Official GT Blog: "Pit Stop" by Polyphony Digital

[Mr Grumpy]

It's amazing that its taken some of you so long to realise just how Kas / PD works, there never going to change, it's his vision & thats final.

I mean apart from physics what really has changed over 15 years since GT1 ? It's the same format over & over, and GT7 will be exactly the same im afraid.

I do still play GT6 on occasion, I check on here for news & log in everyday to keep the bonus up, but to me....I dunno, the love has gone.

ATM im playing gta4, I picked up all 3 in the complete edition for £5 during the xmas sales. GTA4, TLAD & TBOGT.

But GT6 still stays in the drive & never comes out.

I live in hope.

 

[jimipitbull]

Well at least we have the two of you around, and a few others I'm sure, to tell us how wrong we are for caring about the failure of the Ask Kaz Forum:tup: Please forgive us for not being as non-chalant about it as you are.

Failure of Q&A is one thing. Actively encouraging people to not purchase GT7 is something entirely different.

Toko asked a question, which I answered. Not sure why you are so offended that people have a different opinion than yours?

 

[Ameer67]

Just thought I'd post this here so we don't end up having an off-topic war on this thread.
Do you still support PD?

 

[apexpredator100]

Just thought I'd post this here so we don't end up having an off-topic war on this thread.
Do you still support PD?

If the thread is going to end up being a war, then it's most likely it will be closed.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Well at least we have the two of you around, and a few others I'm sure, to tell us how wrong we are for caring about the failure of the Ask Kaz Forum:tup: Please forgive us for not being as non-chalant about it as you are.

Pull the other one Johnny, it's pretty obvious you're just here to revel in any opportunity to bad mouth PD or the GT franchise as part of your seemingly relentless campaign to promote other racing games. The Q & A forum was an embarrassment to GTPlanet and probably did more to harm this sites image than anything else in my opinion. And perhaps I am nonchalant, but in answer to Toko's question I'm probably going to buy GT7 because it will be an improvement over GT6, I don't need a comforting hug and a bed-time story from Kazunori to do so. And really what were people expecting from the Q & A forum... at best Answers, I would guess - great, answers can be interesting, but in themselves the answers don't bring about change - and as far as I can tell that's what some people want the most.

Anyway, I didn't get a Christmas card from Dan Houser this year, so I'm off to the GTA forums to tell everybody what a terrible person he is and what bad game he makes.

 

[Johnnypenso]

Failure of Q&A is one thing. Actively encouraging people to not purchase GT7 is something entirely different.

Toko asked a question, which I answered. Not sure why you are so offended that people have a different opinion than yours?

Hmmm...did a little searching and can't find anyone saying, "don't purchase GT7". I see people expressing their disappointment. Why are you so offended that they have a different opinion than you?

Pull the other one Johnny, it's pretty obvious you're just here to revel in any opportunity to bad mouth PD or the GT franchise as part of your seemingly relentless campaign to promote other racing games. The Q & A forum was an embarrassment to GTPlanet and probably did more to harm this sites image than anything else in my opinion. And perhaps I am nonchalant, but in answer to Toko's question I'm probably going to buy GT7 because it will be an improvement over GT6, I don't need a comforting hug and a bed-time story from Kazunori to do so. And really what were people expecting from the Q & A forum... at best Answers, I would guess - great, answers can be interesting, but in themselves the answers don't bring about change - and as far as I can tell that's what some people want the most.

Anyway, I didn't get a Christmas card from Dan Houser this year, so I'm off to the GTA forums to tell everybody what a terrible person he is and what bad game he makes.

Great, you don't need answers, feel free not to preach to the rest of us that would like some communication.

 

[Aussie_HSV]

From what I was reading, people don't believe what he says anyway.

 

[Johnnypenso]

Just thought I'd post this here so we don't end up having an off-topic war on this thread.
Do you still support PD?

Good idea:tup:

 

[mister dog]

The Q & A forum was an embarrassment to GTPlanet and probably did more to harm this sites image than anything else in my opinion.

I do not know who came up with the initiative as i have a suspicion it was pretty much one sided from our side, and someone linked with PD probably heard about it and approved, but how can fan feedback be harmful? Most companies would welcome a forum where they can learn what is on the minds of the people that are consuming their products. Heck in many cases they even pay for setting it up, and here it was provided to PD for free...

And perhaps I am nonchalant, but in answer to Toko's question I'm probably going to buy GT7 because it will be an improvement over GT6, I don't need a comforting hug and a bed-time story from Kazunori to do so.

As long as you enjoy it, but seeing the improvements are very minor compared to the large time frame a new GT game needs to be released, one could say you are easily satisfied.

And really what were people expecting from the Q & A forum... at best Answers, I would guess - great, answers can be interesting, but in themselves the answers don't bring about change - and as far as I can tell that's what some people want the most.

Indeed, hence all the questions about why the expected changes never come about.

 

[jimipitbull]

Great, you don't need answers, feel free not to preach to the rest of us that would like some communication.

Please, don't pretend that you have any authority to be telling people what, when or where to post. As for preaching, you have delivered quite a few sermons yourself.

 

[Jordan]

I do not know who came up with the initiative as i have a suspicion it was pretty much one sided from our side, and someone linked with PD probably heard about it and approved,

The Q&A forum was Polyphony's idea. For whatever reason, Kazunori has addressed only the first question about engine sounds, and there's nothing I nor any of my contacts within PD/SCEA can do to force him to answer more.

Personally, I suspect he's been advised by senior SCEI PR bosses to keep a low profile, lest GT7 get too hyped, too early. Keen observers will note that Kazunori hasn't given any interviews since he was in the UK last summer for the Goodwood FoS and GT Academy Race Camp, nor did he speak with anyone in the media at SEMA in Las Vegas. This is unusual and very different from years' past.

He'll be talking a lot more after the wraps come off GT7, and, who knows - he may even address some of the forum's questions if they give him the opportunity to speak about some new features in the game.

As bitterly disappointed and embarrassed as I am for his lack of engagement, it is important not to overlook the profound impact the sound question seems to have had. Improving the sound has become a major priority for himself and Polyphony Digital, and the question has moved the company to make some unprecedented and public moves to recruit better audio engineers. That's a big change and a great response to what is one of the most serious and common complaints with the series, and it should not be discounted or forgotten amidst our collective hand-wringing.

 

[fortbo]

The Q&A forum was Polyphony's idea. For whatever reason, Kazunori has addressed only the first question about engine sounds, and there's nothing I nor any of my contacts within PD/SCEA can do to force him to answer more.

Personally, I suspect he's been advised by senior SCEI PR bosses to keep a low profile, lest GT7 get too hyped, too early. Keen observers will note that Kazunori hasn't given any interviews since he was in the UK last summer for the Goodwood FoS and GT Academy Race Camp, nor did he speak with anyone in the media at SEMA in Las Vegas. This is unusual and very different from years' past.

He'll be talking a lot more after the wraps come off GT7, and, who knows - he may even address some of the forum's questions if they give him the opportunity to speak about some new features in the game.

As bitterly disappointed and embarrassed as I am for his lack of engagement, it is important not to overlook the profound impact the sound question seems to have had. Improving the sound has become a major priority for himself and Polyphony Digital, and the question has moved the company to make some unprecedented and public moves to recruit better audio engineers. That's a big change and a great response to what is one of the most serious and common complaints with the series, and it should not be discounted or forgotten amidst our collective hand-wringing.

I'm not sure if you can answer this, but do you know how far along they are with GT7 at this point?

 

[TokoTurismo]

No other game has that kind of longevity.

Yes they do. Any game does so don't pretend they don't. Like @Gerarghini said, it depends on person to person. I'm playing a game that released in 2009 and it has a WAAAAAY better longevity than GT6 does, especially the fact that it has a greater customization system, opitions AND a map editor.

Communication has very little impact on my choice of which game to purchase.

For you it doesn't. But for others, yes it does.

 

[Downhill Dino]

For you it doesn't. But for others, yes it does.

This begs the question, how many people actually care for developer communication?

I'd imagine a minority, as that's what we are on this forum. Prior to my visits on this site I certainly didn't care, nor even think about in the first place. Heard the game was coming out soon, and then it came out and I bought it.

Mind you I'm not arguing at all in favor of whether or not we should have communication from them. We're definitely in an information hungry age these days and that's the problem.

 

[TeamCZRRacing]

Hmmm...did a little searching and can't find anyone saying, "don't purchase GT7". I see people expressing their disappointment. Why are you so offended that they have a different opinion than you?

Great, you don't need answers, feel free not to preach to the rest of us that would like some communication.

It seems that people are more than welcome to express disappointment here, but don't you dare say you enjoy the game and/or that you support PD, because oh boy, is that not welcome here. Not gonna lie, there are times when I've posted here expressing a positive opinion and I've been ripped to shreds by two or three people to the extent that I've seriously considered asking the mods to ban me just so I'm not tempted to come back and do something I may regret. You have the right to your opinion, you have the right to express it, and if attacked because of it, you have the right to defend it. But when it gets to the point where two or more people are willing to tear into the same exact post with thinly-veiled hatred, when it gets to the point where anyone who likes something is too damn scared to express it lest they be shafted, picked apart, and flamed until there's bone showing, that's when it's gone entirely too far.

And preaching? No. What I'm seeing here is @jimipitbull answering a question in a positive way and then being ripped a new one. Same as anyone who likes the game here.

 

[Tornado]

The Q & A forum was an embarrassment to GTPlanet and probably did more to harm this sites image than anything else in my opinion.

What heavy cross does GTP need to bear over this? Why does GTP come out in the wrong because the net result of the huge community outreach program for the series that Sony/PD cooked up was essentially a developer that says even less about what they are doing than they did before it was announced?

Anyway, I didn't get a Christmas card from Dan Houser this year, so I'm off to the GTA forums to tell everybody what a terrible person he is and what bad game he makes.

Well, if he promised the Christmas card back in April in direct response to several years of being criticized for not showing proper Christmas spirit, and then didn't give one anyway but still went out of his way to give away stuff for other holidays, I suppose this comparison would actually make sense.

Would be pretty strained though.

 

[Imari]

No other game has that kind of longevity.

No other game has that kind of longevity, for you.

I'm sure other people have games that they've been playing consistently for as long or longer, as I have.

GT is not a special and unique snowflake in that regard. It's just a game. It works for some people, but evidently it doesn't work for a lot of other people.

 

[Downhill Dino]

It seems that people are more than welcome to express disappointment here, but don't you dare say you enjoy the game and/or that you support PD, because oh boy, is that not welcome here. Not gonna lie, there are times when I've posted here expressing a positive opinion and I've been ripped to shreds by two or three people to the extent that I've seriously considered asking the mods to ban me just so I'm not tempted to come back and do something I may regret. You have the right to your opinion, you have the right to express it, and if attacked because of it, you have the right to defend it. But when it gets to the point where two or more people are willing to tear into the same exact post with thinly-veiled hatred, when it gets to the point where anyone who likes something is too damn scared to express it lest they be shafted, picked apart, and flamed until there's bone showing, that's when it's gone entirely too far.

And preaching? No. What I'm seeing here is @jimipitbull answering a question in a positive way and then being ripped a new one. Same as anyone who likes the game here.

It works both ways, which is why we have a "Whining and Crying" thread and "Praising and Crying (tears of joy)" thread.

 

[TeamCZRRacing]

It works both ways, which is why we have a "Whining and Crying" thread and "Praising and Crying (tears of joy)" thread.

And have you wondered why nobody posts in the Tears of Joy thread? Because they're afraid of someone coming in and destroying all their fun by criticizing them for liking the game. Not to mention that I've been on the wrong end of the exact same scenario I described in my post multiple times.

It's pretty clear to me at this point that anyone who likes the game or PD is unwelcome here.

 

[Gerarghini]

And have you wondered why nobody posts in the Tears of Joy thread? Because they're afraid of someone coming in and destroying all their fun by criticizing them for liking the game. Not to mention that I've been on the wrong end of the exact same scenario I described in my post multiple times.

It's pretty clear to me at this point that anyone who likes the game is unwelcome here.

For stating an opinion on the game?

I'm pretty sure the AUP allows such actions.

And well, that's just how the community has changed.

 

[TeamCZRRacing]

For stating an opinion on the game?

I'm pretty sure the AUP allows such actions.

Yeah. It does allow you to express your own opinions, sure. But there are lots of people here who simply can't handle others with differing opinions, so what do they do? They pick apart your post and borderline insult you because you like the game. It seems the AUP doesn't govern what's between the lines. They don't call you an idiot outright - they do it very subtly, so they can't be reprimanded.

Welcome to the life of someone who still likes the series and PD.

 

[Downhill Dino]

And have you wondered why nobody posts in the Tears of Joy thread? Because they're afraid of someone coming in and destroying all their fun by criticizing them for liking the game. Not to mention that I've been on the wrong end of the exact same scenario I described in my post multiple times.

It's pretty clear to me at this point that anyone who likes the game or PD is unwelcome here.

It's basically forbidden to speak negatively in that thread. What else would be the point? You don't see as many posts since the Whining and Crying thread is mainly fueled by arguments and repetitive criticism.

 

[Tornado]

And have you wondered why nobody posts in the Tears of Joy thread? Because they're afraid of someone coming in and destroying all their fun by criticizing them for liking the game.

If I was a gambling man, I would say that it would be a lot easier to find a post of someone going into the negative thread just to troll people than it is to find the same of people going into the positive thread; what with the big moderator warning in the OP essentially saying to knock off exactly that in the latter.

 

[TeamCZRRacing]

If I was a gambling man, I would say that it would be a lot easier to find a post of someone going into the negative thread just to troll people than it is to find the same of people going into the positive thread. Which actually contributes to how big the thread is.

I wouldn't say that. I haven't seen one "defender" (as people who like the game are sometimes pejoratively labeled) post a positive opinion just to be a troll and upset things. I have, however, seen people post negative opinions for that same purpose.

But enough about me. You get the point. I'm just here to get some people to stop and rethink their actions. It's fine if you don't like the game, but please, don't attack those who do. It makes us feel thoroughly unwanted and sometimes even hated.

 

[Tornado]

I haven't seen one "defender" (as people who like the game are sometimes pejoratively labeled) post a positive opinion just to be a troll and upset things.

My advice would simply be to say look harder, then. One of the more frequent offenders has posted not too terribly far in the past of this thread.

I have, however, seen people post negative opinions for that same purpose.

And since that is explicitly against the rules of the positivity thread that Scaff laid down on the first page (but not the case, beyond the general AUP, for the other thread), report them for it.

It's fine if you don't like the game, but please, don't attack those who do.

So it's alright when those that do like the game attack others over not liking it, mostly just because they are talking out of their ass just as much as the people who whine about innocuous things do?



The issue isn't what side of the argument ("GT6 is the greatest game ever assembled by human hands" vs "GT6 killed my whole family") people come down on. And as it pertains to this thread, the people who go on about how "butthurt" everyone is because they don't care about the thing PD announced in response to a specific criticism aren't helping the matter anymore than the ones who go on about how much people who were never interested in the first place are just sheep.

 

[TeamCZRRacing]

My advice would simply be to say look harder, then. One of the more frequent offenders has posted not too terribly far in the past in this thread.

Well, I'm probably just seeing through rose-tinted glasses, then. I try to hang around more positive places, so I guess those just tend to slip under the radar.

And since that is explicitly against the rules of the positivity thread that Scaff laid down on the first page (but not the case, beyond the general AUP, for the other thread), report them for it.

It wasn't on that thread. The places I've seen this sort of activity have been in places where negative vibes weren't expressly outlawed, but where the mood was still lighthearted.

 

[TeamCZRRacing]

So it's alright when those that do like the game attack others over not liking it, mostly just because they are talking out of their ass just as much as the people who whine about innocuous things do?

I never said it was alright for those who like the game to attack anyone. Where did you get that? It's just that many of us feel unwanted and unwelcome because of our opinion. It's not right.

And well, that's just how the community has changed.

So that makes it alright to victimize and insult people?

 

[Downhill Dino]

So it's alright when those that do like the game attack others over not liking it, mostly just because they are talking out of their ass just as much as the people who whine about innocuous things do?

Reminds me of the early GT5 days, good times eh?

 

[Imari]

I wouldn't say that. I haven't seen one "defender" (as people who like the game are sometimes pejoratively labeled) post a positive opinion just to be a troll and upset things. I have, however, seen people post negative opinions for that same purpose.

I seem to recall you yourself in the Whining and Crying thread not so long ago to try and provide reasons for why the Course Maker wasn't ready yet.

I'm not suggesting that it was intentional trolling, but if you feel the need to go into the one thread on the site specifically marked for dissatisfaction with the game and attempt to reason with the people therein about how they're incorrect, I think you're doing it wrong.

I do not encourage or condone anyone doing anything similar to your posts, but you could at least try to practise what you preach.

I never said it was alright for those who like the game to attack anyone. Where did you get that? It's just that many of us feel unwanted and unwelcome because of our opinion. It's not right.

No, it's not.

However, it is a discussion board. At the very least you should expect to discuss your opinions. That means opening yourself up to contrary opinions. If you're being attacked, then you can report it. The mods are good about weeding out aggressive personal attacks, but they won't step into what is simply a spirited discussion of the game.

If you don't want to discuss things, then a discussion board is the wrong tool for you.

 

[nickg07]

The Q&A forum was Polyphony's idea. For whatever reason, Kazunori has addressed only the first question about engine sounds, and there's nothing I nor any of my contacts within PD/SCEA can do to force him to answer more.

Personally, I suspect he's been advised by senior SCEI PR bosses to keep a low profile, lest GT7 get too hyped, too early. Keen observers will note that Kazunori hasn't given any interviews since he was in the UK last summer for the Goodwood FoS and GT Academy Race Camp, nor did he speak with anyone in the media at SEMA in Las Vegas. This is unusual and very different from years' past.

He'll be talking a lot more after the wraps come off GT7, and, who knows - he may even address some of the forum's questions if they give him the opportunity to speak about some new features in the game.

As bitterly disappointed and embarrassed as I am for his lack of engagement, it is important not to overlook the profound impact the sound question seems to have had. Improving the sound has become a major priority for himself and Polyphony Digital, and the question has moved the company to make some unprecedented and public moves to recruit better audio engineers. That's a big change and a great response to what is one of the most serious and common complaints with the series, and it should not be discounted or forgotten amidst our collective hand-wringing.

Maybe this is part of the problem. GT is not PD's vision. It's Kaz's vision. If he doesn't have time to answer questions surely he has people under him who do.

Except Kaz doesn't really want them to respond because only Kaz has that vision and only kaz knows the answers to the questions and doesn't trust his team to adequately answer those questions in line with his vision.

That's no massive slight against him just the by product of a guy taking his idea global and maintaining absolute control.