DRIVECLUB PlayStation Plus Edition Details (Updated)

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DRIVECLUB PlayStation Plus Edition Details (Updated)
Update 2: We know many of you were looking forward to playing the promised PS Plus Edition and we are truly sorry for the delay. Our first priority is to provide you with the best possible experience while playing DRIVECLUB. 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. 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.
UPDATE: Our priority for DRIVECLUB is to enable you to play and enjoy everything it has to offer and PlayStation recognises that the prior plan for DRIVECLUB entitlement for the upgrade to the PS Plus edition was not appropriate. As a result, we have adjusted the PlayStation Plus terms for DRIVECLUB.

Now, If you intend on downloading DRIVECLUB PlayStation Plus Edition, and upgrading to the full game experience, you will have access to the full game even if your PlayStation Plus subscription runs out.

Last week we announced the release date for PS4’s first socially connected racing game – DRIVECLUB.

The response we’ve seen to the trailer is seriously overwhelming, and it’s time for some more news.

Welcome to the first of three DRIVECLUB updates this week. DRIVECLUB PlayStation Plus Edition has been a hot topic since its announce, so today’s video (the first of three) should answer most of your questions about the actual content included in this edition compared to the Blu-ray version.

One of the recurring questions we keep seeing is about the scale of the PlayStation Plus Edition. The simple answer is that with an active PlayStation Plus subscription, you can download DRIVECLUB PlayStation Plus Edition, which comes with one location (India), 11 tracks, 10 cars and access to all game modes.

But why did we choose to offer this particular selection of the game to PlayStation Plus subscribers for free?

DRIVECLUB is inherently next gen. It’s about accessibility for all and building a community of gamers who love online play. DRIVECLUB PlayStation Plus Edition is designed to be a quick and easy way for gamers all over the world to join the DRIVECLUB community. You can take part in all the game modes, set, send and compete in challenges, and race online against others in the DRIVECLUB community.

We think you’ll have a lot of fun playing DRIVECLUB once it launches on October 7th, digitally via the PlayStation store and on Blu-ray at your local retailer. If you’re an active PlayStation Plus subscriber and have been playing the PlayStation Plus Edition, but decide you want the full DRIVECLUB experience, you can purchase a one-time upgrade for $49.99. This will give you access to all five locations, 55 tracks, 50 cars and all 50 tour events, as long as your PlayStation Plus subscription remains active.

If you’re not an active PlayStation Plus member, you can still get DRIVECLUB via the PlayStation Store or your local retailer on Blu-ray.

Stay tuned because there’s more content coming tomorrow with the ‘Clubs’ video, explaining why they’re crucial to making DRIVECLUB distinctly different.

Friday’s episode is all about challenges – why we love ‘em, what they give you and importantly, how they’ll make the game infinitely more networked and fun to play in your Club.

Over and out.

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406 Comments

  • Even more appalling is that there are ignorant idiots who support this set up. Sigh…

    At least plenty of gamers understand that companies like to test the waters like this. Best to nip something in the bud.

  • It’s pathetic..when was war between xbox and ps4 they acted totally different..first they said that plus members will get almost full game, minus couple of tracks and cars..now its looks like plus members will get just a demo (lets name things right – 11 tracks and 10 cars out of 55 and 50 is a demo)..demos must be in store section, along with nba, fifa and anything else we have there as a demo..but not in IGC section..they are loosing peoples trust..if they said at first that plus members will get demo + discount it will be total different story though..if u cant keep promise just dont give one..

  • PrimeroIncognito

    @ bj91x

    Nip what in the bud? No options were taken away. In fact, a new option is being offered.

    Test what waters? Explain. And please, no speculation. Provide documented examples of previous attempts at setting similar “oppressive” precedents, preferably game-industry specific. I’m looking for REAL evidence, not something vague that you can twist to fit your argument, or something related to the evolution of technology and/or commerce.

    By the way, you do realize that you can just wait for a sale or a price drop that aligns with your opinion of fair value if you don’t like the current price, right? That hasn’t changed.

    All 3 versions (Blu-Ray, PSN, and Plus Full Version Unlock) will inevitably see price cuts at some point. Your dollars are safe and your freedom of choice is still intact, people. Stop making mountains out of molehills. It’s embarrassing.

  • PrimeroIncognito

    @ Crizx_69

    I agree that people shouldn’t make promises that they might not be able to keep, but sometimes being overly-ambitious can lead to such an undesirable outcome. Life is a game of living and learning. No one is perfect.

    I don’t fault them for being human, to put it plainly. ‘Cause that’s all I see here. I don’t see the markings of a conspiracy in the making. Believe me, I’d notice if it was. I’m pretty well-versed in such things, but that’s a story for another time…

    Things change over time, and heck, even the targeted release date had to be changed due to unforeseen complications. I’m not surprised that the initial plans for the Plus version of the game had to be restructured either. That’s where we are now, and maybe the revelation of the new plan for the game is a little off-putting after previously getting everyone’s hopes up, but, what we’re left with isn’t anything drastic or horrible by any means. There’s still a great game on the horizon, and it’s still being provided at a fair price to anyone who’s interested. In the big picture, it’s really not anything to be sour over.

  • Even if this game is online-only, the argument of “you need PS+ to play online anyway” is not a valid excuse.

    I can be a PS+ member and get the PS+ edition for free, then pay real money for the upgrade. Later I may let my Plus membership lapse on this account. I may subscribe to PS+ on other account(s) (on other regions even), or piggyback on Plus membership of a family member to give me access to PS4 online game play. Logically I should not need to continue my Plus subscription to continue playing the upgraded full game that I paid for.

  • Pay $50 to upgrade a demo to a full version, and then lose access to your purchase if you stop paying the monthly protection money?

    Suddenly you have started sounding a lot like Microsoft.

    Please wake up.

  • PrimeroIncognito

    @ GummyCore

    Then the Plus upgrade option isn’t the option for you.

    Buying the game by traditional means is the option for you. It’s that simple. Problem solved.

    There’s always a solution for every problem if you care to look for it. Every poison has an antidote.

    Why throw your arms in the air and claim victimhood?

    FIND THE SOLUTION THAT WORKS FOR YOU, and move on with your life.

  • PrimeroIncognito

    This describes a lot of gamers today: en(dot)wikipedia(dot)org/wiki/Victim_playing

    Especially the section “By manipulators”, and parts referring to attention-seeking.

    The best part, though, is this: “Transactional analysis distinguishes real victims from those who adopt the role in bad faith, ignoring their own capacities to improve their situation.”

    “R. D. Laing considered that it will be difficult in practice to determine whether or to what extent a relationship is collusive – when the one person is predominantly the passive ‘victim’, and when they are merely playing the victim. The problem is intensified once a pattern of victimization has been internalised, perhaps in the form of a double bind.”

    “Object relations theory has explored the way possession by a false self can create a permanent sense of victimisation – a sense of always being in the hands of an external fate.”

    “To break the hold of the negative complex, and to escape the passivity of victim-hood, requires taking responsibility for one’s own desires and long-term actions.”

  • It’s not about ME! I know the solution, cos I do my research and read the comments here. But others may not know of the pitfall and may just buy the upgrade without reading the fine prints (assuming they are even going to mention that), without knowing the restrictions. It’s easy for someone else to fall prey to it cos it works differently from all the other 99.999% of digital purchases.

    We are not saying that WE specifically are the victims. We are protesting the fact that the dev/Sony is placing such a booby trap for the innocent victims, of which there will be many if we let them succeed. If everyone takes the kind of “it does not affect me, it’s not a problem” attitude, we are going to have… well, Microsoft Playstation 4 in our homes. And if this scam succeeds, other devs will follow, and guess what, sooner or later you will get scammed too.

  • @ PrimeroIncognito
    I have to say that I agree with you in some point.

    Lets hope this is not going to be the future of our PS Plus. (ie, get more demos like this instead full game for your PS+ Instant Game Collection)

  • PrimeroIncognito

    Setting booby traps for innocent victims? Dude, have you been hanging out with Bahumat?

    If you really feel that way, you should stop supporting Sony RIGHT NOW. Seriously, switch to another console, or maybe find a new hobby altogether. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for some hardcore misery in the future. WOW.

    I’d ask you to explain what you mean by “setting traps”, but I’m going to bed now. But I’ll check tomorrow if you feel like leaving an explanation.

    I won’t get scammed by anyone, because I wasn’t born yesterday. I know how business works and I take responsibility for my own actions. When something goes awry in my life, it’s always my fault. We all have the ability to prevent victim-hood, but some folks seem to enjoy muddling around in it… for attention, leverage, material gain, preferential treatment, or whatever the case may be… it’s disturbing.

    Good night.

  • I’m pretty sure when it was announced at e3 it said nothing about the game not being the full game. Later on they did say it wasnt the full version. They said (dont remember exact words) it wasnt gonna be a glorified demo but an almost full game. 1/5 of a game is a glorified demo.

  • Primero’s right. The only reason why people claim they were victims is because they did it intentionally to begin with. I’m not even going to bother getting the $50 upgrade, but people are still going to buy it. Be smart and don’t let this practice fool you. If you done your research already, then just stop. I originally thought the post rating is low because the people in the blog were trolling, but there’s enough info on the comments that makes it justified. Might as well just listen to them for once.

    @vstarwow I don’t know why you care though because people like you are just going to renew it anyway. It’s required to play PS4 games online. There’s nothing you can do about it.

  • I just don’t wanna see future deals like this. I’ll be honest I never planned on buying it anyway. Before I even had a ps4 my understanding was that it was the full game. Imagine something like Don’t Starve that only lets you go to day 100 or future games with level caps etc. The upgrade though. thats a legit complaint. Only getting 1/5th of the game is just my minor issue.

  • @PrimeroIncognito, Maybe if everyone is as smart as your are, we will achieve world peace, end hungry and find cure to cancer and the common cold. But since you don’t care about questionable business practice (and the precedence it sets and the floodgate it opens) if it does not affect you, I don’t think we need to discuss further.

  • ok so this game went from being free at launch to semi-free? How the hell does that work?

  • The fact Sony hasn’t responded regarding the expiration of paid content with PS+, $50 in this case, concerns me.

  • SONY FOTY = FAIL OF THE YEAR…

    Just buy the game, try first on PS+…..ignore this offer, period.

  • Erroneus 7 May, 2014 @ 9:27 pm 57 Report

    So let’s recap.

    The PS+ edition has gone from “the same full game minus a few assets” to 20% of the game.
    The upgrade price is almost the same as buying the full game from an online retailer.
    The upgrade is not to the full version, but some bastard version, which still requires an active PS+ sub.

    This is properly the dumbest decision Sony has made, since they forced their adware Singstar onto PlayStation 3 in a mandatory firmware update.

    There is NO reason to upgrade. Play the free PS+ edition if you like the game, buy the full blu-ray edition cheap a month after release, when you are done with the PS+ edition. But most people will properly just buy the PS+ edition and leave it at that. Sales for Driveclub are going to flop massively because Sony will not live up to their promises.

  • So this is just a DLC for a PS+ game and you can’t use the DLC if your PS+ subscription expires.
    OK, nothing new here, however, the DLC is 80% of the game, and there is no way to buy the “PS+” edition of driveclub permanently, without having it tied to a subscription.

    This business decision further cements my decision to not play DC besides the free PS+ version that I’m going to get, along with 30fps.

    btw. Francis is not amused about this, too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37-Puo_pu14 :)

  • So Sony lied to us with this 1/5 version of a game, which is now just a demo. It sucks this will be taking the place of a full game that we would be getting.

    Buying anything for $50 that we were promised for free, and to use this game as an incentive to buy the PS4 and ps+ membership that was just a flat out lie and its wrong, thats my problem.

  • To all my PlayStation brethren who say that this upgrade is not an issue let me try to clear this up really easily. I download the PS+ version I upgrade it for $50 Monday my PS+ subscription expires Wednesday, at that point the $50 I spent to get the unlocked full version of the game which includes a offline version will no longer work. Period. I now have a worthless product because they decided that having plus and my $50 is the only way I can be a user of their PS+ edition. However if I don’t download the PS+ edition and get the $60 digital or bluray version and my PS+ lapses I can still play offline and use all the features. There is no advantage to buying the PS+ version as the $10 savings ties you to a PS+ subscription FOREVER if you want to play this game. (Cont)

  • Let’s say that I can’t afford to pay to renew for a few days or weeks or a month. I have given them $50 for a full version of a game that I cannot play at all including the offline non multi player portion of the game despite paying nearly retail price. If this was a online only game OK maybe I understand because PS+ is required for most not all multi player. But to gimp the game by fully tying it to PS+ seems a terrible decision. This isn’t a PLUS this is clearly a NEGATIVE as it adds an additional restriction to a product you paid $50 for, the supposed $10 savings gives you a limited and less consumer friendly game.

    So yes they gave us an additional option outside of the normal parameters.
    1. Buy full digital $60 with no offline or usage restrictions.
    2. Buy full retail $60 no offline or usage restrictions.
    3. Upgrade the PS+ edition $50 that is permanently dependent on a plus subscription, if said subscription lapses it removes offline access and you can no longer use the product.

    If this is the future of PS+ I will no longer renew and likely sell my PS4 stick with my PS3 and PSVita until I decide to rejoin this generation of gaming.

  • I am with everyone else saying that this is a huge mistake. I was interested in this game initially, but not so much now.

    Thank you for the couple of tracks and cars, cause that is all I will ever play of this game.

    The fact that I can purchase a retail copy cheaper than the so called upgrade, ON DAY ONE, makes this look like a huge mistake on your marketing strategy. Plus the fact that if I wait a month, I can get it for like $30 at retail and still get 20% off.

    Thanks, but no thanks.

  • The ps plus version is really ok, we can gain acess to a all new ps4 release game in a better way than normaly a demo is made.
    Since we cant expect full ps4 games in ps plus for obvious reasons this is the best i can imagine and for some time i support this in ps4.
    But this upgrade to full game should not be ps plus related imo

  • I have to agree with many of the other people commenting on this blog post. If we pay for a product, through a direct purchase or upgrade this should give us ownership of the title regardless of our membership.

    I really hope this isn’t the future of Playstation Plus, otherwise I will strongly reconsider my membership. Like others I would rather pay 10 dollars more and own the title for as long as I want.

  • @PrimeroIncognito.

    1. Spend more time actually playing these games, and less time parolling blogs to start arguments.
    Great, we all get it already.( Since the last time I looked your library consists of free PSN arcade classics. )
    2. Stay on topic, instead of complaining about someones complaint.

    Most of the things said could be out of simply not knowing, which Simply Proves that Sony representatives can not be here – Directly – to answer cocrerns or questions which is their Epic Fail.

  • Personally i have held buying a PS4, due to what has been rumored as future changes.
    Love Sony,
    but Vita was my last step and that was before the screen change.

  • “If you’re an active PlayStation Plus subscriber and have been playing the PlayStation Plus Edition, but decide you want the full DRIVECLUB experience, you can purchase a one-time upgrade for $49.99. This will give you access to all five locations, 55 tracks, 50 cars and all 50 tour events, as long as your PlayStation Plus subscription remains active.”

    This is one of the most idiotic ideas I have ever seen. Who in their right mind would pay USD50 to have temporary ownership of the game when they can pay USD60, or less if bought at discount or used??? The mere fact that you would even think of this possibility is kinda offensive. I will play the free version and never buy this.

  • If people buy into this, this will be the new PS+ norm. Don’t support this crap. Buy the retail version if you must. Personally, I’m not giving them a penny out of principle.

  • Welcome to exclusive demos on Playstation Plus. That’s not what Sony told us, isn’t free full games, is just a simple shareware.

  • IAP is killing the industry. Seriously.

  • I was excited by driveclub but now doesn’t really sound appealing to me………… Hope you PS+ guys won’t do that again in any near future

  • What an awful deal. No thank you. I’ll try the PS + edition but no way would I ever go with that upgrade.

  • Okay can someone help me make sense of this: I download the PS+ version which is limited but free. I decide I like this game and I pay you $50 to unlock everything, but if at any point I decide to end my PS+ description I lose access to a game that I had paid for? That is really a horrible idea. I understand that part of the game was given to me free but once I give you the $50 what is the difference between me buying the digital copy from the beginning and that? If the $10 difference is the issue, why not just make it a $60 upgrade fee then and call it even? I really would like it if someone could explain this in a way that makes it seem like a good thing to do.

  • I think this is pretty simple, really. Sony just pulled a M$ with an announcement that made all their fans wonder what they’re thinking. M$ listened and changed most of their plans – will Sony?

    I don’t want them to lose money on Drive Club, and that means getting some money from some of us. And calling this simply a demo is probably a bit unfair – it has a lot of content, with all the drive modes.

    But if it has, say, 1/3 of the content of the game (less than 1/3 of cars/tracks, but all of the code) – shouldn’t it have an upgrade at least 1/3 off retail? And shouldn’t the purchase be more like a game purchase and less like a DLC purchase?

    If the issue is that even the retail game won’t work without an active PS+ account, then SAY THAT CLEARLY, or you’ll upset disk buyers, too. If buying the upgrade truly unlocks the full game and it can be played so long as any active PS+ account is on the box – then say that (as clearly as you can).

  • I’d say, give us one more area and a few more tracks, closer to half the game. Give us an upgrade price closer to half retail, to match. Treat the whole thing like a game purchase rather than DLC on a free Plus title. Then watch the sales come in.

    Add new tracks and new cars over time as DLC if you need to – or better yet, add custom paint jobs or other stuff that is simple to code (so nearly free for you) and doesn’t affect gameplay (so not gamebreaking) that players can buy over time.

    There’s time to turn it around, really. Communicate better, and be willing to adjust your plans – or your customers will adjust theirs.

  • For those interested, the EU Blog has some replies from SCEE.

    I have linked it but my comment is awaiting moderation… so may or may not appear!

  • what a bad deal so… if you have a plus membership and if you pay 50$ for the full version you still need the plus membership NO THANKS

  • Okay. After quite some time still no official response on this “If you’re an active PlayStation Plus subscriber and have been playing the PlayStation Plus Edition, but decide you want the full DRIVECLUB experience, you can purchase a one-time upgrade for $49.99. This will give you access to all five locations, 55 tracks, 50 cars and all 50 tour events, as long as your PlayStation Plus subscription remains active.” – This is the most awful PS+ Edition Ever! Sony you just effed up on this, please realise the mistake or explain why on the earth this is the right model ? Please and thank you.

  • Or you fix this stupid price model or let me out of it. I think same with my list of friends on PSN.

  • How does ~20% of the cars and tracks equal “the full game minus a few cars and tracks”? 80% is “a few”?

    The past year of hype for this game suggested that the PS Plus version would provide a majority of the content, implying an upgrade path that might complete the experience for something on the order of $20-30. 20% of the content with a $50 remainder (or full price, if you want to keep it) is a very different story. And this after the game is delayed 11 months! In light of the late arrival, the customer offer should be getting better, not significantly worse.

    My interest in this title has disappeared unless and until the value proposition is improved substantially.

  • Shame on Sony for not drawing the line on the sand by telling the developer: “We don’t penalize Plus users when they buy discounted games and eventually their subscription runs out”.

  • The more I hear about this game, the worse it sounds. Tying a game you paid $50 for to a PS+ subscription is beyond stupid. The “Get over it” attitude of certain gamers is what keeps practices like this in place. How about I DON’T “Get over it”? How about I make other people aware that way they don’t “Get over it” as well? Maybe some people won’t realize what it means until they’ve already purchased the $50 version. Sure, they’re to blame, but why? Shady practices? Yeah, screw ’em.

  • ” If you’re an active PlayStation Plus subscriber and have been playing the PlayStation Plus Edition, but decide you want the full DRIVECLUB experience, you can purchase a one-time upgrade for $49.99.”

    Guys, all this means is that you can get the full game for $49.99. If you later cease to be a Plus member, the game is still yours. This is no different than the any other Plus discounts.

  • @Cthulhu

    You cut off the end of that sentence. “As long as you have an active PlayStation Plus subscription”

  • You are correct FRott. Hmmm…I cannot believe this will stick though. October 7th is still a long way off. Plenty of time for them to align Drive Club with all other Plus discounts.

  • From what I have understood about this game was there was no offline mode in the game. Retail or not. So you would need PS+ for either version to play. This is a social game to race with your friends not to race cars by yourself. So upgrade or retail wont make any difference. Personally I was going to play the free version only and not buy the game at all, because of this.

  • Weak move. I see no reason to take the “upgrade” path. Poor show.

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