The Gran Turismo series has shown a slow evolution towards getting a lot of great cars from big makes. If Gran Turismo PSP is any indication, then imagine what magic can be worked if these cars find their way into Gran Turismo 5 somehow. My words mean nothing if I don't have pictures or videos. Thankfully, I'll present these videos to you. Name as many interesting cars as you can find in these two videos:
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQLwfNaC-Sc
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOUkAq8Kv6w
I think ever since Polyphony Digital had the deal with Top Gear and featuring the Top Gear Test Track and such, it seemed to have infused some extra character in finding a great variety of cars to be featured in Gran Turismo PSP. This game marks the debut of a number of different makes. We've seen Ferrari in Gran Turismo HD and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. However, note the inclusion of Bugatti and Lamborghini. They're going to be in Gran Turismo PSP, but imagine what it would be like to see these cars in GT5. I'm going to share some insight now.
--- A New Look on Gran Turismo? ---
For the decade and change this franchise has been around, most people have associated Gran Turismo as the franchise that cares more about Japanese sports cars and Kei cars than high-end sports cars and exotics. To an extent, that's a claim you can make. The most expensive car in Gran Turismo 1 (besides the racing models) were the 160K Credit Aston Martins. There weren't really any amazing sports cars in this game. Gran Turismo 2 featured cars like the Jaguar XJ220, Vector M12, and the full compliment of Ruf cars. While Gran Turismo 3 lacked a great number of cars, most of the makes returned. No really interesting cars were featured except for the Paganis. However, don't forget about the great racing cars like the Panoz Esperante GT1 and the Gillet Vertigo. Gran Turismo 4 was a step in a direction to cars most people care more about than others. Cars like the Ford GT, Saleen S7, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, that Cizeta, and many others would occupy the greatest number of cars in any Gran Turismo game.
What was the reaction when people thought of GT4? Usually stuff along these lines:
"No Ferrari/Porsche/Lamborghini. Fail."
"Forza has better cars than Gran Turismo will ever have."
"More Skylines, fewer real cars."
Almost as if people have no faith in Polyphony Digital and Gran Turismo in really providing great and enjoyable cars for all to see. Think of Gran Turismo HD for a moment. Imagine the surprise on peoples' faces when they noted a car company make its debut into Gran Turismo. This company is best known for their Formula One team. This company is best known for exceptional sports cars that make glorious engine noise. This company that made its debut can only be... Ferrari. Now most of the "fanboys" that loved hating on Gran Turismo because of not enough real cars had reason to shut up. They had more reason to shut up once more Ferraris shown up in "Gran Turismo 5: Prologue." The least of which include cars like the 512BB, F430, F40, and some of Ferrari's latest F1 cars (at the time of the game). Gran Turismo PSP included a lot more cars to tickle the respective fancies of car fans alike. One of those is the car most people idolize while I... just like it, is the Enzo Ferrari.
As you've seen in the two videos previously, you noted marques like Bugatti and Lamborghini in the Gran Turismo PSP videos. This can be a sign that a lot more cars that more people care about will finally be featured. I think most critics love the Gran Turismo series, but think its shortcomings prevent it from really retaining the title as the best modern racing game series since Pole Position. Namely, in the mindset of damage and perhaps some gameplay issues. I was pretty excited seeing cars like the Ferrari Enzo, Lamborghini Countach, Lamborghini Murciélago, and Bugatti Veyron among others.
--- They're in Gran Turismo PSP, but What About GT5? ---
Could seeing these cars in Gran Turismo PSP be a precursor to seeing these cars in GT5? If so, Polyphony Digital accomplished the impossible. I would REALLY love to see a majority of these cars for Gran Turismo 5. I want to know in the future what the full car list is for GT PSP. Maybe we'll see more Lamborghinis and Ferraris. Perhaps Porsche. Perhaps Maserati. Perhaps Ascari. Perhaps Gumpert. Perhaps Radical. Perhaps Koenigsegg. Gran Turismo's car lineup for GT5 will be HIGHLY interesting if Gran Turismo PSP is any indication.
-- OFF-TOPIC (Special Request) ---
You know, I hope one day that more people can find my blog and actually chat with me about my blog entries. I do also feel that my work is actually to one's enjoyment. But so few people have even cared looking at my blogs. Still, I put in my best energy, even if it seems like I'm the only one posting and viewing blog entries. One of my mottos is "give things a chance." I do hope people have given me a chance and like my work. So please, if you love my material, show it by posting comments and replies. If you know other fans, share my blog with others and get them to love my material. Let me at least know that people are watching and loving my blog entries.
Thank you for reading. Take care!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Thoughts on Damage and Destructible Environments in GT5
I don't like using the word "porn" to mean "a showcase of enticing images." So take a look at this video below whereas you see GT5 in a... different way. I recommend you watch this video before reading the text below. Here's the video:
Now let me explain what happens in case you haven't seen the video. The Impreza WRC slides out a bit heading into the final hairpin at Tokyo R246. During attempting an overtake, the leading car roughs up the Impreza WRC a bit. Then, after clearing the hairpin heading down the long front stretch, the rally car takes a whack from the driver he/she just passed. All the while, the rally car takes damage to the driver-side door, the front bumper, and other mentionable areas. Then on the second lap, the Subaru goes into a stack of tires and whacks them and sends tires flying. Then, there's this video:
Notice the damage this same car takes in another race. If you ask me, this is only in its infancy stages. Now let me share my views in a non-restrictive fashion.
--- My Opinions on Damage in Gran Turismo 5 ---
Sorry I don't have a video for you all including my voice and looks. This is a text-only opinion of mine. I am someone thinks Gran Turismo has made a slow and steady evolution and maturation. These videos are evidence of this. I think people are going to ask, "how come Polyphony Digital didn't do this earlier?" Thing is, if PD had gotten around to making a sufficient model and could actually get everything all sorted out, don't you think we'd have multiple iterations of damage-laden Gran Turismo? A pet peeve of mine on YouTube is seeing videos of people intentionally crashing cars just to get peoples' attention, usually accompanied by some loud rock music of a song I probably hate. Nobody says a damn thing about it, so that's why I've taken issue when others don't.
Now back to the suggestion of someone possibly saying, "how come this wasn't in GT years ago?" Think of Forza. Damage was something Forza fans would rub in the face of Gran Turismo fans. People loved Forza for a number of reasons unbeknowngst to most GT faithfuls- damage, big-name cars, and online play. These are reasons besides car customization in the Forza series. Feeling like I have a voice and that my views account for at least something, I've been put aside or that people think my opinions don't mean anything. So I HAVE to stress things the best way I can. Anyhow, this is a step in a new direction for the GT series. If you want realistic damage, play rFactor or GTR. But if you want damage in this game and this series, shouldn't you be happy now?
--- Damage ONLY to Race Cars? ---
More people are going to hate this model because it's only on race cars and not road-going cars. It leads me to question- what becomes of the association between Polyphony Digital and all respective automobile companies and racing constructors? How much are the auto makers valued in Gran Turismo, and do they think that showing these cars in all their glorious detail mean more than seeing these cars wrecked? In other words (using Nissan as an example), how important is it to Nissan to feature cars like their 370Z and the GT-R in the game? Is it valued so much in the game that they don't want to see these cars take serious damage?
Seriously, I wouldn't really fret over this. I think it's all understandable how the damage model impacts only racing cars. Bear in mind that Gran Turismo has almost always been about the cars. Showcasing cars in a GT game bears some sort of importance for marketing and things like that. Think about it like this- what good is it to showcase a commercially-available car in a racing game... wrecked? Dinged up? That's the marketing standpoint I think goes into a sufficient damage model for Gran Turismo 5. Are the hardcore racing set going to buy a claim like this? Depends on who you ask. The majority would be disappointed that you can only wreck race cars rather than all cars. I even remember on GTPlanet once, when someone said that he/she demands damage if a certain car he/she doesn't like is featured.
--- What to Take Away From This ---
I'm not really disappointed because I'm not as picky about damage as lots of other people. I just don't want the racing to be so unfair that I have to be reminded constantly that cars can be wrecked. You know, like when I played Forza Motorsport 1 and 2 before. Most people: intentionally wreck or crash to see if damage is present. Me: race the race the right way and try to AVOID getting the car wrecked. I hardly ever test for damage because I care more about keeping the car between the white lines rather than getting overly tough or testing the outside wall.
That's it. Let me know what you think.
Now let me explain what happens in case you haven't seen the video. The Impreza WRC slides out a bit heading into the final hairpin at Tokyo R246. During attempting an overtake, the leading car roughs up the Impreza WRC a bit. Then, after clearing the hairpin heading down the long front stretch, the rally car takes a whack from the driver he/she just passed. All the while, the rally car takes damage to the driver-side door, the front bumper, and other mentionable areas. Then on the second lap, the Subaru goes into a stack of tires and whacks them and sends tires flying. Then, there's this video:
Notice the damage this same car takes in another race. If you ask me, this is only in its infancy stages. Now let me share my views in a non-restrictive fashion.
--- My Opinions on Damage in Gran Turismo 5 ---
Sorry I don't have a video for you all including my voice and looks. This is a text-only opinion of mine. I am someone thinks Gran Turismo has made a slow and steady evolution and maturation. These videos are evidence of this. I think people are going to ask, "how come Polyphony Digital didn't do this earlier?" Thing is, if PD had gotten around to making a sufficient model and could actually get everything all sorted out, don't you think we'd have multiple iterations of damage-laden Gran Turismo? A pet peeve of mine on YouTube is seeing videos of people intentionally crashing cars just to get peoples' attention, usually accompanied by some loud rock music of a song I probably hate. Nobody says a damn thing about it, so that's why I've taken issue when others don't.
Now back to the suggestion of someone possibly saying, "how come this wasn't in GT years ago?" Think of Forza. Damage was something Forza fans would rub in the face of Gran Turismo fans. People loved Forza for a number of reasons unbeknowngst to most GT faithfuls- damage, big-name cars, and online play. These are reasons besides car customization in the Forza series. Feeling like I have a voice and that my views account for at least something, I've been put aside or that people think my opinions don't mean anything. So I HAVE to stress things the best way I can. Anyhow, this is a step in a new direction for the GT series. If you want realistic damage, play rFactor or GTR. But if you want damage in this game and this series, shouldn't you be happy now?
--- Damage ONLY to Race Cars? ---
More people are going to hate this model because it's only on race cars and not road-going cars. It leads me to question- what becomes of the association between Polyphony Digital and all respective automobile companies and racing constructors? How much are the auto makers valued in Gran Turismo, and do they think that showing these cars in all their glorious detail mean more than seeing these cars wrecked? In other words (using Nissan as an example), how important is it to Nissan to feature cars like their 370Z and the GT-R in the game? Is it valued so much in the game that they don't want to see these cars take serious damage?
Seriously, I wouldn't really fret over this. I think it's all understandable how the damage model impacts only racing cars. Bear in mind that Gran Turismo has almost always been about the cars. Showcasing cars in a GT game bears some sort of importance for marketing and things like that. Think about it like this- what good is it to showcase a commercially-available car in a racing game... wrecked? Dinged up? That's the marketing standpoint I think goes into a sufficient damage model for Gran Turismo 5. Are the hardcore racing set going to buy a claim like this? Depends on who you ask. The majority would be disappointed that you can only wreck race cars rather than all cars. I even remember on GTPlanet once, when someone said that he/she demands damage if a certain car he/she doesn't like is featured.
--- What to Take Away From This ---
I'm not really disappointed because I'm not as picky about damage as lots of other people. I just don't want the racing to be so unfair that I have to be reminded constantly that cars can be wrecked. You know, like when I played Forza Motorsport 1 and 2 before. Most people: intentionally wreck or crash to see if damage is present. Me: race the race the right way and try to AVOID getting the car wrecked. I hardly ever test for damage because I care more about keeping the car between the white lines rather than getting overly tough or testing the outside wall.
That's it. Let me know what you think.
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