Microsoft man has dig at GT5 delay

By Ellie Gibson Published 20 January, 2010

"Forza continues to define racing."

Microsoft's Phil Spencer has taken a cheeky pop at the repeated delays to the release of PS3 exclusive Gran Turismo 5.

As you'd expect, the Microsoft Game Studios boss is a big fan of Xbox 360's rival racing series. "I think Forza continues to define the racing genre," he told Eurogamer earlier this week.

"Especially from first-parties, given that it seems to be the only one that's shipped." Ooh burn. Chinese rather than third-degree though probably.

"It's the highest-reviewed racing game this generation," Spencer continued. "And it continues to include the community... I think we continue to push, as first-party, this line between shrink-wrapped games, Live and that social community experience."

For more from Spencer read the full interview, in which he uses the word "experience" 29 times.

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 (53) Latest comment 2 years ago

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

  • Psychotext #1 2 years ago

    Oh great... that'll keep the comments dwellers entertained for a while.

  • cianchristopher #2 2 years ago

    Well, we'll see how GT5 turns out - eventually...

    But, Forza 3 is a great game, though - GT5 will have to pull out all the stops to get a higher rating (isn't Forza 3 a 92 on Metacritic?)

  • captain_Carl #3 2 years ago

    Though Forza is a great game i wish MS would shut the hell up and stop bashing other racing games.

  • M_of_the_sys #4 2 years ago

    It was quiet for a while... too quiet...

  • the_dudefather #5 2 years ago

    Pfft, outrun 2(006) is better than both of em!

  • lcmnick #6 2 years ago

    I don't know why some people get wound up, because Kaz probably doesn't.

    Then again, Kaz probably has no idea who Phil Spencer is.

  • X #7 2 years ago

    I love cars but I'm finding Forza 3 a bit of a drag (although not as bad as Forza 2 was at times). Maybe racing games just aren't for me anymore.

  • NotSoSlim #8 2 years ago

    No need for the comment. Forza 3 is out great but I personally got bored but I am sure loads if gamers live it.

    All these litlle digs show is a arrogance that's not needed.

  • JahB #9 2 years ago

    it's so nice to see that there's a little fanboy in every CEO.

  • Psiloc #10 2 years ago

    This is definitely news.

  • Stegofreak #11 2 years ago

    Forza 2 killed racing games for me. It was enough to get me to buy an Xbox 360 but I haven't even bothered to dust the thing off to play Forza 3. As for GT5, I'll probably pick it up anyway. Forza 3 might "define the racing genre" but Gran Turismo was the first game I wanted on the PSX. Nostalgia FTW!

  • Byzanite #12 2 years ago

    I have fond memories of playing all the GT games so far, but after Forza my concern is whether GT5 will live up to my nostalgia based expectations.

  • GamesConnoisseur #13 2 years ago

    To be expected rival key people will support their game above other's. Nothing new, I will get GT5 and know that despite being a bit disappointed with GT5P and time trial. I did enjoy Forza 3 and continued to be amazed at the smoothness of the game but bored easily.

    My other few mates had a far better staying power to get further and I m too easily distracted by new games.

    Like others enjoyed previous iterations of GT but wondered if length of time would really justify the final product as Turn 10 did two iteration on HD gen console so far and Forza 3 will be likely a year old when finally get compared with GT?!

    Come on and give us proper head to head racing between the two rather than just one sided with other one in the garage locker!

  • Sniper_007 #14 2 years ago

    Forza 3 is an incredible game, and each day Gran Turismo is delayed the more I start to realise that I really don't need to dust off that Playstation 3..... I've even consigned my Driving Force Pro wheel to the shelf and attached the MS Wheel to my chair so it will take a lot to change my mind now!!

  • Tallon4 #15 2 years ago

    Forza 3 is great to drive, but... the graphics can't touch GT. They don't even come close.
    Doesn't meanForza isn't a great game, but the phrase 'Forza continues to define racing' is fubar

  • marty_k #16 2 years ago

    Found GRID more engaging than both Forza3 and GT5P ;]

  • andijames #17 2 years ago

    @Sniper_007

    With a username like that i would presume you played more than just racing games. There's plenty of excellent games on both platforms that aren't racers to make sure they're not consigned to the dust cover.

  • bmxbandit #18 2 years ago

    The thing that gets me most annoyed about Microsoft is they had the jewel in the crown (PGR) but were pigheaded enough to lose it ... now they try and sell Forza for all it's worth, but christ ... when a game developer trolls internet forums, what does that really say about them? The Forza guys are the worst wannabes this side of ... well ... ?

  • JahB #19 2 years ago

    @Tallon

    how is that fubar? it's the highest rated racing game this gen yet, so while it's definitely marketing speech, it's somewhat true. at least until GT is finally released and the two can be compared directly.

  • funkateer #20 2 years ago

    It's a cheap shot, but well deserved

  • metalmike25 #21 2 years ago

    Hilarious stuff but he should probably stick to presenting property shows

  • BigE0n #22 2 years ago

    @metalmike25

    V Good that did make me LOL, to my horror as everyone in my Office stared at me ;-)

  • Murton #23 2 years ago

    Who is Phil Spencer? and once again we have a case of Microsoft commenting on the colour of the kettles, where's Alan Wake again? You know, that game that was announced a whole year before GT5?

    I also don't think it's right to say that Forza defines the racing genre. It may define racing on the 360 where its only real competition is Need for Speed and GRID, but the genre as a whole including all platforms? The racing genre is defined by Gran Turismo and has been since the first one on the PSX. Love it or hate it, GT5 is without a doubt the most anticipate racing game to date, all eyes will on it when it finally releases this year and a lot naysayers will be silenced when the time comes.

  • metalmike25 #24 2 years ago

    @BigEon,

    Haha glad to get you in trouble!!

    I heard that Kirsty is more of a need for speed fan

  • ybfelix #25 2 years ago

    Any native English speaker please inform me what's a "Chinese rather than third-degree" burn?

  • OnlyMe #26 2 years ago

    "Forza continues to define the racing genre" obviously means "since GT5 isn't out yet, Forza 3 will be able to breathe for a while longer".

  • Petulant_Radish #27 2 years ago

    A Chinese burn is when you twist your hands in opposite directions whilst they are clamped on someones wrists, creating a friction and tension burning sensation on the arm that can be quite painful. It's quite prevalent in primary school playgrounds alongside noogies and giving people the lurgy. Though that can't happen if you have veinies.

  • MontyBrewster #28 2 years ago

    "I think Forza continues to define the racing genre,"

    Oh really, i'll stick to iracing thanks.

  • Sniper_007 #29 2 years ago

    @andijames

    It's a fair comment, and I do. My choices are co-op and racing, unfortunately no game has managed both to my recollection which is a shame!! Loving Mass Effect at the moment though, which has nothing to do with this thread so I'll move on... lol :)

  • TheWretched #30 2 years ago

    Yup... Forza is "the only game shipped"... Prologue was NEVER released... it was burned into our minds by REKALL!!

  • coolbritannia #31 2 years ago

    Better than RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDGE RACER!

  • Miths #32 2 years ago

    After I managed to get my G25 hooked up to my PC last week, I've suddenly started missing GT5 quite a bit less (though I'm certainly still looking forward to it).
    Well, gotta run - I've got a scheduled iRacing race to attend to in four minutes :). And I'm planning on taking the R8 around the Nordschleife later tonight in GTR Evolution.

  • ChesterPTR #33 2 years ago

    I think he is just covering ground for Microsoft before GT5 is released cause they are AFRAID.
    What do you expect him to say? Too bad he did not attach to this article screenshot of his wet pants...

  • whoslotte #34 2 years ago

    No... iRacing continues to define racing.

  • Felwyn #35 2 years ago

    - Deformation for every car in the game although race cars will see even more damage
    - 1,000+ vehicles, all with modeled interiors
    - Up to 16 players online
    - Indy and NASCAR cars and tracks will be included
    - Head tracking is reconfirmed and it's for use during racing
    - Multi display is back (using 3 PS3's for a wider view)
    - HD uploads to YouTube
    - Weather
    - Night racing for all tracks
    - All cars will have cockpit view (the 170 premium are the ones on which the interior will also damage - the rest only external damage)
    - Night & Day cycle and weather effects on all tracks
    - Damage (visual and mechanical)

    I'd say these are pretty good reasons to wait a bit longer...

  • Inflatable #36 2 years ago

    FM3 is a great racing game, and with GT5 being delayed over and over MS is probably right there is no compatition for FM3 atm.. But I have 1 big issue with FM3, and that is how they handeled the online MP part of it.. With the removal of public custom lobbies and the introduction of a socalled hopper matchmaking system they pretty much ruined the fun for me.. As a result I never play FM3 anymore, which is pretty sad since it's a good game overall, but it just sucks I cannot play it the way I want online.. Bad move by MS..
    Edited by 1 at 20/01/10 @ 20:31

  • Buran #37 2 years ago

    Forza 3 was a good game, but sales were a flop.
    Edited by 1 at 20/01/10 @ 21:21

  • aphexstwin #38 2 years ago

    i was very disappointed to hear the japanese delay. because it probably will filter to other regions. but i will still be getting it, my dfgt is still working hard on gt4/5p, and the dfgt pisses all over borza's ms wheel haptics.

    just get the fucking game out already!

  • Miths #39 2 years ago

    @aphexstwin

    In all fairness though, while the lack of support for Logitech wheels on the 360 is pretty inexcusable - considering they have so many popular models in pretty much all price ranges - I hear the Fanatec wheels work with that console, and their models supposedly rival the Logitech G25 and G27 (some reviews even argue that the Fanatec wheels are slightly better in some areas).

  • BartonFink #40 2 years ago

    Buran wrote:
    Forza 3 was a good game, but sales were a flop.

    Err it's still at number 9 in the All formats charts and has been in the top 11 since October 24th. Some sales flop that is.

  • Buran #41 2 years ago

    @BartonFink: still less than 2 millions, what king of genre king is that? Come on, even Halo Wars -that was also another flop- did it better.

  • aphexstwin #42 2 years ago

    @miths - true, the fanatec porsche wheels can be used cross platform but theyre just too pricey. the ms wheel was a rip off at the 80 quid i paid for it 2 years ago, i paid 61 for the dfgt around 8 months ago, and i consider that to be miles better value. i have many serious issues with the ms wheel, build quality and table clamp being two, and i really hate it when someone (who are, of course, allowed to voice their own opinion) who claims that forza 2/3 is the second coming with the ms wheel, when its just not

  • RedPanda #43 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 14:31:59 28-01-2012

  • seanthejackal #44 2 years ago

    @hammerhead666 lol just lol

  • funkateer #45 2 years ago

    "The A.I. can be very challenging in Forza 3, especially compared to Gran Turismo - so GT5 will be the better looking game but will it be as competitive? Looks don't make a great racing game - if we get the same procession A.I. in GT5 as we have in every other GT it will be a disappointment!"

    I see the A.I. in racing games like the Modern Warfare campaign: In the end it's all about the online racing experience, which no AI can replicate.

  • electrolite #46 2 years ago

    To be fair,and I don't care about either,he's got a point

  • BillyBrush #47 2 years ago

    Cheap shot

    If you'd shipped 3 forza games (the whole series) since the last console GT game though....(or the other way round, if that was the case), you'd make the same cheap shot though would you not (erm, assuming you're Phil...someone).

    Number 3 aslo, does have that something that Nr 2 and 1 just didn't have...it is something special, so he should be bigging it up...but perhaps not right after firing off a cheap shot or two.

    GT will do well because playstation fans (anthony daniels - you getting it?) will buy regardless, it's a 1st party exclusive and those are very well supported by PS fans (in the way Halo is). Forza team have some of that effect no doubt, but have done well to grow it too, because....that effect doesn't spread so much to all 1st party games on xbox (in my own opinion anyway, the heavy rain effect let's call it).

  • M_of_the_sys #48 2 years ago

    GT will do well because playstation fans (anthony daniels - you getting it?) will buy regardless, it's a 1st party exclusive and those are very well supported by PS fans (in the way Halo is).

    Nothing to do with it's track record then?

    that effect doesn't spread so much to all 1st party games on xbox (in my own opinion anyway, the heavy rain effect let's call it).

    Heavy Rain effect? A game that's trying something kind of new appealing to people who are tired of the same regurgitated shit being released?

    You forgot to have a stab at Uncharted 2 and The Last Guardian.

  • BillyBrush #49 2 years ago

    @M of the S
    I wouldn't have a dig at Last Guardian buddy, Fumito Ueda is the very best Sony 1st party have, and has made two of the finest games on PS2...not the one to pick for a stone throw is it.

    GT - to do with it's track record - yea, that's a fair comment, but it's closeness to the platform is also significant in it's continued ability to keep interest going for 5 or 6 years...i think.

    And heavy rain, fair dig too, Farenheit wasn't that good (no track record), Cage basically makes a film with a layer of interactivity sprinkled on top...so...i think it's exclusivity is helping it, no doubt. Same re MAG, that'll sell similar to Bad Company 2 on PS won't it...is it as good? (Maybe, i don't know, just having a ramble)

  • BillyBrush #50 2 years ago

    ...I do realise this factor isn't 'exclusive' (wahey!) to PS exclusives, just that it's perhaps more of a factor?...is that fair?....maybe it's because some of the IP's like GT have been around a long time, we all love a long running IP, look at Mazza

  • M_of_the_sys #51 2 years ago

    @BillyBrush

    I'm not denying that there are people who will be hyped about a game because it's an exclusive. Hell, I could pick a few people off this site that would do that. Suggesting that it will do well because of this though is a bit off in my opinion. Until GT4, it was the simulator that people wanted because it was good. I can't say I was overly impressed with GT5P myself.

    As far as Heavy Rain goes, their track record is a little shaky but I think this is due to them bringing out something different and possibly applying the wrong mechanics. I loved The Nomad Soul but kept dying at the shooty bits as I couldn't use a keyboard. I loved the idea though and totally didn't expect to be jumping into other bodies when I died.

    Fahrenheit was something new too. The kind of game I was looking for what with the mystery and I personally liked the mechanics but I can understand how it can be hit and miss with a lot of people. This is probably why people are tentative about Heavy Rain - that and their dislike for QTE's.
    I don't really have a problem with a movie that has interactivty sprinkled on top as long as it's enjoyable.

    And as for MAG, again hit and miss. I loved it from the get go. With the right mindset of working as a team (and being on a team with the same mindset) the game is excellent. A lot of people hate the game until they're in said scenario and then something just clicks. I've seen a lot of people go from hate to love with this game. So the graphics aren't super but the gameplays is fun. It depends what you're looking for.

    Anyway, that all has nothing to do with GT5. I'm not a great fan of the GT series myself as racing games aren't exactly my thing but having recently got my internet connection back, I tried the time trial demo and was strangely hooked at trying to beat my shadowcar. It just... played well for me. At 219MB I'm guessing we just got a fraction of what's to come.

  • BillyBrush #52 2 years ago

    ...It should be good, this guy's dig..is fair...mine...less so (but then i do luuurve me some 360)

    Being exclusive definately changes my buying patterns a bit (going to give splinter cell a shot, and via no logic at all the fact that it's hexclusive makes me want it a little more). And i certainly think the diehard Sony fans out there really support their 1st party games in a bigger way (which is good for them really). teh rain and teh mag could both be really really good, granted, but they look the weaker in the bunch to me (whereas last guardian looks aces).

    And this effect...even given track records, is probably biggest in GT5....people who otherwise would not care at all for Sim racing will be buying it (as evidenced by how little games like Race Pro shift compared to the exclusive ones, there's a small market for sims 3rd party wise)

  • jambo74 #53 2 years ago

    Hey Phil Spencer - where is your companies much touted WinFS for Windows Vista / 7?

  • secombe #54 2 years ago

    I see the A.I. in racing games like the Modern Warfare campaign: In the end it's all about the online racing experience, which no AI can replicate.

    That may be, but considering how long the series has been developed in the 'offline' world, you think they would have nailed it by now anyway. Simbin can do it better on a minute budget.

    Same goes for the mechanics/physics/handling, when a game like Race Pro can come along and make certain aspects of GT look painfully amateur (I do appreciate that Race Pro has - in other guises - been developed over the years), you do wonder what PD have been up to aside from modelling cars for the past 14 years.