Fanatec Teases PlayStation Related Piece of Hardware

[davidt33]

I am sorry to hear that you are dissapointed. Can you please let us know what we could have done better?

Wow. It's always so good to see you guys (especially the Projects Cars devs) participating in our forum and replying to comments.

 

[PzR Slim]

Long story, but I shall try & be as consice as possible. I am very poor but managed to get a pre-owned PS4 for just £25 after some clever buying & selling. However, I was upset that my G25 wouldn't work because of $ony's greedy licensing practices. Then when I found out that Fanatec was going to make it's software drivers for their old wheels available to game devs, I was incredibly happy & decided to get some second hand Fanatec wheels. After a huge amount of effort in buying & selling I managed to get a CSR for £4.45 a GT2 for £4.51, & some CSR shifters for £1.33. I was extremely excited to get to use them with Assettos Corsa, but when the news broke that you guys had done a licensing deal with $ony & that you would be going back on your word as regards supporting older wheels, I was very angry indeed. Not everyone can afford to buy new equipment, & most people don't need to as they have perfectly good wheels that still work. $ony is primarily at fault for attempting to greedily rape wheel users wallets, & I was very surprised, dissapointed & angry when I heard that you had got in bed with them on this issue.

After some more clever buying & selling I now have a brand new G29 which cost me -£0.02. I'd much rather use the superior CSR & GT2, but can't. Not interested in GIMX, & don't want to fork out for a CronusMax Plus with PS4 Wheel Edition mode, so I'm stuck with the G29 which I don't like very much.

The whole issue of forced incompatibility, & $ony doing vile underhanded deals with wheel manufacturers has had a really negative impact on my view of $ony, wheel manufacturers, & sadly sim racing itself.

What could you have done better? Stuck to the integrity of your word that you would give software drivers to game devs for older wheels, & not be seduced by $ony into going back on it just to get a licensed product out there. I know that you're a business, & you need to make money, but how you go about it will affect your brands reputation, either for the better or for the worse. What you have done has affected it for the worse in my eyes, & in the eyes of many others.

I understand why you are upset but I don't think you have a lot to blame Fanatec for.

 

[davidt33]

I understand why you are upset but I don't think you have a lot to blame Fanatec for.

Agreed. It's more Sony's fault for the licensing issues.

 

[zr1chris]

I am sorry to hear that you are dissapointed. Can you please let us know what we could have done better?

You need more range in products. Not everyone wants to shell out big money on a high end wheel. We need some more mid range quality products. There is a void there still Imo. Thrustmaster has the very good but very unreliable T300 and Logitechs G29 is using tech from 10 years ago and selling it at today's prices. Give us another GT2/PWTS/GT3 !!! I would definitely buy something with dual compatibility if it was reasonable, say $400 or less for a full setup.?

 

[lancia delta hf]

You need more range in products. Not everyone wants to shell out big money on a high end wheel. We need some more mid range quality products. There is a void there still Imo. Thrustmaster has the very good but very unreliable T300 and Logitechs G29 is using tech from 10 years ago and selling it at today's prices. Give us another GT2/PWTS/GT3 !!! I would definitely buy something with dual compatibility if it was reasonable, say $400 or less for a full setup.?

This, need competition in all price ranges.

 

[Ekay_Jay]

This, need competition in all price ranges.

I went from a t300 to a fanatec v2 and I can tell you right now you get what you pay for. The fanatec stuff is far superior than the thrustmaster wheels. I'd say it was money well spent

 

[Famine]

$ony

$ony

Users have been warned about this behaviour over and over again.

If you can't have an adult conversation without this ridiculous name-calling, find another website.

 

[Szuper]

Fanatec and Thrustmaster cant add same line, Fanatec is winner 100-0. Thrustmaster is toy (not TH8A, it is very good)

 

[davidt33]

You need more range in products. Not everyone wants to shell out big money on a high end wheel. We need some more mid range quality products. There is a void there still Imo. Thrustmaster has the very good but very unreliable T300 and Logitechs G29 is using tech from 10 years ago and selling it at today's prices. Give us another GT2/PWTS/GT3 !!! I would definitely buy something with dual compatibility if it was reasonable, say $400 or less for a full setup.?

I'm with @zr1chris on this.

 

[VBR]

I understand why you are upset but I don't think you have a lot to blame Fanatec for.

I never blamed Fanatec for anything in my post, just replied to their comment & answered their question the best I could.

Agreed. It's more Sony's fault for the licensing issues.

Seeing as the licensing agreement between Fanatec & "The Japanese Company" is protected by NDA's, it's hard to know for sure who's idea it was to stop supporting older wheels to drive sales of new ones. I would presume it wasn't Fanatec's, but we can't be 100% sure on that.

 

[Fanatec...]

Let's use some logic.

Even IF Sony would allow game developers to support unlicensed peripherals (which is not the case) why would they want to do that on their own games like GT Sport?

What is PS4 compatibility worth if the most important games are not included?

We decided to make it proper or nothing. Consumers still have the choice to buy adapters but we are going the official way.

And there is absolutely nothing wrong with the desire of Sony to earn money on peripherals (as well as games) as they have to get back some billions which were invested in developing the brand and the consoles and they don't earn much money on the console itself.

They decided to be more strict with unlicensed peripherals but please keep in mind that they opened up their licensing program to more partners and you have a great choice of licensed peripherals now.

 

[PzR Slim]

I never blamed Fanatec for anything in my post, just replied to their comment & answered their question the best I could.

Seems like you did here.

Yes, I'm one of them. I decided not to buy any more Fanatec products after they did the dirty with $ony. So whatever this is, I won't be getting one.

 

[fatkrakr]

they have to get back some billions which were invested in developing the brand and the consoles and they don't earn much money on the console itself.

What a load of crap that is. We all know Sony is making billions ever year. You can do better than that.

 

[Fanatec...]

What a load of crap that is. We all know Sony is making billions ever year. You can do better than that.

So what?

If you want to use any peripheral you want then buy a PC.
If you want to play free games then do it on your smartphone.

It seems that there are reasons why there are millions of PS4s out there and if they have a good product they can earn whatever they want.

We are much more happy with the current situation then some years ago where they only allowed ONE force feedback wheel to be compatible.

There are more choices then ever before on a PlayStation and this is good for everyone.

 

[Northstar]

We all know Sony is making billions ever year.

Are we talking Sony as a whole or just the Playstation branch? Because as a whole things are not going as well as Sony would like even if the PS part is doing well.

https://techcrunch.com/2017/02/01/sony-q3-sony-pictures-write-down/

 

[fatkrakr]

It seems that there are reasons why there are millions of PS4s out there and if they have a good product they can earn whatever they want.

That sorta contradicts your previous statement doesnt it?

 

[Fanatec...]

That sorta contradicts your previous statement doesnt it?

No it doesn't.

The product is the PlayStation platform and not just the console itself.

They earn somr money on their own hardware and software but most of the money probably comes from licensing and giving software and hardware developers access to their platform. This is their business model.

 

[VBR]

Even IF Sony would allow game developers to support unlicensed peripherals (which is not the case)...

Not true, they did allow that. Project CARS has your drivers in it for older wheels, & the day 1 version of Assetto Corsa does as well. While they didn't allow a license for the platform, wheel manufacturers could give game devs drivers to include in their games, which your company initially took advantage of. Why did you go back on that?

We decided to make it proper or nothing.

I don't wish to misunderstand you here so I will be frank; is this an admission that it was your companies idea to remove support for older Fanatec wheels in Assetto Corsa & all future PS4 games? Is this why the day 1 patch disabled them because it was done at your own request under no pressure from another party?

If you want to use any peripheral you want then buy a PC.

That statement rests on the false assumption that everyone can afford a gaming PC, I certainly can't & nor can many other sim racers.

We are much more happy with the current situation then some years ago where they only allowed ONE force feedback wheel to be compatible.

Which "ONE force feedback wheel" are you refering to? According to my memory there were many FFB wheels available for PS2, & when PS3 came out we could continue using them unhindered.

 

[mister dog]

It should have been clear already since the new gen consoles were launched some years ago that this is the way Sony and MS operate. Same with their controllers and making you pay to play online.

I don't agree with these artificial practices to make you rebuy every peripheral so I went PC. Fanatec can only do so much if they want to maintain a good relationship with these console manufacturers, that's the way business works.

On PC no such issues luckily.

 

[zr1chris]

Interesting how my comments about midrange wheels got ignored by Fanatec....

 

[mister dog]

Uff @Fanatec... comes here to engage with us and tease his new remote , and he gets all this saltiness for nothing? If you want developers interacting with us on our forums this isn't the way to entice them to hop in and make a visit..

 

[Zero7159]

There is no use crying over spilled milk, what is done is done. Now Fanatec needs to release information about their PlayStation 4 compatible wheels, pedals and shifters.

 

[Fanatec...]

VBR

It was certainly not our decision to stop the support for the non-licensed wheels but it was part of the agreement.

Please have a look at our blog for more info on this topic. You will also find a link to the PS4 faq where Sony clearly stated that support for PS3 peripherals (which included some non-licensed wheels) was limited.

ZR1Chris
Please wait a little bit more and you might like what we come up with.

 

[Racer6c]

You are so mad at Fanatec and Sony, when according to your long-winded story, but they haven't gotten any of your money from the purchase of a new product. The total you say that you invested in your USED PS4 and USED Fanatec gear totals up to mind-boggling 35.29. You are so mad at them and refuse to give them your money, but you never gave them any in the first place.

VBR

It was certainly not our decision to stop the support for the non-licensed wheels but it was part of the agreement.

Please have a look at our blog for more info on this topic. You will also find a link to the PS4 faq where Sony clearly stated that support for PS3 peripherals (which included some non-licensed wheels) was limited.

ZR1Chris
Please wait a little bit more and you might like what we come up with.

Fanatec, Thanks for dropping in and adding to the conversation. I have been driving on Fanatec gear since your PWTS was first released. I will hopefully be buying a new Clubsport v2.5 wheel base soon.

 

[VBR]

Uff @Fanatec... comes here to engage with us and tease his new remote , and he gets all this saltiness for nothing?

Fanatec opened the door to this discussion after saying to me: "Can you please let us know what we could have done better?" I wouldn't have said anything else otherwise.

It was certainly not our decision to stop the support for the non-licensed wheels but it was part of the agreement.

Please have a look at our blog for more info on this topic. You will also find a link to the PS4 faq where Sony clearly stated that support for PS3 peripherals (which included some non-licensed wheels) was limited.

I have read everything in those links before, but here's the problem I have. In your blog you say; "The compatibility for those [older Fanatec] wheels still depends solely on the game developers and if they decide to add/keep support for their wheels in their games or not." And Playstation say the same thing; "...users will be able to use these controllers if a specific game title allows it to be used within the game. This decision is upon the game developer...". However, the decision is not really up to game developers at all if licensing deals are being made behind the scenes where both parties agree to deliberately withhold said drivers is it!

I applaud you for making your drivers available to game devs initially when you had the opportunity, it was that decision that directly led me to purchase my Fanatec gear (albeit pre-owned). So when you gave into pressure from Playstation to stop doing it, you can see why many people who had purchased expensive set ups from you that would no longer be supported would be extremely disappointed. You could've stood up to them & refused to that one condition, who knows; they might have let you do it. We'll never know now.

 

[zr1chris]

ZR1Chris
Please wait a little bit more and you might like what we come up with.

I appreciate the reply and the fact something might be on the way. I just really wish it didnt take so long. PS5 will probably be around the corner by the time it comes out, then what? Have to buy a new wheel again? That will kinda sting.

 

[Schmiggz]

I went from a t300 to a fanatec v2 and I can tell you right now you get what you pay for. The fanatec stuff is far superior than the thrustmaster wheels. I'd say it was money well spent

That's what I think. Fanatec is definitely on a different level and there's where my problem lies... i want it! But i have a PS4!
Some people told me about adaptors and stuff but, honestly, I just wish Fanatec jumps over this freaking licensing bullcrap along with Sony and aloud us to enjoy they're fantastic peripherals asap.

 

[davidt33]

That's what I think. Fanatec is definitely on a different level and there's where my problem lies... i want it! But i have a PS4!
Some people told me about adaptors and stuff but, honestly, I just wish Fanatec jumps over this freaking licensing bullcrap along with Sony and aloud us to enjoy they're fantastic peripherals asap.

Ditto.

About the licensing issues though, that has been ironed out so it's only a matter of time now before Playstation compatible wheels are offered again including for the PS4 console. Keeping fingers crossed and hoping the prices will not be out of reach.

 

[J-PaP]

Just like to say I've been using a Fanatec CSR Elite which was the best wheel I have ever had my hands on. If a game is compatible with it I'll try use it. PS4 compatibility became an issue of late so I've picked up a Thrustmaster T300 & T3PA pro pedals. There is really no comparison. I'll be back in the market for something PS4 supported as soon as it's out and hope Fanatec has something to suit.

 

[paskowitz]

To the people upset... just use GIMX. You do have options. If you want an official solution, Fanatec is on it. Really missing how there is any substantive issue here. GIMX pretty much solves everything for a low cost and a couple hours of googling.

Also, the writing was on the wall years ago that console sim racing was going to go through a rough patch. First GT on a new console cycle always takes forever. If you like sim racing, a PC really is a smart long term play, software and hardware wise.