The poor people at Evolution Studios must be near to tears at this point. While we’re big proponents of constructive criticism, the Runcorn-based developer appears to have been unfairly singled out in recent weeks. Fresh from finally attaching a release date to its PlayStation 4 exclusive racer DriveClub, the firm may have felt that the bad times prompted by the title’s delay were behind it, but it’s since fallen foul to a PlayStation Plus upheaval – and now it’s confirmed that its upcoming title will feature microtransactions.
Before you pull out your pitchforks and storm the British outfit’s office, though, it’s probably worth taking a moment to read what kind of in-app purchases will be available. “In DriveClub, you earn Fame, and as you earn Fame, you level up,” game director Paul Rustchynsky explained. “Every time that you level up, we give you another car. If you want to unlock a car immediately, you can pay to unlock that car straight away, but it's not a consumable microtransaction. We don't let people buy Fame, for example, and spend lots and lots. The idea is if you want to shortcut things you can do.”
The put upon developer likened the scenario to MotorStorm RC, but the reality is that almost every racing game made over the past five or so years has included this feature, too. We’re not saying that we’re happy with microtransactions making their way into full priced releases – even though this does sound pretty ignorable – but the backlash that’s been pointed at this title over the past few weeks has seemed a little unjustified from where we’re sitting. Are people just baying for blood? Put your foot down in the comments section below.
[source uk.ign.com, via eurogamer.net]
Comments 19
All depends on how much fame is needed to reach the next level, doesn't it?
@ShogunRok More from IGN:
"It’s been a hot topic of late inside gaming, and we’ve been very keen to take on board the feedback from gamers and make sure we don’t upset anyone," he revealed. "So, in Driveclub, what we’ve done is make sure that the progression system is really straightforward, really simple and gives you access to a lot of content really quickly."
I don't mind micro-transactions in some games, but i hope it doesn't become the norm. The thing that i dislike is if the developer adds them and makes the progression of the game harder than what it's supposed to be, and basically make it so you have to buy the cars etc because of how hard it is to progress. If they do it like that then yeah i would be pissed off. So far of what i have seen they aren't doing it like that which is good. (crosses fingers)
Just like every other racing game in modern time? Oh it does not have a cool name like timesaver pack so it's different. NFS,Forza,split/second etc. Had it last generation so why do people expect something different?
IF I choose not to buy the full game I'd like the option to buy at least 1 car thatparticularly catches my eye. I don't see any problems with this type of micro transaction.
I wonder what implications all these "pay money, get now" schemes are going to have on society. In all seriousness, growing up having to persist with incredibly difficult games like ghosts and goblins, in part, tought me that hard work pays off. Mummy couldn't pay for me to clock that game.
Edit: Now that those brutal old games have tought me well and I don't have as much time to game, I like these type of microtransactions
So, someone could basically buy a level 10 car at level 1, access level 1 races against level 1 players with level 1 cars and always win? Seems legit.
@TooGoodOfAPlaya My thoughts exactly. Hypelevel has been low for a while as it is, but now its ZERO.
@ToOGoodOfAPlaya No-one knows at the moment. It all depends on how the game is structured.
Personally, I'm not committing to this game until much more is known about it. It looks and sounds great, but handling is of vital importance, and now, so is the exact implementation of microtransactions. If you need 2 million 'fame' to unlock a car and get 100k 'fame' for winning a race, that's fine; but if a win only gets you 5 or 10 'fame', that essentially becomes an epic grind/pay to win scenario and they can shove it up their exhaust.
Unless many more, clearer details emerge before launch, it's going to be a game that pretty much requires trialing the free Plus version before deciding.
It's all about balance at the end of the day. As a long time gamer, I have no objection to sitting down and earning things, but it has to be doable in a realistic time frame. If it's not, I'll just give up on the game - I won't buy unlocks because it removes any sense of achievement from the game, and then what's the point of playing?
I have no problem with microtransactions in and of themselves. My problem comes with the knowledge that if microtransactions are in place, there's a good chance the game was designed to nudge you into purchasing them (eg slower leveling up, slightly longer play time between upgrades, slightly increased difficulty, etc). It's hard to know whether the game was ACTUALLY designed that way or not, but my policy is to be skeptical first until proven otherwise.
I don't care. I'll unlock them at my own speed, but you know they will have some sick higher fame level cars.
:If I give you good price,will you put p*$$y magnet?"
@eLarkos
Yeah, I've been having the same thoughts. Might sound like overthinking but when we are constantly told we can have TV "on demand", place bets "your way/on your terms", "buy now, pay later"...etc, I do worry that people will just end up having no patience and just expect things there and then. These paid for shortcuts to me seem like just another way of exploiting this attitude that is being built up in society. I don't blame the developers, if we didn't buy them they probably wouldn't exist.
That or maybe I actually am overthinking things
Sammy, I hear you about the gripe on this game. But to be fair, the lead up to release hasn't done itself any favours - heavily delayed, microtransactions, reversal in PS Plus policy....etc These things don't exactly get gamers excited for the title. Like me, my interest in this game has waned over time and other car/racing games are likely to be out in the same quarter. I'm personally more intrigued by Project Cars than this and feel that one may well get my money
If some people are willing to pay the money to buy other cars, I see nothing wrong with that. Now, if they made the game where it was a constant grind to the point where you're better off paying for the cars rather then building up to get those cars by yourself, then I see a problem.
In my opinion, if people pay for it, that's their money and just because they have a car they bought with their money, doesn't mean they are going to win any races.
@Clamedeus
It's already the norm hence BF4 using them with plenty of other game's.
@Demi_God I disagree.
If you start with low speed, low power cars and someone at the same level buys a high level high speed car then they are absolutely going to beat you in a straight up standard race. Ford Escort vs Any Ferrari is not balanced.
Don't feel bad for these people at all. Had two years to get the game ready for launch, couldn't do it. Given the extra year you'd think 1080p, 60 fps for a first party racing game would be possible, but no. The initial stupid idea of purchasing the game for $50 on Plus but not being able to keep it if your plus membership lapses. Now this. To be fair, it's not all Evolution's fault, some of this falls right on the decision makers at Sony headquarters, but Evolution hasn't done itself any favors. The good news for it is the only other racing games that seem interesting this year are Project Cars and Mario Kart 8. Not everybody likes kart racers and it might as well be considered a different genre all together, it's also an exclusive to a not-so-popular console. And, outside of the internet gaming community, doesn't seem like many people know or care about Project Cars, so DriveClub will still do very well at retail by default.
"microtransactions making their way into full priced releases"
This should never happen, under no circumstances.
Fair enough to add MT's if the game is free in the first place but not when it's cost you £50.
Can everything be done in game without the need of microtransactions (them being there just for lazy *****)? If so I have no problem with them in any game.
Will the game become incredibly cheap and repetitive because the developers and publishers are greedy **** and want you to purchase the (overpriced) microtransactions? Then there's a problem.
(for all games, not just this one)
@banacheck I know Micro-transactions are the norm. What i am talking about is them making the game harder to progress and unlock things so they basically make you do it. That's what i mean.
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