350°

Polyphony Digital and Gran Turismo’s Fall from Grace

Justin McBride for The Mind of Game writes - "The fall of Polyphony Digital and its Gran Turismo franchise, one beloved by a huge community of racing fans the world over, hasn’t been an easy one to watch. To look at their efforts this generation, compared to those past, it’s hard to imagine what went wrong."

Read Full Story >>
themindofgame.com
GraveLord3777d ago

The racing genre in itself has been in decline for years. I'm surprised it took this long for a GT game to "flop".

It'll sell better than every other racing game out there though so can it really be considered a flop?

Hatsune-Miku3777d ago

Gt6 was just released and it released around the time when new consoles are coming out for a new generation. It hasn't had enough time to sell yet and whatever the shortcomings of its sales is can be attributed to the fact that it's being released on last gen console right when next gen consoles were released. I can't wait for a proper gran tourism title on ps4 which I'm sure will be amazing and garner a lot of sales

darthv723777d ago (Edited 3777d ago )

The GT series (as a whole) is the perfect example of the roller coaster / love & hate relationship. there are games that top the charts and then there are games that do significantly less even though they are newer.

For example: 1, 3 & 5 all did really well for themselves. The follow-ups of 2, 4 and 6 didnt do as well as the previous one before it. Yet 2, 4 & 6 were the newer release in comparison. I must say its too early to put 6 in with the likes of 2 & 4 but it fits to the trend of all previous GT games.

Each offered something the previous version didnt but why is it that those releases didnt best or at least equal the previous release? Could it be that each example of 1, 3 & 5 were considered the initial release on the respected platform and by the time the follow-up came out on the same platform people didnt see as much of an incentive to buy it despite improvements.

The series overall is one of sony greatest achievements but one i just find so fascinating in its reception when it comes to a follow-up on the same platform.

Had sony held off GT6 and made it a launch title for the PS4 could have made it THE system seller like GT3 had contributed for the PS2. No matter though as we will likely get a GT7 for the PS4 soon enough.

AnteCash3777d ago (Edited 3777d ago )

@darthv72
Gt3 came a year after ps2, and making gt6 launch for ps4 would be bad idea becuz ps4 is sold out everyware , releasing gt6 in a year would move units.

Beastforlifenoob3777d ago

I loved GT5 but sorry GT6 is really pushing it.

1.) Microtransactions &grinding
2.) Premium and non premium cars again *sigh*
3.) Should've been on PS4 and not too much change from GT5

HammadTheBeast3776d ago

I like how Mario gets the pass for "sells over time" but GT doesn't.

tiffac0083776d ago

I agree that GT6 should have been on the PS4 or has a PS4 version. There was just too much momentum on the PS4 side and not putting GT6 on it, was not a good idea by Sony.

Now its going to suffer from the lack of legs and will be mock because of its poor sales compared to its predecessors.

vigilante_man3776d ago

Sony expected Driveclub to come out for PS4 launch. If they knew DC was going to be 6 months later then they surely would of put GT6 on the PS4. It is crazy not to have an exclusive racer for PS4.

Look at all the Sony adverts for the PS4. They are full of Drive Club and Watch Dogs - both games Sony expected would release at launch!

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3776d ago
3777d ago
MIDNIGHT 213776d ago

GT3 was my favorite after that I kinda lost interest then I switched to forza 3 ,it had a more evolved community paint jobs share and more online presence

mcstorm3776d ago

I agree. I was a massive GT fan and loved Forza 1 two not so much but 3 and 4 are what's kept me interested in racing games. I got a ps3 for gt5 and to me it was a massive let down the game felt unfinished, did not run at 60fps all the time has screen tares, some tracks looked amazing the same with some cars but over half of the cars and tracks looked like they had just been imported from 4.

I know alot of people who got gt5 and have said they will not get 6 because of how bad 5 was.

I do feel let down with Forza 5 by the lack of tracks but for me the drivertar is showing the big Improvement that racing games needed imo and the game still runs at 60fps without any frame rate issues.

I hope pd now go back to the drawing board worh gt7 and give is something that makes car fans fall in love with GT again like it did with the 1st 3 as it is now starting to feel dated esp with the car sounds.

SoapShoes3776d ago

GT3 was the only GT I was let down by. You see I still enjoyed it but they sacrificed content for eye candy. GT4 was much better and a close second to GT6 for top in the series, imo.

memots3775d ago

Racing fan will tell you that GT6 is the best in the serie.

lassenwolf3776d ago

How is it in decline? Forza sells just fine. Mario carts sells great. Some Need for Speeds sell well. Gt hasn't sold well compared to other racers so it's not the the racing games ,it's Gt and no gt won't sell better than forza or mario cart 8 or project cars

SoapShoes3776d ago

GT5 sold more than every Forza on the 360 combined and nearly as much as the Forza series as a whole!

medman3776d ago

Gravelord, Call of Duty sells by the boatload also but that doesn't mean the franchise is getting better or innovating. Gran Turismo needs alot of improvement. I'm hoping that the inevitable PS4 GT game will be a revolution, rather than an uninspired evolution of the same ol' thing.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3775d ago
izumo_lee3777d ago

GT 6 did reasonably well & usually the games have legs so sales of the game isn't really an issue. If you look at the series sales numbers the 2nd game released on the same console usually takes a hit in sales numbers. It happened with GT2 & GT4.

Also a lot of GT fans are waiting for the next gen version of the series & GT6 was basically made for the HARDCORE fans of the series. As a GT fan even i consider GT6 to be an experiment on what we will see in the next game. With the use of Advanced Tessellation & the upgraded physiques engine we will see these in the next game.

Expect the next installment to have massive numbers in terms of sales thus making this article mute.

yewles13777d ago (Edited 3777d ago )

Flop? It's outselling every 8th-gen game out there ATM, and it's a 7th-gen title.

yewles13776d ago

Yes it is actually, by around a good 200,000 to 300,000 units--in a shorter amount of time even...

http://www.vgchartz.com/wee...

rxl2093777d ago

but its not outselling every 7th gen title out there now is it?......, you been hanging with pyro so long you forgot about being a real gamer

NarooN3776d ago

What a terrible attempt at a counter-argument. I also have no idea where you got that "real gamer" nonsense from lol.

jcnba283776d ago

PS3 = 80 mil users
vs
PS4 = 3+ mil users...

YodaCracker3776d ago

In its first week, it sold 1/3 of what GT5 managed, despite the PS3 install base having grown 40 MILLION UNITS in the meantime.

It's also the lowest rated main game in the series on Metacritic. I'd definitely say it did not meet expectations.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3776d ago
-Foxtrot3777d ago

GT6 is the even number in the franchise meaning it's going to just be a more improved, upgraded version of the last game...even then it's still selling very well

Once we get to the next game, the odd numbered games, they are usually the ones to take a massive leap in not only quality but gameplay aswell.

Gran Turismo - PS1
Gran Turismo 2 - PS1

Gran Turismo 3 - PS2
Gran Turismo 4 - PS2

Gran Turismo 5 - PS3
Gran Turismo 6 - PS3

Gran Turismo 7 - PS4

Thats how it works, so once we see the next game on next gen hardware I think you'll find that PD are not falling from grace.

Odd Games - Always a leap forward
Even Games - Add onto last game (Improved Versions)

Godmars2903777d ago

by all appearances, Drive Club is going to off set a lot of GT expectations. Could divide drive sim fans.

-Foxtrot3777d ago

I didn't think DriveClub was a driving sim...I thought it was taking on a more "arcade" like approach.

I don't see the point of them doing 2 first party driving sims. You could have an arcade like one and then a proper driving sim, catering to both kinds of audiences but racing game fans in general

Salooh3777d ago (Edited 3776d ago )

Drive Club = Forza but with better graphics and better online experience ( Don't know about customazation though). Both are fun and have a good gameplay but they are not simulators.

GT6 is a sim and have really complicated gameplay. When you learn how to drive in GT you can even race in real life ( GT academy proves it ). I know i will get another 11 disagrees but truth must be told. As for which one i prefer it's just opinion.

Death3776d ago

14Feb,
You really should read the article. As a fan of both series, I have no idea what you are talking about when you say Forza isn't a sim like GT. Try playing the game before reaching that ridiculous conclusion.

Salooh3776d ago

I don't think GT7 will take a huge step in gameplay like what GT5 did. Because GT5/6 already feels realistic. I don't mind if the improvements are just in graphics and scale of the game. I would be glad if i'm wrong though ^^ ..

MajorLazer3776d ago

You are so very wrong with that Driveclub = Forza comment. I have put hundreds of hours into Forza since Forza 2 and hundreds more into Gran Turismo (since GT1) and I can tell you that Forza is more close to GT physics than you would like to think. I have also played Driveclub at certain events and although it is not finished, it does give a flavour of the end product and Driveclub is no where near the level of Forza, physics wise. I doubt you even played Forza enough to make such a claim!

Wintersun6163777d ago

I'm not a driving sim or GT fan, but I think they would've done better to just skip GT6 as it is on PS3 and start over from scratch for the PS4, in order to build the best possible racing sim on a Sony platform.

The PS4 is far easier and faster to develop for than the PS3, it wouldn't have taken as long as it did with GT5 to release the game. Also add the soon to be released Driveclub, Sony didn't really need a new exclusive driving game released at this point.

-Foxtrot's comment does hold a lot of truth in it too, though.

Show all comments (61)
240°

Comparing the New Grand Valley in Gran Turismo 7 to the Original

A detailed look at Gran Turismo 7's new track Grand Valley, judging its evolution from its former design and layout in Gran Turismo 6, side by side.

SullysCigar438d ago (Edited 438d ago )

Wow, crazy isn't it? The draw distance is vastly improved, the background textures too and there's ZERO shimmer now. And the replays are night and day!

EIDT: @below, Haha I didn't notice that!

IRetrouk438d ago

Yeah, theres a massive improvment all round, Looks amazing with the time of day transitions too, me and a couple online buddies jumped on earlier to try it out lol, did you notice the beach full of seals?

closed_account438d ago

That coastline looks amazing and I can only imagine it in VR! Looks like an entirely new course as far as scenery goes.

IRetrouk438d ago

Yeah, those views are going to be crazy when we are "there" can't wait!

PureBlood438d ago

Just got confirmation my PSVR2 is shipping by 24 hour courier, so I should have it tomorrow! I know nobody else cares, but I had to tell someone lol

GT7 will be my first game, as I want to test out my wheel - so excited - it's going to be awesome!

Deathdeliverer438d ago

I got my confirmation and date (22nd) showing for the charging station. The headset itself has been in “shipped-processing” status since last Friday. I’m like dang can I see the date? I was in the first round of preorders. Whenever it does get here, I’m ready. Going to go update everything and try to get over this cold.

PureBlood438d ago

Wish you better, bud, fingers crossed for your order too.

@S2Killinit - Thank you!

IRetrouk438d ago

I care👊🏻, mine is still saying prep for shipping😔

PureBlood437d ago

Thanks man 👊

Word of advice: be ready for the impromptu jig that happens when that email drops, it can be embarrassing..

DaReapa438d ago

Just got my second shipping confirmation email as well.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 437d ago
S2Killinit438d ago

Man i caant wait. One day left!

Flawlessmic437d ago

I know you and a lot of people are excited for VR but dont sleep on sophy, sophy is the real game changer here!

After giving sophy a run last night, i can safely say the actual racing in future GT's is going to be Fu***** amazing!!!

even on intermediate on some tracks the AI was coming back at me on my waiting for me to slip, attacking the space if i left the door open for them, honestly felt like i was racing against people and not some very limited AI that once i passed them they may as well have been eliminated from the race like GT ai normally is.

pump it up to expert and its a real challenge to stay ahead, the next level up from expert man the AI kicked my ass, like badly.

i remember when sophy was first annouced all the nay sayers said its a pipe dream and we will never see it implemented and here we are a yr later and sophy is being tested in game for us to try out and is every good as whats been promised.

VR plus racing against sophy and wowww your not gonna feal like your actually racing for real anywhere else outside of gt.

sophy will change the game in gt8

S2Killinit437d ago

Hm I didnt realize it was like that. I didnt even know why there was so much hype about it. But thanknyou for explaining that. I mean I get it now.

But I’ll be seeing it in action tomorrow! Woot woot.

Flawlessmic437d ago

It's only for a limited time and only has 4 races but I encourage you and everyone else try it and see the difference compared to the normal Ai.

Sophy has slipped completely under the radar in this latest uodate

438d ago Replies(2)
Father__Merrin437d ago

Wow gt6 was awesome under appreciated because of time it came out

Show all comments (24)
280°

What Happened To Gran Turismo?

When thinking about simulation racing games in this console generation, it’s not unreasonable for your first thought to be “Forza”. Microsoft’s first-party sim-racer series has been wildly successful, and for many of us, it’s been the go-to franchise for quite some time. But simulation racing games weren’t always synonymous with Forza; there was a time when Polyphony Digital’s hardcore series, Gran Turismo, reigned supreme. While the long-time franchise continues to sell exceptionally well, there’s no doubt that it isn’t the young, spry series it used to be.

Read Full Story >>
gamingbolt.com
darthv721715d ago

It doesnt suck but I would love to see a return to form with GT7. Sport is such a departure that it can turn some people off. It has gotten better over time but it's still no match for a proper GT7.

Rude-ro1715d ago

Sport is awesome for what it is...
However, polygon built a whole new engine and the tech is still being worked on...
I understand it is easy to praise a cookie cutter because it release the same game over and over with rotations of maps and cars...
But this engine polygon has designed does more for things other than gaming.

Repetitive old engines with new makeup does not make anyone king.

Gt7 will be most likely in two years with 120fps and ray tracing because their new engines are ready now.

LordStig1715d ago

It decided to focus on racing rather than cars and in the gaming world, racing = gameplay.

Imalwaysright1715d ago

What complete and utter BS. GT has always focused on racing and gameplay.

1715d ago
neutralgamer19921715d ago

Good I guess selling millions of copies and have OFFICIAL FIA license races and Esports means it sucks

We just don't get it every year which is why ms also delayed next forza. You can't keep making yearly sequels. Quality and innovation takes time

GT sports at launch to now it's a different game and support has been free

Imalwaysright1715d ago

GT games have always sold millions of copies and what's so innovative about GT sport? It's a racing game FFS.

IRetrouk1715d ago

The online championships and tournaments alone offer more innovation than any racer this gen🤷‍♂️ then you also get the live ones in New York etc with proper race like commentary, something else no other sim has done before. It sells millions because it's the best, simple really.

Imalwaysright1715d ago (Edited 1715d ago )

IRetrouk

I'm not even sure why think that having proper like race commentary or championships and tournements is innovative but I'll play along... GT Sport was released in 2017 so how do explain that this video https://www.youtube.com/wat... from 2016 exists?

Dark_Knightmare21715d ago

Spoken like someone who hasn’t played sport

Imortus_san1714d ago

And those Paid demos, that fans try to hide and not talk about it.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 1714d ago
SCW19821716d ago

It became the best online racing community for console players and its an amazing achievment.

Keltech1715d ago

"Forza?" HaHaHaHaHaHaHa!! good joke!

kayoss1715d ago

Too early for an Aprils fool joke.

1715d ago
ElementX1715d ago

@solidgamerX That's really not very impressive. Somebody with an interest in cars plays racing games and becomes a race car driver. That's like saying "look at this guy, he played COD and now he's in the military"

Imalwaysright1715d ago

SolidGamerX

You must think that we're all stupid enough to believe that a game will turn anyone into a professional racing driver.

Prince-Ali1715d ago

FORZA!!! AAHAHHAHA !! Haven't i schooled you on this already before! You're still spewing nonsense on this threaddd looool

mcstorm1715d ago

Forza has always been better online than. GT and still is. Great to see PD try something different with GTS but let's face it this gen sonys racing games have been poor this then compaired to what Microsoft has had to offer. Forza 7 is one of the best racing games on xbox and pc but for me Horizon 3 and 4 have set the bar this gen. Of all the things microsoft got wrong this gen 2 of its racing games got a lot right and others are now playing catchup.

DarXyde1715d ago

It's debatable which is the better game. To me, Forza has the upper hand.

But in terms of online community and events? Ha. Don't lie to yourself just because you don't like Playstation.

1715d ago
1715d ago
Dark_Knightmare21715d ago

Lol not even close have you even played gt sport online?

Imalwaysright1715d ago (Edited 1715d ago )

SolidGamerX

You didn't need to confirm what I already knew: if you didn't think that we're all stupid you wouldn't make such stupid comments that only those that are dead from the neck up will agree with.

IRetrouk1715d ago (Edited 1715d ago )

Did he say gt could turn anyone into a racer? No he didnt, he asked what game has done it like gt has, which is true, gt academy done it throughout gt5 for a start. You need to do some research fella, cause your wrong.. again.

And lmao at element and the downplay, not even similar you crazy man, not even similar🤣 you realise gt has turned gamers into drivers from gt5? Go look at gt academy and tell me how that would be anything like someone playing cod and then joining the army, the downplay in gt articles is funny.

ElementX1715d ago

So you think he learned the required skills playing video games? I remember when people claimed children were learning how to operate guns because of video games, do you think that's also true?

IRetrouk1715d ago (Edited 1715d ago )

Two completely different things and you know it, it is a fact that gt has helped real gamers become real race drivers, the proof is easily available online and I'm not going round searching for links that has been posted many, many times before on this subject, Go and look at gt academy like I mentioned and you can see for yourself, they start out on gt and go from there, so yes the game gran turismo teaches you some driving techniques, now if you can find me a link where someone has been playing cod and went on to become a war hero, please let me know because I couldnt find anything, also do you have a link to where cod has a program to train soldiers? Like cod academy or something?, I couldnt find one of those either, maybe when you do then your comparison will actually make sense.

Imalwaysright1715d ago

IRetrouk

You mean the GT academy that provides training and licenses for a person to become a professional racing driver? The GT academy is how you go from being an average driving joe to become a professional racing driver not GT the game.

1714d ago
+ Show (14) more repliesLast reply 1714d ago
1714d ago
xRacer74x1715d ago

Forza owns the racing game scene in my area as far as video games go.

dekke1715d ago

Forza = Arcade
GT= Sim

why u ppl keep comparing those 2 games every time..

Keltech1715d ago (Edited 1715d ago )

GT owns the console sim racing scene in my area and around the world. Just ask a real race car drivers

https://youtu.be/2pC3-eCAdv...

LordStig1715d ago

Forza isn't a racing game. It's a car game.

1715d ago
+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1715d ago
Hungryalpaca1715d ago

I’ll stick to sims. You keep playing with your hot wheels.

King_Noctis1715d ago

You forget that there are two Forzas, Forza Motorsport and Forza Horizon, which aims at different audiences.

King Nezz1715d ago

The usual response from someone insecure that feels their favorite racing game is nowhere near as good as it once was. I really liked Gran and played them all. Loved the Vector from part 2. But the franchise is not the same.

Gaming4Life19811715d ago

Yea Forza took over and is now the best sim racer with motorsport and the best arcade racer with horizon. GT was the best but it has been falling short for a long time and I'm not saying gt games are bad but no where near king like it used to be. I'd say forza motorsport 3 was the forza that really upped the franchise and forza 4 was when forza became #1.

I remember the glory days of gt but those days are long gone but it's still a good game just not the best. Of course ps fans will never admit it because they will die before giving MS credit.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1715d ago
Nacho_Z1716d ago

I do think they need some new creative heads in to give them some new perspectives, they seem stuck in a rut. It's a very high quality rut but they're still stuck in it.

LordStig1715d ago

The USA leg of the Gran Turismo World Tour is going on in New York right now. Go watch it guys, there's some damn good racing and crazy updates to come.

Nacho_Z1715d ago

I've seen some of it before and to be fair it's not much different to watching real motorsport so credit to them for that.

Heavenly King1715d ago

the MACH 5 :) GO SPEED rACEr!!

Show all comments (108)
320°

Gran Turismo 5, Gran Turismo 6, Wipeout HD, God of War 3 and more running on PC via the latest RPCS3

DSOGaming writes: "It appears that the best Playstation 3 emulator that is currently under development, RPCS3, received a new update recently. kd-11 has implemented new Surface Cache fixes to RPCS3 that reportedly improve the appearance of car reflections in Gran Turismo 6, and fix various graphics glitches in other games."

Read Full Story >>
dsogaming.com
1753d ago Replies(6)
gangsta_red1753d ago

If someone out there in internet land could make a decent PS3 emulator imagine what Sony could actually do if they put the time and effort in to make this happen for their next console?

It's definitely not impossible as we can see here. It should definitely be done since BC seems to be very important to Sony this next gen. Imagine PS+ free game offerings from Sony that could include the whole catalog from the PS console family..fantastic.

Silly gameAr1752d ago

Why waste time and money on it? Some people want to move forward, not go back.

Eonjay1752d ago

It's not a deal breaker but having the feature would be amazing. I would rather have it than not have it.

gangsta_red1752d ago

Not everyone feels that way and if Sony is making an issue of supporting PS4 games for PS5 why not support their other past games for people who still have them or a means to buy them and play them.

KwietStorm_BLM1752d ago

You literally just said some people. So I'd imagine you can comprehend that there's a larger subset of people not in that same "some" group. PlayStation used to be known for backward compatibility. Xbox made a big deal about support for their entire catalog. What's the issue with PlayStation, who has an even more substantial history in gaming, tapping into that market? We don't have this problem on PC. It's only a good thing for consumers to be able to bring their games with them through generations on console.

Silly gameAr1752d ago (Edited 1752d ago )

@kwietstorm

Yes, I said some people. What I said was MY opinion. I'm one of those people that couldn't care less about bc, but im not saying ALL people don't care about it. I think they should spend that time and energy for future features and games, but like I said, that's only my opinion.

Imortus_san1752d ago (Edited 1752d ago )

Not every body trows their games way every time the new gen cames along, and everybody that likes games like to be able to play their favorite games in the best possible way.

PS: Retrocompatability is the most requested feature in Sony Foruns, even Sony said so.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1752d ago
frostypants1752d ago (Edited 1752d ago )

The question is would the return on investment be worthwhile? Are the number of additional consoles PS3 BC would push be enough to justify the cost of developing the emulation (and it would have to be bullet proof)? I like the idea of having it, but for my part not having it won't effect my purchase decision.

1752d ago
Eonjay1752d ago

You are asking the right question but the wrong way. For me, the addition of PS3 BC would add value as a customer and make it even more likely for me to buy a PS5. If it is valuable to the customer it is valuable to them.

Also, the way they are doing it would be way cheaper than a program like Microsoft had. The are emulating the hardware. Not the software.

gangsta_red1752d ago

"The question is would the return on investment be worthwhile?"

Sony could definitely make some extra profit selling PS3 games through their marketplace (the same way they have their other classics available). It's not about whether or not it will effect anyone's purchase decision, it definitely didn't do so for the PS4. But as others have expressed, it would be a nice addition to have for PS5 if Sony could open up their whole library digitally and physically to users.

ShadowWolf7121752d ago

Racing games should be some of the easiest to emulate and they're still not hitting 60fps with it, to say nothing of image flickering and occasional sound issues.

Still gonna be a bit yet before they have it fully up and running, it seems, and even then it may only work for part of the library. :/

1752d ago Replies(2)
Gwiz1752d ago

Is it possible to have PS3 emulation on PS5?yes depending on what kind of power it really has.
An i7 9700k is no slouch and the PS4 already has a God of War 3 running much better with less
power required because they converted CBE to X86 which is not something you want to be doing in the long run.

What power would be required to play these games emulated at said PS4 version?.
It's not an easy situation Sony themselves created and ultimately I believe they are happy this way because they
want you to use PSNow,that service is why you will not even get it. (let's not forget that it was a huge investment)

1752d ago Replies(1)
Show all comments (45)