GT5 Track Editor Thread

[ICWUDT]

Havent read the thread yet so bear with me if this has been posted

I think one of the 3 Blu ray in the Collector Version will be a track editor. You create your track, install it in the GT5 folder of the hard drive and load it when playing the GT5 blu ray. People with 'small' PS3 would need to upgrade OR not create track, in the end it isnt necessary to the pleasure of the game. So I think by that way it would go around the main issue with a track editor (disk space and ps3 space) and make that a real probable possibility.

 

[TokyoDrift]

I think one of the 3 Blu ray in the Collector Version will be a track editor. You create your track, install it in the GT5 folder of the hard drive and load it when playing the GT5 blu ray. People with 'small' PS3 would need to upgrade OR not create track, in the end it isnt necessary to the pleasure of the game. So I think by that way it would go around the main issue with a track editor (disk space and ps3 space) and make that a real probable possibility.

I highly doubt that something so significant and time consuming to develop (or develop well, at least) would just get limited to a collectors version. However, while I don't expect anything like a track editor at launch, PSN could provide some possibilities in the future...

 

[Jake360]

I highly doubt that something so significant and time consuming to develop (or develop well, at least) would just get limited to a collectors version. However, while I don't expect anything like a track editor at launch, PSN could provide some possibilities in the future...

I think Kaz said he wanted to include everything possible at launch, with a track editor such a huge thing if it isn't in GT5 then we wont see it till GT6 or beyond.

 

[TokyoDrift]

I think Kaz said he wanted to include everything possible at launch, with a track editor such a huge thing if it isn't in GT5 then we wont see it till GT6 or beyond.

Well, the term "everything possible" is rather broad! To my knowledge, Kaz has never said or listed anything regarding any form of track editor, and you are probably right - with the way Kaz seems to dislike DLC, chances are that such a thing would not happen until at least GT6.

 

[danthespaceman]

My first choice would obviously be a full fledged track editor, but I would also be happy with a 'random' track generator... with the ability to save the good randomly generated tracks into memory.

 

[Jake360]

My first choice would obviously be a full fledged track editor, but I would also be happy with a 'random' track generator... with the ability to save the good randomly generated tracks into memory.

That would seem rather pointless in my view, and if they are going to bother making that why not just make a real track editor.

 

[danthespaceman]

That would seem rather pointless in my view, and if they are going to bother making that why not just make a real track editor.

The only good reason I can think of for a track generator would be if the user interface for a track editor would be too hard for PD to implement successfully. Sometimes I wonder how they would implement things like elevation changes, angles of banked turns and track surfaces into a user friendly track editor. But if they can do it, I'll gladly take it.

EDIT: Just downloaded the ModNation Racers Demo and I must say I'm impressed with what the track editor can do. It was a little tricky getting to used to the interface and controls, but with a little time and effort you can create some interesting layouts that look GT worthy.

 

[Tenacious D]

Those elements are already in the ModNation Racers track creator. You should download the free demo and give it a try.

 

[TokyoDrift]

I downloaded that demo a few days ago, plays OK - not as much fun as Mario Kart I thought, but a solid kart racer nevertheless. As for the track editor, I only had a small mess around with it, and it seems pretty comprehensive. However there are major differences between the two franchises:

• MNR was designed from day one to have track and kart editing, so just like with Little Big Planet, you effectively get the same/similar tools as the devs use to build your own tracks.
• MNR is a fantasty-style game where real-world physics go out of the window, and AI is geared towards action.

I'm not saying that a track editor in Gran Turismo isn't possible, of course it is. I just don't think that it's fair to take the central feature of a cartoon-style kart racer and assume that it must be just as easy to do it in a detail-oriented game like Gran Turismo. I guess it depends on how far you would want them to go. Would you want to be able to create tracks that look identical to the ones provided in the game (like you can with MNR), or would you be happy with a basic scalextric-type affair for just single or multi-player?

 

[Dave A]

Your second point about the physics and AI is pretty irrelevant, AI can easily be programmed to learn new tracks and a game can easily work out optimum racing lines. And the physics aren't track dependent, so that doesn't matter.

Having the game designed with a featured track editor in mind from the outset will obviously make a difference to the integration of such a feature. But who's to say GT5 hasn't been, and even if it hasn't it doesn't mean a comprehensive track editor couldn't be featured, it would just be a harder job to sort out.

The fact MNR is a cartoon racing game doesn't really matter, the feature is there for all to see and it works. All you need to do is replace the objects and textures in use to those from the GT5 library and technically you're done.

For the record I'm not saying such a feature will be in GT5, it would be incredibly nice if it was but I'm not counting on it. I'm simply saying that there is no technical reason it couldn't be in.

 

[TokyoDrift]

Your second point about the physics and AI is pretty irrelevant, AI can easily be programmed to learn new tracks and a game can easily work out optimum racing lines. And the physics aren't track dependent, so that doesn't matter.

Having the game designed with a featured track editor in mind from the outset will obviously make a difference to the integration of such a feature. But who's to say GT5 hasn't been, and even if it hasn't it doesn't mean a comprehensive track editor couldn't be featured, it would just be a harder job to sort out.

The fact MNR is a cartoon racing game doesn't really matter, the feature is there for all to see and it works. All you need to do is replace the objects and textures in use to those from the GT5 library and technically you're done.

For the record I'm not saying such a feature will be in GT5, it would be incredibly nice if it was but I'm not counting on it. I'm simply saying that there is no technical reason it couldn't be in.

Fair points, and I'm not saying either of my two points earlier would be impossible stumbling blocks. However, you make it sound as though it's trivial to include a track editor in GT5 so that people can come up with their own Trial Mountain's! Of course, anything is possible on a technical level, and I too would be more than happy to see such a feature.

 

[Dave A]

Since the tools are already there for an easy to use track creation in game feature (MNR) it's not all that hard to take that and implement it into GT5. The main things would be working with GT5's model and texture library and creating a new UI for it. The biger question is, would Kaz want to include such a feature in GT5 or would he and/or Sony prefer to ignore it for now but use it as a trump card for GT6 which is supposedly also going to be on the PS3.

The tools are already there, already coded for PS3 and already working in game, you would just need to tweak them to run properly in GT5. There could be technical hurdles, the game engine and track creator tools might not get on too well without some restructuring but it's a much smaller job than creating your own tools from scratch.

Like I said before though, none of this means such a feature will be in GT5, it would be great but that doesn't mean Kaz has spent or wants to spend time on such a feature.

 

[Tenacious D]

Besides TD, no one said that making track creator tools for GT5 would be easy. No one said that having 1000 cars in GT5 would be easy either. Or even suspected years ago that we would have that. ONE brave soul posted that they thought there would be, or wanted that, and many here laughed.

I wouldn't underestimate what can be accomplished with five years of hard work. Now, it would be a safer bet to say that a track creator will be ready for GT6, but the Master did say that everything about GT5 was going to be a surprise, and that GT5 is going to redefine the genre, so I expect to have my eyes pop open a couple of times...

By the way, I don't see what's better about Mario Kart.

 

[witham]

GT5 has been developed for 5 years and i agree with tenacious D all we know at the moment is 1000 cars or so and online so expect some other mind bogling features to be in GT5 that PD have kept up there sleeve

 

[TokyoDrift]

By the way, I don't see what's better about Mario Kart.

Mario Kart was the genre-defining title back in the day, and what can I say? I have have soft spot for it!

 

[Tenacious D]

I had a feeling. We all have our faves. I'm one of the few who still thinks Sonic rocks.

Well, just a week and one day before we learn what sort of goodies the Master has in store for us. Will we be able to string together courses from streets and paths in a virtual city/rural setting? Will a full blown track creator be in?? Inquiring minds want to know!! AND... must wait.

 

[paskowitz]

If not a track editor then maybe some maybe some form of test track editor, like a gymkana course. You get a giant of field of asphalt and then get to lay cones and obstacles wherever you want. I think that is pretty realistic.

Don't forget first party devs for playstation share a lot of there own tech. GOWIII AA for example. Maybe the guys that made MNR found a way to make a low resource track editor system and PD could have at least learned something from it.

 

[dbst]

bff...after this rumors... I'm waitting for the track editor... I think I'll be a little sad if all this track editor rumor are only this...rumors..

only thinking in the possibility of beeing able to dessing the road between home to work... sorry..to much hype...

 

[mani_23]

Havent read the thread yet so bear with me if this has been posted

I think one of the 3 Blu ray in the Collector Version will be a track editor. You create your track, install it in the GT5 folder of the hard drive and load it when playing the GT5 blu ray. People with 'small' PS3 would need to upgrade OR not create track, in the end it isnt necessary to the pleasure of the game. So I think by that way it would go around the main issue with a track editor (disk space and ps3 space) and make that a real probable possibility.

I don't think that's a collectors edition, I don't really think there has been a special edition gt game in the past at all.
But hopefully, they better tell us at E3, cause as far as im concerned- I have a pre-order for a certain "Gran turismo 5" listed at $60 (This is most likely not a special edition price),Cause if there is a collectors/special edition, I will be glad to let that pre-order go, and wait for the special edition.

but I hope that the special edition doesn't include major features like a track editor, that the regular game buyers wont have. Hopefully it may be a couple extra cars, A couple extra classic PD made tracks, and a "Making of" video or something. Maybe even Gran turismo 1 (Although It would be awesome if they had 1,2,3, and 4... Although they probably could fit it all on blue-ray?)
I wouldn't be going over $90 for a special edition either.

 

[Tenacious D]

If there is a Special Edition, it's not going to have content like special cars or game features that no one else will be able to get. The only thing I can think of that would be unique is a booklet dealing with the long production of GT5, and the history of Gran Turismo in general. Any videos included in such a package should be available from GTTV. Any special liveries or cars should be available as DLC, although there might possibly be a slight delay. Something as significant as a track creator would be in every version. You might as well speculate that weather or damage might only be available in the Special Edition.

 

[danthespaceman]

The only problem I see with tracks being available as DLC (besides the fact that Kaz said GT will ship as a complete game) is that there wouldn't be any way to incorporate them into the events that already exist in GT mode, meaning you could only really use them for time trials / arcade mode.

 

[Imari]

The only problem I see with tracks being available as DLC (besides the fact that Kaz said GT will ship as a complete game) is that there wouldn't be any way to incorporate them into the events that already exist in GT mode, meaning you could only really use them for time trials / arcade mode.

Well, you could make some new GT mode events that included the new tracks. As several past games have done.

 

[danthespaceman]

Well, you could make some new GT mode events that included the new tracks. As several past games have done.

Which previous GT games could you make your own events?

I would be happy if they could give us new events via updates.

 

[Tenacious D]

GT2 had an Event Generator, in which you picked race specifications from a list, and it created a race - or series of races if I recall.

However, I'm hopeful that if tracks are available as DLC that they will be inserted into events, that PD will have pre-designated slots for them which will be covered by other tracks until the DLC tracks are downloaded. I really hated how DLC tracks in Forza were useless offline except as time trial tracks, and I'm counting on Polyphony being more forward thinking. Either that, or the track count will be huge in GT5. Or... the dreaded Track Creator will be included.

I have a pretty big wish list of goodies I want to see in GT5, from a true Career Mode and Season Mode Online, to an Auction House and Storefront, Race Mod, a Livery Editor and the Track Editor, the elements I wish to see most. I may not see any of these, which will be disappointing. But I know that Gran Turismo 5 is going to be so "grand" that it won't matter that much, when I'm tearing down a track in a custom Supra or Ford GT.

 

[Griffith500]

GT2 had an Event Generator, in which you picked race specifications from a list, and it created a race - or series of races if I recall.

However, I'm hopeful that if tracks are available as DLC that they will be inserted into events, that PD will have pre-designated slots for them which will be covered by other tracks until the DLC tracks are downloaded. I really hated how DLC tracks in Forza were useless offline except as time trial tracks, and I'm counting on Polyphony being more forward thinking. Either that, or the track count will be huge in GT5. Or... the dreaded Track Creator will be included.

I have a pretty big wish list of goodies I want to see in GT5, from a true Career Mode and Season Mode Online, to an Auction House and Storefront, Race Mod, a Livery Editor and the Track Editor, the elements I wish to see most. I may not see any of these, which will be disappointing. But I know that Gran Turismo 5 is going to be so "grand" that it won't matter that much, when I'm tearing down a track in a custom Supra or Ford GT.

Oooh, I'd forgotten about that! It'd be simple to update the "tables" for such a system to include the new tracks and cars, as appropriate. I still think the Toscana scenes (tarmac, and dirt ) are a result of the track "editor", or at least some sort of random generator. The track editor, will most likely be a layout editor for city courses or whatever. That'd be enough for me.

I'd love to host a "track day" on a random mountain road and just have fun blasting along it, with others trying to keep up (ideally friends, so you can exact non-virtual punishment, as necessary...)

 

[Owen.C93]

I'll bet 50p that a track editor is to be revealed at E3.

 

[danthespaceman]

If a track editor is included, and custom tracks can be shared online with other GT5 users, do you think it could potentially cheapen the overall GT experience, given that some people will produce some poorly thought out layouts?

What if they took the approach that Apple does with their App Store - only allowing tracks that meet certain quality standards for download online. Same with liveries too if a livery editor is included.

 

[SlipZtrEm]

If a track editor is included, and custom tracks can be shared online with other GT5 users, do you think it could potentially cheapen the overall GT experience, given that some people will produce some poorly thought out layouts?

What if they took the approach that Apple does with their App Store - only allowing tracks that meet certain quality standards for download online. Same with liveries too if a livery editor is included.

That's precisely why I'm hoping there isn't a track creator/editor; I don't want some random kid's terrible "interpretation" of a classic circuit. Considering PD's reputation for perfectionism, the only possible answer would be what you mentioned about the App Store; but I don't see them overlooking the game for however long we'll be playing, deciding which tracks are "good enough" and which aren't.

Liveries are a bit more open; I assume they'll delete anything incredibly offensive, but other than that I would assume it's basically free reign.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

If a track editor is included, and custom tracks can be shared online with other GT5 users, do you think it could potentially cheapen the overall GT experience, given that some people will produce some poorly thought out layouts?

I imagine that if you download a circuit or a livery, you're not committed to it forever - you could erase it. Such a system would likely involve a user-feedback application so that you could rank the circuits you download, and the best ones will naturally get high ranks.

 

[Tenacious D]

In ModNation Racers, user created tracks have a graphic of the course in a thumbnail you can look over. Furthermore, you can select to view the Highest Rated, the Most Downloaded, the Most Raced tracks, and another criteria or two. Plus, it has this little function thing known as a "Delete."

Once again, no one will twist your arm and make anyone do anything. If you make the mistake of downloading a track you don't like, you have a couple of options. Look what's been going on with both LittleBigPlanet and ModNation Racers, with some of the most ingenious level and track designers creating content which keep both games growing endlessly. And there's plenty of it.

And again, after seeing what can be done with the MNR track creator, insisting that there won't be a ton of incredible tracks come of a track creator for GT5 is just closing your mind to the potential of great things to come. As someone mentioned earlier in the thread, some amazing tracks have been made for PC sims, and no one turned down a well made track.

Maybe we'll get something like a few of us mentioned on the side, of PD creating a virtual city/rural/mountain area with connecting roads which you can use as a setting to create courses by linking roads and paths together. Surely something originally designed by PD and used as a template to play with would make everyone happy.

Still, I'm holding out hope for a true Track Creator. Over the next three days, we'll know for sure. 👍