The gaming industry is one notorious for its capricious nature. Its very essence thrives off of the notion of constant evolution and dynamic technological breakthroughs, key elements to helping both the consumer and the market continue to propel forward. When you have a high demand for a product, the merchants involved in creating the said product, have always demonstrated a natural inclination to experiment in ways to find how to increase the satisfaction of that demand, while also trying their best to lure in new customers. The higher the demand, the higher the experimentation- the higher the experimentation, the quicker the system evolves. Like an organism, when a system evolves it augments and spawns off many different and more complex parts to help facilitate and ultimately enhance the overall functionality of the system.
Now you're probably wondering what in the world does this has to do with Gran Turismo? Very little actually. Gran Turismo, is in fact, just a byproduct of this constant evolving. Like every IP since Pong, video games like evolution, plays its role in determining who is the most fit to survive. Needless to say, Gran Turismo has conquered this feat time and time again.....but it shouldn't have. The line that separates why Gran Turismo is an amazing IP and why it is the worst game ever is so thick, that one observing the feedback of this title objectively would almost believe people were talking about two very different games altogether. The thing is, in essence they are. The two sides that help perpetuate both the public disdain and grace of this title are segregated into two very different categories: Generally speaking, those who praise it do so because of what Gran Turismo is. Those who don't, do so because of what Gran Turismo should be. No party is particularly correct in this matter however, interestingly enough, those who share a dislike for this title are the ones who are actually closer to the truth, which may or may not be relevant in a case such as this. You see, where Gran Turismo fails is also where it thrives.
Driving is fun because of everything that encompasses just that. However, driving can also be dangerous and at times very strenuous. It isn't all that often that we find ourselves driving just because. With gas costs, road hazards, passengers susceptibility and possible vehicle malfunctions, it isn't surprising that driving nowadays isn't as enjoyable as it may have once been, if ever. Racing on the other hand, when observed from the outside, is an adrenaline-pumping sport filled with fast-paced competition, lightning-quick reflexes, high-visceral action, and some other compounded word held together by a hyphen designated to describe how high-octaned (Oh, found one!) racing can actually be. Seriously though, from the inside of things, racing is a sport that is prone to danger. Racing professionals spend countless hours meticulously calculating and anticipating any and all possible contingencies that may occur while on a course. It is because of this very thing that many people that find racing enjoyable, shy away from ever becoming pros at it. The problem (and ultimately the solution) to many arcade racing games, is that they tend to eliminate the part of racing that makes racing possible. Are they necessarily wrong for doing that? If the general gaming populations voice is anything to be taken serious, then apparently not. By isolating all the boring stuff that no one besides professional racers care about, you create a shortcut to just having to deal with the fun aspect of driving and racing. These are video games after all, and games are meant to be fun. Superficially speaking, what Gran Turismo attempts to do is bring these two factors together (essentially resulting in a simulation) in an effort to make a fun game. Here's where the problem and solution occurs.
As pointed out earlier, real-life racing isn't fun on the inside to anyone who isn't a professional racer. However, Gran Turismo does something both impractical and ingenious. It allows the gamer to be a professional racer, which in some cases becomes just as fun as the racing itself. When we were kids, we marveled at our fathers' tools because of the infinite wonders the tools generated in our little heads. A few of us were lucky enough to receive our very own play toolset and couldn't put it down once we got it. Once we came of age however, we realized building things became much more of a chore than the joy we once thought came with the tools. Polyphony found a way to channel that inner flame that resides in those who found racing and speed fun, and focus it into an enjoyable virtual experience. The problem is, many people suffer from the 'coming-of-age' syndrome that reminds us why racing isn't fun at all when taken seriously. This inside-out approach, that Gran Turismo has just about mastered is the paramount force dividing the followers of Gran Turismo into two.
To help put things into perspective, competing in the Olympics can be loads of fun. However, a simulation about competing in the Olympics can be very painful for some. The reason why Gran Turismo fail as a game in some people eyes is very understandable. Again, racing isn't as enjoyable as it may appear, and Gran Turismo forces us to ignore that adage. Why force me to slow down to one-fourth of my top speed just to make a turn, when I can make that same turn going 160+ mph? I don't know about you, but turning a corner while barely slowing down sounds a heck of a lot more fun. The problem with identifying where Gran Turismo goes wrong, rests within the people who decide to play it and vocalize their thoughts about it. The gamers themselves, create more problems for the game by actually playing the game than there would be for the game if no one with an opinion played it. Just think of Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle. Observing the game from anything besides a computer with an absolute zero subjectivity predisposition is the only way this game or ANY game can receive a complete, unbiased judgement. This holds true for this title more so than any other simply because of the great division this title creates between those who play it. As you can see, a title that attempts to elicit a positive response from its recipients through an unconventional method, exposes itself to unwarranted notoriety and discrimination.
Gran Turismo is the result of trying to bring two very different activities, from very two different mediums together in unison to form one cohesive experience. The subsequent result as you may have noticed isn't as well-received by the populace as Polyphony probably anticipated. Arcade racers fun factors' derives from its lack of dealing with the realism that comes with racing. If you think about it Gran Turismo does the exact opposite. It is the exact reciprocate of what an arcade racer essentially is and that is why it is so popular. Its daring attitude caused the underdog to rise to the top, and ultimately help the system evolve. Gran Turismo fails in the eyes of some, but that's only because it strays away from what works, not because it isn't a fun game. It attempts to bring you to a place that isn't intrinsically enjoyable and makes it so that it is. It brings us to a place that we can only dare to dream to be apart of, and forces us to become masters of our crafts. This technique is used in other video game genres but doesn't translate as well as it does in this racing title. Why that is still baffles me. It would seem that part of the evolution of video games was to become more and more simulating of real-life, all while remaining fun and engaging. Titles like ARMA aren't as critically acclaimed like the Call of Duty or Battlefield series', which says more about the gamer than it does of the game. To know Gran Turismo, is to understand it, and the problem and solution begins and ends at that very point.
While nothing has been confirmed, the evidence that Marvel Rivals is coming to consoles is mounting as the game's files mention crossplay.
Nintendo may be working on a brand new Legend of Zelda game featuring Zelda as the main character, based on a new rumor.
It works
The cycle of hatred can't always be exactly the same
Maybe in one reincarnation the Hyrule family name their son Link in honour of Hylia's chosen hero and some village woman name their daughter Zelda in honour of Princess Zelda from the old tales of the lands past.
This rumor, or variants of it, appears pretty much every time there is a gap with a non-announced Zelda game in the works. So I would take it with a grain of salt."
That said, I have always wanted a game where you play as her. Not exactly a "Zelda game", mind you, I always see her making more sense in something like a city builder/management or strategy game.
There's a rumor that another Zelda Musou game in the works. I'd sooner believe that one over this.
A character select screen would work just fine. If RPG developers, with far more complex gameplay everything, have been able to do this, why is Nintendo still dragging their feet?
This ain't Baldur's Gate nor Morrowind, so lets get to it already.
Here is a look at the Closed Alpha for the game in action.
Keep in mind that regardless of your stance or interest in this, be it good or bad; the ToS agreement makes it so you can't leave negative reviews once accepted.
I agree with you completely. As both a game and driving Sim, the people are split into those who (like you said) love it for what it is, and hate it for what it should have been (according to expectations of course. Some which were too high.) People should just see the game for what it is and not what it can compare best too. Over all, Gran Turismo 5 is a fabulous game and the best things about it are hidden so deep in it, only those that truly dedicate themselves to the game seriously will be able to see. Great blog man, really good blog. Enjoyed it.
well written, i feel all smart for reading it
They should ship the next one with a book entitled "It's not the game, it's you".
absolutely agree with this...and very well written
peopple just wont ever get it...
also #3´s idea is just pure win.
Bla, bla, bla ! Blahhhh !