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.
The pitch for this game has gone from:
‘On day 1, you get most of the game and a discount on ownership of the rest’
to:
‘On day 342, you get 20% of the game and a discount on non-ownership of the rest’
“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.”
Crap like this is why competition is good for the consumer. This smells of the old arrogant Sony I used to hate back in the PS2 days.
Bad PR move, Sony. Real bad. A good time to correct this would be during E3.
Nice to see that it’s been 24 hours since this post went up, there’s dozens (maybe hundreds) of people asking about the PS+ requirement, and not one single response has been posted by Sony.
And you know what, I’ll bet you there never will be.
Sony fails miserably at social media, including their blogs. They treat all their social channels as one way conversations and rarely ever respond to customers on Facebook, Twitter, or here on their blog. Whenever they post something that causes people concern, you can be guaranteed they will completely ignore it and say nothing.
I’m a dedicated PS gamer, but I’ll be the first to tell anyone and everyone that Sony doesn’t give a crap about customer communication and responding to anything that matters. It’s pretty pathetic.
Nevermind this social gimmick and outrageous “upgrade,” I’ll buy Project cars instead.
I am worried now that this game for plus members will barely have any content. It is looking like a solid title but I am not liking the idea of charging someone 50 bucks to buy it and than if you let your plus expire so does the game. Kinda strange in my eyes. To me driveclub the full edition should be given too all of the plus members as a gift from Sony.
@ 88 GStylez1980 – Yeah I agree….but the problem is that people will always be dragged to the ignorance side….Sony never said the plus version would be the full version THUS why it was and it is named Plus Edition….now this $50 to upgrade thing is pretty f***ed up no doubt about it…..but you’ll only need $10 more to get the full version….IF you plan to buy on release….now if anybody is so inclined to play the game on release date and cannot wait to play…well I’m sure you’re willing to pay $60 for it…if not then by now you should know that you should NOT be relying on Plus to get the games YOU want.
I suspect that your $50 upgrade will get you everything, whereas just buying the disc will probably get you a full game, but will be lacking some DLC. This means (potentially) that the cost of the disc to get the same as the PS+ version plus digital ‘upgrade” could be much more than $60, so the savings could also be more.
As soon as they started talking about the “PS+ Version,” i was suspicious. Hopefully someone will clarify what the different versions (not just PS+ Versions) will have.
Regardless, I am disappointed, but not surprised.
@ 155 Rootboi_Root – LMAO thats funny as s**t dawg.
@307 btgarner: Not sure where you’re getting that idea from. I’m quite sure that what you get for the $50 upgrade will be exactly the same as what you’d get on a $60 Blu-ray, and nowhere has Sony suggested otherwise. The free version has less content, but the Plus “upgrade” and the retail disc are the same.
It seems that the only real difference will be that you have to maintain your Plus subscription to be able to play the $50 upgrade version, which obviously doesn’t make sense to anyone but Sony and a couple of apologists here.
@Welmosca, no, they didn’t say the PS Plus version would be the full version, but they did say it would be “the full version minus a few cars and tracks”. Now, does 80% of the cars and tracks in the game sound like “a few” to you?
When this game was first announced as a PS+ download for PS4 at launch I was skeptical and awaited the fine print. When launch couldn’t be met and it was pushed back and back my skepticism increased as they no longer had this as a great advertised download with launch. I had hoped my skepticism was unfounded but it turned out much worse than expected. 20% of the game, ok, huge disappointment but ok. To then tie the upgrade price (at 85% of the regular retail price) to a PS+ subscription isn’t just a rip off, it’s an insult to anyone who subscribed to PS+ under the guise of meaningful game discounts – Games you supposedly got to keep when your subscription expired. If anything was learned it was to not believe the hype and take a “believe it when I see it” approach. This debacle doesn’t just affect this game but puts the entire PS+ concept in jeopardy as consumer trust is shaken and not easily repaired. I’ll download this demo, sure, but it was take a miracle to get me to open my wallet for the “full version”.
Congratulations, “PS+ Edition” has just become synonymous with “Scam”
I don’t think anyone in this comment’s section has a clue about this game. This is a ONLINE racing game, basically a online MMO, Racing game. PS+ is REQUIRED for online multiplayer for this game. Can you not figure out what I’m getting at here? If you don’t maintain PS+ then guess what? You can’t even play the disc version. I see NO issue at ALL with them doing this since it’s basically a requirement for the game period to have PS+.
Okay…if the game was online-only. It has offline modes.
>>>NightDrifter01
You are one blind apologist. This game has offline carrier mode, it IS NOT always-online.
Hey Sony, so what happened with all this??
http://www.officialplaystationmagazine.co.uk/2013/09/02/driveclub-ps-plus-version-is-the-full-game-minus-a-few-carstracks-includes-platinum-trophy/
What, you think everyone was just going to magically forget everything you stated about the game months ago or something? Think we’re idiots?
@NightDrifter01
Are you sure you want to call people clueless when you couldn’t be more wrong about the game? It’s not an always online game.
$50 PS+ upgrade? Please tell me I read it wrong and this is a joke. Really? Wow. Looks like the only options are paying the full 60, or not buying at all. 6 months after release, they’ll realize they shot themselves in the foot on this one. Looks like I’ll be waiting on the new Gran Turismo when it comes out. At least they don’t treat you like a complete fool.
One whole day and not a single response here to address the PS+ upgrade? whether it’s misworded? This is not like the Playstation Blog I know, you guys are usually quick to response to our comment.
Clarify this Jamie
“This has to be a joke, right? Last year this was promised as almost the entire content and a small upgrade fee. Now it’s a demo and 50 buck upgrade fee and tied to ps+? You lost a customer and this has really soured me on all the positive momentum Sony had going for it last year. Please rectify this and live up to your promises.” by tbx59
Totally agree with you. Was promised to PS + a full retail game, and I can’t understand WHY it is now a EXTENDED Trial / DEMO in the best possibility it is a FREE TO PLAY game PS Plus is receiving, and they have the guts to say it’s a FULL PRICE game added to the PS+ library.
Do NOT support this shi* guys
Sony, you were the chosen ones..
@312
I thought the same at first, but there is a offline mode (Career split screen IDGAF), so that doesnt make seense.
$50 for the DRM version!
G R E A T
If you are upset about the botched handling of the Plus upgraded version, then just buy the BluRay version like I am. Problem solved. You can still use the free Plus version as an extended demo.
This seems like a cheap way of getting people to avoid the upgrade and outright buy the $60 version instead. I really hope this is misworded or it gets changed if true. The $50 upgrade saving $10 should be a thank you to subscribers, not an F you. =/
@ElektroDragon Not really the point. It just makes it look sneaky, like I said in my previous post.
My first reaction was indeed “this can’t be right, they can’t be this stupid!?”. I couldn’t believe that not only this idea got through, the video explaining it seems to think that the consumer is an idiot?
Seriously, what is with this idiotic “upgrade” “choice”? Whole 10$/€ off and your game is tied to your ps+ sub forever? SERIOUSLY? No-one benefits from the “upgrade” option, if you like the, let’s just call it that, demo, then you are better off just getting it for full price, disc or digital, you might even get the disc version at the same cost on day one.
So who is this option for? It has only a downside?
You need to explain it properly or if this is how it is supposed to be, FIX IT!
This was going to be the game that makes me get a PS4 but now I’m seriously rethinking about it, even if I won’t use that particular option, just the fact that it is there is disturbing.
Hopefully Sony/EVO will fix this mistake.I have been plenty pleased with the PS brand, got PS1-3 and PSP and I’ve been happy with them, have been really excited about PS4 this far but now, now the seeds of doubt have been planted.
Why did you even try this
Sony has to know they have a PR disaster on their hands. Why not give PS+ subscribers a $10 discount on the full game and provide a demo for everyone? This is what they have done for, I dunno, every other PS+ discount ever.
Are we moving to a harsher business model for PS+ discounts, where your purchase no longer secures you rights to discounted games? If so, I will stop buying games with my PS+ discount as I would not want my purchase to expire.
@ GummyCore
I’m disappointed to see that you didn’t explain your “booby trap” comment. Instead you gave me some aimless fluff. Why say anything at all? You wasted both of our time with that comment.
From IGN in September 2013:
Design director Paul Rustchynsky posted on NeoGAF to say that the PS Plus version will be available “well into the new year” and that “there will be a discount to upgrade to the full digital edition from the PS+ edition.”
“When you upgrade from the PS+ Edition you get the full digital edition which doesn’t require a PS+ subscription,” Rustchynsky said, but explained that “you can earn the Platinum trophy in the PS+ Edition, remember it’s the full game minus a few cars/tracks.”
In February 2014, Rustchynsky stealth edited his NeoGAF post to no longer mention the PS+ requirement part. He then today posts on twitter that he’s trying to get clarification of the policy when he clearly knew it in February!
Wow, this is a huge slap in the face to the consumers. $50 for an upgrade that is tied to the PS+ subscription? that’s crazy, people should just wait 1 or 2 months with the Plus Edition and then grab the Blu-Ray for $50-$60 without the risk of loosing it for not renewing their subscription.
I’m glad the PS4 is the first console I didn’t buy at launch, Sony is making many mistakes ATM.
It appears that Evolution and/or Sony changed the parameters for the Plus version of this game. There’s no denying that.
And the reason they use words like “few” is because it’s a vague term with no set definition. “A few” can mean any number. Is it 7? 13? 28? Companies, especially in anything retail-based, use vague terms on purpose to allow themselves flexibility. It’s common business, and it’s NOT to be misleading in this case (unlike people who use vague terms in debates to create confusion). It allows them to be flexible and adapt to unforeseen changes in the landscape while still meeting widespread consumer demand, and both internal and investor goals.
But, the solution they’ve provided is workable, given the nature of the unforeseen circumstances. Like I said, sometimes ambition, when uncontrolled, can backfire and lead to undesirable outcomes. Do you really think they altered the plan purposely to screw you? Of course not. No company wants a flock of disgruntled customers gathering on their doorstep.
There are still options. Including, waiting for a price drop if you can’t justify paying the current asking price!
As for the paranoia about this “pay-to-unlock” model becoming commonplace, I’d say you’re definitely jumping to conclusions.
There’s no reason to believe that AAA PS4 games hitting the IGC will be any different from their PS3 counterparts, once the PS4 starts to pick up steam. Meaning, you’ll see AAA PS4 games in the IGC, but not until they’ve been out for a few months, sales have declined, and publishers will actually be able to make equal or greater profits from IGC downloads in comparison to traditional sales. For example, later this year, don’t be surprised to see Black Flag, Shadow Fall, Knack, or another launch title showing up in the IGC for PS4. That is, the full game, no “pay-to-unlock” structure.
This is happening with DRIVECLUB because it’s a brand new, big-budget game being released for a new unestablished console through Plus… ON DAY ONE. Do you have any idea how much money goes into a game like this? Do you really think they can afford to spend millions on production and then just give the game away to people who pay $4.17 per month (or less!)? This shouldn’t surprise ANYONE.
@PrimeroIncognito, no, a few cannot mean “any number”- please consult the definition. It means, “a small number” or, “a minority”. 80% of the content is neither.
@Primero
Whats up man? It’s been awhile…
I know, but at the time when they used the word “few”, the purpose was obviously to leave the door open for possible changes. I don’t think they could have perceived such a big change that they would have to alter their plan so drastically. But it’s still not a big deal.
I think it is a fairly big deal because up until very recently, the clear implication has been that we would get most of the game for free and be charged only a modest amount for the remaining content. Now we know that, instead, we are not going to get any discount if we actually want to own the full game and only a very small discount for a non-ownership version that doesn’t seem to appeal to anyone.
@ goldenratio13
Hey, I remember you. There’s a few people from the blog past who don’t post anymore… I wondered where some of you went… :)
338 Comments 0 Replies
#4theplayers….
@ sandkwithhp
I agree that the plan for the Plus version was surely altered, but when the release date changed, that should have been a sign to everyone that other things were going to change too. Staying in production longer eats up more of the budget, possibly even requiring new loans to be taken out, and those costs clearly have to be recouped somehow. Honestly, I think they actually did a decent job of staying as near to the original plan as possible, all things considered.
No concrete numbers were ever promised in the initial PR releases, but perhaps Evolution was still a little too ambitious during this project for their own good. Oh well. Live and learn.
The discount mentioned is still being honored… it’s just not as big of a discount as people were ASSUMING it would be. The price wasn’t mentioned back then.
@PrimeroIncognito, yes, you’re correct that they allowed themselves some wiggle room in the initial claims and I certainly have some sympathy for any developer that has to add almost an entire budget year to the production of their game. However, it’s not a good thing when the solution devised for that added cost is to renege on promises and provide the customer with substantially reduced value. If they want happy customers, they need to be able to live up to their claims or stop promising the moon.
sandkwithhp on May 8th, 2014 at 3:40 pm said: “However, it’s not a good thing when the solution devised for that added cost is to renege on promises and provide the customer with substantially reduced value. If they want happy customers, they need to be able to live up to their claims or stop promising the moon.”
I agree 100% with that. I don’t know why you’d think I don’t.
I stated earlier that it’s not good for people to make promises that they aren’t sure they can keep. But, again, uncontrolled ambition. It’s clear to me that’s what happened here. So, they made a mistake. They’re human. We’ve all done it, I know I have. To me, there’s no reason to dump on them like some people here are. At least they’re still coming through with what looks to be a phenomenal game and still honoring SOME of their original claims, to a degree. Plus members are still receiving benefits (albeit small ones) that non-members do not receive.
The main problem is that excessive complaining is the latest fad in society, unfortunately, and embarrassingly. Everyone’s a “victim”. Everyone’s “offended”. Especially gamers. Gamers just love to whine about the most insignificant things. I sincerely hope that this doesn’t become a permanent behavior.
It’s just a video game. It’s a mere $50. This isn’t life or death, kids. Relax.
Anyway, I’ve been here too long again, and I’ve got errands to run. Peace.
U guys responding are crazy, why the heck would u get rid of your PS+ sub if you are a PS4 owner anyway? Dont u need the plus sub to play online and isn’t racing with your friends online the whole point of the game? Besides, being a PlayStation owner and not having plus is probably the dumbbell move of the yr. You can afford 400$ for a console but not 5$ a month? I got a YEAR of plus for 29.99, u guys can’t afford that?
If this is true and not just misworded, it is a huge step back for digital distribution.
Very scary that no reps have answered yet either… Pretty much every single comment is about the same thing,
@343
iamtylerdurden1, everyone is making a fuss because if you happen to forget to renew your subscription by even a minute or two, you lose a 50$ game that you paid for. Atleast before if you paid for a game and your sub ran out, you would get to keep it.
@PrimeroIncognito, ok, let’s discuss then. When I say booby trap, that’s what this is exactly. Having the unfair digital upgrade option available itself is a trap. Many of us here see it clearly, many many more will not. If someone downloaded the PS+ Edition, obviously within the game there will also be the option to upgrade (usually very prominently displayed, probably even the first option, the default if you blindly hit a button while traversing the main menu).
If someone likes the game enough to want to own the full game, the digital upgrade option is conveniently there for him to do so instantly, without having to wait for shipping or making a trip to the mall. After all, who is going to read all the fine prints on the digital edition when 99.999% of them say the same thing? How many people read until “One-time license fee for play on purchasing account’s designated, primary PS4™ system and other PS4 systems when signed in with purchasing account.”? And that is assuming they actually explain this “game purchased will be unplayable without PS+ subscription” terms.
(cont)
It is a clear and present menace. It is a dangerous precedence set for the industry. (Remember online pass? Until we customers ‘complain’ enough, EA was still leading the charge with everyone following.)
If a neighbor’s dog poops on the pavement outside your house, do you just let it be cos you can see it and avoid it, even if other people in the neighborhood may step on it? I don’t know why people (usually the minority) keep mounting on their high horse and whine about other people complaining. Isn’t it obviously that when so many people are complaining there is a real issue? All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. It may be one small pile of poop today that does not concern you, tomorrow the whole neighborhood may become inhospitable.
@ 252 – Driveclub plus edition is great in my book, it isn’t a “demo” because you can’t earn TROPHIES in a demo and in Driveclub plus edition you can earn a full PLATINUM TROPHY. You are mad about getting something for free? They don’t have to give u anything, it’s going to be a brand new AAA PS4 how are they supposed to make$ if they don’t give pl incentive to actually BUY the full game.
Personally I don’t care too much about “can earn platinum trophy”. You can still earn a plat when there are trophies with conditions like “raced for 5000 hours”, “won 1000 ranked matches” (oh, guess what, you only have the slowest 20% of the cars and you have to compete with people who paid for the full game and have access to 100% of the arsenal), “beat all track records set by the developer” (yes, you still have the slowest cars). Having a chance to earn plat without spending real money doesn’t mean anything.
@ 345 – Ur completely wrong in what ur insinuating, if your sub runs out and u “lose” your game all u have to do is RENEW your sub a minute later and you’ll have your game and all your saves back. U never lose plus content forever, u just can’t access it unless ur plus.