"I can't exactly explain why, but you can tell that the cars feel totally different. Either way there's no going back to Gran Turismo 5."
That was the common response we received from 1.4 million users after they tried the GT Academy 2013 demo, distributed worldwide for free via the PlayStation®Store in July 2013. Not only the GT Academy 2013 demo presented for the first time the Silverstone Circuit as it will be included in Gran Turismo 6, but it was also a preview of what fans can expect from the latest evolution in technology.
Rather than discuss about the many complicated technical terms, we believe it’s better to talk about the feelings this "new technology” brings to the users. New technology never works on its own; it acts and reacts in conjunction with other technologies in order to create the overall final experience.
It is not our aim to have our fans understand every single detail of the technologies we use, but rather to have them simply say that they can't go back to Gran Turismo 5 once they have tried the new model: if that happens, it means we are on the right track.
New Dynamics
In Gran Turismo 6, we have collaborated with leading companies in the racing scenery such as Yokohama Rubber and KW Automotive as technical partners. Insight and data for developing real cars in the partnership has been fed back into the physics model which governs the dynamics and behavior of the cars in the game.
Tyre Model
Through the cooperation with Yokohama Rubber, a variety of tyres ranging from “Racing” to “Street” were analyzed. Detailed information and data not available to us until now have been integrated in the tyre model: the tyre structure, compound, load and changes in cornering force due to the slip angle have been captured, analysed and introduced in our new model. This made possible to create a new “tyre contact” feeling and a level of precision never reached before.
Suspension Model
KW Automotive is a company that has an extremely strong impact in the Nürburgring 24 hour race. Using their 7 post rig, a huge amount of information has been collected for springs and dampers, and we have incorporated this into the suspension model. Gains due to changes in surface input and differences in phases were recreated in detail, having the player experiencing the same feeling the driver has in a real car.
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Aerodynamics
CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) is a tool that is fundamental today in vehicle development and motorsports. We have introduced this into the game to greatly increase the precision of aerodynamics characteristics under a variety of conditions. Changes to downforce due to the body shape, parameters of the under floor as well as differences in speed are recreated realistically, allowing you to experience the complex world of aerodynamics. Our new physics simulation has improved by leaps and bounds, and you will notice the difference as soon as you turn the steering wheel.
Awesome.