmed for Europe so far, where it's priced 440 euros and includes the game, console and a DualShock 4 controller. It's the second PS4 bundle of recent that Sony's unveiled for Europe but not North America (yet) the first being for The Last of Us Remastered. It would be more than a little surprising if neither bundle was headed stateside, even if Naughty Dog's polished-up horror is only a few weeks away. Well, at least the shiny white Destiny PS4 is definitely on the way.
These are the biggest PlayStation games at E3 2014
The launch window is over. The PlayStation 4 is, for now, leading the sales charts and the best way for Sony to keep driving that momentum this generation is with -- what else? -- compelling games. This year's showing at Sony's E3 booth is no different than the last: You've got your smattering of indies, AAA titles and downloadable content. So what should you expect to add to your growing collection in 2014? We took a tour of Sony's booth to find out.
