Four-Time World Champion Coque Lopez Steps Back from Gran Turismo World Series

[tankuroded]

💯 The absolute highlight of Covid eSports was the NASCAR series and that was because it had all the recognisable names and there was no real world competition, as soon as they could race for real again the interest was killed overnight. The one with the real drivers in 2020 got 1.3 million viewers, the regular eSports championship finale last year got 17,000 (whilst somehow offering a $500k prize pool). That is the highest profile example but I bet it is the same everywhere.

NASCAR originally planned to do the Pro Invitational Series in 2021, but pulled the plug mid-season as racing resumed as normal that year:


This (chase for the) now-bursting bubble seems to be the pitfall of Rennsport, too.

Perhaps it's simply down to the entertainment factor - really specific stuff like the channel hosts, the production, or simply the presenting style... for example I've got zero interest in Fortnite, but I signed up to Twitch to watch a guy I follow for non-gaming related reasons play it, because I support his channel.... there must be a reason why some YouTubers get more views than the official channels for the games they play.

Parasocial relationships with the streamer, instead of the developer.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Parasocial relationships with the streamer, instead of the developer.

Yeah, there is no parasocial relationship with the developer, but I'd counter that a lack of such doesn't stop international broadcast being successful for real world sports. It's not required for a broadcast to be popular...

... Perhaps that's only dependent on there not be a different option, in which case can large scale events ever be that popular?

 

[mastretta_mx]

Understandable if the goal is doing sim racing for a living an considering how seems PD is struggling to get funding/sponsors (even losing some of them). Also is part of the cycle, most of the GTWS participants started at 18-20 years?? back in 2018, now they are adults that need money for a living, so free travels just to socialize is not a big incentive

 

[mef]

I’m surprised the players stuck with it so long, with no pay and no guarantee of race seats or sponsorship in real racing.

 

[MIE1992]

I also want add that I definitely think that the GTWS/FIAGTCs would be far more appealing if they leaned far more into what makes GT so unique, especially among its racing categories. For starters, I think it should be more like previous years where there were more rounds, and only the best half of them counted. It'd be even better if they were only on Saturdays rather than both Saturdays and Wednesdays.

Furthermore, I maintain the belief that there should be a way for Gr.2, Gr.1, and maybe even road cars to be part of the Manufacturers Series. Now, I'm admittedly unsure how this would work with some automakers, such as Mitsubishi. However, I would also not rule out the hypothesis that the reason we don't have multiclass races yet is due to hardware limitations, but if that sort of thing does eventually come to the series, then that could be another factor in allowing more classes in the Manufacturers Series. Especially now that we have loads of contemporary prototype racers between LMDh/LMH. (Even the ones that struggled in actual races, like those from Alpine and Lamborghini.) Heck, different classes could even be automatically ghosted between each other, much like how blue-flagged cars are currently treated.

Generally, I think Sport Mode still has this notable potential as a platform for various competitions with real-world ramifications. This is especially when you consider the other championships/competitions beyond the GTWS/TGR Cup, such as those held by Porsche and Mercedes-AMG. Imagine additional manufacturer-affiliated championships (rather than online time trials) that could be held whenever the GTWS qualifiers aren't being held, with some being available to international players and some being exclusive to nations, or even states/provinces. I think there are even certain race settings I've yet to see get used, like how much fuel you start with, and so on.

The idea of special selections within groups is also something that has tons of potential, like the Gr.1 races where you could only use Group C racers. What if they added the Audi R8 LMS Ultra '12 and then had a "Classic GT3" race between that, the BMW Z4 GT3, the Mercedes-AMG SLS-AMG GT3, the Ferrari 458 Italia GT3, and the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 '13?

 

[bduddy]

It seems fairly understandable from Coque's pov, but he is a really good driver in the game and competitively a good winner. I have not dobut he will be enjoying managing the TC Esports team of Belgium and Real Madrid and potentially we could see him do some real world racing as he is very young still.

I still find it harsh that there is no remunaration for these events beside travel and accomadation (which is still great). Sony and PD are pretty well funded and could push the stakes to incentivise a one-off prize money competition for the GTWS series. It makes you wonder about the earlier article that this site covered where they said 2025 GTWS events was gonna bigger and better, well judging by this recent media, it seems that is not the case.

Alot of US fat cats can pony up more money for other Esport racing games as Famine highlighted. Just a shame despite strong viewership, GT7/SONY has no prize apart from trophys and gifts, or a potential door into motorsport which itself is a very high end industry of motorsport to enter.

I'm curious how Igor got into the SUPERGT champoinship? Did he get sponspered by a company post his wins at GTWS?

I still think it wud be fun to compete on stage in one of these events in the near future, they look cool regardless!

I believe Igor did real racing before and alongside his GT career. He also has clearly received support from PD, which is never going to be available to more than one or two people. I would more look at Takuma Miyazono, who has a job with Toyo and actually drove in a Nurburgring endurance race yesterday (a real one, not the Manus final round, lol). That being said, he's also probably the best GT7 player ever. It's not exactly a sustainable business model where you have to be one of the absolute best ever (Fraga, Miyazono, Hizal) to get the benefits out of it.

 

[bduddy]

Capcom cup was held in Japan. PD needs to apply for that license. That’s not an excuse.

Even if it's technically possible, for whatever reason most Japanese companies seem very averse to offering cash prizes for anything, or allowing sponsor representation. But money makes the world go around, and as Coque says, it's hard to put all the time and effort again without any tangible reward.

I did notice that teams/sponsors appeared on the cars in the last Nations final, though. Maybe a small positive step?

 

[tankuroded]

Even if it's technically possible, for whatever reason most Japanese companies seem very averse to offering cash prizes for anything, or allowing sponsor representation. But money makes the world go around, and as Coque says, it's hard to put all the time and effort again without any tangible reward.

I did notice that teams/sponsors appeared on the cars in the last Nations final, though. Maybe a small positive step?

In case of cash prizes:

It's the Japanese gambling law. Without a Japanese (JeSU) esports license (I don't think PD applied for one), esports competitions may not give prize more than 100,000 yen ($900) - coincidentally, the fixed $500 purse for participating in live events seem to fall within the limit.

This is also why some Japanese esports events give non-cash prizes (aside from FIAGTC/GTWS's own watch/wheel/camera kit prizes, remember that Evo Japan 2020 controller prize that was promptly accidentally dropped?).

I also read that a recent, major Smash Bros tournament in Japan also did not offer a cash prize either.

 

[Norbsthebald]

If I remember correctly, the GTWS live events also often incorporate a "Pro-Am" race where each of the finalists (the "Pro") is paired with a celebrity guest driver from the GT scene (the "Am"). On several occasions the guest driver has been a YouTuber who does GT7 videos full time and makes a living from those videos.

It seems ironic that the "Amateur" is in a position to put food on the table from driving in GT7 while the "Professional" is unable to do the same.

Not saying these guest drivers aren't good - often they are well into A+ - but isn't "Amateur" and "Professional" meant to be the other way round? If the definitions of the terms as used in golf were to apply, the Pro would have to be the Am and vice versa!

 

[NLxAROSA]

“Treat it like a hobby” only works if you have a really good day job or someone else is paying your expenses. It's also directly opposite to 'professional' ('professional' as in 'making a living with it'). And when paid alternatives exist, talent will naturally gravitate to those. Gotta pay the bills. And can't have hobbies without money.

 

[Famine]

I was disappointed it took a Facebook user to note the image caption.

 

[GTSportster]

Even if it's technically possible, for whatever reason most Japanese companies seem very averse to offering cash prizes for anything, or allowing sponsor representation. But money makes the world go around, and as Coque says, it's hard to put all the time and effort again without any tangible reward.

I did notice that teams/sponsors appeared on the cars in the last Nations final, though. Maybe a small positive step?

I get that but again, capcom, a Japanese game company put up $2 million dollars for capcom cup. PD needs to step up.

 

[TheHun99]

I would more look at Takuma Miyazono, who has a job with Toyo and actually drove in a Nurburgring endurance race yesterday (a real one, not the Manus final round, lol).

Wow, I didn't realize it... admittedly, I only checked where #150 finished in SP10. As far as I can see they finished 5th in class (VT2-RWD, same as Jimmy, Steve and Misha started with in 2023), the first non-BMW 330i car with the Supra (which uses basically the same engine). Good to see him driving IRL!

 

[mef]

I get that but again, capcom, a Japanese game company put up $2 million dollars for capcom cup. PD needs to step up.

Pd would never fund it directly as they are a game dev.
They could fund it indirectly though, paid by Sony, as part of marketing strategy to benefit the PlayStation eco system and the wider health of Motorsport, much like the idea behind putting money Into the GT academy programme.

I’m not good enough a driver to be Interested in any of these esports leagues but I’m old enough to know about money and marketing. And there is no “excuse” for Sony not funding Gran Turismo World Series. There is only a reason: there is no will for it. If Sony wanted they could cough up 1m or 2m or 5m tomorrow.
It’s pocket money for them.
Japanese laws don’t apply because Sony is a multinational by the way.

 

[GOTMAXPOWER]

I was disappointed it took a Facebook user to note the image caption.

You are such a Brit!

 

[GTSportster]

Pd would never fund it directly as they are a game dev.
They could fund it indirectly though, paid by Sony, as part of marketing strategy to benefit the PlayStation eco system and the wider health of Motorsport, much like the idea behind putting money Into the GT academy programme.

I’m not good enough a driver to be Interested in any of these esports leagues but I’m old enough to know about money and marketing. And there is no “excuse” for Sony not funding Gran Turismo World Series. There is only a reason: there is no will for it. If Sony wanted they could cough up 1m or 2m or 5m tomorrow.
It’s pocket money for them.
Japanese laws don’t apply because Sony is a multinational by the way.

Gt7 also has a signifigantly lower player base than Street Fighter 6, so throwing money at a Gran Turismo world championship probably isn't worth it for what 9k-13k daily players. Shame as it's a flagship Playstation title. More people SHOULD play it.

 

[mef]

Gt7 also has a signifigantly lower player base than Street Fighter 6, so throwing money at a Gran Turismo world championship probably isn't worth it for what 9k-13k daily players. Shame as it's a flagship Playstation title. More people SHOULD play it.

I dont know if daily players is the only important metric there that might justify funding. But for sure Sony has concluded prize money isn’t needed to attract enough players to this series to achieve whatever marketing goals there are with this.
I also think it’s sad, I actually assumed there was money in it and was disappointed to learn it was just giveaway prizes.

 

[Auditore]

I would be okay with one big live event per year if money is an issue,would be sad because these are really good events and far away the best looking virtual motorsport events.

 

[Def-Infinity]

I would be okay with one big live event per year if money is an issue,would be sad because these are really good events and far away the best looking virtual motorsport events.

I think that's fine but one large prize for the winner doesn't resolve the issue for the other 15+ pros that show up, let alone the people trying to develop to that level.

There needs to be consistent pay over the year to at least compensate the loss from practice. It would be more financially feasible to create a platform that can support various levels of competitive play (inviting outside organizations to run their own events) than to try to shell out more money they seemingly can't really muster up anyway (bad ROI).

For example, letting an organization rent a dedicated server for competition would allow the stability to run decent online esports events / leagues. LAN support would let us develop stars at the local and collegiate level without PD needing to shoulder costs beyond maintaining the game.