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.

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