GT5: “Better Than Reality”
Yamauchi misses the point.Published 09/10/2009 at 8:00 by nofi
Sony Aiming At “October” For GT5 [27]
GT5 Release Date Announced Soon [41]
Gran Turismo Gets More Footage [41]
In an interview with NowGamer, Polyphony Digitals’ Kazunori Yamauchi has spoken out about the graphics in his upcoming Gran Turismo 5. “Better than reality – yeah, that’s one way of putting it,” he said. “In a way, it’s kind of a given that it’s going to look better than reality. The thing about reality is that the criteria for looking real are actually a lot stricter and volatile than you’d expect. The way the sun shines, reflects off something, the way it lights scenery – we seldom have the opportunity to see what we consider reality under the best and most aesthetically pleasing conditions.”
“Every time we go out to the circuit and take photos of cars, we get that same impression again. When you see a race on television, compared to a race in a game, you realise that the reality isn’t as shiny or pleasant as the game. However, these “best conditions” do indeed exist. They happen every once in a while. Maybe, once a year, you’ll be watching a race on TV, or you’ll be outside, and a cloud will move in an ideal direction, and the sun will shine down at a perfect angle, and maybe just for a moment you’ll have this beautiful scene right in front of you.”
There’s no question that on paper the visuals in GT5 appear to be a step ahead those of its nearest rivals, but perhaps Polyphony should be looking a little harder at the competition with regards to visual and mechanical customisation and creating a vibrant, healthy online community, things that the Gran Turismo series has consistently failed to achieve. Essentially, somebody needs to remind Polyphony that graphics aren’t everything and I’d personally rather take the raw excitement of Shift or the depth of Forza 3 over Gran Turismo right now. We’ll see come next year.
Comments
Please note that all comments are the opinion of the individual author and not TheSixthAxis.
FRUIT0FDOOM | 09/10/2009 08:34
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Having just read a review for Forza III, i am really glad to see that they have focused on everything else and not just the visuals. I have a feeling GT5 will be a one trick pony but hope to be pleasantly surprised. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue feels too soft and tamed for me, where as Forza III feels wild and aggressive (on the track) – and the “feel” is all that really matters, and i am by no means a “tamed” racer. Having said that – Forza still looks great and I can’t really fault the looks.
This is a good position for Polyphony to be in – competition released early and Polyphony can rip it apart and cut and paste good ideas, a bit like the console it is exclusive to, and not a “bad” position to be in at all
scavenga | 09/10/2009 08:58
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If the creator of a racing game’s idea of reality is not “gritty and unpredictable”, then it’s always a major yawn. IMO.
Gamoc | 09/10/2009 09:41
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I’m not interested because racing sims aren’t my thing, but I hope it doesn’t have a rewind function. I’d kill someone.
discharge | 09/10/2009 09:46
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I agree mate, you make a mistake you pay for it clean n simple, rewind is not the future
BadBoyBoogie | 09/10/2009 11:05
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I’d be amazed if GT5 had a rewind function. Hasn’t the GT series always prided itself on being the Real Driving Simulator, so I just can’t see it being included.
discharge | 09/10/2009 09:45
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I’d like to just add that GT5 Prologue is really a huge Demo, its been out for over a year now(I think) and Polyphony have updated,tweaked,adjusted,fixed many many issues it has found through our participation and feedback. Granted the series has not evolved apart from its lovely graphics and other minor tweaks since its inception. I still think its the Best Racing game series ever, but I feel as we all do it has to now incorporate ‘western’ ideas of a racing game, like dust,dirt,mud,damage,grittier more lifelike graphics regarding track surfaces especially(I’ve never seen a shiny race track on any other racing game or in real life), rubber on the tracks would be great, so you get more grip as others put down over time, Visible and physical tyre wear, punctures, blow outs , engine failure, gear sticking, suspension damage etc, in fact forget damage altogether and just have those earlier things I mentioned earlier instead.Im sure they will have surprises instore for us upon its release anyway – so we all just have to wait and see in March 2010
discharge | 09/10/2009 09:53
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forgot to add, The AI needs a kick up the arse too, I never understood you could be chasing a car for lap after lap eventually passing it clean n tidy like, then you look in the mirror and it looks like its just given up its so far behind, I fully expect any car you’ve been chasing to at least keep up with you after you pass it in a game as in real life racing for at least a lap or two, chasing a car down is great, being hunted down is better
Roynaldo | 09/10/2009 10:33
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I know GT5 is gonna be great, the visuals have always amazed me in previous versions. Realism didnt seem to lack either soI can only imagine how stunning its going to be with this much time in development.
No doubt fanboys will break out upon release but I dont care, I imagine jealousy could be a factor this time around….PS will have the best racing sim ever made.
btw, I dont give a crap about online. Racing games are always a pain in the arse online imo.
bunimomike | 09/10/2009 10:36
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Sounds like Yamauchi is more an engineer (anally retentive, borderline OCD) as oppose to a creator or designer. Everyone’s comments are spot on and it’s what I’ve been banging on about for the last few years. I’d return to the franchise in a moment if all this was in place. I don’t want a showcase game that gets loaded for friends on their first visit. I want a game that’s fun.
Raen | 09/10/2009 10:40
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Yes, yes and yes again. Games don’t need to look amazing, or hyper-realistic or even ‘better’ than reality. They need to fun. Isn’t that sort of the whole point?
bunimomike | 09/10/2009 10:52
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Yep. It’s the very reason why we love entertainment in general. Whether you sit down and throw your heart and soul into a film that demands real energy from you… or the very next evening you remove your brain and stick something like ‘Transformers’ on. Give or take a pinch, we still need entertainment irrespective of genre.
Raen | 09/10/2009 10:54
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I like you more and more every day.
BadBoyBoogie | 09/10/2009 11:07
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I’m really looking forward to this game. I’m sure Polyphony will get all the main ingredients right, especially as they have more time to further tweak it now.
rothbury | 09/10/2009 12:17
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So in replying to a question about graphics he talks about the graphics and not the customization or online? Off with his head.
Jumping Monks | 09/10/2009 12:18
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The “problem” with GT’s graphics if you will, are that they’re too clinical. Needs a bit of dirt, and other stuff. I don’t see it as anything that hinders the game though. I don’t think GT should incorporate any sort of rewind feature, it’d turn it into too much of a game, and not a sim. Definitely getting this on release… whenever that might be.
Flaming Turkeys | 09/10/2009 16:15
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hmmmm, i would like to see a real person in a bugatti veyron racing a person using a remote control to drive, death would surely follow. NOW THATS ENTERTAINMENT
Rob92 | 09/10/2009 17:18
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I’m refusing to comment on the Forza-GT war mainly cause its pointless.
Each has their own strengths, why can’t it be left at that? Gran Turismo has better graphics, Forza perhaps has the ‘fun’ factor. As long we all get 2 great games at the end of it, I couldn’t care less about which one gets higher reviews
Raen | 09/10/2009 17:26
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Damn it but how will you know which one is better?! HOW?!!
Rob92 | 09/10/2009 19:44
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I DONT KNOW RAEN I JUST DONT KNOW!
But obvs ps3 cus it is teh max
gazzagb | 09/10/2009 17:28
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I already know GT5 will be amazing, as all previous GT game have stunned me! This game has the graphics, gameplay and is brilliant fun with mates – i cant wait!
Quinlank | 09/10/2009 19:25
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He’s right you know, it IS better than reality.
I mean, who wouldn’t want a crash proof car in real life?
Seriously though, I played a bit of GT PSP recently and couldn’t believe how boring it was. I knew GT was a fairly ‘dry’ series compared to my normal sort of racer, but I didn’t know things were quite this bad.
bigmac175 | 09/10/2009 21:04
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Had every Gran Turismo, so im definitely getting this one!
Sixthaxis4Life | 09/10/2009 21:19
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With all the news and images and videos, and quotes, ahh it gets to me!, i want this game!, anyone think a demo will be released before the game is released?
iNsAnE_gAmInG | 09/10/2009 21:56
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Doubtful, as surely we had enough of a demo for Polyphony’s liking with GT5 Prologue.
B1GbOnG | 09/10/2009 22:51
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eek dont ask that cos theyl release the demo call it prologue then slap a £19.99 price tag on it.