Yamauchi: GT5 not using all PS3's power

By Robert Purchese Published 14 January, 2010

And Polyphony boss dreads release.

Polyphony Digital boss Kazunori Yamauchi has declared that Gran Turismo 5 doesn't use all of the PlayStation 3's power.

Talking to VentureBeat (via VG247), Yamauchi said the racing game uses 80 per cent of the machine's grunt - about the same as Uncharted 2.

"The PS3 hardware has a very high peak performance. The better you manipulate it, the better it performs," Yamauchi explained.

Perhaps that's why Gran Turismo 5 - recently delayed yet again - has taken so long to appear.

"This one has taken five years. Nothing is getting easier or less expensive," he added.

Unlike in the old days, Polyphony now requires hundreds of people to make a game, as 500 polygons per car has rocketed up to around 500,000. The studio today has 140 staff, whereas Yamauchi recalled the first Gran Turismo being made by 15 people.

"Before, you could wake up one morning and have a good idea. You could see it implemented in some form by the evening. Now, if you have a good idea, it may be two or three years later before you see the result," he said.

You'd think that after all that time Yamauchi would be looking forward to release. You'd be wrong of course.

"Every time it's the same for me," he offered. "I am usually pretty frustrated when a version comes out. Right after the release, I think we should have done this or should have done that. A game release is not a very happy time for me. When a new title comes out, I look to the next one to fix it."

Gran Turismo 5 will be released sometime this year. No one knows when.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (71) Latest comment 2 years ago

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

  • DDevil #1 2 years ago

    GT5 doesn't use all of the PS3's power... Not that we'll ever know at this rate!

  • Skooch #2 2 years ago

    Boss of studio making PS3 exclusive title talks up power of PS3 shocker!

  • Bahumet #3 2 years ago

    GT5 will be released sometime this millenium...no one knows when.

  • robg #4 2 years ago

    Yamuchi already talking up 2019 release of GT6?

  • gav_and_the_gavster #5 2 years ago

    looked more like 79.577846% to me, but I'll take his word for it.

  • Skooch #6 2 years ago

    Polyphony president prattles persistently per PS3's processing power.

  • coolbritannia #7 2 years ago

    Maybe if they had used all the PS3's power, it would have been released already.

  • cianchristopher #8 2 years ago

    Take another year or two, guys!

    Really, make it shine...

  • tachometer #9 2 years ago

    Imagine if he was making this game for XBOX, do you think anyone would put up with his schtick?

  • dominalien #10 2 years ago

    The man has issues.

  • PearOfAnguish #11 2 years ago

    They're still making this? I thought it was released already.

  • Beano #12 2 years ago

    More hot air from Yamauch.

  • Anthony_UK #13 2 years ago

    I've become quite fond of my PS3 of late, but for some reason GT now just leaves me cold? Forza 3 stole its thunder? people just tired of waiting? I really don't know, but after being burnt by prologue, it'll have to offer alot more than fancy graphics!

  • Jay-ITFC #14 2 years ago

    With the development time and hype this game has been given, surely it should be the best PS3 game out there and utilise every inch of the PS3's power!? Telling me you are only using about 80% of the console capability is a kick in the balls to the consumer.

  • El-Dev #15 2 years ago

    "Imagine if he was making this game for XBOX, do you think anyone would put up with his schtick?"

    Someone should ask Remedy.

  • telboy007 #16 2 years ago

    @Skooch - I like your alliteration. Have a +1 :)

  • Prodigy_BE #17 2 years ago

    That bloke is so full of crap.

    get your A.I., your car damage and your amount of cars on track sorted instead of whining about how awful releases are for you, you birdbrain.

  • photoboy #18 2 years ago

    Yamauchi's attitude towards finishing his game reminds me of Leonardo's DaVinci's famous saying: "Art is never finished, just abandoned".

    I think this is the real reason GT5 has taken so long, Yamauchi is always tinkering and tweaking and isn't ready to declare it finished until he thinks it's perfect. He really needs someone above him to overrule him and decide when the game is good enough, otherwise it will become like Duke Nukem Forever. I'm not advocating the game be kicked out the door half finished, but I do think someone needs to keep Yamauchi's ambition in check so they can get a game out in a reasonable amount of time.

  • Eighthours #19 2 years ago

    Polyphony Digital boss Kazunori Yamauchi has declared that Gran Turismo 5 doesn't use all of the PlayStation 3's power.

    I've played the Time Trial demo, so I believe him!

  • bad09 #20 2 years ago

    "A game release is not a very happy time for me."

    Bloody lucky for you it don't happen often at Polyphony Digital then Yamauchi!

  • LOLLERS #21 2 years ago

    "Now, if you have a good idea, it may be two or three years later before you see the result,"

    You're doing it wrong.

  • zabeu #22 2 years ago

    +1 photoboy - too bad they moved Mr Yamauchi so far up the pecking order at Sony there's nobody left to kick him into focussing on what the customers want (and release it already).

  • Beano #23 2 years ago

    "Before, you could wake up one morning and have a good idea. You could see it implemented in some form by the evening. Now, if you have a good idea, it may be two or three years later before you see the result," he said.


    ...maybe your company just needs better management?

  • Caimbeul #24 2 years ago

    "Kazunori Yamauchi has declared that Gran Turismo 5 doesn't use all of the PlayStation 3's power" - Erm, so why does it tear then??

    "With the development time and hype this game has been given, surely it should be the best PS3 game out there and utilise every inch of the PS3's power!? Telling me you are only using about 80% of the console capability is a kick in the balls to the consumer." - Especially after such a bloody long wait....Duke, I mean Gran Tourismo Forever?

  • Caimbeul #25 2 years ago

    from gtplanet.net:
    When asked about skidmarks and in-game weather changes, Yamauchi downplayed them:

    “I’m hoping our players won’t be caught up with minor details. If they pick at every little thing, nobody will be satisfied. It’s the overall evolution that will impress. Skidmarks should be of no concern."

    I think details do matter in a racing game...I am always worried about skidmarks though.
    Edited by 1 at 14/01/10 @ 17:47

  • berelain #26 2 years ago

    "Every time it's the same for me," he offered. "I am usually pretty frustrated when a version comes out. Right after the release, I think we should have done this or should have done that. A game release is not a very happy time for me. When a new title comes out, I look to the next one to fix it."

    And yet, after 4 games, Polyphony STILL can't program AI that doesn't involve barellimg along the exact same preset routes every time or work out how to structure an interesting career mode. Forza 3 is leaps and bounds ahead of GT5 in terms of features and mechanics, and by the time GT5 actually comes out Forza 3 will probably have about the same number of cars available (through DLC) as well. Polyphony need to get their act together; GT5 has long since turned into a joke, and with Prologue and the recent Time Trial demo lacklustre, and the PSP Gran Turismo devoid of career mode, Polyphony have a lot of ground to make up.

  • MiniAmin #27 2 years ago

    Ignore him. I have inside information from a source at Sony: the only thing that could use 80% of the PS3's power is the Large Hadron Collider.

  • Skurmedel #28 2 years ago

    "When a new title comes out, I look to the next one to fix it."... good thing he knows how to plan years ahead.

  • Widge #29 2 years ago

    I agree, Forza 3 is light years ahead of the game that hasn't been released and you've not played

  • des #30 2 years ago

    "I’m hoping our players won’t be caught up with minor details. If they pick at every little thing, nobody will be satisfied. It’s the overall evolution that will impress. Skidmarks should be of no concern."
    Minor details like track detail maybe?People should use their imagination instead maybe?...lolz

  • drumbaby #31 2 years ago

    "Imagine if he was making this game for XBOX, do you think anyone would put up with his schtick? "

    Do you mean Microsoft, or Xbox 360 users? If the former...why are they harder taskmasters than Sony? If the latter, what makes a 360 owner more impatient than a PS3 owner?

  • GreyBeard #32 2 years ago

    If more time makes for a better product, and it never hurts, I say take as much time as you feel you need.

    That goes for Polyphony, Team Ico, Remedy, or Ubi Montreal (SC:Conviction was supposed to be released Nov 2007 remember).

    Moaning about release dates is asinine.

  • JahB #33 2 years ago

    Moaning about release dates is asinine.

    so is upsetting a fanbase with yet another delay and then telling them it's because you have OCD.

  • darc #34 2 years ago

    I too was a little disappointed by the GT5 demo. After all the hype, I expected it to at least *look* the business, but even the graphics didn't manage to wow me. Besides which, I prefer the XBox controller for racing, and I like coming off the line from a dead stop in a pack of cars. Getting fed into a race at pacecar velocity just feels weird to me.

  • Bennicus #35 2 years ago

    Translation: The PS3 is a pain in the arse to program, we've been working on it for 5 years and are still only able to get around 80% efficiency.

  • GreyBeard #36 2 years ago

    so is upsetting a fanbase with yet another delay and then telling them it's because you have OCD.

    I think a fan's wishes and interests would be better served by taking the time to get it right, rather than delivering a part-finished version and iterating on it over time. Most likely at a premium to the customer.

  • freakzilla #37 2 years ago

    After the recent delay I'd hide from the limelight for a bit. What does he do? The complete opposite.

  • stevetuck #38 2 years ago

    GTZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz *snore*

  • dfish #39 2 years ago

    from the recent digitalfoundry 3d article it seems they're leaving headroom for stereoscopic 3d(720p120fps).

  • MattyD #40 2 years ago

    Power of the cell, etc etc. How very tiresome.

  • rodpad #41 2 years ago

    It's a fucking racing game for god sake.

  • dfish #42 2 years ago

    if you read the interview yamauchi is pressed about the percentage performance: he is not bragging about it.
    secondly he is spoon fed the 80% figure in the question and just confirms it. Its an odd interview even by yamauchi standards and he looks sleep deprived in the accompanying photo, He sounds like a man under pressure as well he should be.

  • yagisencho #43 2 years ago

    @rodpad If GT4 is anything to go by, it's everything *but* a racing game. "The real driving simulator" is just that - an algorithmic representation of driving cars with particular specs along texture mapped courses. Polyphony Digital make high quality software, but I would never call their products 'racing games'. And that's why I sold my copy of GT4 after a few weeks' use. If I want to *drive* a car, I'll step out to my garage.

  • milky_09 #44 2 years ago

    what i find funny is everyone is so friggin quick to jump on the bandwagon. granted im a bit miffed but its hardly the end of the world. ps3 has more exclusives thatll tide me over until gt5 drops.

    mag.
    heavy rain.
    gow3.
    modnation racers.

    and a good handful more.

    and all the comparisons to forza are pretty pointless. forza hasnt exactly blown the world away has it? i mean its not like u hear xbox owners screaming from the rooftops hailing it as the second coming.

    dont get me wrong i played forza 3 demo and have the say i was really impressed with the physics. but gt5 s dynamics are awesome too.

  • El-Dev #45 2 years ago

    Forza 3 is good, ergo Gran Turismo 5 will be shit.
    Edited by 1 at 14/01/10 @ 20:31

  • jerrymanu #46 2 years ago

    Comments needs more trolls

  • Arwin #47 2 years ago

    Now instead of looking to the next version to fix it, maybe he can look to patches and dlc to fix it. ;)

  • JamieR #48 2 years ago

    After playing the demo i can believe it don't use all the ps3 power but its about the same as uncharted 2? I remember it was sead uncharted 2 used all the power how has that gone down to just 4 / 5 of the power but I didn't believe the claims for uncharted 1 what was it 40 or 60 for the first uncharted and the second one was far better. I am not been impressed by what I've seen of GT5 but its Gran Turismo it should be good should be...

  • man.the.king #49 2 years ago

    @Yamauchi's comment: "I am usually pretty frustrated when a version comes out. Right after the release, I think we should have done this or should have done that. A game release is not a very happy time for me."

    I think PD's boss is going through the same symptoms that caused DNF's George Broussard to bring 3D Realms down-NSFW (although PD, supported by Sony, is hardly in the same financial sinking boat)
    Edited by 1 at 14/01/10 @ 22:03

  • VMerken #50 2 years ago

    Well, considering the development time Naughty Dog needed to churn out an "80% power game" in the form of Uncharted 2, and considering GT5 has been under development since before the PS3's launch, simple extrapolatory logic dictates that the finished GT5, if and when it comes out, will use at least 400% of the PS3's power.

  • sfp_noodle #51 2 years ago

    who gives a shit hw much power it uses? race driver grid probably used less than 50% of both consoles power but it looked sweet and is a fucking awesome RACING game. yes, even better than forza 3. quite frankly, id be far more interested in a grid sequal than another gt or forza game.

  • UKwoods #52 2 years ago

    If it's true this game only uses 80% of the PS3s power, then you have to ask why? I'm sure they used all the power at their disposal. What a stupid thing to say.

  • Emmit_Assassin #53 2 years ago

    Fook Forza2 and 3, fook Grid, fook Dirt2, fook GT5. GT2 was and always will be the daddy for me. I sat for almost an hour trying to get the Pikes Peak to go round the oval a half a second quicker than it was. I spent about the same amount of time on GT4 in total. I love Grid, Dirt2 and Forza2 (have yet to sample Forza3, its on my list!) but none have come close to GT2's huge scale, obsessive, automotive beauty. IMHO anyway.

    Sorry...what was the question again?
    Edited by 1 at 14/01/10 @ 22:51

  • byakuya83 #54 2 years ago

    Well, I've no reason to believe Yamauchi is lying about the 80% power comment. Not sure why so many people here seem to suggest he is being dishonest. Also, how about waiting until GT5 is released before comparing it to Forza 3, only then would comparisons actually have any merit.

  • betrayerofhope #55 2 years ago

    holy shit. nothing brings out trolls quicker than a gran turismo story. what's with this game and the absolute hatred it gathers from eurogamer readers. i mean we all know 90 percent of eurogamer readers are xbox fanboys but you would be hard pressed to find one single GT article without trolls swarming in like a beehive.

    I guess GT still makes certain sections of fanboy industry a bit nervous and insecure.

  • sfp_noodle #56 2 years ago

    ^^ personally, i love the GT series, but when developers willy wave about a game tht has been in development for over 5 years u cnt hep but feel aggrieved. ive no reason to believe as of yet tht it wont be epic when its finally released in 2020, but as it stands today, with the racing games tht ARE RELEASED, race driver grid is as fun as it gets. followed closely bu burnout paradise

  • bemaniac #57 2 years ago

    The timetrial wasn't too good to be honest I've seen better looking racing games. If the career mode in this is like GT2 I'll be happy tho I loved the limitless possibilities provided by what seemed an unlimited sea of cars and events. Or was I just 14 when that came out in Japan and easily excited.

  • Skywise #58 2 years ago

    I hope my PS 4 can play GT 5 when it arrives

  • Slipstream #59 2 years ago

    Actually, I have difficulty playing other games for over five minutes. A lot of the low-level quality just stands out so much in other games that I can't stand them!

    I'll never forget that little statement Yamauchi, a pity then that this is how I felt after playing that time trial run.
    I truly hope your final product is of higher quality than that.

  • dfish #60 2 years ago

    they arent purposefully using 80% they can't because they havent worked out how! Even Killzone never broke 60%(spu), if they (guerilla) did push their engine by upping assets the framerate took a dive. Its about having efficient code. At a late stage of development its too late to fix.

  • Shakey_Jake33 #61 2 years ago

    I find it difficult to really critisise a guy for simply being passionate - this is a guy who wants to do a good job, rather than simply pushing something out of the door for maximum profit.

    But this is also an example of why studios need to plan beforehand what objectives they want to achieve in a project, and what should be saved for another time.

  • SL33PY #62 2 years ago

    One side of me is anxiously awaiting to see games that use the PS3 to it's fullest potential

    The other one is afraid it will have to spend another 600€ by the time they get there for the PS4

  • Ryze #63 2 years ago

    NOT ENOUGH RAM.

  • duckncover #64 2 years ago

    Glad to see all the haters packing themselves on the back again. I've never read such rubbish comments in all my life, talking about how Forza 3 is so much better than a game that has neither been released or reviewed. Many of you already know that the so-called demo was nothing of the sort, it was a special version created for this Nissan competition thing, using the Prologue engine, with some GT5 assets. But don't let fact get in the way of making a comment that supports your preconceived ideas, keeping an open mind might just shatter your world.

  • fknetwork #65 2 years ago

    duckncover, your a TOOL

  • IkariW #66 2 years ago

    80%....100% who cares?! I don't buy games because of a CPU usage rating, I buy them because they are good.
    And theres no doubt that previous GT's have been d@mn good.

    I'm sure it will be a good game regardless of power usage, they know how to put together a decent driving game.
    And lets not confuse 'Game' with 'Simulator' here... its a game and barely touches upon the real skill of driving these cars.
    To me, the fear of dying in a ball of fire will affect the way you drive a car around a circuit, and obviously no game can simulate that! its one of the main parts of a persons ability to drive a car fast...in my opinion.

    Only a few games have come close to being a simulations GC's Grandprix 2-3-4, Papyrus Indy Car, and Grand Prix Legends, oh and maybe Simbins GTR series....

    Although, Live for Speed 2 on the PC has better driving physics than any console 'Simulation'.... Although I will say Forza 3 is the closest to any of these for actual driving enjoyment, especially with a clutch.

    So, yes it will be a good game, and yes in maybe does only use 80% on the CPU within the PS3. But then, 4-5 years in Dev... you've got to ask yourself the question, Why say something like this?
    If a Dev like Poly can't get 100% out of a machine when you know for a fact Sony will be bending over backwards to help them unlike other Devs why not max out the console?

    A better way of putting it would have been "Polyphony are using 100% of their development ability to push the PS3 as far as THEY can"

    Every console has limits... but the expertise and knowledge of developers also has limits, and is very variable.

    Enough of this silly tabloid b@lls... please.

    Ikari













    Edited by 1 at 15/01/10 @ 09:14

  • Negotiator #67 2 years ago

    The Sony hype train continues down the track of never-ending bullshit, 80% blah, blah, blah.

  • Caimbeul #68 2 years ago

    "from the recent digitalfoundry 3d article it seems they're leaving headroom for stereoscopic 3d(720p120fps). "

    If that is the case then lets hope that those of us who do not have or use a 3DHDTV that we get a frame rate boost for not using it.

  • Mr_Bogus #69 2 years ago

    It's also getting a new title: Gran Turismo Forever.

  • TRUTH #70 2 years ago

    Dirt 2 still has the best graphics and detail, physical damage...Though to arcade (thanks to the Americanism!)

    Grid still looks great and plays just great, physical damage, AI.

    GT 5 has to have more then 14 cars in view (not using GT boomerang trick - where cars stay behind out of view, and cars are purposely separated by distance rather then AI control), physical damage of Grid & Dirt 2, AI that are not drones as in all previous GT, AI that also put up a fight to race as in Grid, Forza.

    Then GT 5 will be worth the 5+yrs development wait!
    Edited by 1 at 17/01/10 @ 18:10

  • DocktorJ #71 2 years ago

    Surely the fact that Forza has come out since GT4, and been improved upon twice during GT5's development, suggests that Polyphony have delayed again and again just to play catch-up with Forza? Maybe they should abandon GT5 and work on a Forza 3 port.