Are Some Versions of the TT Demo Easier Than Others?

[Glubags]

I'm saying that the difference in their speeds at the line is likely in the tenths of a kilometer per hour, and the Japanese drivers seem to be making smoother exits (less tire noise after the apex) than the German drivers shown, a difference that makes up for the tiny speed increase. Not saying the versions are different.

What's troubling me is that Timo was able to run 230 across the line with the US version after a few laps--now that he has done it in the US version, I'd like to see if he can replicate that with his native PAL version. Before he set out in the US version, he said he'd never been able to hit 230 in the PAL version.

If he can't, I think it's safe to say something is definitely awry, as he's a very quick driver and should be consistent enough to know if it really is MUCH harder (if not impossible) to hit 230 in the PAL version.

If he can't do it in his native version, to me that raises more questions. Are the physics actually any different? Or is the metric used to measure distance/speed slightly different in one game from the other (meaning only the speed displayed is different, not the actual speed of the vehicle)? Perhaps outputting the PAL video format takes up some amount of processor speed and the displayed speed is ever so slightly delayed? No idea.

I would hope it's a processing discrepancy having to do with the differing video outputs rather than a difference (intentional or not) in the physics code.

 

[arora]

Gluebags,

It's not hard or time consuming to open an eu acount and dl the pal version. Why don't you try it yourself. It doesn't make much since comenting or speculating on something until you have some knowledge about it. 👍

 

[Timppaq]

I can confirm I have not ever crossed the line with the speedo showing 230km/h+ using PAL demo. (like I can do on US demo & JP demo on first lap)

I've driven the normal car now 2 weeks straight every day 1-5 hours.. I think I would have managed it once, if possible?

 

[IsmokeGT]

i think i never made once over 229

Color me convinced.
So, is it a difference between countries in the GT Academy and countries not in the Academy?

 

[eclipsee]

I wonder even why there are three versions (JP/PAL/US) of the GT5 demo when any of them can be played on any PS3 no matter where do you live.

 

[Anghammarad]

I can confirm I have not ever crossed the line with the speedo showing 230km/h+ using PAL demo. (like I can do on US demo & JP demo on first lap)

I've driven the normal car now 2 weeks straight every day 1-5 hours.. I think I would have managed it once, if possible?

And after following Timppaq's ghost around the track for the same time I can confirm the same.

 

[Sphinx]

I'm saying that the difference in their speeds at the line is likely in the tenths of a kilometer per hour, and the Japanese drivers seem to be making smoother exits (less tire noise after the apex) than the German drivers shown, a difference that makes up for the tiny speed increase. Not saying the versions are different.

What's troubling me is that Timo was able to run 230 across the line with the US version after a few laps--now that he has done it in the US version, I'd like to see if he can replicate that with his native PAL version. Before he set out in the US version, he said he'd never been able to hit 230 in the PAL version.

If he can't, I think it's safe to say something is definitely awry, as he's a very quick driver and should be consistent enough to know if it really is MUCH harder (if not impossible) to hit 230 in the PAL version.

If he can't do it in his native version, to me that raises more questions. Are the physics actually any different? Or is the metric used to measure distance/speed slightly different in one game from the other (meaning only the speed displayed is different, not the actual speed of the vehicle)? Perhaps outputting the PAL video format takes up some amount of processor speed and the displayed speed is ever so slightly delayed? No idea.

I would hope it's a processing discrepancy having to do with the differing video outputs rather than a difference (intentional or not) in the physics code.

I can confirm I have not ever crossed the line with the speedo showing 230km/h+ using PAL demo. (like I can do on US demo & JP demo on first lap)

I've driven the normal car now 2 weeks straight every day 1-5 hours.. I think I would have managed it once, if possible?

Glubags,
Thank you for your reply. 👍
Can we say that you have now moved over to the dark side now that Timo has confirmed that 230 is out of reach for him in the PAL version and accept that there is in fact a difference of some kind? It'll be good to be able to move on and start discussing what that difference could be.

profi,
Thank you for the link. 👍
I have to admit that I somehow missed this in my initial search before posting. please accept this as my apology.

 

[profi]

profi,
Thank you for the link. 👍
I have to admit that I somehow missed this in my initial search before posting. please accept this as my apology.

No problem, just wanted to let you know...

 

[Glubags]

It doesn't make much since comenting or speculating on something until you have some knowledge about it. 👍

I think you've misunderstood my intent here. I want to know for sure like everyone else, but I was skeptical.

When I saw that Timo already had the means to try both versions and the skill/consistency to make a reliable confirmation one way or the other, I decided to trust his judgment. Nothing wrong with that. He's made it clear now that he can't replicate the 230 km/h across the line in the PAL demo, but can easily do so in the US and JPN demos... so that seals it for me. Something is definitely different between the versions.

Now the real question to me is whether the displayed speed is accurate in both and the cars are crossing the line at genuinely different rates (which would imply some difference in the physics code), or if there is a difference in the code calculating the speed, causing the displayed speed to be inaccurate in one version or the other while the speed of the car is actually the same.

I can't think of any way to test that with reliable results the way we can test the displayed speed over the line so consistently.

Either way it's very troubling to know these versions aren't as identical as they should be.

 

[SETWAVE]

Has anyone tried it in MPH setting for the different versions? It might show up something interesting.

 

[Timppaq]

I wonder even why there are three versions (JP/PAL/US) of the GT5 demo when any of them can be played on any PS3 no matter where do you live.

I do wonder the same.. Of course the legislation and that sort of things might make it unavoidable, but hard to understand how the warning screens in the beginning could make up for such a big difference in file size, for example.

I would love to know the explanation from an official party for sure 👍 (you reading this?)


here are the info screens of all the versions;

PAL:

JP:

US:

 

[Glubags]

I've been wondering about that difference too. The textures for the vehicles are a bit different (GT Academy logo), and while those are high-res, I'm sure the textures/models are packaged in a way that wouldn't account for such a large file size difference.

 

[zabeu]

PAL GT5P supports eight different languages, the demo probably at least as many (haven't counted). One should therefore expect the PAL version to come as the "fattest" file. (I doubt it will weigh down the car though )

Assuming no simple numerical display error and given roughly equally competent drivers, better factual speed at the line obviously can be caused by either more power or better grip. Less tyre squeal in the final turn would suggest the latter to be the case, I think.

It would be interesting to do a thorough statistical comparison of the performance of a few of the usual suspects from all over the world in the GT5P rankings vs the TT. If the NTSC regions are indeed enjoying a slight advantage, the tendency should show. Of course, the differing value of the prizes as incentive to the drivers in the different regions is muddying the waters a bit. Still, I think that almost everyone (at least here in PAL and in Japan) will do their best in the TT, and the number of different rankings per car and track available in Prologue should even things out a bit on that side.

 

[fasj6418]

God knows what went through the minds of the people at PD, but we should also note that while it´s GT Academy for PAL, it´s only a time trial challenge for the others.

This is not probable, but maybe the cars have different specs.

Just one more thing i remembered.

 

[MeAgainstYou]

while reading Timo post and relying on what i've learn at univ.. i thought.. thats a character thing due the different languages.. and after that Tim just confirmed my thoughts because (like we all know ) he also knows bits, bytes and sites..

but then i thought, if thats the case my version should also be different from Timo.. i went to my PS3 and what did i found!?!? its the same 220MB... PD made something in the kitchen .. oh yeah..

 

[The Outlaw]

It might also help to check the maximum speed in 4th or 5th gear (if it is possible to reach the rev limiter in 5th) with the stock car, to determine if the max speed in each gear is the same between J/NTSC & PAL. If there is still a noted speed difference between the versions, then it would most likely be a miscalculation of the measured speed (for whatever reason), as I would doubt there would be a difference in gearing.

Maybe I will try later 👍

 

[GTP_DEVIE]

So do the times set in each region,register on their own board? Or for instance,if i downloaded the JP version from Australia would it still be on the Australian leader board? Meaning there is no real advantage because JP and the US are not in the comp. 👍

 

[Glubags]

Using a different region's version to post a time will put that time on a "rest of the world" leaderboard that's separate from the main regions' leaderboards. I'm guessing they filter it by IP.

 

[Sphinx]

It's a real sahme that the replays don't show split times. Working out the time from the last T split to the finish line would've made very interesting reading indeed.

I would again like to invite anyone who feels that they have reached their limit in the PAL normal car to try an NTCS demo version and report their findings here.

I would recommend running the PAL version for a short period before trying NTSC.

 

[BTH_Lacko_M47]

I don't know if there is any difference between PAL, US or JP versions BUT out of the Japanese players 42 are under 3'24 when out of the US players only 4 are with 3'23.xxx.
I can't believe that Americans are so much worse in performance than the Japanese. I hope I didn't offend anyone by saying this.

 

[The Outlaw]

I don't know if there is any difference between PAL, US or JP versions BUT out of the Japanese players 42 are under 3'24 when out of the US players only 4 are with 3'23.xxx.
I can't believe that Americans are so much worse in performance than the Japanese. I hope I didn't offend anyone by saying this.

It's no surprise to me. Despite the size of the US, we have FAR less hardcore/serious GT players when in comparison to Japan. Not to mention our prizes are totally garbage, making most people question whether the effort to get P1 is really even worth the time The prizes for 2nd through 10th (free GT for PSP IIRC) are absolutely laughable compared to JP, let alone those participating in GT Academy.

 

[IsmokeGT]

I can't believe that Americans are so much worse in performance than the.

We will settle that, lets race!

This link will help solve the American perfromance question- http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/products/gt5p/ranking/co2ca61s1m0.html
(America P2 and P3, Japan is P6 and P7)

You are taking the results out of context, like TA was saying.

 

[BTH_Lacko_M47]

We will settle that, lets race!

This link will help solve the American perfromance question- http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/products/gt5p/ranking/co2ca61s1m0.html
(America P2 and P3, Japan is P6 and P7)

You are taking the results out of context, like TA was saying.

Sorry mate but I don't understand your ansver. I meant Americans are not worse drivers than Japanese. I think I was clear.

 

[IsmokeGT]

I can't believe that Americans are so much worse in performance than the Japanese.

I meant Americans are not worse drivers than Japanese. I think I was clear.

No problem buddy! 👍 Misunderstandings happen.

On topic- How much time can that 1 kph make over a lap? More than 0.1?

 

[Enigma]

No problem buddy! 👍 Misunderstandings happen.

On topic- How much time can that 1 kph make over a lap? More than 0.1?

I think he meant he found it hard to believe the Americans were slower than the Japanese hinting that possibly the demos are different and thats whats causing the slower times.

So he was actually defending the Americans 👍

 

[The Outlaw]

It might also help to check the maximum speed in 4th or 5th gear (if it is possible to reach the rev limiter in 5th) with the stock car, to determine if the max speed in each gear is the same between J/NTSC & PAL. If there is still a noted speed difference between the versions, then it would most likely be a miscalculation of the measured speed (for whatever reason), as I would doubt there would be a difference in gearing.

Maybe I will try later 👍

Has anyone tried this yet? I forgot I don't have a European PSN account or PAL GT5 Demo, so I was unable to try this myself.

It might be better to try this with the tuned Z as well, as it will reach a higher speed, and any difference in the maximum speed upon hitting the rev limiter between the different version would likely be more noticeable.

 

[mr_VOLCANO]

It's a real sahme that the replays don't show split times. Working out the time from the last T split to the finish line would've made very interesting reading indeed.
.

Is one thing I really miss in gt5tt so is it split times in replay, 100x more then reverse lights or skid marks.

timeattack07gt, that sound like a great way to find any differences in the versions. But I think its very strange if its any differences since its a international time trail..

 

[profi]

Has anyone tried this yet? I forgot I don't have a European PSN account or PAL GT5 Demo, so I was unable to try this myself.

It might be better to try this with the tuned Z as well, as it will reach a higher speed, and any difference in the maximum speed upon hitting the rev limiter between the different version would likely be more noticeable.

Alright, I will try it NOW...

I set up an Japanese Account meanwhile and will report my experiences in an hour when I did some laps.

I will also tell you the max. speeds in 3rd, 4th, 5th when hitting the rev. limiter then...

so long...

 

[The Outlaw]

Alright, I will try it NOW...

I set up an Japanese Account meanwhile and will report my experiences in an hour when I did some laps.

I will also tell you the max. speeds in 3rd, 4th, 5th when hitting the rev. limiter then...

so long...

Thanks for trying 👍 I'm looking forward to your findings

 

[profi]

Thanks for trying 👍 I'm looking forward to your findings

So I tried the german version:

3rd gear: 155-157 km/h
4th gear: 197-202 km/h
5th gear: cant rev it out, sorry

This means if you drive full throttle speed shifts between the two values.

I also tried my new japanese account:

But it did not download an other version of the game... Although I thought this would be the case... ?

So nothing to try here..

EDIT: This is just for the RED car.. I did not use the black one...
If you wish I will try the black one tomorrow