Ridge Racer 7 details

By Tom Bramwell Published 30 October, 2006

HDD install, SP/MP stuff.

With Ridge Racer 7 now less than two weeks away from release in Japan (yes, I am hyperventilating a bit), comments from producer Hideo Teramoto have shed some more light on hard disk usage and single-player/multiplayer separation.

Speaking to Famitsu PS2, in an article partially translated by IGN, Teramoto said that the game would offer a hard-disk install option, allowing you to store 5GB worth of data on the PlayStation 3's internal drive to speed things up.

As for the separation of single- and multiplayer, there won't be any. Instead, Teramoto says, the money and ranks you accumulate will apply both online and offline. As previously revealed, the game offers 14-player online races, just as the 360 version, which Teramoto also worked on, did - with co-op races as well as other modes.

The game's producer also reportedly said he was very chuffed with the technical side of the game, and reckons that its support for 1080p at 60 frames-per-second and 5.1 surround sound can't be matched on other formats. But, you know, don't get too upset about that. There are more important things in the world.

Ridge Racer 7 will be ready for both for the 11th November Japanese launch and the 17th November American launch of PlayStation 3, and features more than 20 tracks (all of which can be played in reverse) available in the Ridge State Grand Prix mode as well as a Global Time Attack offering a la 360, tweaked nitrous systems, and a lot of customisation options. Sony also plans to offer a downloadable Ridge 7 demo at launch.

For more on the game, check out our Tokyo Game Show impressions, and look out for more hands-on details in the near future.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (42) Latest comment 5 years ago

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

  • Steroyd #1 5 years ago

    /wonders if Ridge Racer 6 on Xbox 360 was at 60FPS

    5GB to install that's about 10 games worth of installation, the PS3 has got to come with a Defragmentor doesn't it?

  • BadBoyBonner #2 5 years ago

    You must be one genius of a driver, you’ve gotta’ teach me!!!!

  • Kengro #3 5 years ago

    5gb install... Well... One of the reasons for me to get consolles is to NEVER have to install a game... Looks like ps3 just can fuc* of*

  • Zero Beat #4 5 years ago

    He should be proud of whoever designed the UI too, lovely bit of graphic design.

  • Zero Beat #5 5 years ago

    And heaven forbid it ask you whether you want to install to HD for quicker loadtimes at startup. It's a real mental challenge choosing between 'yes' and 'no'. XD

  • smoison #6 5 years ago

    "5GB to install that's about 10 games worth of installation, the PS3 has got to come with a Defragmentor doesn't it?"


    Well, if you read the article you would see that's ONE games worth.

    I don't see where you got the magic 5 from.

    Toca Race Driver 3, once installed takes 7 Gb.... is that seven games worth!

  • SeesThroughAll #7 5 years ago

    the PS3 has got to come with a Defragmentor doesn't it?

    Depends on the file system it mounts the hard-drive on. Defragmentors don't make much sense for file systems other than FAT or NTFS.

  • Steroyd #8 5 years ago

    Steroyd or they can create a partition for each game installation.

    don't hear me complaining i just happen to have had a lot of games over the last five years, something like a defragmentor should be in the PS3, i can forsee alot of games i'm going to install/uninstall etc.

    How dare Sony gives me the choice to cut down load times to as little as 4 seconds i condemn them to hell for that. :D

    ***edit***

    Doesn't the PS3 allow Linux on it?

    I'm only concerned becaause of the PC-esque nature the PS3 is.
    Edited by 1 at 30/10/06 @ 10:10

  • mkreku #9 5 years ago

    From the article: The game's producer also reportedly said he was very chuffed with the technical side of the game, and reckons that its support for 1080p at 60 frames-per-second and 5.1 surround sound can't be matched on other formats.

    What an unnecessary thing to add. That is bound to get the blood boiling among the Xbots. Other than that, it sounds very good.

  • ProtoformX #10 5 years ago

    The installation idea could have it's upsides. You could just install whatever game you're currently working through as your "main" game. Then when you complete it you can uninstall it and install the next game you want to work though. The main advantage of consoles over PCs for gaming is the simplicity of it all - drop disk in, switch on, go. If the installation/uninstallation procedure remains relatively as simple, then it could be a good idea. It's not as if you have to install the game to play it and you can always remove it of space gets a little tight.
    I can still see people though who will install ALL their games and then call out for a bigger hard drive because they would rather die than have longer load times.

  • Shinji #11 5 years ago

    The installation thing is EXACTLY what the original Xbox does with its games - it's just that on the PS3, you get the option of what you install and when, rather than having it happen outside your control. The main upside of that is that on the Xbox, if you played five games, the fifth one pushed the install of the first one off the HD (as only four could be installed at once) - on the PS3, you'll get to choose which ones stay on, how many you want, etc., so playing a few games a friend brings over won't knock your regularly played titles off the HD.

  • Dizzy #12 5 years ago

    The original XBox cashes stuff (data) to HD... not "install" (I guess they are implying you can play it off the HDD) like this. The 360 does that as well BTW.

  • Shinji #13 5 years ago

    The original XBox cashes stuff (data) to HD... not "install" (I guess they are implying you can play it off the HDD) like this.

    The only real difference is the wording. Both systems basicallly give the game a chunk of space on the hard disc which they fill up with data to speed up loading times - in both cases, you get a delay when you first "install" that data to the hard drive (notice how many Xbox games have a REALLY long wait the first time you boot them, which is then shorter every subsequent time), then the load delays in game are shorter.

    You won't be able to boot PS3 games off the hard drive - at least not for now. You'll still insert the disc as normal, but a bunch of data will be cached on the drive to speed things up. Genuinely the only difference between this and the Xbox system, aside from the fact that games will be written so that they still work even if this isn't possible, is that you'll have control over what games remain on your disc. To be honest, I'm in two minds about that - part of me feels that it's a level of complexity I'd rather was hidden behind the scenes, really - but either way, it's basically the same system.

  • SeesThroughAll #14 5 years ago

    The game's producer also reportedly said he was very chuffed with the technical side of the game, and reckons that its support for 1080p at 60 frames-per-second and 5.1 surround sound can't be matched on other formats. But, you know, don't get too upset about that. There are more important things in the world.

    Nice one, Tom.

  • Furbs #15 5 years ago

    Good idea, although with the inevitable firmware updates (read: driver updates) and game patching, this whole console/PC convergence thing seems to be getting nearer and nearer in an unforeseen way :)

    Weird how Sony are happy to allow this, but seem very reluctant to all memory stick loading on the PSP. Maybe they're learning. Having all my games run off the HDD with my Xbox makes a massive improvement, way beyond what cache-ing can offer (which was limited to about 500mb anyway). Load times a thing of the past :)

  • Darren #16 5 years ago

    While it's nice to have the option of increased loading times, the fact that a graphically simple game like Ridge Racer 7 uses 5 GBs is a tad worrying because the premium PS3 only has a 60 GB hard drive. If you buy, say, half a dozen games and choose to install them (wholly or partially, whatever) then that would use up 30 GB of space! Sure it's optional but the fact that it is there suggests that there's a noticeable difference in loading times between an installed and uninstalled game otherwise why offer it in the first place? Is this an option because Blu-ray is too slow for loading games? :?

    A better option would be to cache data to the hard drive transparently with a longer initial load like some Xbox games did and without user intervention. That data could then stay there until the cache is full then be wiped, again like the Xbox. I think offering the option to install games is really not what console games are about regardless of whether it only requires you to answer yes or no. If the hard drive is there then it should automatically be used to its fullest.

  • spongebob #17 5 years ago

    I sorta love Tom.

  • peterfll #18 5 years ago

    Sounds like it hasn't been optimised to me if it's going to sling 5gb worth of data to the hard drive under this install feature.

    I'm still waiting for something to blow me away with high resolution textures et al to show all this extra Blu Ray storage is required and give a significant edge over what's currently being achieved with DVD9 and the 360.

    As much as I like RR it doesn't look like this is the game that will do it.

  • Tiger_Walts #19 5 years ago

    /has been doing this with HDLoader/HDAdvance on the PS2 for aaaages

    Three reasons, quicker loading, importing and giving the DVD laser a bit of a rest.

  • Talha #20 5 years ago

    @FluffyTucker: What he means is that RR7's support for surround and HD output can't be matched - because it is not coming on the PC! ;-)

  • TonyBlair #21 5 years ago

    The game's producer also reportedly said he was very chuffed with the technical side of the game, and reckons that its support for 1080p at 60 frames-per-second and 5.1 surround sound can't be matched on other formats. But, you know, don't get too upset about that. There are more important things in the world.

    Like the game which is DOGSHIT and appears at lauch of any new console and soon belongs in the bargain bucket bin

    HDD 1080 5.1 60fps DOGSHIT

  • spongebob #22 5 years ago

    Why is the option for installing to HD a bad thing? And do you people really think that they don't cache stuff if you're not installing on HD? Whatever.

    I am so glad that soon we can start pissing on the real games instead of crapping on the console specs.

  • Xerx3s #23 5 years ago

    With Ridge Racer 7 now less than two weeks away from release in Japan (yes, I am hyperventilating a bit)

    /abandons all hope for an objective review.

    From the article: The game's producer also reportedly said he was very chuffed with the technical side of the game, and reckons that its support for 1080p at 60 frames-per-second and 5.1 surround sound can't be matched on other formats.

    What an unnecessary thing to add. That is bound to get the blood boiling among the Xbots. Other than that, it sounds very good.

    Why would it?

    Have PC's only existed in my head or something? Been running the TOCA games in stupidly high res for years.

    Hush, you don't want to spoil for console gamers what we discovered 6-something years ago. ;)

    I am so glad that soon we can start pissing on the real games instead of crapping on the console specs.

    t3h real next g3n. ;)

  • Darren #24 5 years ago

    @disc - I thought my post was clear enough but obviously not for some...

    All I'm saying is that consoles are designed with ease of use in mind; you slap a game disc in, wait for it to load and then play it. You shouldn't have to be concerned about whether to install it or not. If the hard drive is there then data should be inconspiciously cached to it without the user knowing about it to ensure it's used optimally at all times. This is how it worked on the Xbox and it worked fine.

    If you have to install the game to speed up loading times then that suggests to me that the game doesn't automatically cache to the hard drive at all otherwise why would you need to install it in the first place?

  • Furbs #25 5 years ago

    One thing I'm wondering...Sony say we need BR because of the capacity. If they're going to give us the option of sticking these games which presumably all need massive amounts of data (anything less than 20gb I'd feel short changed!) - its not going to be a very useful feature unless they are expecting many people to run out and buy HUGE hard drives.

  • mkreku #26 5 years ago

    Xerx3s: /abandons all hope for an objective review.

    Good, because it was a news article, not a review of anything ;)

  • The_Programmer #27 5 years ago

    So at 5GB on the hard disk is this an admission that PS3 games will fit on a DVD. If you need to install the game on the HDD does this mean that the Blu ray drive is very slow? Finally, if you can install games on the HDD then is Sony admitting that you don't need a Blu ray drive for gaming.

  • Xerx3s #28 5 years ago

    /bites on a toothstick
    /contemplates

    /returns to sitting on the fence

  • chronom4n #29 5 years ago

    @talha. long time no see. by the way hope you had a happy eid!

  • Feanor #30 5 years ago

    "The installation thing is EXACTLY what the original Xbox does with its games - it's just that on the PS3, you get the option of what you install and when, rather than having it happen outside your control. The main upside of that is that on the Xbox, if you played five games, the fifth one pushed the install of the first one off the HD (as only four could be installed at once) - on the PS3, you'll get to choose which ones stay on, how many you want, etc., so playing a few games a friend brings over won't knock your regularly played titles off the HD."

    In other words, anyone who complains about this feature is a ridiculous MS fanboy or just plain stupid.

  • Feanor #31 5 years ago

    "So at 5GB on the hard disk is this an admission that PS3 games will fit on a DVD. If you need to install the game on the HDD does this mean that the Blu ray drive is very slow? Finally, if you can install games on the HDD then is Sony admitting that you don't need a Blu ray drive for gaming."

    No, because the entire game isn't being installed, just parts of it. The same way parts of Ninja Gaiden Black are sitting on my Xbox right now, but not the whole game.

  • Steroyd #32 5 years ago

    So at 5GB on the hard disk is this an admission that PS3 games will fit on a DVD. If you need to install the game on the HDD does this mean that the Blu ray drive is very slow? Finally, if you can install games on the HDD then is Sony admitting that you don't need a Blu ray drive for gaming.

    What's 5GB of installation got to do with how much disc space a game uses...

    You don't Need to install it.

    Example.
    Genji uninstalled = 14 seconds loading time.
    Genji Installed = 4 seconds loading time.

    You be the judge if Blu-ray is slow.

    What's installing games on the HDD got to do with not needing a to use a disc to play the game, the only bootable games straight from the HDD are ones you download from the Sony Shop.

    Give you props on how to turned that into Blu-ray isn't needed though.

  • Dizzy #33 5 years ago

    How long does it actually take to transfer 5GB from 2xBluray to HDD?

    "No, because the entire game isn't being installed, just parts of it. The same way parts of Ninja Gaiden Black are sitting on my Xbox right now, but not the whole game. "

    Hehe.. everything is installed except the 30GB of prerendered movies!!! Bluray indeed.
    Edited by 2 at 30/10/06 @ 13:46

  • Shinji #34 5 years ago

    They really shouldn't have used the word "install". "Cache" is a much better and more accurate word, and would hopefully have helped them avoid some of the crap being flung about by people who are latching onto the "install" word and not looking into what it actually means.

    It's like when we write 2000 word reviews and then get comments from people who just scrolled to the bottom for the score, and are now spoiling for a fight :)

  • Xerx3s #35 5 years ago

    I seriously doubt that it is an install anyway. Does it unpack all the files to your HDD? I doubt it. Cache would indeed seem like a better word.

  • JediMasterMalik #36 5 years ago

    Dizzy, Resistance doesn't use Pre-rendered movies and it's 16Gb.

    Besides, since when were cgi movies in games a bad thing? Oh yeh since Sony allow more of them...*sigh*

  • doctor__no #37 5 years ago

    1080p at 60fps, wow, that's 60fps at 1920 × 1080 resolution. Astounding.

    RR6 on the 360 had 60fps, but it was at 720p native resolution, which is 1280x720.

  • Dizzy #38 5 years ago

    >Dizzy, Resistance doesn't use Pre-rendered movies and it's 16Gb.

    Please we had this discussion before.... it is bullshit.

  • sharpfish #39 5 years ago

    RR6 on the 360 was 60fps, no tearing, super smooth and slick... absolutely underated game and tonnes of fun. On a HD TV over 32" it's amazing. Of course RR7 should be able to do the same but at more res it's newer! (And I'm sure multi format RR8 will be as good on both systems).

    As for 1080p that is probably sweet @ 60fps but seriously, so few people will be able to view it. Sweet spot is 720p / 1080i which is around 90% of all HDTVs in common use today.

  • SeesThroughAll #40 5 years ago

    Weird how Sony are happy to allow this, but seem very reluctant to all memory stick loading on the PSP. Maybe they're learning.

    But they're not reluctant to memory stick executables, only unsigned executables... But nothing prevents legal code from booting from the memory stick. And for example, Tekken:DR already uses caching in the memory stick.

  • Nobuo #41 5 years ago

    I agree with whomever is saying this should happen transparently. The PS3 should automatically figure out which games I play most and utilize whatever free space is on my hard drive (is this what the Xbox does?). I also don't like this 5GB or nothing mentality, if I have 5GBs or 5MBs to spare I don't see why it couldn't be put to use. Then you wouldn't even need the option because there would be no negative effects AFAICT, since only free space is used and your movies/music/whatever take priority.

    So IMO this whole thing could be handled much nicer. I hope it is taken into consideration with a firmware update or something.
    Edited by 1 at 30/10/06 @ 18:33

  • Furbs #42 5 years ago

    SeesThroughAll - true, but they havent given us an app to let us dump games to the memory stick. No reason why they couldnt, and I'd be quite happy having to use the original UMD to boot it (as an antipiracy method).

    Anyone who has played PES5 from a memstick will tell you how much better it makes the game.

  • Nobuo #43 5 years ago

    "As I stated before the PS3 has several different methods for game caches. This installable gamedata but also a temporary game cache that any game can use when started."

    OK. Any idea why there's the option to install as well though? Shouldn't they behave the same once the data's on the hard drive? Or is the install option essentially just a way of preloading the cache?