Driveclub delayed in Japan, will miss PlayStation 4 launch in the region

Sony's PlayStation 4 racer Driveclub has been delayed in Japan, and will now miss the launch of the console in the region.

Motorstorm developer Evolution Studios' latest game was due to be released in Japan on February 22, but Inside Games reports that Sony Japan is now saying "various reasons" are contributing to the unplanned bump.

Driveclub was originally intended to be a launch title for the PlayStation 4 worldwide, releasing alongside Killzone: Shadow Fall and Knack as the machine launched in the US. But it was not meant to be: Driveclub was delayed into 2014 back in October, with the developer saying it needed more time to finish the new racing IP.

"Driveclub will be a truly innovative, socially connected racing game, but the team requires more time in order to deliver on their vision--and I’m fully confident the game will surpass your expectations," said Sony worldwide studios president Shuhei Yoshida last year.

"The extra time we’re giving the team means the visuals and overall experience are only going to get better. We can assure you that it will be worth the wait."

Driveclub, when it is released, will be sold as a full retail game, but a cut-down version will also be made available to PlayStation Plus subscribers.