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Joystiq Weekly: Amplitude is funded, Wolfenstein review, video previews 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. Amplitude fans just discovered a new favorite month of the year, as Harmonix's Kickstarter for a Sony-exclusive continuation of the lane-changing rhythm game cleared its goal within the final day of its funding campaign. Regardless of the original Amplitude's quality, the button-tapper's fan base is pretty niche - if games catering to slivers of the broader gaming population can find the funding they need via Kickstarter, it makes us wonder what other dream sequels we could get away with. There are always the down-and-out series begging for continuations like Shenmue 3, but that almost feels too obvious. What if we launched a Kickstarter for a team to continue an established property? We could start a campaign to glue the pieces of Wipeout developer SCE Studio Liverpool back together, then launch another to cover the resurrected studio's costs to make a new F-Zero! What's that you say? F-Zero is owned by Nintendo and is definitely not a property we can just give out to whoever we wish? Well, we can launch another Kickstarter to fund a protective shield until SCE finishes the game, and then Captain Falcon can finally get back on track with his career! On second thought, maybe we shouldn't take swings at the legal beehive. We'll have to think our F-Zero revival strategy over, but until then, we've got the cliff notes from this week's news and content ready for you. Details about the Xbox One's June update, reviews for Transistor and Wolfenstein: The New Order and video previews for Driveclub and Middle-Earth: Shadow of Morder - it's all ready for you after the break!
Video preview: Socialized racing in PS4's Driveclub
After deciding to go a few more laps to ensure its social features functioned as envisioned, Evolution Studios is ready to unleash its delayed PS4-exclusive racer Driveclub onto the world. Launching on October 7 in North America, the racing game finds its place between the hardcore simulation style of a Gran Turismo and the arcade action of a Need for Speed. In our video preview, we discuss the game's look and tactility, marvelous sound design, microtransaction concerns and where the game's PS Plus version fits into the mix.
Driveclub features campaign shortcut microtransactions
Evolution Studios' upcoming PS4 racer Driveclub will offer players a selection of campaign shortcut microtransaction purchases at launch, director Paul Rustchynsky recently told IGN. Rustchynsky assures that vehicle microtransactions will be limited to cars that players can unlock during the course of the game's campaign. Microtransactions only serve as a shortcut to Driveclub's unlockable content, and Rustchynsky describes campaign progression as "really straightforward, really simple and [allowing] access to a lot of content really quickly." "In Driveclub you earn Fame, and as you earn Fame, you level up," Rustchynsky explained. "Every time you level up, we give you another car. There's no double gating or anything along those lines, you're given the car straight away without having to do anything else. The only thing we do have is a couple of shortcuts." Rustchynsky continued: "If you want to unlock a car immediately, you can pay to unlock that car straight away but it's not a consumable microtransaction. We don't let people buy Fame, for example and spend lots and lots. The idea is if you want to shortcut things you can do -- it's identical to what we did in Motorstorm RC. So if you played that, you know what we're doing here." Driveclub will launch on October 7 at retail and as a free PlayStation Plus download. [Image: Evolution Studios]
Sony: Driveclub upgrade still playable for lapsed PS Plus subscribers
Sony has revised its PlayStation Plus release plans for Evolution Studios' upcoming PlayStation 4 racer Driveclub, announcing that it has modified availability in response to fan feedback. Previously, players who paid $49.99 to upgrade to the full version of Driveclub from the free PlayStation Plus edition would lose access to the game after their Plus subscriptions lapsed. According to Sony's newly revised terms, Driveclub's upgrade will now remain playable even after a player's subscription expires. Sony also issued a pair of new trailers showcasing Driveclub's unique social-focused features. The trailer above shows off Driveclub's Challenges, while the video after the break below focuses on player-driven Clubs. [Video: Sony]
Here's what Driveclub has in store for PlayStation Plus members
Sony has outlined its release plans for the PlayStation Plus edition of Evolution Studios' sim-styled racer Driveclub, revealing that the upcoming free version will feature around one-fifth of the total content found in the full retail release. The PlayStation Plus version of Driveclub includes all game modes, 11 tracks, and 10 playable cars. Additional vehicles and tracks can be unlocked either individually via in-game purchases or all at once with a full upgrade option priced at $49.99. The retail and upgraded versions of Driveclub boast a total of five locations, 55 tracks, 50 cars, and 50 tour events. Driveclub will launch digitally and at retail on October 7. [Image: Sony]
Social network-styled menu system delayed Driveclub on PS4
A social network-styled dynamic menu system is to blame for Driveclub's months-long delay on the PlayStation 4, game director Paul Rustchynsky told Game Informer this week. "We need to make sure that all the connectivity that surrounds the game, whether it be joining clubs or sending challenges, or even interacting with the iOS and Android Driveclub apps – that had to be slick," Rustchynsky explained. "That had to be absolutely seamless, and that was the one area we needed to put extra time into. All the things that we were able to polish – the cars and the tracks, etc. that was just a fantastic byproduct." Rustchynsky continued: "What we originally had was something that was not necessarily as smooth, or the transitions or the way it connected you or other players weren't as intuitive as we intended them to be. So we had to go back and re-look at those areas, and kind of look at different ways and new techniques to get people to socially connect. And we've changed that with our new dynamic menu system [...], so we really feel like we've kind of solved all those problems now and created this racing game which is socially charged." Driveclub missed its planned debut at the PlayStation 4's launch last year. Developer Evolution Studios announced this week that the Driveclub will premiere in October, and a free version will be available for PlayStation Plus members. [Image: Sony]
Driveclub is still free for PlayStation Plus members
Evolution Studios reiterated release plans for its PlayStation 4 racer Driveclub, confirming that a free version will be available for PlayStation Plus subscribers upon the game's launch in October. Evolution Studios announced last year that PlayStation Plus members would receive a free, content-limited version of Driveclub at the PlayStation 4's launch. Driveclub's release was subsequently pushed past the console's debut, and met with further delays before solidifying its release date this week. "I'd also like to confirm that the PS Plus Edition of the game will be available on the same day as the full release," Driveclub game director Paul Rustchynsky said. "Offering a selection of cars and tracks from the complete version, we think it's the perfect way for those new to the genre to get an idea of what the full Driveclub experience is all about. Look out for more details on the PS Plus Edition very soon." [Image: Sony]
Better late than never, Driveclub reaches the PlayStation 4 on October 7th
Evolution Studios may have missed its chance to make Driveclub a PlayStation 4 launch title (and a technology showcase) by quite a wide margin, but it at last has some firm release dates. The socially-savvy racing game should reach North America on October 7th, while Europeans will get it a day later. As Sony previously explained, the nearly year-long delay comes after Evolution went "back to the drawing board" to rework large parts of the game, taking on a new project leader in the process. Patience may prove to be a virtue in that case, although we don't envy Driveclub's odds of success when it's launching on a very, very busy day. The title now has to vie for attention with potential blockbusters like Alien: Isolation, Dragon Age: Inquisition and Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor -- there's no certainty that gamers will have the cash to spare.
Driveclub hits PlayStation 4 on October 7
Sony nailed down a release date for Evolution Studios' long-in-development PlayStation 4 racing game Driveclub, revealing that the final product will hit retail on October 7 in North America and October 8 in Europe. Originally announced as a PlayStation 4 launch title, Driveclub met with a series of delays prior to its intended release date. Sony Worldwide Studios development head Scott Rohde explained last month that the delays were necessary to improve the game's quality after development was sent "back to the drawing board." "We planned for the game to be ready for early 2014 and are committed to delivering on our ambitious promise of creating a truly innovative, socially connected racing game," SCE Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida said. "The problem with being ambitious is you have to be prepared to accept there will be challenges along the way. What Driveclub offers has not been previously achieved in this category, and, because of this, the team needed more time to give you the game you're waiting for." Driveclub was initially announced as a PlayStation Plus release, though Sony has issued no updates regarding its planned availability to Plus members following its final release in October. [Video: Sony]
New studio emerges from MotorStorm, Driveclub creator
Evolution Studios founder Martin Kenwright, the creator of MotorStorm, announced his new studio this week, Starship. The studio's plan is to "use games to disrupt other marketplaces," Kenwright told IGN, and that Starship already began work on "several" next-gen games. The news follows layoffs that his the Driveclub developer this week, including the reported departure of game director Col Rodgers. "Historically we'd always make software for formats that didn't exist yet. What I'm trying to do is start up a new venture now, with a five or ten year roadmap," Kenwright said of Starship. "There's no point competing in the current marketplace; it's already established. It's important to set your stall out for the next generation of tech." Starship is said to be led by industry veterans from both Evolution Studios and Sony Liverpool, which Kenwright plans to leverage by "formulating memorable IPs with genuine use and need. The idea was to take some of the best gaming talent in the world and then move it slightly outside games." He wouldn't commit to any genre for the studio's future, though a racing game seems to be the obvious choice, given the former Evolution founder's history. Kenwright did add that the studio "had meetings in the automotive sector with companies and they say that some of the visions we have blow their minds. We're really out to change the game." Its first project is slated to be revealed at E3. [Image: Evolution Studios]
Report: Driveclub director Col Rodgers departs Evolution Studios
In addition to the layoffs at Driveclub developer Evolution Studios, which we reported earlier today, we now have word that game director Col Rodgers has also taken his leave. According to Videogamer, Rodgers' exodus is unrelated to the aforementioned layoffs. It's unclear why he has decided to leave Evolution Studios with the development of Driveclub reportedly in the final stages, though Videogamer notes that Rodgers founded indie studio Big Red Switch Games in February, where he claims to be working on "some cool game concepts." As to the status of Driveclub, that's now even more a mystery than it already was. Originally, the racing simulation was slated to launch alongside the PlayStation 4 last November. After that, publisher Sony pushed the intended release back to a nebulous "early 2014." Since that time there's been scant new information on the racer, though recently Scott Rohde, head of development at Sony Worldwide Studios America, stated Driveclub had been moved "back to the drawing board" to ensure it lives up to fan expectations. [Image: Sony]
Driveclub, Killzone Mercenary and Playroom devs hit by layoffs
Several Sony studios in the UK have been hit by layoffs. VideoGamer reports Evolution Studios, Guerrilla Cambridge (Killzone Mercenary) and SCE London Studio (Wonderbook, Playroom) were all affected in the "focused restructure." The one studio on that list with an announced project in development is Evolution and its oft-delayed Driveclub. In a follow-up, Sony said development of Driveclub would not be affected by the layoffs. Don't let your mind wander into the paradox of an already delayed game not being affected by layoffs.
You do not talk about Driveclub's release date (yet)
Once slated to debut alongside the PlayStation 4 in November of last year, next-gen racer Driveclub has adopted a low profile, like a Lamborghini Aventador in the witness protection program. Sony and developer Evolution Studios pushed the game back in October, saying they needed more time and work to perfect a shared vision of shiny cars. According to a new exchange between IGN and Scott Rohde, development head for Sony Worldwide Studios America, the detail-oriented racing game has shifted "back to the drawing board" in pursuit of quality. Driveclub isn't ready to be shipped – not without doing customers a "disservice," Rohde said. He did not confirm a new release date, in 2014 or otherwise. Joystiq has spoken to Mr. Rohde about PlayStation no-shows before, but Driveclub has a more prolific studio – and only one slip – behind it. Of course, if we see its metallic body coming over the hill, with a giant half-bird half-cat behind the wheel, we'll experience the end of two mysteries at once. That hasn't happened since we recorded two episodes of Murder, She Wrote onto a single VHS. Image: Sony
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Driveclub won't make PS4 launch in Japan
Driveclub is no longer part of the PS4 launch line-up in Japan, meaning it's been unpinned from a February 22 release date over there. It's perhaps not the most surprising news, given the racer's western window is still a vague "early 2014." According to Siliconera and GAME Watch, its new scheduling in the country is to be determined. It's not the first last-minute delay for Driveclub; the Evolution Studios sim was a PS4 launch title in the West before stalling a month ahead of the checkered flag. Back then, Sony Worldwide Studios chief Shuhei Yoshida said, "We understand that the delay is disappointing news, but can assure you that the reason we have made this decision is to ensure that when Driveclub launches, it will realize the next-gen racing vision." There's not been much word on the game since, and today's news doesn't shed light on things beyond making a western launch next month look unlikelier. Whenever it arrives, Driveclub is coming as a full, paid-for game and as a free download for PS Plus members, the latter "missing a few assets, such as cars and tracks" according to Evolution Studios.
Sony's Driveclub becomes second PS4 launch title to be delayed in a week
Sony has just announced that Driveclub, one of its original launch titles for the PlayStation 4, is running behind schedule and will miss the big day. The magnitude of this loss will obviously depend on how much your personal PS4 unboxing fantasy involved loading up a team-based, arcade-style driving sim -- and honestly, ours didn't. Nevertheless, the postponement comes in the same week that Watch Dogs was also pushed back to spring 2014 -- though that delay affects all consoles, not just Sony's. There's another issue, too: Driveclub was one of just two launch games that were meant to be offered free to PS Plus subscribers, as an extra inducement to spend $50 on a year's access. By way of a replacement, Sony will offer the dark platform-puzzler Contrast as part of its PS4 instant game collection, and you'll find a trailer for that title lurking in the shadows below.
Driveclub delayed to early 2014
Sony confirmed the rumored last-minute delay to PS4 launch game Driveclub, pushing back the Evolution Studios racer to "early 2014." Vaudevillian puzzle-platformer Contrast will take Driveclub's place as one of the two PS Plus games available at the PS4's launch, the other being Resogun. Sony Worldwide Studios chief Shuhei Yoshida assured fans a PS Plus version of Driveclub will still be available when the game is eventually released. Writing on the PS Blog, Yoshida said Driveclub requires more development time before it can deliver on Evolution Studios and Sony's vision: "We understand that the delay is disappointing news, but can assure you that the reason we have made this decision is to ensure that when Driveclub launches, it will realize the next-gen racing vision." Driveclub is the second PS4 launch game to be delayed this week, although Ubisoft's Watch Dogs is multiplatform in contrast. Yoshida moved to allay fears over the dwindling line-up, name-checking Killzone Shadow Fall, Knack, Assassin's Creed 4, FIFA 14, Call of Duty: Ghosts, and Battlefield 4 as some of the remaining PS4 launch games. "A broad portfolio of games will be available on PS4 before the end of the year," Yoshida added, "And with games such Infamous Second Son, The Order 1886, Destiny, Watch Dogs and now Driveclub coming next year, the strength of the software line-up on PS4 is unprecedented."
Rumor: PS4 launch title Driveclub delayed
Two reports are claiming that PS4 launch title Driveclub may be the latest title to receive a last-minute delay. Ominous silence from publisher Sony and developer Evolution Studios isn't allaying fears after this week's Watch Dogs delay. The rumblings began yesterday at UK-based site The Same Coin, which reported it received word from an "anonymous source" that Evolution Studios' racer was being pushed back to spring 2014. The Same Coin told Joystiq the anonymous source is a Sony employee, but we've not been able to verify this. The rumor was then followed up by Kotaku, who posted that "a person familiar with goings-on at Sony" told the site that The Same Coin's report is accurate. Kotaku also noted Driveclub was originally part of the line-up at a PS4 event in San Francisco yesterday, but was later removed because of a "scheduling conflict," according to a Sony representative. We're also unable to verify that Same Coin and Kotaku aren't talking to the same source. We've reached out to Sony for comment, but we've yet to hear back. Meanwhile, Evolution Design Director Paul Rustchynsky seemed to deflect multiple queries about the rumor on Twitter, instead saying, "Unfortunately guys I don't have any new information on Driveclub to share. I've been out if the office for a week looking after my newborn!" Driveclub is due to launch alongside the PS4 on November 15 in North America, and November 25 in Europe. There's a free, beta version of the game allegedly coming to PS Plus subscribers that's missing "a few assets" from the full version.
Strafe through Sony's TGS 2013 booth
Take a quick look at what Sony had on offer inside of its Tokyo Game Show booth, including the various new and sundry Vitas, Driveclub, Killzone Shadow Fall, Resogun and Deep Down, in addition to many soothing blue neon lights.
Driveclub gameplay trailer speeds through the night
This video for Driveclub takes an Audi R8 V10 Plus through the game's nighttime Salar de Surire track. Driveclub will launch with the PS4 on November 15.
Welcome to Driveclub, now watch these instructional videos
Four Driveclub videos for the price of one post! That's what we have today, thanks to Sony Computer Entertainment publishing a flurry of footage from the PS4 game. The quartet of vids are taken from a direct feed of the racer's Gamescom demo; you'll find one above, and the other three past the break. Paul Rustchynsky, design director at developer Evolution Studios, took to NeoGAF to spill a few more details on Driveclub's slightly stripped-down PlayStation Plus version. According to Rustchynsky, the Plus edition "will be available well into the new year," and lets players earn the platinum trophy despite missing some cars and tracks from the full game. Rustchynsky also reiterated that there'll be a discount to upgrade from the Plus version to the full digital game, but we'll still have to wait on prices for "a few more weeks yet." Driveclub revs onto the PlayStation 4 at launch, which is November 15 in North America.
