Home Gaming DriveClub: Sony says you “you can’t effectively test” online before release

DriveClub: Sony says you “you can’t effectively test” online before release

1 min read
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DriveClarb

DriveClub has quite easily had the most disastrous launch this year – though it’s had stiff competition from Assassin’s Creed Unity and Halo’s Master Chief Collection. Weeks after the game’s release, and servers still aren’t quite up to scratch. It’s a pity, because I think at its core, it’s a decent game – even if it doesn’t quite match Forza Horizon 2 or Mario Kart 8 for fun. It’s a socially connected racer, and as such really could have done with a little more beta testing of its servers. Apparently beta testing happened, but it just didn’t prepare developer Evolution Studios for the challenges of the real world.

“In the development cycle, we try to do all things. In the development cycle, we try to test against every possibility. We have a [Quality Assurance] team, we have a QA plan. You do a beta test, you scope against that,” Sony Computer Entertainment America boss Shawn Layden told IGN.  “But now, in a connected world, you can’t effectively test in your house or in your beta group what it means to have 50,000, 100,000, 200,000 users hit your service. And the guys [at the studio] are struggling with that. It’s throwing up things they had not anticipated.”

Evolution, Layden insists, made great strides in the realm of racing games, doing things even Polyphony hasn’t managed with Gran Turismo. It just, unfortunately, hasn’t worked out for them.

“They tried to do the best, newest, greatest thing ever to happen in the driving genre and they hit a hiccup,” he said “I prefer people to have the ambition to try that, though. It’s no fun being safe all the time.”

Hiccup? A game not working as intended for two months is not a hiccup. DriveClub mostly works now, but I think it’s missed its window to make any sort of real impact. It could get a second chance when the promised – but still missing – PlayStation Plus Edition, but I don’t think anyone really still cares at this point.

Last Updated: November 18, 2014

23 Comments

  1. ToshZA

    November 18, 2014 at 12:06

    You see, for a game that essentially hinges on its online component – there are things called beta tests. Companies do it all the time. And while it’s nice to have the users pay for a retail copy for their beta test (Battlefield anyone?) – the better route is to test with just a portion of the game made available BEFORE release date.

    Reply

    • Cadis Etrama Di Umar

      November 18, 2014 at 12:10

      Yeah I was thinking the same thing now…Network tests, Alphas and Betas…I mean…seriously now, this is not something new

      Reply

  2. Alien Emperor Trevor

    November 18, 2014 at 12:14

    People are being so harsh on them. This whole playing games online and servers is a brand new concept. I mean it’s only been around for a decade?

    Reply

    • ToshZA

      November 18, 2014 at 12:16

      And servers are still so incredibly hard to find and set up. The infrastructure just isn’t there. They have to create that fibre network before they even begin.

      Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      November 18, 2014 at 12:17

      Maybe, but consoles are only now catching up to the PC, give it another decade or two.

      Reply

      • ToshZA

        November 18, 2014 at 12:17

        To the PC from a decade ago?

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          November 18, 2014 at 12:24

          XD

          Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          November 18, 2014 at 12:24

          XD

          Reply

      • Skyblue

        November 18, 2014 at 13:08

        Then consoles will fuck it up by cancelling local LAN or co-op support like PC ;p

        Reply

  3. Hammersteyn

    November 18, 2014 at 12:15

    The PlayStation Plus Edition will give it a shot in the arm. Or another case of the hiccups.

    Reply

    • DiggityDingDong

      November 18, 2014 at 12:29

      At this rate it looks like Kaz will be done with GT7, before the PS Plus edition comes out.

      Reply

      • Corrie

        November 18, 2014 at 12:39

        Poor PS4 users have a better chance at getting the last guardian before the PS Plus edition comes out

        Reply

  4. Sir Rants A Lot is a DADDY

    November 18, 2014 at 12:26

    This is unrantworthy. It’s just pathetic games can be launched so broken in terms of online in todays day and age.

    What? Were you not expecting thousands of players?

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      November 18, 2014 at 12:32

      They thought the XBOX One outsold the PS4 not the other way around, hence their predictions for the possible number of players were a bit off.

      Reply

      • Skyblue

        November 18, 2014 at 13:06

        They still haven’t even managed to properly cater for peeps who have paid for the game, never mind the PS Plus version which would flood their servers.

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          November 18, 2014 at 14:41

          Indeed

          Reply

    • Admiral Chief Wang

      November 18, 2014 at 13:00

      LOL UNRANTWORTHY

      Reply

  5. DiggityDingDong

    November 18, 2014 at 12:28

    Yip, don’t care for this game anymore. Bring on Project CARS and F1 2015

    Reply

  6. RinceThis

    November 18, 2014 at 12:33

    Day one has become day sometime in the near future…

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      November 18, 2014 at 12:44

      Day one has become one day ;P

      Reply

    • Rock789

      November 18, 2014 at 14:49

      Nowadays, Day 1 = Beta testing.

      Reply

  7. Kikmi

    November 18, 2014 at 12:41

    BULL FUCKING SHIT

    Reply

  8. HairyEwok

    November 18, 2014 at 13:58

    This is my TV and i have to say it’s oh just so yummy to play games on and its pc hdmi friendly so xbox control and there you have it. I do with i did buy this Sony though, nice and sleek with those hertz refresh rate.
    http://www.groupon.co.za/deals/national-deals/Groupon-Goods-NUW/28272557

    Reply

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