Kazunori Yamauchi is the latest person to host a session of Reddit’s IAmA (I Am A, Ask me Anything), and is accompanied by Nissan’s chief designer, Shiro Nakamura, as both unveiled the Nissan 2020 Concept Vision Gran Turismo at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
While there were a variety of excellent questions one in particular stood out, asked by our very own gtuned:
“Mr. Yamauchi, on behalf of the photomode community, we thank you for creating one of the most realistic photography experiences in all of gaming. Many of us have been shooting since the days of GT4, and that alone has inspired us, myself included, to have a career in photography. But we have concerns about the future of the feature we love the most. In GT6, photomode is really… lackluster in comparison of GT4 and GT5. There’s very few locations, in only 2 regions of the world. While the 2 car feature is a great addition, and the much quicker 2x resolution loading time is absolutely amazing, we feel like our main selling point of GT is eventually going to be put aside.
What is the future for photomode? In GT6’s lifetime, like will we see new photomode stages? like the ones in the Vision GT galleries, or even the dealership showroom, or more real life locations? Will we see lower shutter speeds for race replay photomode, like showcased with the FT-1 press shots? What about interior photomode, both during racing and photo travel? What about new features in general? We’ve created amazing art with what we’ve given, and Mr. Yamauchi, we need more. We feel like our passion is being neglected, since GT4, we may of had features added, but locations have been cut down, especially from GT5 to GT6.
So in overview, will photomode for GT6 see any improvements and added features, and new locations? And what about the future for Photomode with GT7 and even beyond?
Thank you.”
The following are answers by both Kazunori and Shiro:
“Gran Turismo actually really reflects my personal interests — cars, photography, and video/film. So photo mode is something that’s very important to me. So obviously I’m not pleased with the current rendition.
And I know how good it was in GT4, but it just so happened that the architecture of the PS3 wasn’t really suited for this feature. But in PS4, I’m going to try to make sure that there’s a photo mode that can satisfy any connoisseur of photography and you can really look forward to that — because as a photographer, I’m really not satisfied with what we have yet.”
“Shiro: Gran Turismo is such a good opportunity to see a car in any environment — this is great for any designer to see how their design will look in a variety of locations.”
Kazunori’s response can be read as a little confusing as the photomode features in Gran Turismo 5 are more plentiful than in 6, however, the ability to photograph two cars while in Photo Travel is entirely unique to GT6, so the possibility remains that a trade-off was made.
GT6 Photomode image by ac1.
See more articles on Kazunori Yamauchi and Polyphony Digital.
let us put more than 2 cars, and include more locations such as the ones from gt5
There’s room for improvement.
I’ll still baffled as to why the photo mode locations from GT5 were dumped, including the ones that were clearly modeled and seen in the start up screens, but not actually available for photo mode. Bring across the standard cars again & almost all of the tracks but not the existing photo mode locations? I felt for sure we would be seeing the canyon pass, the grassy field next to the stone wall, and so on in GT6.
+1
This. Some of the BEST Photo mode locations in GT5 were never made available. Just doesn’t make sense!
GT7: the real photography simulator
Don’t know if you’re trying to throw punches, but simulated photography is a good thing!
Why not use the PS4 eye feature as part of the photomode; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvpCdtjTrAo 3:35
I am not going to spell out what I want or don’t want in the game here, there are many forums around for that. But I take comfort in knowing that PD does listen to us. Many people just race, others only use the Photo Mode (PM) feature, I do both. Too much time in PM and PhotoShop if you ask me. Not improving the PM feature is like forgetting a 1/3 of the game(off-line, on-line, Photo Mode). As far as I can remember, GT4 was the only game that had a photographic feature and definitely car racing for that matter (correct me if I am wrong). It was built in the game from Yamauchi’s personal interest in photography. That alone assures that Photo Mode is not an afterthought. The man has a lot on his plate and will improve features according to priorities, after all, it is a racing game. New features have been added in GT6 PM, including some I have wished for in other threads. Yes, I am curious about which is next, but I take it in stride because I know the man “likes to take pictures”. I know it will improve. Thanks, gtuned for you effort. I wish he would of shared more information. For now, let PD know what you want, they will get there.
I think im going with drive club, PD failed to deliver, time to saddle up and strike for fresh new games that hasn’t screwed me yet.
Hope the Mercedes 190E, Renault 5 Turbo, Supra RZ, Honda Civic EG6 & the CRX SiR become premium.
Rice dreams?
I love photomode too, but I agree, the race experience must take priority over anything else!
@Convergent: A Supra RZ is a Kobe Steak good sir. :D
Let’s not forget about the mighty “Hachiroku” Toyota, would be nice to have a premium one.
I say it’s time for a new feature altogether actually…
REPLAY THEATRE! Customized camera locations and customized panning, zoom, and rail arcs and movements with photomode lens filters to cr3eate your own unique GT7 Replays! Make it happen Kaz! Photomode is 3 GT generations old! It’s time to step it up! Innovate!
Tree’d.
Actually, Since Playstation Share is a big thing, how about a replay editor. People can become directors of their own replay. It would bring something new and exciting to everyone. For instance being able to place a camera anywhere on a car or around the track. I believe it would work really well and can be implemented with the ps4’s system.
Touche.
+1.
‘Share’ is essentially a replay editor in it’s own right.
And hopefully by the time GT7 hits PS4 all bugs will be sorted and additional functions added.
But yes, adding a replay editor to GT7 to compile some of the best bits before it gets to the ‘Share’ editor would also be good.
Well, Share Factory is a replay editor, the share function itself is just an upload app. I do hold some hopes for it when it’s complete and fully operational.
You cannot control camera angle, camera placement, or camera movement using the PS4’s “share” features.
How about working on improving the race experience first and leaving side features such as photomode for later?
Racing in GT6 sucks mainly offline, catch-up races, bad AI, lack of options, improving on those areas should be the priority.
I love photomode too, but I agree, the race experience must take priority over anything else!
I want to know what would it take to allow you to select grid of cars and take them to any course in the game lay them out how you like and then proceed to snap photos? Surely that is possible as the cars are stationary and the game can display 16 stationary cars without choking and collapsing in a convulsing mess on my desk.
Photomode is already pretty good, but more location and darker blacks with more realistic sunsets are needed.
It would have been nice if he answered the part of the question about GT6 not having enough locations. Pretty sure that has nothing to do with the PS3 architecture. Sure, it might have something to do with shutter speed, FX, etc. but adding a few more locations would be a nice update to Photomode.
This.
Not to mention each brand new shiny and beautiful Vision GT gallery room that’s getting added with each car. Wouldn’t take that much to make it a location now would it?
Additionally GT5’s locations aren’t inferior to GT6’s photo travel stages’ quality in any way, especially when you look at Ronda. It just makes no sense to cut them.
And do you remember the photo travel locations on GT5’s main screen we never got access to? And GT5P’s exclusive main menu locations?
All of the above.
+ Minimum of 8 – 16 car setup for Photomode (Like 8 of your personally customized Ferrari’s, Mercedes, or Lambos all in one shot… Nice… : )_ ), every photo location from GT5, and HD revisions of all GT4 photo locations all in one neat little GT7 package.
+ the environments used in the gallery views of garage and car dealer, and what about the all white studio environment you can only see in arcade mode in GT6? It’s a lot like GT5’s dealership studio which would be great too, rarely reached such perfect lighting situations as the sunset and night setting had.
now it’s time for him to come on our own boards and answer his own Q&A’s that were introduced to this website like two three months ago
I think you are exaggerating the case a little – it wasn’t that long ago…I also seem to recall that some of the questions are being looked at currently, at least that’s what has been said on the forums and the news item concerning the PD Blog.
Or were you just enjoying having a tantrum?
I think he wants to cover that over time on Pitstop. It’s a bit silly he does i.e. a Q&A with the same questions on reddit but maybe he just tries to reach most people possible and symbolize his newly found communication.
Yeah, you can’t really control the questions on Reddit, so I think the latter is what he’s aiming for.
I’m glad he’s acknowledged the lack of photomode options in GTs 5 and 6, looking forward to seeing what he brings to 7 in that regard.