GameSpot: Yamauchi Talks GT5

[MisterSTig]

You don't have to travel far in the Polyphony Digital offices to find accolades. The home of the Gran Turismo developer is chock-full of platinum sales awards, awards for excellence, and trophies galore. Yet there's one award that might just all of the rest, at least for GT series creator Kazunori Yamauchi--a best-in-class trophy he won while driving at a four-hour race at Germany's Nurburgring in August. Yamauchi won the race driving a Lexus IS-F and set fastest lap among the three drivers that drove for his team (an impressive 10 minutes, 9 seconds).

Along with that real-world racing result, Yamauchi's day job--Gran Turismo 5 continues to creep closer to its own finish line. The game now has a release window--March 2010 in Japan--and, according to Yamauchi that release for the rest of the world won't be too much different from the Japanese release.

"I don't think it's going to be that much later in the U.S. and Europe," Yamauchi said during a press presentation on Gran Turismo PSP and Gran Turismo 5 from the Polyphony Digital offices on Saturday. "This is based on our production schedule. The reason why the dates for the U.S. and [European] regions are not decided yet is because their marketing is still discussing their issues. It shouldn't be too far off from [the Japanese] date for the other regions as well."

Yamauchi gave a brief overview of the what to expect from GT 5 during the presentation, including a rundown on the numbers fans can expect from the game: more than 950 cars, 20 locations, and 70 variations of tracks to choose from. Yamauchi said the team at Polyphony Digital have been working on several different areas of late, including a new physics engine, damage, adding moveable objects on the track (such as destructible tire walls on the Tokyo Route 246 track, playable on the show floor of TGS 2009), as well as the inclusion of hybrid and electrical vehicles into the ever-growing roster of cars.

Referring to damage specifically, Yamauchi mentioned some details about the how damage will work in the game. There will be two types of damage in the game, depending on the car you're driving. For regular production model cars, you'll be able scuff the paint job as well as deform specific areas of the cars. For race model cars, like WRC and NASCAR models, damage will be extended to include parts falling off the car during particularly violent shunts.

Sony's Gran Turismo PSP, which is due for release this week, will have a connection with GT 5; players will be able to move the cars they've collected from the PSP game to their garage in GT 5 which is a good thing, considering the ease in which money and cars are available to players in the PSP game (Yamauchi estimates that the car acquisition rate in the PSP game is about 10 times as fast as in GT 5). According to Yamauchi, players won't be able to move their credits from one version to the next.

Yamauchi also went over the modes in the GT 5, and it's looking similar to what GT fans have come to expect from the series. As in previous games, the game will be split into Arcade and GT Mode. In Arcade Mode, you'll have a couple of different options--single player race and split-screen two player race. GT Mode is where the majority of the players will spend their time. Players will have a world map to navigate around, their own garage to house their car collection, dealerships and tuning shops to buy cars and parts, as well as championship race events, and the ubiquitous license tests. The tuning shop will be more than just internal parts--there will also be external bits like bumpers, sidesteps, rear wings, and more.

Gran Turismo 5 will have an online presence, but it won't be quite as ambitious as originally planned… at least not yet. When GT 5 ships, it will include online features such as lobbies to set up races, text/voice chat, private rooms, as well as the places to share your photo and replays online (and even the ability to automatically upload your replays to YouTube). However, the plans outlined by Yamauchi back in 2006 for a marketplace that would let players download cars, tracks, and parts, won't be part of the game at launch.

"It's a definite possibility of something we might do [in the future] but, at the release of GT5, I don't think we'll have that functionality where you can buy single components for your car."

Elsewhere in the game, expect some new Phooto Mode enhancements as well as a new and improved Gran Turismo TV with a new user interface, progressive downloading and the ability export videos to your PSP for later viewing. After the presentation, Yamuachi showed off a new trailer for the game which featured, among other things, peeks at some of the new courses that will be part of the game--including a quick look at the familiar tower from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which appears to be set for GT 5.

Finally what about the decision to include hybrid and EV cars which, when compared to the high-end Mercedes models, Ferrari's and suped-up imports, will likely feel a bit underwhelming? Yamauchi said the decision has more to do with Polyphony's interest in technology rather than the performance of the cars themselves.

"I tried driving EV cars and hybrids as they've been released and I've found that they're actually fun to drive, [doing things like] monitoring the battery while you're on the road, it's actually kind of interesting," Yamauchi said. "And honestly we have this curiosity for new technology. When a new technology is released into the world, we're interested in trying to [learn] about that system and trying it out."
Afterwords, I joked at the possibility of the inclusion resulting in Prius-based race series in the real world.

"No joke," Yamauchi said, "I think things like that will happen."

http://www.gamespot.com/sports/blog...9/27053879/yamauchi-talks-gran-turismo-5.html

 

[Han_the_Dragon]

Just saw that at Gamespot not...

it seams like we will probably need to wait 1 or 2 months more then just March to see it out in Europe and US...

Still day 1 for me.

 

[zuggerat]

Sounds good to me =)

 

[magicalgin]

http://tgs.gamespot.com/video/6230527/?hd=1
You can hear the sound of the ferrari very good in this video, also from gamespot.

 

[Guffaluff]

"The tuning shop will be more than just internal parts--there will also be external bits like bumpers, sidesteps, rear wings, and more."

Sounds cool, considering that in the IGN interview he said that external body parts are not just for looks, but will also affect the driving mechanics of each car.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I really don't care about the US release date. I'll be purchasing the Japanese version anyway in March.

 

[vaioleto]

This interview is worthless, they asked nothing that was actually consequential.

 

[Mubble]

Isn't there a contradiction in that interview?:

The tuning shop will be more than just internal parts - there will also be external bits like bumpers, sidesteps, rear wings, and more.

vs

It's a definite possibility of something we might do [in the future] but, at the release of GT5, I don't think we'll have that functionality where you can buy single components for your car.

What's the difference?

 

[Sureboss]

Ooh, Tesla anyone?

 

[Devedander]

So we can finally put to rest the "still hope for NA/EU earlier than japan posts" and the if there is anyone still left wondering about career mode being left out somehow, that's settled...

Does the way this is worded sound to anyone else like PD really didnt' have much until recently and then somewhere in the last 6-12 months have just started deciding to add the stuff that wasn't already in previous GTs? As if the first 4 of the 5 years was spent basically making a prettier GT4?

 

[z28black98]

Isn't there a contradiction in that interview?:

The tuning shop will be more than just internal parts - there will also be external bits like bumpers, sidesteps, rear wings, and more.

vs

It's a definite possibility of something we might do [in the future] but, at the release of GT5, I don't think we'll have that functionality where you can buy single components for your car.

What's the difference?

just more of Kaz flip flopping of whats actually going to be the in the game. No one really knows. I don't understand why they don't just issue a PR stating the features of the games, and clearing the air of what is and what isnt going to be in the game. Release it in 20 diff languages so there are no issues in trying to translate it. This isn't difficult PD, DAMN

 

[Schmo]

Isn't there a contradiction in that interview?:

The tuning shop will be more than just internal parts - there will also be external bits like bumpers, sidesteps, rear wings, and more.

vs

It's a definite possibility of something we might do [in the future] but, at the release of GT5, I don't think we'll have that functionality where you can buy single components for your car.

What's the difference?

I think the second part his is referring to an Auction House sort of thing, where you can buy other cars, paint schemes and other junk of other users.

 

[z28black98]

So we can finally put to rest the "still hope for NA/EU earlier than japan posts" and the if there is anyone still left wondering about career mode being left out somehow, that's settled...

Does the way this is worded sound to anyone else like PD really didnt' have much until recently and then somewhere in the last 6-12 months have just started deciding to add the stuff that wasn't already in previous GTs? As if the first 4 of the 5 years was spent basically making a prettier GT4?

I would agree with you. I think PD finally realized that Forza would one up them on alot of things and Kaz being the arrogant perfectionist probably realized things needed to be added/changed and overall just be "better". Alot of people were upset on here about things already mentioned so I would totally agree with your assessment.

 

[Jinx]

i knew interview wasn't well.. another worthless interview, Kaz teasing us too much.

 

[Fritter7]

Isn't there a contradiction in that interview?:

The tuning shop will be more than just internal parts - there will also be external bits like bumpers, sidesteps, rear wings, and more.

vs

It's a definite possibility of something we might do [in the future] but, at the release of GT5, I don't think we'll have that functionality where you can buy single components for your car.

What's the difference?

He's mentioned before that he envisioned a feature where you could go online in-game and visit an after-market manufacturer's website. Then you would 'buy' parts there, and use them with your car in the game. Since the article mentioned this after saying 'an online marketplace', I assume that's what he was talking about in the 2nd quote.

 

[sunjeev]

I want to see the NEW GT5 TRAILER DAMMIT

 

[IsmokeGT]

So we can finally put to rest the "still hope for NA/EU earlier than japan posts"

FINALLY! PD are the only Japanese slackers, ever. Kaz should quit playing video games and going around the world, and he should do some actual work!

Also, he says that US/EU will be later because of marketing. That is BS! Why not market the game while it is on the sitting on the shelf?

As usual with PD, some answers with more question.

 

[Sureboss]

Promoting him and his business is work.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Kaz being the arrogant perfectionist probably realized things needed to be added/changed and overall just be "better".

I'm sorry, but I would rather Kaz be an "arrogant perfectionist" and release a game that is beyond belief, then have him take shortcuts and release an incomplete game full of bugs/glitches that doesn't meet everyone's expectations.

 

[z28black98]

I'm sorry, but I would rather Kaz be an "arrogant perfectionist" and release a game that is beyond belief, then have him take shortcuts and release an incomplete game full of bugs/glitches that doesn't meet everyone's expectations.

no game is ever perfect, he could keep tweaking and perfecting this game for years to come if he really wanted to. Once again, if the guys making Forza can come up with a game in the short amount of time, why cant PD?

 

[Rennsport]

i knew interview wasn't well.. another worthless interview, Kaz teasing us too much.

Agreed.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Once again, if the guys making Forza can come up with a game in the short amount of time, why cant PD?

You answered your own question. Remember? Kaz is an arrogant perfectionist...

Forza may have some features that GT doesn't have, but the presentation is definitely not on par with GT. Sure they can release a game every two years, but I would rather them take their time and release a great game.

 

[AutoAki]

no game is ever perfect, he could keep tweaking and perfecting this game for years to come if he really wanted to. Once again, if the guys making Forza can come up with a game in the short amount of time, why cant PD?

Yep.

As reported by Destructoid, Capcom's Keiji Inafune - a development fixture going back to the original Mega Man - was unimpressed by the games being shown on the TGS floor. Except for Capcom's of course.

At an event Friday, Inafune asked attendees what they thought of the show, asking them to be candid with their opinions. Then he proffered this:

Personally when I looked around all the different games at the TGS floor, I said "Man, Japan is over. We're done. Our game industry is finished."

Agreed.

 

[chepe371]

z28, GT and KY have a standard to live up to, his name and his reputation are at stake, especially with a project so large.

 

[Nomino]

You answered your own question. Remember? Kaz is an arrogant perfectionist...

Forza may have some features that GT doesn't have, but the presentation is definitely not on par with GT. Sure they can release a game every two years, but I would rather them take their time and release a great game.

Even if it means waiting 6 years between releases? Right... I enjoy the GT series as much as the next person and cannot wait for the game, but this time they have gone too far with it.

 

[Snaeper]

I think the second part his is referring to an Auction House sort of thing, where you can buy other cars, paint schemes and other junk of other users.

Yeah, to all the users who questioned that bit, he was referring to buying single parts online.

And don't get mad at him, if he told you all everything then you'd get all hyped up then he'd come back and say "Oh we're not doing that... it wasn't gonna work out."

Imagine your disappointment THEN

 

[z28black98]

z28, GT and KY have a standard to live up to, his name and his reputation are at stake, especially with a project so large.

your exactly right. His reputation of taking YEARS to produce a game, that keep being delayed and flip flops on questions. I am not a GT hater, I LOVE THE SERIES. Again, I was just venting my frustration that all these diff interviews from the weekend, which I was hoping would clear the air on a few features and things, and it did just the opposite. IMO, from all the diff interviews and answers, he likes toying with us. He gets off on being in the spotlight, being in the know and releasing it on his terms. He comes off as a control freak IMO.

 

[Scaff]

Even if it means waiting 6 years between releases? Right... I enjoy the GT series as much as the next person and cannot wait for the game, but this time they have gone too far with it.

GT4 was released in Jan 2005 (Japanese release), which means with a release date of March 2010 its a little over five years, rather than six.

That's of course discounting GT5, which I'm willing to bet you don't count as a release.


Scaff

 

[SrRd RacinG]

GT4 was released in Jan 2005 (Japanese release), which means with a release date of March 2010 its a little over five years, rather than six.

That's of course discounting GT5, which I'm willing to bet you don't count as a release.


Scaff

Good post. Wasn't going to waste my time explaining this to certain people, but I'm glad you did. It still hasn't been 5 years since GT4 came out, so the 6 year comment is bizarre. GT5rologue, Tourist Trophy and GT Mobile also needed time, so I'd like to guess GT5 has been worked on for 2.5-3 years.

 

[Rob192005]

Ooh, Tesla anyone?

hell yes an electric elise has to be fun.