At their press conference last night, Sony announced that all PlayStation Plus subscribers would be getting "Driveclub: PS Plus Edition" for free on day 1 of the PS4. I've seen a lot of people who seem to believe that this refers to the full version of the game; however, Sony's specific use of the subtitle "PS Plus Edition" makes it sound as though this is a distinct, and potentially, much more limited, product. Sony's official press release is pretty vague about the topic, though it seems to be somewhat hinting that the PSPE is some sort of subset of what the real game will offer:

To celebrate the support of PS Plus on the PS4 system, SCEA will offer the #DRIVECLUB PS Plus Edition to PS Plus members which delivers all the authenticity and immersion users would expect from the full #DRIVECLUB experience, in the Instant Game Collection.

Is there any confirmed information out there about what the "PS+ Edition" of the game actually is?

Probably a very limited version of the game to get people into the social elements and incentivize them to make the 60 dollar purchase.

something like "lite" versions of apps and games on the iOS app store i guess, with all the free-to-play conventions

This.

I imagine that the online multiplayer features for this game will be behind the PS+ paywall. So I'm guessing that this is what it is. Maybe it will be a GoW: Judgement situation where certain game servers will be walled off to people with that edition. They could get queue priority, or whatever. Access to specific tracks, mobile integration, other cosmetic perks.

@djou: They've said that ALL multiplayer for the PS4 will be behind the PS+ paywall.

As for what the PS+ Edition of Driveclub will be, maybe it'll be like Gran Turismo 5 Prologue.

My guess is they will include 1-3 cars and 3-4 tracks, you'll have to buy other cars and tracks if you want them.

@ahgunsillyo: Yeah, that's true, but who knows when that multiplayer stuff was decided. Could have been the day of for all anyone knows. However, the branding of Driveclub, PS+ edition was probably in the works for a while. I'm hoping it will be some beta type situation. I suspect this will be a launch game. Maybe all plus subscribers can get a demo with access to a multiplayer track with the launch console? Sony lets people drive one track with a few cars to entice them to buy the whole package.

OK, Shuhei Yoshida just posted this:

To answer FAQ, Driveclub PS Plus edition will have all great online features of Driveclub but with subset of contents (cars, tracks, etc).

They wanted a PS4 game to give to the PS+ Instant Collection at launch, but it wouldn't really make sense to give the full brand new game out for "free." Makes sense.

Probably similar to the free version of Killer Instinct. The core game is there but you will have to buy almost all of the content separately

Wow, that's super shitty. I assumed it was a version with more content. The whole point of the instant game collection is to give people an incentive to buy the hardware and PS+ by giving them something to play on it. The three free games they offer for the Vita was what pushed me over the edge to get one of those. I don't want to pay for a glorified demo, that's the kind of thing that should be free for everyone.

@cameron: Sony spends millions upon millions on game, then gives it out for free on launch, with more features than the version people paid $60 for?

@cameron: I would expect more glorified demos. PS4 will gave no back catalog to draw from at launch so it will be a while before they can give away access to full games.

Admittedly expecting more was probably a little silly, but I was thinking it was the full game at least. The idea is that no one would pay $60 for it and would instead spend the money on PS+ to get it free. Once they are in they aren't going anywhere and Sony makes $50 a year off of them for the next decade or so. Driveclub is not a system seller (it's not Gran Turismo), but it would probably be enough to incentivize people buy PS+ along with their PS4. A free game at launch is also something that might sway a potential buyer who already pays for PS+ toward the PS4 and away from the Xbox One.

@alternate If they give away first-party games then they don't have to wait. They own those games and they can do what they want with them. Being able to advertise on the box that you can get a game for free right now if you sign up for PS+ and many more in the future would be a big selling point for the console and the service. It would demonstrate the value of PS+, especially compared to Xbox Live where you get nothing for your money.

@cameron: They also have to make money on those first party titles. Drive Club is first party and they are giving you a demo of it. Any full games in the first 6 months are likely to be limited to PSN.

@keres:

At E3 2013 Sony announced that there will be a special edition of Driveclub which will be free for PlayStation Plus subscribers. The PlayStation Plus edition will have the same mechanics featured in the retail game and the ability to obtain the Platinum trophy, but a limited selection of cars and tracks.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driveclub

Recently released time-lapse video, 476 MB version here.

1. If you’d like to see a version of the video with significantly higher image quality than shown on YouTube (and a closer representation of how the game looks on PS4), you’ll be able to download the 1080p video online soon.
2. The time of day is accelerated by x60, which is why the video covers from 6pm – 9pm in Chile in just three laps. Accelerating the speed of time is something you can choose to adjust before you race and it’s also why the sunlight disappears so quickly at 1:58.
3. Design Director Paul Rustchynksy is the driver. He’s using a Thrustmaster “T80 DRIVECLUB Edition” wheel, which explains why his last lap (in first person racing view) is the fastest.
4. The video was captured in one take from a version of the game still in development. Optimisations to the visual quality of the game are made every day, so while there are lots of impressive details on show you may also spot some things we’re still working on – like improving the anti-aliasing for certain assets and making sure that nothing pops in to view.
5. We decided to show this time trial event with on-screen display disabled, because lots of people wanted to see this and it’s something you can choose to configure in the game. We noticed that when we did this, the game still plays the sound effects for Overdrives, so we’re fixing this.
6. Not only do we model every car in staggering detail inside and out, we go to great lengths with the environments too. Check out the observatory tower at 1:47 and 2:37!
7. The way that we have captured each car’s distinctive audio is evident here because we’ve disabled the in-game soundtrack music, but we’ve actually just made further improvements to the quality of the audio in the game today (and fixed the backfire so that you can hear it properly on the Audi R8 V10 Plus), so it’s still getting better.
8. All lights illuminate the environment authentically. The dashboard fully illuminates, so you can see the glow of the buttons in the control panel above the rear-view mirror and you can see the reflections in the windscreen and the driver’s window. Similarly, you’ll notice that the brake light illuminates the car’s active spoiler in the first two laps. Hopefully this will draw your eye away from the glitch with the car’s tyre smoke (which is missing) and excessive anti-aliasing on the Audi’s bevelled rear window frame… which we are of course still developing.
9. The reflector lights (cats eyes/snake eyes) on the safety barriers surrounding the track reflect light authentically too. You can see this most clearly at 02:30.
10. Ghost cars (and opponent cars) are all fully realised in the rear-view mirrors, but there’s currently a small glitch that makes them render incorrectly when the sun goes down. This will be improved by launch.
11. The crowds release balloons throughout the race. The balloons should react authentically to the wind and light up correctly at night – and appear less frequently too – but the game is still in development after all.
12. There’s a tiny portal to another dimension (aka a glitch in the world) at 0:32. We’ve fixed it in the game already.
13. The sky is clear of clouds so that you can see the stars twinkling up above. This won’t always be the case; you can choose how clear or cloudy the sky is when you set-up a race and it will be uniquely generated every time. On the occasions when the fog rolls in and you can only see the tips of those mountains in the distance… and the cars in front are casting long shadows towards you as the sun rises or sets on the horizon… and you’re breezing through it all 150mph… it’s utterly sensational!

From http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2013/09/13/new-driveclub-video-shows-daynight-transition/

So, uh, does anyone know when this drops on PSN? Is it alongside the full game, or does it come with the other ps+ stuff tomorrow?

Can't seem to find the Plus version of this anywhere on the store...why?

Ditto for me as well as the other PS Plus freebies for October. I thought today was the day for all that shit and it's my birthday today too, goddamn it Sony!

@ottoman673: The free PS+ version will go up when the store updates, so 4ish hours from now maybe? the US store is pretty inconsistent.

I think the fact that you can earn the platinum trophy in the PS+ Edition is pretty telling.

I have read that the PSN store updates around 3pm PST, but I think the actual update time varies pretty wildly. I was hoping to sneak in some Driveclub this morning but it'll probably be later this afternoon at the earliest before it actually goes up.

It looks like the store has updated. Vib-Ribbon is up and all the October Plus deals are visible but no PS+ Driveclub...

yea, I have been wondering the same thing... the $60 version of Driveclub is in the store but I've searched high and low and can seem to find the PS+ version...

The store is being weird and it's nowhere to be found, however I did find a splash screen earlier that said something like this:

Unlimited access to 11 courses in India and 10 cars for your garage.

That's only paraphrasing but that's what it said on the broken splash screen I found I have no idea what it means.

Update: The discounted $50 version for PS+ subscribers is now live, but still no free version

Yeah, PS Plus edition is nowhere to be found. All other October deals appear to be live.

Every hour they hold off increases the chance for desperate people to buy it and for them to make a bit of money back.

i get why they would hold it off but it doesn't make me feel warm inside.

lame

It could be the jaded side of me but average reviews make me feel like they are squeezing every possible sale out of this that they can. Store has been updated and nothing yet.

thats what i took from it. a neutered version of the real game so basicly a glorified demo

I recall reading somewhere it's something like 10 cars and 8-10 tracks that you can play? To be fair that is much more than any demo would give you and for someone like me who wouldn't touch the game othwrwise may give it a go

Well... Sony just updated the Playstation store and... no mention of the PS+ Drive Club at all. All of the other PS+ games are available except Drive Club.

Maybe they forgot?

Another Update: $60 version is now showing "Not available for purchase" on PSN. Perhaps they're working on updating the listing to include the free PS+ version??

$60 version is back. Maybe it'll go up with the EU PSN update...

Even if it is eventually free, Jeff's review and the quick look didn't leave much to desired. Won't be rushing to download it haha.

I'd love to be able to download the free PS+ version but the way the store has this is making me super confused. Is it even up or what?...

The PS+ version has been delayed until they can get the servers working properly for the people who bought it.

To all those wondering where the PS+ version is, they're delaying the release. They gave some line about not wanting the servers to get flooded on day one.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-10-08-sony-temporarily-holding-back-driveclubs-free-playstation-plus-edition

@frostyryan: Its delayed until they their server issues worked out.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/08/driveclub-ps-plus-edition-delayed-by-server-issues

I'm pretty bummed out :-( I want to at least try this out and see how it feels for me.