Gran Turismo 5 "about a year away"

By Ellie Gibson Published 26 March, 2008

So says SCEA man.

With just a few days to go until the release of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, it's been revealed that there's still around a year to wait for the full version.

That's according to SCEA associate producer Chris Hinojosa-Miranda. In a post on the US PlayStation blog he wrote, "To further clarify, GT5 is still about a year away."

Hinojosa-Miranda was responding to queries from posters wondering whether it's worth investing in Prologue, or better to hang on for the full game. His advice? "You should just decide now to buy it, enjoy it, go online and race against anyone and everyone, rank number one worldwide, get the girl (or guy) and become the most popular kid in town. The end."

Our advice? "There's more than enough here to justify the asking price, and exploring it all is a consistently pleasurable experience." So says Tom - read the review for more.

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (56) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • aidey6 #1 4 years ago

    If we're lucky, I reckon last quarter 09 Japan 1st quarter 10! for the west...

  • tesco #2 4 years ago

    well at least we have another year of ps3 fanboys shouting about how the "best driving game ever" will be a ps3 exclusive.
    should keep them going during the faceoffs....

  • Arwin #3 4 years ago

    Region free for teh win. As per usual, I'll be importing the Japanese version if it's released earlier again, only this time I'll probably pay very little for it thanks to the Euro, and I won't have to chip my PS3 either.

    Much more interesting for the average European gamer however is going to be how the upgrades to GT5 Prologue are going to look. Already the US producer of the game suggested that private games and friend invites and such were coming to GT5 Prologue through an update in the near future.

  • anomagnus #4 4 years ago

    why did the waste so much time on the prologue anyway?

    I hate the games, so i wont be buying either, but why did they make prologue? Shouldnt' they just have focused on making GT5?

  • Altrezia #5 4 years ago

    anomagnus

    Prologue is just bits of GT5. I doubt it takes that much time to create compared to making a fresh racing game.

  • kestral #6 4 years ago

    Just in time for the ps4 then.

  • Psychotext #7 4 years ago

    Ouch

  • Goffee #8 4 years ago

    Well, that's the PSP version screwed then, any chance of sueing Sony over breach of promise, given it was marketed at the PSP's launch? Thought not...

  • seasidebaz #9 4 years ago

    well, that at least gives me a year of play on prologue. by which time i should own every car and have won all the gold medals. then the expansion pack comes out in the form of gt5 ;)

  • agparrot #10 4 years ago

    insert own 2009-will-be-the-year-of-PS3 gag.

    But seriously, as I am looking to pick up my PS3 soon to go with my hopefully-price-matched HDTV, this is a bit disappointing, but not unlike the wait for all the other Turismos, and like baz says - gives people time to play prologue properly.

  • moggsy #11 4 years ago

    @ agparrot

    insert own 2009-will-be-the-year-of-PS3 gag.

    Aw, you spoiled my fun there ;-)

  • agparrot #12 4 years ago

    @ moggsy


    Aw, you spoiled my fun there ;-)

    Yep, take your fishing rod elsewhere!

  • Uncle_Fishboy #13 4 years ago

    Dullest driving game I've ever played anyway. It seems to be cool to respect the GT games. Personally I thnk they're about as interesting as discussing astro physics with Alistair Darling ie. not very

  • Weezer #14 4 years ago

    A light year is a measure of distance.




    God I'm bored...

  • Dizzy #15 4 years ago

    /insert AI joke

    Anyway... how long have they been working on this? I wonder why it takes soooo long.

  • DrDamn #16 4 years ago

    @disc +1

    Maybe they are using the time to add all the stuff which GT is lacking compared to other race series? Or maybe they will chuck out GT5:prologue with 300+ cars and 15 odd tracks. Gotta wonder what they will do with the time. Actually a year away would fit with Japanese release by end of this year and US/Euro release next March. In which case it will be Prologue with more "stuff".

  • space_ace #17 4 years ago

    they are making sure the 360 port is perfect

  • monkie_king #18 4 years ago

    It takes so long because the GT series basically differentiates itself by having hundreds of hi-res car models. And as each generation exponentially ramps up the cost of producing hi-res assets (sound and gfx), they've painted themselves into a corner where producing a GT game that's worthy of the name takes years.

    Prologue shows that the game itself is basically done, and now it's just a wait for them to churn out a sufficient quantity of vehicles. They could of course just make a GT with a measly hundred-odd cars, but then it'd be just another driving game.

  • Darren #19 4 years ago

    I'm glad Polyphony Digital are taking their time with GT5, at least we'll have a racing game with hundreds of cars, all with internally modelled interiors unlike Forza 2 (my preferred view in racing games is the dashboard camera). I'm not saying it'll be the better game but at least there'll be more noticeable difference between GT4 and GT5 (with up to 16 cars on the tracks) than there was with Forza and its graphically underwhelming sequel. Don't get me wrong, I do like Forza 2, it's just that it didn't feel like that much of an improvement over the previous game to me apart from it ran at 60 fps. I quickly got bored of it due to it recycling most of the tracks from the previous game. I'm hoping that GT5 adds plenty of new tracks to the mix.

    In the meantime, I'm looking forward to trying out GT5 Prologue tomorrow... :)

  • Madlax #20 4 years ago

    "It takes so long because the GT series basically differentiates itself by having hundreds of hi-res car models. And as each generation exponentially ramps up the cost of producing hi-res assets (sound and gfx), they've painted themselves into a corner where producing a GT game that's worthy of the name takes years.

    Prologue shows that the game itself is basically done, and now it's just a wait for them to churn out a sufficient quantity of vehicles. They could of course just make a GT with a measly hundred-odd cars, but then it'd be just another driving game."

    They are thinking of implementing damage, not sure if they can make it but i hope they do. Polyphony are perfectionists they wont include damage model if its not well-done.

    Damage model is about the only thing left before Gran turismo becomes the ultimate driving simulator....whatever that means ;)

  • monkie_king #21 4 years ago

    Well, I hope it's the ultimate one. It's definitely time Polyphony found a new horse to flog.

  • Emth #22 4 years ago

    GT6 in 2014?

  • Madafunkola #23 4 years ago

    QUESTION: Dear Mr Developer, should I buy your new product or not?

    ANSWER: Dear Mr(s) Consumer, Yes - you should buy my new product.

    SHOCKER!!!

  • moggsy #24 4 years ago

    In other news, Race Drive: Grid is shaping up very nicely with a full damage model. Should be out this year too.

  • Madlax #25 4 years ago

    "In other news, Race Drive: Grid is shaping up very nicely with a full damage model. Should be out this year too."

    Thats not even a driving simulator, Race Drive lets you 'flashback' when you crash your car in single player. thats hardly a simulator ;)

  • Uncle_Fishboy #26 4 years ago

    @ Madlax

    Yes but GT5 has no damage modelling. Hardly a simulator ;)

  • Arwin #27 4 years ago

    Well, it seems like Prologue has already gotten its first update, called spec II even before official launch!

    Taken from GTPlanet / amar212:

    EIGHTH UPDATE 25-03-2008

    PAL version of Prologue will prompt the download of new update which will give the game a new title - Gran Turismo 5: Prologue Spec II. Notice that this update (400MB approx) will clear all your previous QTS settings for all cars (in case you had PAL game earlier and opened S venue in order to get QTS) - so you'll have to tune them all again.

    There are plethora of details in the update, while single most important is the terminal absence of ABS for the first time ever in the series if ABS is set to "zero" in QTS menu. It's drastic difference compared to all other previous games, as well as all other GT5:p releases. ABS-0 makes drastic lock-out of wheels if brakes are applied too hard in both physics modes - Standard and especially Professional - thus making a car control a brand new challenge for GT series.

    I'm so delighted by this that I've even created a special thread for it. So, if you think you can say word or two about it, pop-by and spill it .

    [link url=http://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=103957 ]http://ww w.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread...[/link]

    As for other news, there are 35 Events now available in the Online section, Races and Time-Trials.

    Notice that races are 70-30% Standard/Professional - while all Time-Trials are Professional. Also notice that all Online Time-Trials are limited only by handling model and PP points. In other words, you can participate with ANY car and any Tire-compound, as long as their respectful menage gives obliged amount of PP's. I find that great, because now there will be enourmous amount of combination for every Event.

    Also, pre-race menu has changed, and now you can access to QTS menu prior to the race. Also, clock is now displayed in Pre-race menu.

    Match-making is so far working good, while the lag is almost non-existant. However, so far I've been racing with only small filed of drivers, it has to been seen what will happen in 16 players races. Notice that game encourages you not to participate in large-field races if you don't have good connection.

    There is Free-Race mode as a part of both Online Race and Time-Trials, where you can drive any car on any track with any tire-compound. However, results are not added into Online Rankings - which leads us to another detail:

    Time-Trial races for Online Rankings (available through Arcade mode) will obviously have only S2 tire-compound available, making Online Rankings focused on showing TOP100 drivers all the time. I still find out JP system better, but I guess that competition will get more fearsome as the time will go by. Also worth noticing is that all Time Trial races (where you can't mess with both QTS or tire-compounds) are obviously driven with ABS1, because there is no drastic lock-up that can be experienced now with setting as "0".

    Notice that Drift Trials are added in Online Rankings menu, together with Time-Trials.

    Another handy addition is that Garage-menu is now available in pre-race menus through all modes - so now you don't have to go back in Garage in order to change the car every time.

    Also, Museum is working now, while there is still no glympse of "Behind the Apex" movie in GT:TV - and all other 4 movies that were previously available during Online-Test phase (Evo X and GT-R documentaries) are not available.

    That's it for this, now I'm heading to enjoy in fact that ABS is finally dead . This is a whole new universe now for all old-core Gran Turismo players.

    Notice that you'll need to make some port-forwarding if connecting your PS3 to the internet via router. Although game gives you details in News page (now with just some basic news, while there are no News in Dealership section), you can find all info online here (together with glympse of future official Forum):

    [link url=h ttp://www.gran-turismo.com/support/en/port_number/
    ]http://ww w.gran-turismo.com/support/en/p...[/link]

  • gamingdave #28 4 years ago

    So GTMobile will be a PSP2 launch then.....

  • chris_ace #29 4 years ago

    Post deleted at 11:55:13 13-12-2011

  • Uncle_Fishboy #30 4 years ago

    @ chris_ace

    Because I do. So there.

  • sharpfish #31 4 years ago

    jeebus, they didn't waste time on 'making prologue' they have always been heading towards a full GT5 but beacause of the fact it takes a lot of very hard work, chose to release a SUBSET of the game a year early to give both GT fans and themselves some kind of buzz/feedback/release... the cars alone take months (each) to model/simlulate to perfection and by the time the 'full' GT5 hits it will have hundreds of cars, loads of tracks and no doubt many tweaks and improvements over GT5p.

    What's more the damn thing only costs £17.99 (online shops BD version) and i'll probably play it more than I ever played boring ass Forza 2 which cost me £40.

    So please let's all get over this bullshit 'it's only a demo' thing once and for all. If you want to wait then wait, if you are keen to see/play a perfectly cool little racing game RIGHT NOW then GT5p is there - no one is forcing you to buy even if it is way cheaper than a full price game.

    It's like when valve release HalfLife EP1/2/3, it's not essential but people who want it enjoy it and pay less than a full price game and don't have to wait for 3 full years... that's not to say GT5 full won't be a worthy purchase nor indeed HalfLife 3 when and if it pops up.



    Edited by 1 at 26/03/08 @ 11:36

  • Peew971 #32 4 years ago

    Expect it to go head to head with Forza 3... That should be interesting :)

  • ParanoidZombie #33 4 years ago

    @sharpfish: bullshit, GT5 is just a fucking racing game, it has nothing to do with half life. It's like comparing Bioshock and FIFA, that doesn't make sense.
    Edited by 1 at 26/03/08 @ 11:48

  • moggsy #34 4 years ago

    @ Madlax

    Thats not even a driving simulator, Race Drive lets you 'flashback' when you crash your car in single player. thats hardly a simulator ;)

    Nope, that's because it's a game. A game should be all about giving you the thrill of driving a racing car but without the aggro. Don't get me wrong, I do have a soft spot for GT (I've bought every version and played the PS3 demos) but it's getting left behind on the innovation front.

    Also it's all very nice have 500,000 poly cars but does it make it any better to play? Is it worth waiting a year or two extra for them to create these car models? For me it isn't - I'd rather have a game which looks good enough but is here to play now. PGR4 is currently fulfilling that need for myself (I sold my PS3 so Prologue isn't currently an option and I wouldn't buy another PS3 to play it - whereas I might buy another one to play the full GT5).

  • DrDamn #35 4 years ago

    @ParanoidZombie

    I think you completely missed Sharpfish' point there. He isn't comparing the games, he is comparing the development and release strategy. There will be more and more games going down a route of smaller chunks in short development periods as development times for the really big releases get bigger and bigger. It's a way of making more money and also getting a more consistent revenue stream.

  • T4RG4 #36 4 years ago

    I think Polyphony need to wake up and take a nice kick up the ass - where is your game?

    They've always annoyed me with this. I don't see anything over Forza2 (I'm speaking as GT fan here) so I bought an Xbox/Forza2 as I'm sure many people did. Bet Polyphony were working on GT5 for PS3 long before Forza2 started...

    The time difference results in what? Nothing as far as I can see.

    Hardly good for the gamer. Or Sony. So they resort to bundle deals including a souped up demo.

  • ParanoidZombie #37 4 years ago

    @DrDamn: No, because while this strategy could (emphasis on could) be legit for a game like half life, it's not for a game like GT which is just an update of a 10 years old franchise. there are more polygones, more tracks, some gameplay tweaks and a basic online component, but nothing that justifies such an overly long process.
    It's really just about making money and justifying Prologue's esistence, and i don't think we consumers should accept that. And do you remember GT4 Prologue? It was basically the same as the final version... Which was very close to GT3, which was merely a GT2 update, which wasn't much better than GT1. If you're happy with waiting 1more year simply because polyphony wants to make sure that the 10 versions of the almighty honda civic will look great, and that the upteenth version of deep forest looks HD enough, well good for you, but there are plenty of other racing games out there as far as I'm concerned.

  • Madlax #38 4 years ago

    "Nope, that's because it's a game. A game should be all about giving you the thrill of driving a racing car but without the aggro. Don't get me wrong, I do have a soft spot for GT (I've bought every version and played the PS3 demos) but it's getting left behind on the innovation front.

    Also it's all very nice have 500,000 poly cars but does it make it any better to play? Is it worth waiting a year or two extra for them to create these car models? For me it isn't - I'd rather have a game which looks good enough but is here to play now. PGR4 is currently fulfilling that need for myself (I sold my PS3 so Prologue isn't currently an option and I wouldn't buy another PS3 to play it - whereas I might buy another one to play the full GT5)."

    GT5 cars are modeled as 'Parts', so this according to Polyphony will greatly help in implementing an innovative damage model, so its not simply about 500.000 polygons cars ;). also these scaned car models can be re-used in the future since they are very high tech so its a very good investment in the long term.

    as for the 'thrill of racing an no aggro' thing...

    Some people loved Afterburner, you know.....that fast-paced, arcade jet-fighter where you have an infinite amount of missles and the main focus is to enjoy the speed. there are many people love this.

    And there were people like me who prefered the aging F117 fighter simulator...where you have limited weaponry, have to wait 10 minutes or more to reach the primary and secondary target, and have to be careful with weaponry usage and landing just like a real fighter. i just loved this stuff.

    so there are people to prefer the 'arcade' feel...and others the 'simulation' feel. apparently you are from the 'arcade' crowd, because driving a car is much more than 'speed'. but if that is what you want you shouldnt think about Gran turismo anyway.

    Burnout/PGR4 are the 'afterburner' of driving games, GT is the 'F117 stealth' of driving games.

    no one forced you to play a 'simulator' ;)

  • J.C #39 4 years ago

    Laziest basterd devs ever!

  • DrDamn #40 4 years ago

    @ParanoidZombie

    You know what I said about missing the point ...

  • moggsy #41 4 years ago

    @ Madlax

    so there are people to prefer the 'arcade' feel...and others the 'simulation' feel. apparently you are from the 'arcade' crowd, because driving a car is much more than 'speed'. but if that is what you want you shouldnt think about Gran turismo anyway.

    I never said that a driving game should be purely about speed. It should be about the thrill of driving - the corners, the braking, the aqua planing, the skidding on water/ice, getting the back end out around corners, driving a new faster car but with different handling characteristics etc.

    While Polyphony mess about with the car models dev teams like Bizarre Creations and Codemasters are actually bringing new innovative dynamics to the driving game experience. How will GT5 improve on GT4 when it's finally released in 2009 except for nicer looking cars and a slightly better handling model?
    Edited by 3 at 26/03/08 @ 14:02

  • DrDamn #42 4 years ago

    @moggsy
    It will have innovative features like this new fangled online stuff :D

  • moggsy #43 4 years ago

    @ DrDamn

    Too little too late. I have online in Forza 2, PGR3, PGR4 and the upcoming Race Driver: Grid to name 4. To be honest I'm not into online gaming anyway as other people tend to spoil the experience rather than add to it (does anyone online ever slow down for the first corner!).

  • DrDamn #44 4 years ago

    I'm thinking it's got to have something surely. What are the programmers doing whilst all these other people build cars? Lets wait and see before what it actually is before lambasting it for lack of innovation. Experience indicates it may well be effectively a graphical update with online racing, but until there is actual concrete info I'll wait and see.

  • moggsy #45 4 years ago

    @ DrDamn

    I would love for it to be more than a graphical update I really would. I thought GT1 on the PS was amazing - ahead of it's time. GT2 was also a revelation due to the sheer number and variety of cars - I could even drive and upgrade the car I owned! GT3 and GT4 never grabbed me in the same way and so I would love GT5 to do this and force me to buy a PS3.

    That's why the news of it not being released until 2009 is very disappointing and if they were thinking about introducing some ground breaking features would there not be evidence of these in Prologue? I'm really not all that hopeful.

  • DrDamn #46 4 years ago

    Lack of new stuff in Prologue is a poor indicator I agree. Maybe they are purposefully holding stuff back? I doubt it myself but again we could be surprised :)

  • Les #47 4 years ago

    "if they were thinking about introducing some ground breaking features would there not be evidence of these in Prologue?"

    Not if those features are what causes the long development time in the first place... Of course it would be best to have stuff as fast as possible. Unfortunately, in the real world it takes time to create it. If you don't want to wait, then don't wait and get alternatives (there are plenty). In the end, the ones really suffering from the long development time are Sony and Polyphony and not impatient gamers.

  • moggsy #48 4 years ago

    In the end, the ones really suffering from the long development time are Sony and Polyphony and not impatient gamers.

    But Les, I am suffering as I really want an excuse to re buy a PS3 now - not in a year's time! :-(

    Plus a version of GT which blows away the competition would be a really sweet thing to see - would maybe bring a tear to the eye of an ageing gamer. :-)

  • seasidebaz #49 4 years ago

    oh dear, the fanboys are out...

    if you want an arcadey outrun type of game, get pgr4.

    if you want a simulation, get gt5. simple as that.

    not realistic enough cos of lack of damage model? well i'll tell you what, leave your address below and when you play the following will happen:

    crash into another car: i will make you headbutt the floor for realistic head-on-windscreen effect.

    hit a wall at 100mph: i will break your neck into about 10 pieces and pull your brain out through your nostrils.

    therefore, the ultimate damage model. there is no game EVER so far that has realistically simulated damage. if you hit something at 100mph, you will HAVE NO CAR LEFT. unlike in pgr4, forza2, any toca game... the list goes on.

  • Arwin #50 4 years ago

    Lack of new features? That seems a bit of an odd comment, what with 16 cars instead of 6, in-car view and (16 player) online being new to Prologue compared to, say, GT4. And then I'm glossing over the details ...

  • DrDamn #51 4 years ago

    @seasidebaz

    You've got to admit that there are levels of realism though. Go over a certain limit and you reduce the fun factor which is bad. Headbutting the floor I think is over the mark just a little, but no notable damage modelling is someway back from the mark no? Other games have shown you can introduce a level of damage which does not detract from the gameplay - in fact for many it enhances it.

  • moggsy #52 4 years ago

    @ seasidebaz

    if you want an arcadey outrun type of game, get pgr4.

    Have you actually played PGR4 then? Cos if you have I'm scratching my head over how anyone could compare Outrun to PGR4 :-S

  • DrDamn #53 4 years ago

    Damage confirmed for GT5 ...link

    So I presume you'll not bother with it then seasidebaz? ;)

  • seasidebaz #54 4 years ago

    no, don't think i'll bother with my damage simulations now :D

    i agree about taking it too far, my point being that these people who claim that games contain realistic damage don't know what they're saying. you crash a car that fast, it's a write-off.

    and the outrun comment was basically my meaning that pgr4 is not really all that realistic. played the demo, had great fun racing against the motorbike, til i aquaplaned and ended up in a wall... don't get me wrong, i love pgr, it's just a completely arcade experience compared to realistic drivers like gt and liveforspeed

  • moggsy #55 4 years ago

    and the outrun comment was basically my meaning that pgr4 is not really all that realistic. played the demo, had great fun racing against the motorbike, til i aquaplaned and ended up in a wall... don't get me wrong, i love pgr, it's just a completely arcade experience compared to realistic drivers like gt and liveforspeed

    So aqua planing into a wall isn't simmy enough for you? PGR4 presents a very good simulation of the art of driving. You admit yourself that no game can fully simulate the experience of driving a racing car - they each just present their own take on what it should feel like.

    To dismiss PGR4 as an arcade game is missing the point, and also dismissing a great game.

  • monkie_king #56 4 years ago

    Yeah, PGR4 is about creating a convincing feel of realism, then backing off so it remains extremely fun as a game. It feels to me like there's a bit more traction and less body-roll than a true simulation would have, and better brakes. RalliSport Challenge 2 also struck this balance well.

    For me, Forza2 and GT go too far, to the point where the enjoyment of playing a videogame is compromised by the physics model. Even Gran Turismo recognizes this, and gives you unrealistic levels of grip unless you choose the rollerskating-on-ice "simulation" tyres.