DriveClub actually performed pretty well in this week’s UK sales charts update, meaning that the racer sold reasonably at retail. That makes its launch issues all the more problematic, because, potentially, thousands of people are stuck with a game that doesn’t work as advertised. This has prompted game director Paul Rustchynsky to acknowledge the possibility of some kind of compensation. “We're considering all of our options right now,” he wrote in response to a fan.
Of course, it would be better if the title worked properly in the first place, so why exactly has this happened? “We ran a beta test and none of these issues occurred,” the put upon developer continued on Twitter. “We had confidence that everything was ready. These issues were unexpected. We did run large scale synthetic load tests with tens of thousands of concurrent users, and the tests were successful.”
It is possible to connect to the game’s servers right now, but the title is adopting a ‘one in, one out’ policy, meaning that you won’t be able to login until someone else hops out. A lot of the title’s core functionality has also been switched off, such as the dynamic challenges and social updates that made up a core portion of the release’s marketing. A patch deployed over the weekend promised to help get things fixed, but at the time of typing, the title’s still a smouldering wreck.
[source twitter.com, via twitter.com]
Comments 45
just think how bad it would have been if it wasn't delayed
Should be easy enough to dish out a free track or some cars, the whole game architecture is clearly designed for continuous content updates.
I've finally managed to get online a couple of brief times and the racing is good when you can get in. Despite the launch disaster I'm still happy enough with the game.
BTW, if anyone wants join a club, Bastos Racing is looking for drivers. I don't know anyone with the game so can't unlock any of the club cars until I have a club member. If you join mine I'll join yours......
I'd like a million pounds due to emotional trauma
Yeah, assuming they actually ever do get it fixed, I think a few bits and pieces of DLC should do the trick. That's what Rockstar did with GTA5, I believe? They gave out like $1 million GTA Bucks, I think?
These days it really doesn't make sense to get online-first game at launch... I learnt my lesson with Watch Dogs, for the first week the servers are on-and-off
@get2sammyb yea they did as long as you were online in the first week.
So glad i didnt buy this.. So far has crap reviews and crap problems. Destiny 4 lyf
If they expect us ever to buy another tittle out of evolution studios EVER again, they had damned well better figure out some sort of compensation for those of us who spent our money on their title, and what they promised to deliver with it (and, failed miserably)... Another question I asked of the Dev boards, and noticed no one bothered to respond to.. What about those of us who spent the additional 25 dollars on a season pass ? I'm now 85 dollars (US) into this game, and can only really access the single player content... This is beyond ridiculous... I certainly hope some people have lost their jobs over all this.......
So the money Ive put down for the upgrade that I cant use, is getting refunded?
@ToOGoodOfAPlaya what do you mean? Just play the game... Once you pay for the upgrade it down loads the full game so... just play it ?!
@stonertheowner But thats my point, It doesnt work. And its a digital copy not retail.
I paid for it, cant use the features I want to use and should be able to use from launch.
I have never been able to get online at all.
A majority of new games that come out have problems and connection issues,once they have been sorted and patched I'm sure the and will be great. I'm still gonna buy driveclub within the next few weeks
Reading some of these comments, you'd think Rustchynsky had said nothing about this being unexpected, of that they're considering options for compensation. At least it's being acknowledged.
Whingers.
It's not the end of the world, they're trying to sort it out, we may even get something free. Trust me, you'll have a much happier life not b*tching so hard about stuff like this. It's just a game.
@KALofKRYPTON Youre right, I mean its not like I paid money or anything and then not recieved the product I paid for.
In normal circumstances Id agree, but this is becoming far too commonplace, and offering me litlle things isnt resolving the fact that I recieved a product that does not perform as intended or advertised, and that I cannot return said product.
@ToOGoodOfAPlaya
Commonplace in terms of what? I can only really think of Driveclub and Battlefield that have had server problems as bad as this (and there was a lot more wrong with Battlefield besides).
This sort of thing is far more common for PC players. But there is a trend of releasing alphas on PC, through Steam and the like.
I think you'll find that you are well within your statutory rights to return Driveclub. The game in its current form is easily defined as 'defective'.
Contact Sony's customer services.
@get2sammyb It was actually $500,000 in game cash. I used my $500,000 to buy a luxury apartment that came with a ten space garage to park my Lamorghini, which I also used my GTA V compensation for. I just hope that I can carry both my apartment and Lamborghini across to the PS4 from my PS3 with my Rockstar account.
I don't understand why they couldn't release the PlayStation Plus free version but lock out the mutliplayer until said issues were resolved. I think that might of helped some of the more disappointed PlayStation Plus subscribers feel a little better about this whole affair. It would have also quashed this BS conspiracy surrounding Evolution Studios holding back the game to due to mixed reviews so as to make a few extra sales.
I've been lucky enough to play DriveClub at my local store on one of the PlayStation pods and I actually really enjoyed it. I also watched someone else playing Forza 5 next to me and with the risk of sounding biased DriveClub blew Forza 5 out of the water on just graphics alone. I can't comment on anything other than graphics as I haven't had the chance to play the full retail version of DriveClub.... Yet!
I wish both Evolution Studios and Sony all the luck with DriveClub as with a few tweaks via a patch or two for both the SP and MP this could potentially be a great racing game and a great new IP.
Drive club is a great race game. its slowly getting online features up and running. However i am still worried about the influx of 4 MILLION plus free game users joining in the game! Compensation will NOT go well !! No matter what they do some will still go crazy with the " OMG is that all attitude"
I have this game and it is my favorite game to play currently. The single player portion works flawlessly and Vita remote play aswell. I'm not dissapointed because of the lack of online, even though it's what the games "driving" at. (ha ha,.. made a pun) I still think they did a great job at the game and the game play is solid.
I read an article around ten plus years ago that said "I soon as games consoles get HDD and internet connections as standard alot of games will start being released in unfinished states, just like they're on PC as developers by order of there publishers could then fix them via a patch later on" which we have been seeing since the release of the original XBOX and even more so on the XBOX 360 as by then most people had an intenet connection for XBOX Live and PSN. Im not using DriveClub as an example as that has issues that have nothing to do with this statement. Im just making a point of the fact that while having a HDD and intenet connection helps developers by giving us better games and regular updates like dlc its also a double edged sword.
EA, UBISOFT and ACTIVISION are the ones to blame as they're the ones who give developers unrealistic release times.
I didn't just find this out from reading the article that stated this issue, I have a friend or two that work in the games industry and they themselves also confirmed this as a unfortunate but true fact. Also commen sence dictates this to be true.
I remember a time before games consoles had HDD and intenet connections we got our games in the full working state that the developer intended. I love having my consoles hooked up online as I get to play games with people and make friends with people from all over the world. Its just seems that back in the days of no Internet games had much less issues when compared to these days.
Im going to shut up now as im starting to sound like my gran... Oh the good old days... Lol
@KALofKRYPTON Commoplace regarding releases that are unfinished or not fully tested.
Watchdogs was plagued with issues, as was battlefield as you mentioned.
Im just a bit jaded I think.
I got it from the PSN store so Im not sure.
@KALofKRYPTON HA! I bet Evolution Studios love people like you. I guess any activist is a whinger in your eyes. MLK, Kate Shepherd?? It's not up to you to tell people what is and isn't important to them. If everyone was like you then NOTHING would get done. I hope you thank all the whingers in the past who vocalised their want for better and better consoles and put pressure on Sony to release PS2,3,4. I guess the people who said the PS1 isnt good enough anymore are whingers?
Many people are rightfully pissed off at this DriveClub situation and people like you implying other people shouldnt complain is not how progress is made.
I want nothing
@eLarkos I didn't say that people shouldn't complain. But, voicing issues and whining like children are different things.
And we're hardly in the realms of activism here. Very far from it in fact.
Evolution probably do love people like me; because I'm able to make a reasoned complaint without treating someone like they've burned down my house (unless they've actuality burned down my house).
The only pressure Sony felt to make new consoles is the pressure to make money in a very lucrative market.
You're confusing a lot of things here. We're talking about a partly defective video game. I understand people can be passionate about them, as with anything; and gaming has been one of my top pastimes for 25 years now. No one wants to feel like they've wasted money, or are being treated unfairly. But the developer is already talking about solutions. There's no scope for revolution here, and the negativity doesn't help anyone do anything.
@ToOGoodOfAPlaya
Try calling Sony customer support. You have rights having made a purchase. You're well within those rights to request a refund. They'll reason that as a PSN title that they may not be able to process your request or some such; at that point, ask for a supervisor/manager and press for goods or PSN credit to the same value.
Issues like Drive club is having are the reason why I generally don't buy games at launch. I let problems be patched and resolved and get to read through player generated opinions of the game rather than basing a purchase on hype and reviews. The only game I've bought at launch recently was Destiny and if I'd waited to read gamer feedback Id likely have seen it wasn't for me or that I maybe needed to wait to buy it.
I'm fairly sure Drive clubs issues will be resolved as fast as possible both as good customer service and to stop it all getting increasingly embarrassing for Sony.
Sadly, my hope for driveclub (and the $$ i had budgeted for it) have gone out the window. For me, driveclub had a perfect weeklong window to be cranked into, and as of tomorrow its over. Evil within tomorrow, followed by sunset overdrive, lbp3, halo mcc, ac unity, fc4, cars, gta v, da inquisition, and next thing u know its febuary. Starting this week its a weekly onslaught on my wallet until the end of november, and driveclub lost its opportunity. I will download the plus version, but the launch issues mean its officially fallen into the ill pick it up down the road for cheap when nothings coming out category.
My unbias review of driveclub....after a year of promises and delays...I'm not impressed...at all...it feels like the game is a showpiece to showcase processor power....the silt is not a serious racer...no customization options... Or paint schemes...although very well detailed...the 1st person cockpit view is amazing...nd the enviorments are dope..without weather effects it makes the stuff feel bland af...it feels like a rip of gran turismo...Nd why oh why are there time trials built into every race....!!!! Omfg I hate time trials and hot lap races !!!! The tracks are hard enough...why tf do we need to shoot for a top time every time....like sometimes its not possible...due to either variable...the car...track or a.i.. (Ill get to that inna minute) The lackluster day 1 available cars are a joke....no Lamborghini.... Cmon bruh...no sesto elemento...no countach...no murcielago...tf type of stuff is that....lucky I got the season pass...onli astons..Ferrari's Nd RUF (Porsche modifiers) like really....iont even like racing astons like that..they too unpredictable on turns....the AI is too overly aggressive.... Like they bang into u costing u points (I'll get to that Inna second) with no regard...Nd jump back on the static race line that the creators set for it....its a pain to successfully shunt...clip or pit an a.I player due to collision delays....ok...the points system...another joke ...granted u get points for whatever u do...but doin them is the challenge...the cars are tuned too hard to adequately drift or corner... making the challenges tedious.... U can't corner too hard Nd jump the grass...u get a corner penalty..nd ur car slows down...u bang into someone or something...collision penalty...Nd ur car slows down....the game at points feels like it wants u too loose....soundtrack..another joke...feels like music ripped outta need for speed or gran turismo...0 for originality there....u can't even customize ur music...u hav to use stock in game music...
Please watch the language -Tasuki-
>>Next..server issues...or lack of servers period...how u launch a "social.. Community based game" without a social community.... Like the servers were down at launch....like I couldn't even start a club...to access the rest of the cars....yes...u hav to be in a club to hav access for a full roster....this reminds me of what happend when i bought destiny....like cmon can't catch a break....so far the AAA titles for the ps4 are laughable at best...1st shadowfall...then destiny...now driveclub... Like the ps4 needs a blockbuster thas the onli way I see it getting outta this hole.... Sidebar...how they misspelled on boxes of the retail versions of driveclub...Lol...at least that was good for a laugh...
Ne$$
Please watch the language -Tasuki-
@KALofKRYPTON Do you think that if people had not complained extensively about this issue and just carried on their merry way that Evolution Studios would be considering the idea of compensation? (which in this case the consumer most definitely deserves) I think not. I think nothing would happen and the possibilities of this being repeated would be significantly higher.
There is no difference between "voicing issues and whining like children" besides your scientific opinion. Have you stopped to consider that not everyone effected by this issue has the age, maturity and vocabulary to satisfy your definition of "Voicing an opinion"? All people have the right to be angry and Evolution Studios needs to hear it loud and clear that this is not on.
Im just glad that I am seeing an increasing amount of people dissatisfied by the way the gaming industry is treating them and starting to make a stand.
You say that Evolution Studios is already talking about solutions, why do you think that is? I guess we all may as well stay positive now and thank Evolution Studies for "already talking about solutions".
Should MLK have stopped voicing his opinion and started to have compassion when white people said they will start considering solutions? I guess every uneducated black person in the US should have shut up and stopped whinging too? Ridiculous. I think you can tell that exaggeration has been used here to illustrate a point.
This is not the end of the world, far from it. I can assure you I know exactly where the significance of this issue stands. Consumer rights are something that we must ensure are enforced and protected.
This is a great example why you should never, ever, ever pre-order a game.
Ever.
@eLarkos You can stop that nonsense right now!
A video game being broken is no comparison to the civil rights movement.
Given your latest response, I'm forced to conclude that you're either a child yourself or an idiot. Or possibly a troll. That's not 'exaggeration', as you put it-it's setting up a straw man; attempting to win an argument by referencing something that has nothing to do with the points raised. Politicians do it a lot in an effort to mislead people yet appear to answer a question.
Evolution are talking about solutions because, as they've stated; they're frustrated at the unexpected issues at launch. Issues that people have level-headedly voiced, and others have aggressively raged about. The issues have been covered by the entirety of the gaming press, so there's nothing Evolution can do to avoid it.
You seem to want to see a conspiracy here, or some sort of negligent malice on Evolution's part. Which is ridiculous and childish.
This is something I'll ask, sincerely and a little bit off topic: Attempting to equate issues with a video game, or indeed even consumer rights as a whole in this day and age with the civil rights movement is quite frankly obscene. I'd expect you're the type who invokes this as a way to win arguments a lot. Or perhaps point to other instances of historical persecution in crude attempts to illustrate your point on Internet message boards, in any case, don't. Please.
By doing it you completely belittle the genuine struggles and triumphs of people much stronger, braver and virtuous than most in this century needs to be thanks to their efforts.
@KALofKRYPTON oh please, get off it.
Im not a child, nor an idiot. Exaggeration is used to highlight a specific point of argument and is a valid tool. If you cant objectively see the point I raised without getting emotional on its surrounding factors then that's your issue. Your comment insinuating that I am belittling the civil rights movement is ironically the offensive statement.
You get my point or not? You having a cry or not?
I think we need to continue to "whinge" until this industry sorts it's crap out.
You're happy with the word of a for-profit company telling you to be quiet because they are doing their best. Good luck with that and please dont download any of the free DLC that may be coming your way because be sure that if everyone forgave your friends Evolution studios there would be none coming.
@eLarkos
Exaggeration, not deflection.
You're so for people's consumer rights that you'll flippantly toss out the civil rights movement to do it? That's not objective, it's overstating the issue, and it's also calculated and highly emotive. You can't use that sort of argument then bleat on about objectivity.
So who's telling us to be quiet? Sony? No. Evolution? No.
Why would I not accept my potential free dlc? Again, you're trying to 'win' an argument by misrepresentation. I fully acknowledge the problems with Driveclub, and I'll accept the compensation offered.
Evolution aren't my 'friends', but they're certainly not the villians you're trying to make them out to be.
Ladies...ladies...download ur free stuff Nd be cool....
Final warning. You have been asked several times now. Pleases watch the language -Tasuki-
@KALofKRYPTON You will accept free DLC although it's no thanks to you. You say the voice has been raised enough. How do you know that? Have you seen any change? My mum told me not to quit until I have seen change, not when I have been told to.
You're so caught up on the civil rights thing I wish I had used another example. Which one can you look at objectively? Just use that one if you need to. There was no deflection intended whatsoever, however, there was a very clear cut point made. Once again its ironically you who is creating any deflection of the point at hand.
I will continue with my discontent of the situation until the appropriate change has been made. You feel free to continue with your acceptance of unacceptable business practices (try to figure them out without me listing them one by one) and name calling to the people who rightfully so demand better.
Let me state this one more time, im well aware of the importance (or lack thereof) of this situation. Dont let my disagreement with your attitude delude you from how much signifigance im actually putting on this. The issue is real, the issue is relatively minor. Doesn't mean we shouldn't continue to do something about it.
@eLarkos
No thanks to me?
Or you then. I own the game, I've voiced that things don't work. Screaming louder at a situation like this doesn't make you any more than a number. Another user who has a defective product.
The 'thanks', if any are due are largely for the media widely reporting the issues. People like me (and maybe even you) who have contacted the dev's via email, Facebook or Twitter. Even though they are acutely aware of the issues already.
You're absolutely right, you should've used another example. A relevant one.
Unfortunately they're difficult to come by, as on the whole consumer rights are well defined and represented.
The crux of your argument is that Sony and by extension Evolution are evil in some way; acting in malice purposefully. As if they're happy that server problems have marred the launch of a high profile game and without angry voices that they'd be complacent and do nothing.
It's a poor stance. That's not how modern consumer business works. It's also been evidenced previously that it's not how Sony operate regarding the PlayStation brand.
"I will continue with my discontent of the situation until the appropriate change has been made."
That's the most coherent, concise and properly proportionate thing you've written.
They better give us some damn compensation. "We did run large scale synthetic load tests with tens of thousands of concurrent users, and the tests were successful.” are you kidding me right now? The PS4 has 7+ million subscribers - if any developer hasn't gotten the picture yet - OPEN BETA STRESS TEST.
@get2sammyb $500,000 and they still haven't given us Heists online -____-
@WARDIE I actually believe they haven't put out the PS+ game yet because there are still server issues with the people who paid already - so they want the servers to be fixed before they release the free version. Since that will most likely get more downloads since its free.
@Godsire- I like my preorder - I aware that day 1 means crap anyways with any new game - if its not crap multiplayer day 1 or week1 - then awesome that's a bonus. But the single player works great and I'm happy to wait for MP.
@KALofKRYPTON You have missed the point of almost everything I said. The MLK example was neither a civil nor consumer rights point of argument. For goodness sake.
No one is evil. No one is happy with the server problems. I never once stated or implied either of those. What I have implied is that they care about the dollar more than they care about you. You are incredibly naive to think that these companies would actively work to make as much change without the outpour of anger that rightfully comes from the consumers. The only reason that the media has covered (and continues to cover) the issue is because of the voice of consumers. Lets thank the media though, not the people "whinging". Once again you are incredibly naive to think that Evolution Studios would be working just as hard to resolve this issue if only people who emailed, used twitter etc contacted them. You are completely devaluing the collective power of the "whingers" on every website such as PushSquare. I would go as far as saying that the whole reason they are in such a predicament and working around the clock right now is directly related to the thousands of "whingers" not your politely worded email. Ok, maybe in conjunction with your email.
I have no idea whatsoever the point you are trying to make by mentioning modern day consumer business practices. All it does is highlight exactly how Playstation and all other companies now need to (and for the most part are) increasingly listen to their consumers. You know, the "whingers" who you are saying are worthless. Now more than ever have the millions of voices online been as powerful as they are. Microsoft, Xbox, Online only, restrictive DRM - Guess it was the emails to the Xbox Chief that made them do a massive 180. That had nothing to do with the thousands of "whingers".
Carry on living in your politely worded email world but don't go telling the rest of us to not make noise on websites because Evolution Studios doesn't care.
@eLarkos So it was a pointless argument? OK.
Of course Sony care more about the dollar than they do me. Why shouldn't they?
They're in a business, for profit. Being good in that sphere of business, even if it's cynical keeping up of appearances keeps the business going.
Comments like this: "Carry on living in your politely worded email world but don't go telling the rest of us to not make noise on websites because Evolution Studios doesn't care." and the one about Evolution not working hard without being badgered are overly cynical. I'm not naive, in the slightest. But do you really, honestly think that these people take no pride in their work? Beyond being a company, beyond Sony. People worked on this game. Real live ones like you and I, yet you collectively dismiss them as not caring about the game they've spent years of their lives working on. Have you never been involved in any enterprise, in work or socially that you put a lot in to only for something, despite your best efforts, went wrong? I have. You don't do you best to fix it because of the sneering loudmouths, you fix it because you want it to work, because you take pride in what you do and share that, whether it's for profit or not.
Dehumanising Evolution and painting them as villains doesn't make them want to fix anything.
Vitriolic keyboard warriors aren't the revolutionary game changers you'd like them to be. Well constructed, proportionate criticism and editorial is what changes things. On the whole negative or positive reactions change things. Not foul-mouthed ranting.
@KALofKRYPTON It ain't the hard working devs with pride making the calls.
@AD-80 They can still give us the single player "like I said in my original comment" and just lock out the multiplayer ie block access to the servers. As that would keep alot of the PlayStation Plus subscribers happy. Don't forget Sony said last year before the PS4's launch "DriveClub would be 100% free on PlayStation Plus" but later changed there minds due to the extra costs and development time.
They should have given it more time if it was this bad. They must have known it wasn't ready, but were probably under pressure to get it out before The Crew. Just my opinion.
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