My GTPedia Review.

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It is no secret to anyone reading this that automobiles have a subculture all of their own. It is an expansive and expensive hobby that for some people can encompass almost every area of life. From television, gaming, car shows and race events, the auto enthusiast can enjoy just about all of it. While the majority is generally unfamiliar with the video game side of things, it still represents millions of people.

When it comes to video games and the automobile, no other title has made an impact like Gran Turismo. So much in fact, that Manufacturers such as Nissan have teamed up with Gran Turismo’s creating company Polyphony Digital in various projects. But we all know that, so I apologize for rambling on. Let’s move forward, shall we?

Let me just get this out of the way and state that I was not planning on ordering GTPedia. I was concerned that general feeling from the book would be one of negativity. I was so troubled by this fact that I went to the GTPedia thread here at GTPlanet and asked if GTPedia itself mirrored the forums. Now while I am positive some of you have checked out and found this insulting, it was something I needed to do. Thankfully, Famine came in let me know of GTPedia’s generally positive feel. I placed the order later that day.

The book arrived a few days ago, and after spending a few hours browsing through the book, I am left with a feeling a happiness. The very first thing that stood out when I removed it from its packaging was the quality. This book has a very professional finish to it that can be found cover to cover. It is obvious that a ton of blood, sweat and tears went into it, so I can imagine the great sense of accomplishment that Mr. Greer and Mr. Evans must have felt when they finally completed the book.

Speaking of cover to cover, let’s talk about what can be found inside. Besides the table of contents and the like, GTPedia has a special section dedicated to “Acknowledgements” that highlights those special folks such as “Amar212” who assisted in the creation of this title. Well done gentlemen, well done.

Anyways, the meat and potatoes of this title are a break-down of every Gran Turismo title to date. You will find a wonderful overview on each title that explains the game and offers a summary of what to expect. Also included in each “chapter” is the track list, the license tests and the vehicles you can drive. Each race is explained and detailed all the way down to the competition you will face and needless to say I was left impressed.

It bears mention that while this book is well done, it is missing photos and graphs that would have not only helped with the presentation; it would have added some much needed color. But alas, I would expect that since this an independent production, certain legal issues existed. However, the exclusion of charts and track diagrams do not take away from the fulfillment this book gave me.

I also must extend kudos to the author’s for the “Trivia and Easter Egg” chapter because there is a ton of information that I didn’t know. If I may, I will make a special mention of the sunbathers at Cote d’Azur and the Tahiti Maze were something that I was oblivious to.

All-in-all, the book offers in depth look at a very strange world and I wholly recommend that everyone who is a fan of Gran Turismo pick this up. You won’t be disappointed, I sure wasn’t.

Oh, and by the way, this game will look nice next to all the Gran Turismo stuff I have!:)
 
Thanks so much for sharing your review, Max, I'm glad you're enjoying the book. :cheers:

As you correctly guessed, we were advised by our legal counsel to avoid illustrations or screenshots, which could make us a target for legal action from Sony. We can't afford that, of course, and had to play it safe to leave out that kind of material.
 
Thanks so much for sharing your review, Max, I'm glad you're enjoying the book. :cheers:

As you correctly guessed, we were advised by our legal counsel to avoid illustrations or screenshots, which could make us a target for legal action from Sony. We can't afford that, of course, and had to play it safe to leave out that kind of material.

So, you're not even allowed in-game photos?
(Don't worry I'm not subliminally complaining :D Just curious as to why not? :))
 
No, images from the game are Sony's copyrighted material.
 
Thanks so much for sharing your review, Max, I'm glad you're enjoying the book. :cheers:

As you correctly guessed, we were advised by our legal counsel to avoid illustrations or screenshots, which could make us a target for legal action from Sony. We can't afford that, of course, and had to play it safe to leave out that kind of material.

No problem sir. I hope the book becomes a successful endeavor for you.:)
 
..................... I was concerned that general feeling from the book would be one of negativity. I was so troubled by this fact that I went to the GTPedia thread here at GTPlanet and asked if GTPedia itself mirrored the forums. Now while I am positive some of you have checked out and found this insulting, it was something I needed to do.....................

And I thank you for that. While I received a new console and GT5 for Christmas '10, I put off playing it because I happened to visit GTPlanet at the time and was aghast at the negative reviews. I kept on playing GT4 instead. I was forced to unbox my new console and start GT5 by my kids (who had gifted me the bundle) in early February '11 - and I have never looked back since, loving every moment of the game - though I still boot up GT4 and even GT3 occasionally. The fact that you broached the question, and got the answer some of us needed, bears special merit.
I sometimes mix you up with other 'Max's - since I'm new around here, but I will remember now that you are the Max that takes it to the max and gets the right answers. Well done.

All-in-all, the book offers in depth look at a very strange world and I wholly recommend that everyone who is a fan of Gran Turismo pick this up. You won’t be disappointed, I sure wasn’t.

That's good to hear. I will definitely take your word for it. :) 👍

Oh, and by the way, this game will look nice next to all the Gran Turismo stuff I have!:)

Now you're getting my motor running.. . . :lol:
 
And I thank you for that. While I received a new console and GT5 for Christmas '10, I put off playing it because I happened to visit GTPlanet at the time and was aghast at the negative reviews. I kept on playing GT4 instead. I was forced to unbox my new console and start GT5 by my kids (who had gifted me the bundle) in early February '11 - and I have never looked back since, loving every moment of the game - though I still boot up GT4 and even GT3 occasionally. The fact that you broached the question, and got the answer some of us needed, bears special merit.
I sometimes mix you up with other 'Max's - since I'm new around here, but I will remember now that you are the Max that takes it to the max and gets the right answers. Well done.

On that note, I want clarify my original comments in further detail.

My comment was not a slam against the forums here or the members who post. I understand and appreciate the effort that several members go through in order to bring a bug or a glitch to the communities attention. I also respect the fact that GTPlanet represents a forum (per se) for those who purchased the game to come and sound off their complaints. I may not agree with some of it, but that is on me.

With that said, I did not want to purchase GTPedia if it did the same as the aformentioned. I really didn't feel like reading about how the standard cars were lacking nor did I want hear about opinions regarding the physics for example.

I wanted a source book for all things Gran Turismo related, and that is exactly what I got. I strongly urge all of those who want the same to invest in the product that Jordan and Famine are offering.

I appreciate your compliment, but I did nothing really but ask a question that required an honest answer.
 
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