PS4-Exclusive Driveclub Online Servers to Shut on March 31, 2020

Advertisement
By Rishi Alwani | Updated: 1 April 2019 20:42 IST
Highlights
  • Driveclub servers close next year
  • The game won't be available for purchase from August 31
  • It is one of Sony's best-selling games

Driveclub may have had a rough launch but had a warm reception in India

Sony has announced that popular PS4 racing game Driveclub won't be available for purchase on the PS Store from August 31. And on March 31, 2020 servers will shut down permanently, killing off any possibility of online play. Other affected titles include Driveclub VR and Driveclub Bikes. They will still be playable offline in single-player though there's a wealth of online-only features tied to these games. These include the ability to create your own events, compete in leaderboards, share stats, player progress, represent your club online (effectively killing off the 'club' aspect of the title) in multiplayer or use your season pass online.

"Online servers for Driveclub, Driveclub VR, and Driveclub Bikes will shut down on 31st March 2020, 23:59 BST. All online features (including online multiplayer modes) will cease on that date. You will still be able to play and enjoy these games in single player offline modes," a post from Sony reads.

"PlayStation will cease selling Driveclub, Driveclub VR, and Driveclub Bikes and all DLC and season passes related to those games from 31st August 2019, at 23:59 BST," the company stated.

Advertisement

It's a disturbing state of affairs that highlights the perils of games that have a large part of their appeal connected to online services. Consumers are left at the whims and fancies of companies who could, at anytime, deny access to a product you rightfully purchased.

Advertisement

Driveclub's closure will most definitely hit its many fans in India. Industry sources peg the PS4 install base at 400,000 consoles. While Driveclub was released in India late due to Sony switching distributors, it sold consistently well. This was in part thanks to the popularity of the racing genre and its low MRP.

Furthermore, it was bundled with a large number of PS4 consoles sold in India. All of this has resulted in a userbase of close to 100,000 according to multiple retailers. For context, games like FIFA 18 do around 50,000 units between both grey and official sellers, sources say. This potentially makes Driveclub one of the best-selling PS4 games in India if not the best-selling. Makes sense when you consider its international popularity as well.

Sony's move however, would leave many a fan with only partial access to one of the better racing games of the generation. Tragic when you consider that Microsoft still supports servers for legacy titles like Forza Horizon 1.

Advertisement

If you're a fan of video games, check out Transition, Gadgets 360's gaming podcast. You can listen to it via Apple Podcasts or RSS, or just listen to this week's episode by hitting the play button below.

 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Best Diwali 2025 Wishes, Quotes, and Facebook Statuses to Share
  2. Scientists Create Most Detailed Radio Map of Early Universe Using MWA
  1. Thanal Comes to OTT: Everything You Need to Know About This Tamil Action Thriller
  2. Madam Sengupta Is Now Streaming: Know Where to Watch This Bangla Crime Thriller
  3. Ryugu Samples Reveal Ancient Water Flow on Asteroid for a Billion Years
  4. Scientists Create Most Detailed Radio Map of Early Universe Using MWA
  5. Mayor of Kingstown Season 4 OTT Release: Know When, Where to Watch Jeremy Renner's Crime Drama
  6. Our Fault Is Streaming Now: Know All About This Gabriel Guevara and Nicole Wallace Starrer
  7. The Conjuring: Last Rites Is Now Streaming Online: Know Where to Watch the Latest Installment from the Horror Franchise
  8. Delhi Crime Season 3 OTT Release: Know When to Watch This Shefali Shah Thriller Series
  9. Vast Space to Launch Haven-1, the World’s First Private Space Station in 2026
  10. Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Soars to 424PPM, Marking Biggest Yearly Jump Ever
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.