It looks like this is the week of delays for the next-gen, as yet another promising launch title, this one a PS4 exclusive, has been delayed. DriveClub, Sony's next-gen racing game with deep-seeded social elements, has been pushed to Spring 2014.
While Sony has yet to confirm the delay, two sources close to the game have said that, yes, DriveClub will not be available for the PS4 at launch. Unfortunately, the sources did not provide a reason for the delay, only that the game is likely now targeting a Spring 2014 release.
The Same Coin first caught word of the delay through their sources, who revealed the game's new target window. And then came word that DriveClub did not make an appearance at a recent PS4 preview event where, presumably, all of the console's launch titles would be on full display. The evidence was obviously mounting, but Sony wasn't ready to say anything, perhaps to avoid losing too many potential sales or pre-orders.
And, unfortunately, DriveClub's Design Director Paul Rustchynsky didn't help clear up the matter much either:
Unfortunately guys I don't have any new information on DRIVECLUB to share. I've been out if the office for a week looking after my newborn!
– Paul Rustchynsky (@Rushy33) October 16, 2013
Although not on the scale of the Watch_Dogs delay — which was slated to hit on current-gen and next-gen platforms this November — this DriveClub news is no less disappointing. Launch line-ups are known for lacking in quality content, but this generation seemed to be bucking that trend. There are still plenty of PS4 games worth checking out next month, some of them console exclusives, but these delays are not helping the console's case for a day 1 pickup.
For some gamers, DriveClub was one of the more intriguing PS4 launch titles, and one of the major showpieces for the next-gen consoles visual capabilities. Sony was also making a major push for DriveClub's success by gifting a barebones version of the game to all PlayStation Plus subscribers. Perhaps Sony's high hopes for the title prompted the delay so as to give the developers more time to polish the game.
Or maybe this delay into Spring 2014, like the Watch_Dogs and The Crew delays, was a strategic move meant to bolster Sony's slate with enough exclusives to sustain PS4 sales after launch. We don't know any official release dates on Sony products releasing after November, but perhaps the post-launch line-up was looking a little lacking. Either way, the PS4 has lost two pretty intriguing launch titles in the span of a week.
[UPDATE: Sony has confirmed the DriveClub delay.]
We understand that the delay is disappointing news, but can assure you that the reason we have made this decision is to ensure that when DRIVECLUB launches, it will realize the next gen racing vision. And PlayStation 4 gamers will have no shortage of titles to play this year. At launch alone, we have Killzone Shadow Fall, Knack, Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, FIFA 14, Call of Duty: Ghosts, Battlefield 4, to name but a few, as well as the incredible list of Indie games coming to PS4. A broad portfolio of games will be available on PS4 before the end of the year, and with games such as Infamous Second Son, The Order 1886, Destiny, Watch Dogs and now DRIVECLUB coming next year, the strength of the software line-up on PS4 is unprecedented.
DRIVECLUB is a really ambitious racing title and the game is looking stunning. 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.
Are you disappointed to learn that DriveClub has been delayed to next year? Where did it rank amongst the other PS4 launch titles?
DriveClub is reportedly targeting a Spring 2014 release on the PS4.
-
Source: PlayStation Blog