- 2,198
- Ocho Rios
- Marcus__Garvey
Yeah, if you're designing a game for PS4, the underlying game is not going to exploit the full capabilities of the PS5. They can add content for PS5, upgrade graphics, whatever, but it will still feel like a port.
Unfortunately, it makes the further outlook even gloomier, as when it comes time to sunset PS4 support the PS5 game is still a dinosaur by then in comparison to competitors who engineered their games for the PS5 specifically. An alternative is to release a new(GT8) at the same time that is designed exclusively for PS5, but given Polyphony's development lead time this last decade I don't think that is a realistic expectation. And even if they do release a GT8 then, it is even more likely it isn't a new scratch design but just a modified version of the previous game. And that's not a new thing but becoming industry standard. That's how you end up playing a game that underneath is a console or two old that's just been jazzed up for years.
Having GT7 on PS4 is a risk as well. Sure, the PS4 market is huge. However, the Gran Turismo market is fairly saturated(if not tired and having forgotten about the game.) Just like the GT5 to GT6 move, many people questioned whether to buy another of the same title for the same console unless there is going to be some serious upgrades. That hesitation, coupled with the teething problems that GT6 faced, caused a very slower than expected player transition from GT5 to GT6, and GT6 sales sufferred accordingly. So what did Polyphony do? Shut down the servers ending online support for GT5.
"That'll teach 'em not to buy our 🤬. Now they'll have to buy GT6 if they want to keep racing!"
Of course, what they neglected to consider was that it wasn't 2007 and they weren't the only game in town anymore. So rather than jump to a barely functioning at the time GT6, they lost people to iracing and other competitors. Many of them never returned. They may be ready to repeat that. Maybe not.
Unfortunately, it makes the further outlook even gloomier, as when it comes time to sunset PS4 support the PS5 game is still a dinosaur by then in comparison to competitors who engineered their games for the PS5 specifically. An alternative is to release a new(GT8) at the same time that is designed exclusively for PS5, but given Polyphony's development lead time this last decade I don't think that is a realistic expectation. And even if they do release a GT8 then, it is even more likely it isn't a new scratch design but just a modified version of the previous game. And that's not a new thing but becoming industry standard. That's how you end up playing a game that underneath is a console or two old that's just been jazzed up for years.
Having GT7 on PS4 is a risk as well. Sure, the PS4 market is huge. However, the Gran Turismo market is fairly saturated(if not tired and having forgotten about the game.) Just like the GT5 to GT6 move, many people questioned whether to buy another of the same title for the same console unless there is going to be some serious upgrades. That hesitation, coupled with the teething problems that GT6 faced, caused a very slower than expected player transition from GT5 to GT6, and GT6 sales sufferred accordingly. So what did Polyphony do? Shut down the servers ending online support for GT5.
"That'll teach 'em not to buy our 🤬. Now they'll have to buy GT6 if they want to keep racing!"
Of course, what they neglected to consider was that it wasn't 2007 and they weren't the only game in town anymore. So rather than jump to a barely functioning at the time GT6, they lost people to iracing and other competitors. Many of them never returned. They may be ready to repeat that. Maybe not.
And there will be a practice room, even if I have to host it myself. 
