Driveclub Comes Under Tremendous Pressure After Failed Launch

With most of Driveclub’s connections problems now behind it, there is another set of issues facing the PS4-exclusive racing title. Negative feedback and demands for compensation are pouring in daily, and the Driveclub team can do nothing more than apologise and plea for a chance to fix everything.

When Driveclub developer Evolution Studios ran Beta tests, there were no issues with server connection. Game director Paul Rustchynsky said, ‘…we had confidence everything was ready. These issues were unexpected.’

Now the studio is hoping for patience from players while it makes daily posts to social media with small promises that the work continues. The latest update is the most significant, as most players can now connect and begin forming clubs. That is, of course, if they can connect long enough to download the update. The Playstation Plus version and the Driveclub app are both still being held back until all the full game’s connectivity issues are fixed.

In response to the game’s shortcomings, thousands of disgruntled gamers have taken to forums and social media to express their frustrations. One group of gamers stood out from the rest. The gamers of the Refund us for Driveclub Sony page are so disappointed in Driveclub’s release that they have demanded their money back. Only a handful of gamers have been able to receive any reply to their request, and only one of those has been issued a refund.

If you’re angry and feel that you need a refund, check out their group with tips on whom to contact and what you should say.

Putting aside all the multiplayer connection issues, and judging solely on the game, I have to say that I am still disappointed. After patiently waiting while the initial release date was postponed, I thought the final products would be a little more polished. The environment is not as detailed and interactive as I had liked. The background imagery has very limited movement and reminds me of the simple flat backdrops we saw in the early 2000s.

Rubbing against other cars and barriers will cause little damage, and when it does react, it’s often poorly reflected. The lighting and shading were not perfect, but certainly held up to my standards of what next-gen console games should look like. Overall, the in-game visuals were slightly lower in quality from the sneak peeks and trailer videos.

When it comes to gameplay, Driveclub is undoubtedly an arcade-type game. This is great for people who like casual driving games, but not so much for serious racers. That’s not to say that if you enjoy Driveclub you’re not a badass driver, but that the game is fun in a different way than a simulator.

There is a bit more leniency with handling through turns, and bumping against other cars and running off the road does not have crucial effects on your driving. When you do run off road, you are given three seconds to promptly get back on track and doing too much bumping with your competitors will force you to restart the race.

Crying about this game is as close as we’ve got to dynamic rain

Facebook Page: Refund us for Driveclub Sony

Because I still believe that Driveclub is a good game overall, I have to leave you with some positive impressions. The game is fun! I can’t deny that the added challenges like drifting, maintaining high speeds and following the blue lines that are added mid race were a unique way to spice up the game. The quick loading times got me right into the action without delay, and I only experienced connection issues the first time I logged on (maybe I was one of the lucky ones).

When it was announced that the game would top off at 30FPS I thought there would be choppy transitions when rendering the background as I drove closer. Although the images were not as vivid as I approached, these transitions were rather smooth overall. I like accessing extra cars through club achievements, and the multiplayer portion really fosters teamwork. The better the individuals do, the more rewards for the whole team.

Even though I prefer simulators, this game is incredibly entertaining. In the future, I would like to see Evolution Studios push the limits. On a powerful machine like the PS4, there is so much potential for a great racer. Maybe we will see some changes with the next updates.

How many CT gamers are on Driveclub? Post your club name or user name and let’s start some new teams!