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Driveclub Backlash Results In A Reversal Of Plus Policy

Didn't like the previously outlined deal for Driveclub ?

You're not the only one.

A few days ago, Sony announced that those who downloaded the free PlayStation Plus version of Driveclub could upgrade to the full version for $50, $10 less than the retail price. However, it was noted that you'd lose access to the full game's content if your Plus subscription lapsed.

Now, after some backlash, Sony has reversed that idea. Here's a statement from the PlayStation Blog .

"Our priority for Driveclub is to enable you to play and enjoy everything it has to offer and PlayStation recognises that the prior plan for Driveclub entitlement for the upgrade to the PS Plus edition was not appropriate. As a result, we have adjusted the PlayStation Plus terms for Driveclub. 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."

This was probably a good idea, and a prompt response to some irate and disgruntled fans. The "free" version doesn't sound like a complete experience to me, anyway, so we should at least maintain all our content if we buy it, regardless of what happens with our Plus membership.

Driveclub will release exclusively on the PlayStation 4 on October 7.

Related Game(s): Driveclub

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Vivi_Gamer
Vivi_Gamer
10 years ago

Isn't Drive Club primarily an online game anyway? And with the PS4 You have to have PS+ to go online so wouldn't it be redundant without PS+ altogether?

Temjin001
Temjin001
10 years ago

yah. the issue is what this may become though. It's very true that a game designed as a SOCIAL racer would probably be best played online anyway. It would seem to me those who would stick around long enough to keep playing this game would be those who want to play it online.

I think the idea first proposed sets a scary precedent, hence all the angst. I see it pretty much as the growing pains of what was once a discrete and only physical based exchange of content to the newer digital age. This feeling of physical ownership is a hard hurdle to overcome for those in transition. Which is the majority of console-only gamers.

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
10 years ago

I figured that Sony would sort of do the right thing here, so kudos for that much!

But in all fairness, I also believe that both, Sony, and any developers in the future need to put in a disclaimer from the very offset if an upcoming PS+ game is going to become a shortened or partial version of a fuller "for retail" game.

Had they done both of these2 things from the get-go, there wouldn't have been the drama that it's become now.

kraygen
kraygen
10 years ago

I hadn't heard that before, haven't really been that interested in driveclub, but that was kind of a bone headed move saying that if you utilized a $10 discount you could lose access to the whole game.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
10 years ago

I think it was a test for future use of tying full games to Plus subscriptions, they just got caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

Harerazer
Harerazer
10 years ago

i think they could have gotten away with it had they made it a 50% discount, and probably will revisit this strategy in the future.

Temjin001
Temjin001
10 years ago

I think this may be the case for Sony's games but not the third parties. I don't accept the idea that PS+'s IGC will just turn into this alternative form of try-before-you-buy program.
It seems to me most of the best PS3 IGC titles have been from the third parties. These publishers receive a kickback from Sony for the number of those people who download the title for "free."
It's a form of residual income for a publisher after a said title has already stood in the lime light for a while. Take Batman Arkham City, for example.

Danny007
Danny007
10 years ago

Let's all give some backlash at the price of games next and see if that could change.

karneli lll
karneli lll
10 years ago

Why did everyone think that the whole game would be free? They made it clear that it was not the whole game from the very beginning.

This seemed like a publicity stunt to create buzz for the game.

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
10 years ago

Hmmmm, show me where they actually "made it clear that on day 1"……or…..

"The cake is a lie"

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
10 years ago

OK, so show me where "they actually made it from the beginning", otherwise……

"THE CAKE IS A LIE"

karneli lll
karneli lll
10 years ago

The cake is a muffin.

http://www.primagames.com/games/drive-club/news/driveclub-playstation-plus-edition-explained

Is a random site but they did say that that the PS plus version would be different from the retail version. Who would give a brand new game for free?!

Lawless SXE
Lawless SXE
10 years ago

Yeah, it wasn't day one, but Sony had let everyone know that the PS+ version wasn't the full game since before E3 last year, so any backlash now is kinda ridiculous.

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
10 years ago

OK, it must of been during the period my internet was under a lengthy suspension due to a serious lack of funds.

So I stand corrected.

tlpn99
tlpn99
10 years ago

Or God forbid you just wait for a cheaper release disc version or yes even pre owned *SHOCK HORROR* people still trade in games and get a cheaper disc version 2 – 3 months later maybe a bit longer.

Corvo
Corvo
10 years ago

50 cars though… I've been spoiled by Gran Turismo and I don't think I want less than like 400. I will give it a try but thats so little. Thats like Forza territory.

Lawless SXE
Lawless SXE
10 years ago

Companies have ears! It's a miracle. Still off-putting that the full game has only fifty vehicles, though.

PlatformGamerNZ
PlatformGamerNZ
10 years ago

well i'm glad people have been heard thats always good to see we being heard

happy gaming =)

___________
___________
10 years ago

nice to see $ony listening to their fans and willing to bend to their wishes.
but to come up with the strategy in the first place, and expect people to swallow it is pretty pathetic!
just goes to show how greedy, and how much $ony really cares about their customers!

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