When we reviewed Gran Turismo 5, we didn’t give it a score. We wrote lots of words, but no little number at the end – which made some people a bit confused but, as far as we were concerned, was justified by the simple fact that the game was much bigger than we could possibly ever get through in a limited timespan.
Now, after several updates, Gran Turismo 5 is finally the game it should have been. Version 1.06 has landed – the one we mentioned earlier – and it’s a cracker. Thanks to our resident GT expert, JamboGT, we’ve got the whole list of changes and improvements, and it starts with the first big hitter – remote racing. Yes, you can now start a B-Spec race via the internet, watching how your PS3-controlled drivers are doing remotely. Incredible.
You can also now use the course maker in online races and the introduction of PP points – as we said – will finally mean that online races are properly limited to specific “numerical index” ranges. There’s loads – it’s a proper, balls-out amazing update and yes – this makes the game something far above what we got late last year.
Major Changes and New Features
- Remote Racing – [Remote Races] have been added to the bottom left of the [GT Mode] – [Community] screen. Here you can start a fully automated B-Spec race using yours and your friends’ “My Drivers”, and gain rewards and experience from it. For details please see section 8-4 [Remote Races] in the [Manual] accessible from the main menu, and also the new “Remote Race” page on gran-tursimo.com, under the GT5 product information section.
- Remote Racing from a Web Browser – In [Remote Races], you can visit the official “gran-turismo.com” website using a web browser, and remotely control your PS3® at home. You can start races, monitor its progress and check results from the website. This is a new playing style allowing you to play Gran Turismo anywhere. Sign in from the [GT5 My Home] button on the upper right corner of the website to get started.
- Using the Course Maker in Online Races – You can now use one of the “My Courses” created in [Course Maker] for your online races (in Open Lobby, My Lounge), or select themes and generate courses on the spot. (Please note you’ll only be able to use My Courses created after this update).THESIXTHAXIS
- Introduction of Performance Points in Online Races – We’ve now introduced Performance Points (PP), a numerical index of a car’s performance for online races. You can set PP restrictions in the online race regulations (in Open Lobby, My Lounge) to limit participating cars. For details, see 6 -15 [Performance Points] in the [Manual] accessible from the main menu.
- Increased Rewards and Experience Online – The amount of rewards and experience gained from online racing (in Open Lobby, My Lounge) have been increased.
- More Event Settings in Online Races – [Auto Race Start Cycle] and [Tire Wear/Fuel Consumption] have been added to the event settings for online races (in Open Lobby, My Lounge).
- More Penalties for Special Events – Penalties for improper driving such as driving off course and hitting walls have been increased for the [Special Events] under [GT Mode] – [GT Life].
- Event Rewards and Experience Adjusted – The rewards and experience gained in [License] and [Special Events] in [GT Mode] – [GT Life] have been adjusted. Experience for A-Spec and B-Spec events have been increased, while rewards have been reduced back down to levels seen before the 1.05 update.
- Car Loan in Events – In A-Spec, B-Spec and [Special Events] in [GT Mode] – [GT Life], you can now borrow cars that your Friends have set to share with friends. For details see 6-16 [Borrowing and Lending Cars] in the [Manual] accessible from the main menu.
- More Car Settings – Gear ratio adjustment, power limiters, and weight adjustment have been added to the settings. For details see [18. Settings Guide] in the [Manual] accessible from the main menu.
- Multi-Monitor Feature – From [Options] – [Hardware] – [Multi-Monitor], you can now access the multi-monitor display settings using multiple PS3â„¢ systems. You can now enjoy Gran Turismo 5 in a wide display environment combining multiple PS3â„¢ systems and TV’s/monitors. For details please see the support section on gran-turismo.com.
Changes and Additions to Gameplay
- It is now possible to replay and save [2P Battle] races.THESIXTHAXIS
- [Controller Steering Sensitivity] has been added to [Driving Options].THESIXTHAXIS
- [Corner Bank Angle] has been added to the section settings in [Course Maker].THESIXTHAXIS
- In A-Spec events including endurance races, a confirmation prompt has been added before restarting a race from the beginning.THESIXTHAXIS
- In replays, B Spec and while watching races, you can now change viewing targets directly from the screen without having to use a separate window list.
- Personal BGM can now be used when voice chat is disabled in a [Lounge].
- Cars in your garage that are not registered as ‘Favorites’ can now be used in a [Lounge].
- When tire restriction is enabled in a Lounge regulation, only cars with tires that qualify will be displayed in the garage.
- Driver and car display selections during races will be saved.
- Karts now have [Quick Menu] settings.
- You can now select multiple items in some important menu screens, such as when registering your favorite cars in your [Garage].
AI Adjustment
- Race choreography and opponent car AI controls for licence tests and A Spec events have been adjusted.
- Opponent car AI controls during B Spec races have been improved.THESIXTHAXIS
- The evasive maneuver of opponent cars when a players car blocks the track has been improved.
Correction of Issues
- Corrected an issue where it was possible to gain points unfairly in drift trials.
- Corrected an issue where it was not possible to view the 4th sector in the live monitor.
- Corrected an issue where the sound effects would not change when replacing the exhaust system or turbo kit.
- Corrected an issue where the save data becomes unable to load when exceeding a certain file size.
Other Changes
- A searchable item called [Race Type] has been added for room creation in the [Open Lobby].
- The lap times for the [X Challenge] in [Special Events] have been adjusted.
- Game save speed has been optimized.
- The HDD access warning message that was displayed at game startup has been disabled for faster startup.
- Car demo backdrops during an [Auto Demo] is now displayed randomly in 4 types (Morning/Day/Night/White) as is in the [Dealership].
- The “S-AWC” integrated four wheel drive system of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X has been adjusted.
- The [Force Feedback Strength] of the Thrustmaster T500RS can now be adjusted across a wider range.
Simply load the game when you’re signed into the PSN to get this update.
Wonderful.
Kamokazi-UK
Wicked… now if the website will stop crashing on my laptop and PC using IE!!!!
Kovacs
I think you may have flagged your own problem right there. “… using IE.”
The Solid one
I’m using IE7 and i have had no problems with it except i do get lag somtimes. What OS are you using? Please don’t say Vista.
Joe
Safari FTW.
KeRaSh
Opera to the rescue!
3shirts
Chrome bitches!
beeje13
Firefox of course!
Jas-n
I use vista, it’s an absolute beauty. You just have to know how to use it.
Symposium Cacophony
Haha! Firefox 4.0 beta 10
Pedromr
Netscape Navigator 5! :P
cc_star
There wasn’t a 5, it was canned in favour of developing 6. Ha!
;)
minerwilly
Chrome is the mutts . Used FireFox for years but Chrome is excellent , they copied FireFox and improved on it.
4lf13
I use Chrome and Opera depending on how long I’ll be browsing for. For example, now I’m using Opera since I’ve just woken up (the joys of holidays) and am going through everything that happened overnight. A quick google search, though, would be for Chrome.
Charmed_Fanatic
Chrome FTW!
Raider197
I’m a former Firefox, but Chrome won me over last year.
Kovacs
Same. Firefox for years. Dumped it on its bloated ass for Chrome a couple of years ago. Never looked back.
Then again, where I used to work we weren’t allowed to use anything else.
;)
Kamokazi-UK
WIndows XP and WIndows 7
MadiesInMeBoot
Chrome is the dogs Bollocks. Again, a firefox user then transfered over. Never looked back =P
MXZ
Originally a FireFox user but recently changed to Chrome and it seems to work much better.
wampdog29
Actually to minerwilly
Chrome didn’t “copy” off of anyone. Since Firefox is open source, the code is out there for anyone to use. They may have used a bit of their code, but really, Firefox is nothing but Netscape returned from the ashes anyway… :)
tonycawley
Just saw this in jambo’s forum thread. What a truly awesome update. That b spec remote play web browser thingy truly is great. And all in time for my week off work starting after today :-)
Jambo
Am playing with the B-Spec stuff now, its new events rather than playing the current B-Spec events. My Bob is currently doing me proud!
Jambo
Oh also, as I say in the thread there are other smaller improvements not mentioned in patch notes like improved fluidity of the menus and some improvements to the smoke issues.
Jambo
It differs from normal B-Spec in that you have no input into the performance other than the training. Its your drivers against your friends drivers best man the winner!
Jambo
https://picasaweb.google.com/jmccaughern/GTANywhere#5574955928082690530 An example of browser racing, the race is taking place on my PS3 as I watch the live timing, quite cool.
Tuffcub
So they people without internet connections still have a less than awesome version?
3shirts
I would argue that without an internet connection these days, you are almost always playing substandard games. Even the rare gem that is released when it’s actually ready so has no game crippling bugs is still designed with online enhancements.
SilverCider
At last! You can use your own courses from the course maker online XD (albeit only ones made from today onwards) Yay!
Jambo
If you go to edit your old track then it will be updated to a newer version.
Kenny
thank you!
SilverCider
I was thinking the same thing ;)
cam the man
Before this update I thought the course maker was a bit pointless. I only used it to get the trophy.
jayjay119
‘When we reviewed Gran Turismo 5, we didn’t give it a score. We wrote lots of words, but no little number at the end – which made some people a bit confused but, as far as we were concerned, was justified by the simple fact that the game – and let’s be honest – wasn’t finished.’
No disrespect intended, but since when is this how reviews worked? A review should be based on how a game is when it was released, not conveniently waiting for the inevitable patch that will come along at some point. The game had flaws when it hit the shelves. It should be scored as such
bunimomike
Couldn’t agree more. GT5 should have been given a score regardless. If the game felt unfinished then score it accordingly. If the media, in general, did this then perhaps Polyphony Digital would learn from what’s happened this time around and prevent any repeat performances for GT6/7/etc.
KeRaSh
My thoughts exactly. Other games didn’t get such a special treatment and I can’t remember TSA ever adjusting a review score because a fix came in afterwards.
Symposium Cacophony
Playstation University and maybe a few more sites out there doesn’t seem to give scores.. I kinda like that since if a game got a 7.. then some will just ignore it for not being a 8,9 or even 10.
Foxhound_Solid
Jesus – need to start playing GT5 again :-D
TURRICAN-808
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’ll buy GT5 when its finished – Jan 2012
Moakesice
How big is the patch?
Jambo
301mb
Moakesice
cheers guys
Radiitz
It should have had all this on launch date. I’ve gotten bored of that game since day 2 so its a little too late for me.