Driver: San Francisco to be offered as full download on PSN

by Justin McElroy on Aug 22nd 2011 10:30PM

A full downloadable version of Driver: San Francisco will arrive on PSN alongside the retail version of the game, Ubisoft's Gareth Edmonson revealed during a Gamescom panel last week. That's right: In what's likely to be our favorite irony of the month, you don't have to actually drive anywhere to buy the new Driver.

Speaking at a Gamescom panel last week, Edmonson said the PSN version would arrive "in a few weeks" which would roughly correspond to the game's Sept. 6 retail release date. We've asked Ubisoft for more details, especially whether the 360 will get similar treatment.

Source: Develop

Tags: downloadable, driver-san-francisco, playstation, ps3, psn, ubisoft, Ubisoft-Reflections

Reader Comments (44)

I hope they fixed the game that was in that crappy demo released a week ago. And when I mean fixed, I mean developed a whole new game that doesn't suck.

@FriedConsole

Why comment then?

It was okay, the timer and the "walls" kind of annoyed me.

@FriedConsole Amen, brother. I was mildly interested in the game until that demo. Doesn't take long to realize that a) the whole "COMA POWERS BRO" premise is every bit as stupid as you'd expect it to be and even sounds dumb to the characters, and b) the driving physics are tuned to force you to lose control and drift "cinematically" on every turn, making driving a super frustrating experience.

While it's cool that this is coming to PSN day and date with the retail release, it still doesn't change the fact that the game just isn't good.

@FriedConsole - Play the Multiplayer demo if you haven't already. I agree that the Single Player demo left a lot to be desired (though I don't think it was as bad as you're making it out to be) but the multiplayer portion that was released a week later was fantastic.

@FriedConsole Amen to that. Talk about desperation with an old franchise. I'm sorry, the whole "out of body, possess another body" thing had me in stitches until I realized they were serious and that is/will be a core part of the single player experience.

Of all the studios that closed or completely restructured thanks to a takeover in the past few years - Pandemic, Factor 5, Bizarre, Free Radical, among many, many others, Reflections being kept around is just perplexing. They've made one decent game in the last thirteen years, Stunt Man, otherwise their Driver legacy begins and ends with the original and their most memorable titles will always be their labours under Psygnosis.

This demo was just testament to their decline. The other studios I mentioned had a misstep or two and they're out, including Driver SF, Reflections has had seven.

@FriedConsole

The driving was the worst, I liked the ideas for multiplayer, but it needs alot more polish particularly the steering. Its has if they want you to slam into every wall so they can justify the teleporting.

@McPo Finally someone speaking sense! Surely the driving in a driving game is the most important thing! They spent way too much time on graphics and out of body coma s##t and forgot completely about the driving mechanics. Every car acted the exact same way, horrendous understeer turning into prodrift levels of oversteer not to mention the fact that you could smash another car head on at full speed and it made no difference what so ever.

@FriedConsole

I guess the game isn't for everyone, but I enjoyed the demo, but I'll wait for a price drop.

360 gets something: Cool.

PS3 gets something: WHAT ABOUT THE 360?!

lol

@A Burger - I don't know what site/forum/blog you've been reading but the response I always see to the 360 getting something is "What about the PS3?".

@Mcmax3000 It's the fanboy blinders. People only see what they want to see. Case in point: Everyone that comments on Engadget.

@A Burger

Fanboys...always seeing what they want to see. What a pitiful world you guys must live in.

FYI I own and game on both consoles.
PSN - HaVoK308
XBL - HaVoK308

STEAM - HaVoK308

@HaVoK308

I think many people own both consoles, but that doesn't make them any less of a fanboy. Some might say, "I own both, but I prefer 360 for live" , or "I own both, prefer the PS3 for the games"

Not saying that makes them fanboys, but most have a console they prefer more then the other. People make comments like that on Joystiq all the time in fact.

@civilciv

Quite true, I prefer my PS3 over my 360. Personal choice rather than games reasons.

I agree that the Shift ability was pretty ridiculous when it appears they're trying to recreate San Francisco "realistically", but it was a fun ability regardless of how dopey it is.

Does the downloadable version come with an armed guard that has to be present to make sure you're not a pirate before you can play? We are talking about Ubisoft here.

that's a great idea. i think it's nice too see a Dev bring a game Digitally that is BRAND NEW not something that's been out for like 1 - 3 years and release it ( aka - Assassins Creed or TC Rainbow Six 2 ETC ) i like too see more company do this. but at the same time i think that if company's do this ( let's call it the Green Way ) I think going green they should offer it a tad bit cheaper no more then $10 but no less then $5

I know Mass Effect 2 launched day and date with the retail version, and inFAMOUS 2 a week or two later. They've

The "shifting" thing is hokey, but somewhat fun. I can see it getting old quickly though. However, the driving mechanics are crap! Way too loose. This is, after all, supposed to be a driving game...

Yeah, at Full retail store price. They could sell it at $30 and still make as much money as they normally do. But you think they will pass those savings on to the consumer? Doubtful. Their excuse would be: if we do that our retailers won't carry the game. I hope most are aware that excuse is pure bullshit.

$60 for a physical copy that you can delivered via amazon. Or $60 for a drive-space-wasting digital copy. One you most certainly require a constant Internet connection. Wouldn't be surprised if they limited the installs to 10 or less. UBI has done that before.

I hope gamers pass on this option as its probably a litmus test. Just say NO to $60 digital releases. Of course, this is just my wish, people can and will spend their hard-earned money how they see fit.

@HaVoK308 Yeah, retailer pressure is strong, not to mention the server costs that Ubisoft has to pay every time someone downloads the game (and news flash: that's a big file). People act like digital distribution is SO cheap. Eh, not really. It's cheapER, yeah, but them charging $60 for the PSN version isn't highway robbery.

@whatisdelicious

It is if you do all the calculations and find out the digital copy should drop at around $40-$50 but instead its $60.

@whatisdelicious

£1 a gig, versus the cost of transport and packaging and paying for the assembly of production.

They can shave a good amount off, and retailers are at no threat, downloading large games is totally impractical for some, and for those that can it still isnt all to much worth it.

Its greed either by the publisher or playstation.

Anyway i do like they way theyve done splintercell though, you can buy individual games which accumulate to the full retail, So you get more choice. But ill wait till it hits retail

@HaVoK308 Please explain how that excuse is "pure bullshit". If you know of a way for them to sell games digitally for less than retail without pissing off their incredibly important retail partners, the whole industry would love to hear it.

have yet to try the demo. but i think any full titles on the psn is welcome.

so far i have 3...

Assassins Creed 2
Borderlands
Burnout Paradise

plenty of room for more as long as they're cheaper than the disc.

Im wondering if it will still go for the full retail price or if it will be at a discounted price? Knowing how crappy psn pricing is I bet you'll still have to pay the full retail price.

I wonder if this will be a 60 minute full game trial like other games on PSN. I know if will be full retail price (as there stuff usually is). Just look at Far Cry 2 ($30!). It won't matter to me, as I won't be playing it. I played the demo and it just isn't my thing.

@DarqueDragonus

I'm sure they'll have a trail. They did for Infamous 2 and Mass Effect 2 anyway. In fact, I think they have trails for all of the full retail games available on PSN.

The SP demo was dissapointing, but the MP demo was interesting. The tagging game worked really well.

I'll pick it up in the bargain bin..thanks

The Question we should be asking is:

What the prize diffrence of purchusing Driver on PSN vs Retail?

@number2000

I believe if there was one, they would have mentioned it.

I guess I'm the only one who enjoyed the demo and plans to buy it on release day, what a shame.

I don't really care about SF, but I am hoping Renegade for the 3DS is decent.

Let's see if they charge full price. Digital downloads are meant to be cheaper, but I have seen numerous recent titles that got digital downloads, such as inFamous 2, going for full price (and it is cheaper to buy physically from some places than on PSN).

I don't even pay $59.99 for most new games on amazon. I hope they don't make it $59.9 on the PS store

well if you live in the US and not in Delaware the one thing you can positively take from this is the fact that no matter what the price is the purchase is tax free. Now I live in neighboring Philadelphia and 0% tax vs. 7% tax does mean a couple dollars savings. Besides you also can take into account the option of gamesharing that PSN offers. I now have over 60 downloaded games. I can honestly say I paid for 10 and got 4 for free when the PSN came back online. So in light of that I welcome any full retail to digital download because i can easily get someone to go halfsies with me and distribut accordingly. I wish other companies (WB,EA,CAPCOM) did this.

@PSYCHOxKING
Distribute* sorry about that

@PSYCHOxKING You make a good point about sharing the game to lower the cost but I still hope people get this retail. The price should be lowered a lot to compensate for the fact that you can't sell it when you're done and I'm sure it won't be.

@PSYCHOxKING It's been taxed out here in Washington state for at least the last 3 years, Amazon as well, But the splitting among people, assuming it isn't locked like some have been, is a great point.

I don't plan to purchase the game at all. However this concept can be viewed for all digital downloads on psn. Infamous 2 looks to be an excellent title. Now if I spend full retail on the title I would feel cheated for the simple fact I know my brother and best friend can give me $20 each for all three to enjoy the title. Situations like that I don't care about a resale value because I have just purchased a band new title for $20 and It's something I would enjoy having.

JM: "In what's likely to be our favorite irony of the month, you don't have to actually drive anywhere to buy the new Driver."

I'm always interested in other people's use of the word 'irony'. I'm not nearly as adamant as many are about the word having a 'proper' use. I actually enjoy the variety.
By extension, I suppose it would be ironic to flip through the channels and land on 'Walker, Texas Ranger', without actually having to walk anywhere?
Or maybe to read over a flyer on some street corner, without actually having to board an airplane to do so?
Oh, I keed!

Driver: San Francisco

Driver: San Francisco to be offered as full download on PSN

Reader Comments (44)

Posted: Aug 22nd 2011 10:33PM FriedConsole said

Posted: Aug 22nd 2011 10:41PM Faenix said

Posted: Aug 22nd 2011 10:41PM whatisdelicious said

Posted: Aug 22nd 2011 11:11PM Mcmax3000 said

Posted: Aug 22nd 2011 11:27PM Hong Dong said

Posted: Aug 22nd 2011 11:40PM Epoque said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 5:40AM McPo said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 8:49AM BrianZeluz said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 11:03AM Stockonepiece said

Posted: Aug 22nd 2011 10:40PM MSKiller aka Sony4life said

Posted: Aug 22nd 2011 10:46PM A Burger said

Posted: Aug 22nd 2011 11:11PM Mcmax3000 said

Posted: Aug 22nd 2011 11:22PM Epoque said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 12:18AM HaVoK308 said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 1:17AM civilciv said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 9:11AM DigitalEmporer said

Posted: Aug 22nd 2011 10:46PM JohnTheGamer said

Posted: Aug 22nd 2011 11:40PM Lekko said

Posted: Aug 22nd 2011 11:44PM HardBoiled2009 said

Posted: Aug 22nd 2011 11:58PM Epoque said

Posted: Aug 22nd 2011 11:52PM Dukk420 said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 12:14AM HaVoK308 said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 3:37AM whatisdelicious said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 5:00AM Dirame said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 5:39AM McPo said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 11:32AM KentBrockman said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 12:14AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 12:15AM Khazidhea said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 12:43AM DarqueDragonus said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 1:22AM civilciv said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 2:19AM kalmis said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 3:26AM prodigy69 said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 3:27AM number2000 said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 4:54AM Dirame said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 4:56AM Dirame said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 6:34AM ItsameMatt03 said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 6:55AM TCJJ said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 8:30AM eat it said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 10:51AM PSYCHOxKING said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 10:52AM PSYCHOxKING said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 11:41AM Cranky Penguin said

Posted: Aug 24th 2011 1:02AM DrunkRaba said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 12:42PM PSYCHOxKING said

Posted: Aug 23rd 2011 2:00PM JonahStein said

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