Driveclub developer Evolution Studios is "working around the clock" to fix online issues for the PlayStation 4 racing game, which was released nine days ago and is still facing problems.
In a statement posted to the game's Facebook page, Evolution wrote that it's now deploying a new game update--alongside server upgrades--that should help improve server performance, as well as clubs and multiplayer functionality.
"We are working around the clock to improve connectivity and will keep you informed as we continue to make progress" -- Evolution
In addition, Evolution said it is "running essential diagnostics" periodically that should help the studio improve network performance. However, these tests "may disrupt online play," Evolution cautioned, noting that "this will be kept to a minimum."
"We're glad that more of you are getting to play online but we are sorry that many players are still having a hard time getting connected," Evolution said. "We are working around the clock to improve connectivity and will keep you informed as we continue to make progress."
Earlier this week, Evolution said that its "continual upgrades" to Driveclub's servers are "building a steady increase in performance," in turn allowing more and more players to connect.
Driveclub's server woes were not anticipated. Game director Paul Rustchynsky said that he "had confidence" the game's release would go smoothly, based on performance testing held prior to launch. In the wake of Driveclub's launch woes, the studio has not ruled out compensating those affected by the connection problems.
For more on Driveclub, check out GameSpot's review and what other critics are saying.
Don't you think it's sad that you can mod your car more in Grand Theft Auto 5 than Driveclub? I mean its fun but damn , it's so barebones. It reeks of a launch game , you only have one paint color per car. No 2player split screen . Launch game lack of features. I think they took most of the extra year just to work on the network infrastructure, and maybe a little on the tracks . The game system itself and feature are pretty thin.
@MOBS You do realise that you can add custom designs to the cars? You can also alter the colours of each section of design to the same colour, and effectively end up with a car to the colour you require? Try it...
They vehicle damage is good. Somebody hit me from behind and it caved my entire bumper and trunk in. I have yet to flip over a car, but I have gotten airborne after hitting a car once. The menu music is catchy. I find myself Bobbing my heard to the bass beat! The system is good, the game recognizes and acknowledges when you are drifting( power sliding ) or drafting, and awards you points on the fly. Decent game. Needs some in race music and more car customization options. If you could Change the spoilers and wheels. And window tints that would be hot. Or add a turbo or nitrous . As it is the paint jobs they offer make it look like your car got vandalized by stoned graffiti punks.
You can turn on in-race music through the settings. Go to audio and change race music to however loud you like it. It's default at 0%. I put it at 50%
and THIS is why you don't make online only games.
You instead allow split-screen and system link so that people can play together in the real world with their actual friends instead of online strangers who are usually 12 and think they are the coolest person ever because they have no life except the game and can, as result, beat anyone.
@VenkmanPHD That's quite shallow minded, not everyone is fortunate to mix with other people.
Just give up, the launch and the game itself are a complete bomb.
@lonesamurai1 Makes me so glad I bought an X1 as well for Forza Horizon 2
I received a PSN voucher to redeem against car packs from Sony tonight via a message apologising for the problems with driveclub. So that's a start...
You're doing fine Evolution. I've been able to play quite a few matches and enjoy it very much. Keep it up and be sure you're ready for the PS PLUS users to flood in when the time comes! You got this!
Its a sh*t game anyway why try and fix it now ?
I love constructive criticism!
I regret buying this title so bad. It is not even worth the discounted price of 40 Euros. It is the first title I have bought of a limb in a while and immediatly I remembered why I usually do more research. Everything about this game is either broken or boring. Warning for all: DO NOT BUY THIS GAME.
@skippert Yeah, always watch gameplay videos first.
I bought Driveclub on day one. I am seriously thinking about asking a refund, but I am not sure they will accept to give me one. On the other hand, I hope they will fix the game soon, but they seem very incompetent and have no clue what they are doing.
Really? Well I just downloaded the latest update which improved it no end. Leaderboards are now appearing, games are available, this game will be up and running in no time. I'm pretty sure they know what they're doing!!!
@mrjohnson71 I'm pretty sure they don't.
@sandman338 @mrjohnson71 Then we will have to agree, to dis-agree.
I'm still having loads of fun playing the single player career, its such a challenge. And as an old skool gamer i don't play games online anyway, so....
Looking forward to the weather effects update though.
Seriously, blew it?? The online aspect is beginning to improve day by day! Jesus people stop moaning, and acting like Sony owe you!!!
@tummy_rub Yes, it is very fun but it is missing the social aspect they bragged so much about. This game had lots of potential but they blew it.
@lomar07 @tummy_rub As i was just saying to someone else. There are millions of people who don't play games online. I'm one of them, we play campaigns only. So to us Driveclub isn't broken and we got exactly what we paid for.
Think about it. The average age of a gamer is now 35 and gets older each year. The people who were gaming when it began have been gaming through the 70's, 80's, 90's and early 2000's when there was no online gaming like there is today. All these people had was campaign single player only and, that's what they are used to know and love.
Us offline gamers make up a large part of sales. To give you a rough idea. How many Xbox 360's are out there now, 54 + million? Studies show that HALF of Xbox 360 owners don't play games online. So we make up a huge part of the market. Hence "one" of the reasons why campaigns still exist.
@mrjohnson71 Well...they do owe me actually. They owe me a fully functioning game that I paid good money for.
Oh, they blew the launch for sure. no coming back from that and you can candy coat that fact all you like.
Yeah, but if the games completely offline, you're not playing the game as the designers intended. Even when racing single player, you are supposed to see the challenges of other players racing achievements on the track. Your are supposed to see the marker on the track, and try to match it or beat it. Like if I power slide "drift" for 1,100 points , you are supposed to match it on that corner. It's supposed to add life and variety. Otherwise this game is pretty generic.
. It's a solid companion game to Gran Turismo , but not very special in its own right. The challenges and face offs were supposed to change that . It's sad that I played through 1/4 of the tour, and I'm missing out on the whole hook of the game, the challenges and Face offs, because the damn online doesn't work.
@MOBS The single player campaign has all the challenges on it. Each race there will be a mini challenge where you can try and beat a drift round a certain corner, follow and try to remain on a driver line etc etc. It has more to do than other racing games like Forza 5 or Gran Turismo etc. I know what you mean though, you want even more online challenges as well as the offline single player ones. I hear online is much more stable now after the update? People just have to be patient. I can't wait for the weather effects update. Yeah, i'm a little disheartened that it wasn't already on the disc, but it wasn't , so i'll just have to be patient. Coming on the internet to shout and scream and leave a bunch of crazy hate comments like many seem to do these days won't get me it any quicker lol. PEACE! =)
Still not buying a PS4!
*ducks and runs away*
Because she's one of the X.bone's biggest supporters
@sladakrobot and you found the need to tell everyone...because?
@sampson3121 Tradition.
But what if I actually buy you one for Xmas?
(Do Germany celebrates Christmas? )
@davillain-
A saying says:Never look a gift horse in the mouth.
Do you really have spare $400 to spend on a completely stranger?
Why is it so common for game companys to consistently underestimate and/or underengineer their servers? Where is the mistep coming into play because seriously there should not be such a large number of failures for connectivity, especially since these are consoles running the same hardware.....
@blackothh i think most of the devs haven't fully grasped how popular this gen is. already ps4 has sold over 10 million consoles and it hasn't even been a year since launch, i think next year will be much better because devs will be more prepared. ps4 has broken records and so has x1 also you have to remember, its hard to cater for such a large jump in popularity.
@blackothh The servers are not even the biggest problem for this game. The game itself is the problem. It merely exists but does nothing to add the racing genre let alone redefine it... Its broken in so many ways its not even funny.
The answer is because they are cheap. If they can save money by making an inadequate number of servers, they will. This also indicates that Sony will shut down Drive pubs servers after 2 years, just like GTA 5, Resitance 1-3, Socom 4 and Socom Cnf.
when this game was first announced it was supposed to be a free to play only game does anybody remember that
@brucebruce503 I do. I believe that when Sony said that they were going to start charging for online this 'free' game was supposed to help ease the adjustment.
seems like they made a big mistake on that one lol
@brucebruce503 I think when Sony saw that they were so far ahead of Xbox this generation they stopped trying so hard and started cashing in.
What I don't understand is why they chose Driveclub over a new Wipeout for the PS4 launch?
That just doesn't make any sense to me. Some one screwed up massively right there.
A next gen Wipeout would have seen game and console flying off the shelves rather than this PR mess.
I bet some serious questions are being asked about that right now.
@ecurl143 The British developers Studio Liverpool who were behind Wipeout closed down. They were making a new Wipeout launch title for PS4, but they closed down in 2012 and the game was scrapped. Since then a number of devs from Studio Liverpool have started up a new development studio called "Firesprite" and they made the Playstation 4 Play Room. They are currently working on tools and a new game engine for an unannounced project.
They thought it was all going to be OK did they? I'm sure that Sony must have told them how many PS+ subscribers there were and they would have made a quick estimate as to how many would probably want to download and play.... so why not plan for that and add that number to the pre-order numbers plus a few extra and multiply that total number by a value made up of server resource and bandwidth needs per user per minute and ensure that whatever that comes to, just make sure there is enough infrastructure in place to support everyone?
Ahh maybe though the plan of just guessing and then shutting down sales worked out cheaper for them? They are probably waiting for the retail buyers to get bored and go off and play Forza so freeing up server resource for the PS+ players....
@D1rty_Dawg Sony must have told them? This studio is owned by Sony.
Despite its issues the game is really fun to play. Cars have a great sense of speed rivaled only by the need for speed franchise. Tracks are very quick to load and cars are fun to drive. You'll end up driving a variety of cars with very little grinding. It's not for someone looking for a hardcore experience like Forza 5 or GT. That said, I find the racing element to be more fun because of the sense of speed. The in race challenges also offer goals that go beyond just placing first. There's a lot to love. BIG BUT: online functionality is not working at all for me yet, the accelerated day night cycle is not working, nor are the weather effects. Some cars can only be won by racking up club points which you can't do offline.
My feeling is this : Evolution studios needed 3-4 more months to complete the game, but Sony pushed them to polish it enough to launch alongside Forza Horizon 2. if the cut features don't make it in before the end of the year, I'll be wanting some money back. Otherwise, I'm still having a lot of fun with the racer.
Oh: the 55 tracks is misleading. There seems to be a total of 25 tracks with different variations on each. They are beautifully detailed, but lack a little in setting variety. If More tracks are offered in the form of DLC I'd buy some.
@consolehaven The sad thing about this that they working on this game and talking about it for a long time before FH2 was announced and they still couldn't get it up an running in time.
@sandman338 @consolehaven Because the team developing it had a bust up and Sony laid a lot of them team off.
@tummy_rub @sandman338 @consolehaven The question is, was the a good idea from Sony or not? What would the game look like if they left the original people to finish it?
I feel sorry for them...they shouldn't be working their rears off for such a crappy game.
It's far from crappy. Don't let the reviews fool you.
@consolehaven Some of those reviews also have some of the most stupid reasons as to why the game fails in their opinion. One reviewer wrote that the racing genre has gone backwards instead of forwards because it didn't include REWIND options and driving lines. LOL!!! those options are for beginners for gods sake. But then that's just typical of some of the reviews I've read lately, seems they're just hating on DC for the hell of it.
@retromanhd @consolehaven I think that the rewind and driving lines are great in racing games. It leaves the games accessible to beginners and gives the more advanced players the option to turn them off for greater rewards.
@retromanhd @consolehaven I noticed some of those reviews. I read one review where the reviewer clearly hadn't played the game, or had only played a few tracks. The reason you could tell this is because he claimed the games visuals were very dark, bland, dull with lots of green and grey. Half of the tracks are bright, sunny and very colourful. So he clearly only played a few of the Scottish tracks, or none at all.
Rewind is the most scrubby garbage I have ever seen in games period, not just driving games. Only a punk would use that crap. It destroys the process of learning and memorizing a track. Also you should get a time penalty for using that. My brother uses rewind in Forza and its the most pathetic display of LACK OF SKILL I have ever seen. What is this, Prince of Persia with cars? Pathetic.