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Gran Turismo producer flatters -- PS3 blushes, overheats
A new site has opened up in Japan called PlayBeyond. Think of it as a site for the PS3, where some of the biggest game talents have lengthy interviews about the new console and pretty much flatter the heck out of it. While IGN did a good job of summing up the interview with Gran Turismo producer Kazunori Yamauchi, we can at least tell you what each nine-minute segment is about. Graphics (resolution jump, HD) will surprise gamers with finished products Real life physics can be worked into games, along with hundreds of bystanders watching a race Online network or networking... will turn into something new the whole world can understand and get in on Viewable distance -- able to see hundreds of meters ahead in a race now instead of thirty or so Gran Turismo will change and evolve, sending new car data across the network almost daily Not only able to race against others over the network, a community of sorts will form PS3 as a television revolution, changing what is meant when we ask "what's on tv?" Games and movies are on equal ground with the PS3 -- no more excuses of "it's just a game"... finer details and programming are necessary. (So this weeds out the shoddy games? Hmm.) Yamauchi closes by saying he wishes to change the world with his games and the PS3 is the tool to cause such a revolution Wow! Now that's flattery. We'll have to see how Gran Turismo's latest incarnation turns out and if any of these points are realized. Surely some will, but a revolution? Wasn't there another system claiming to be a "Revolution"? That's different, but hey. Check out the story on IGN if you want a little more detail on any of the points, though there's not too much else to scrape from it unless you understand Japanese and watch the PlayBeyond interview.
Best Buy steals your money with GT4 preorder
Over-enthusiastic fanboy-reader buzaw0nk saw pre-orders for Gran Turismo Mobile available at BestBuy.com and rushed to secure his copy. I mean, it comes out November 1st! And at $40, it doesn't seem like too bad of a deal, right?Wrong. It appears that Best Buy just wants your pre-order deposit. Gamestop.com doesn't have the game in their database and neither does amazon.com. The last time Sony even spoke about Gran Turismo for PSP was in January, when they "delayed" the game. To make matters worse, the game doesn't even appear on the (admittedly incomplete) TGS showing they have planned.buzaw0nk, just cancel your pre-order before Best Buy steals your money for good. I'm guessing this game (if it ever comes) won't come out for a very long time.
New PGR3 content hits Xbox Live Marketplace
Lifting their foot slightly from the pedal and instead concentrating on all things cosmetic and shiny, Bizarre Creations have finished putting together the Style Pack for Project Gotham Racing 3. As reported last month, the download contains 12 new beautifully shaped hunks of metal, fit for driving around the streets of London and gazing at for embarrassing amounts of time. Unlike last month, however, the pack is available for download right now. In case you didn't get it the first time, here's the list of included vehicles, available for 60 MS points ($0.75) seperately or 400 MS points ($5) as a group. BMW M6 (2006) BMW Z8 (2001) BMW M3 CSL (2003) BMW MINI COOPER S (2005) Gumpert Apollo Coupe 4.2 V8 (2005) 2005 Chrysler® Firepower Concept Ferrari 365 GTB4 "Daytona" (1968) Ferrari F430 Challenge (2006) Mercedes CLK DTM AMG (C209) Pagani Zonda F (2005) RUF R.K. Spyder 3.8 (2006) [Note: This one's free!] Vanwall GPR V12 (2006) In addition, you'll be prompted to update the game once you log on and be pleased to welcome some new (and way overdue) features. It's finally possible to upload the stunningly artistic or hopelessly amateurish images you've created in the game's photo mode to the official PGR3 website. It doesn't seem to be fully operational yet, but there is likely a very large tantrum in store should that not change in the near future.New multiplayer game modes come in the form of "Free Roam Points," "Team Free Roam Points" and a series favorite, "Cat and Mouse." The rules of the latter mode dictate that teams comprised of two cars each, one being an E-class vehicle, compete to have their slower car be the first to cross the finish line. If the other, faster car crosses the line first, the team loses instantly. The update also adds matching achievements should you need any further incentive to venture online.[Thanks Xbudd!]Previously: More cars pull into PGR3's garage Cadillac secures Xbox Live ad space Forza 2 jacks PGR3 technology
Forza 2 jacks PGR3 technology
As much as we'd like to envision Microsoft programmers bursting into the UK offices of Bizarre Games, waving oversized pistols around and demanding that employees dump their precious code onto an external hard drive, the word "sharing" is the one used to describe the technology deal between the Project Gotham Racing 3 developer and the Forza Motorsport 2 team. In an Xbox World Australia love letter interview, lead designer Dan Greenawalt explains that the upcoming Xbox 360 racing sim will include an online TV mode, much like the one found in PGR3. "In Forza Motorsport 2, you won't just be watching a bunch of Ferraris racing together. You'll be watching completely customized Ferraris racing in a simulation environment. The personality of the driver emerges in Forza Motorsport TV. Paint schemes and physics mastery add to the excitement and diversity of the 'telecasts'." Exciting news, certainly if you've discovered that watching is the best part of playing a game.All joking aside, it is heartening to see PGR3's solid online implementation finding its way into another flagship franchise. Greenawalt goes on to highlight the game's 60 frames-per-second graphical glory, its more nuanced Drivatar AI system and a photo mode that -- get this -- may allow you to share your virtual snaps with friends. Let's hope Microsoft remembers to share that marvelous technology with the Project Gotham team. Well, maybe not all joking then.[Via Eurogamer]
Putting virtual driving skills to the test
Jeremy Clarkson from the BBC's Top Gear programme recently put his hard-won Gran Turismo 4 driving skills to the test in California on "the most fearsome track in North America", Laguna Seca. Driving the same car in-game and for real -- a Honda NSX -- Jeremy tried to match his GT4 time on the real raceway, with surprising results.This video clip catalogues his adventures, and is sobering viewing for anyone who thinks that excelling at PGR3 or GT makes you a top-notch race driver. The Top Gear episode is repeated on BBC2 at 7pm on New Year's Day for UK viewers.Choice quote: "That's not a corner on the PlayStation!" [Thanks, dutchhenk]
