La Sony ha rilasciato un nuovo e lunghissimo comunicato stampa
dedicato al prossimo Gran Turismo 4, che tutti gli appassionati di guida della
Playstation 2 attendono ormai da tempo. Se avrete la pazienza di leggerlo tutto,
noterete alcune informazioni interessanti...
In the winter of 1997, the original Gran Turismo changed the history of racing games. This year, Gran Turismo 4 will cause
another revolution to the world of racing games. Gran Turismo was the
pioneer for introducing a new playing style by allowing players to spend
just as much time watching and enjoy replays of their performance
as racing.
#CONTINUE#
Gran Turismo 4's new Director Mode (or B-Spec) is
based on the premise of playing through the replay view angle only. A "Racing
RPG" so to speak, B-Spec = Director Mode introduces the "Gran Turismo
that players don't drive". In B-Spec = Director Mode, the game proceeds
in the replay view point (Broadcast view) from the start of the race.
GT4 includes the traditional experience where players participate
and drive for themselves, referred to as A-spec. But this time,
players will also have the option to be the director or race team manager
of their race, and not have to worry about driving (as B-spec). B-Spec
= Director Mode brings a new experience to racing games, in which players
driving themselves has previously been the standard. In B-spec, players give
directions, taking on the role of a race team manager, giving directions to
their A.I. driver and competing in their races. This mode can be applied to
all of the races available in GT4,and does not standalone as a game mode by
itself. Players can complete
all of the races included in GT Mode by using
B-Spec = Director Mode,without driving themselves at all. Players who had
difficulty in racing can now take the option of carefully preparing their car
for a race, sharing the excellence and exhilarating excitement of racing
in a whole new style of racing games. That is what B-Spec = Director
Mode is all about.
B-Spec = Director Mode Features:
Playing
Screen:
Playing screens will consist of the following, Broadcast view
(replay
view), On-board camera for each car, Race monitor screen. Players
will
make the best use of the three available screens to understand
and
evaluate the race.
Race Monitor Screen:
During the race, this
screen will provide information on each car,
such as lap time, sector times,
time differences, which lap they went
in for a pit stop, etc. to give the
player an overall idea of what is
going on in the race.
Settings/Car
Set Up:
Car set up is likely to be much more important than when players
drive
themselves. Players can conduct tests on their settings, and
tyre
selection before the actual race. They will have to plan
very
strategically across the number of laps in the race.
Pace
Command:
Players can give pace commands to their driver on a 5 level
scale
between Easy to Hard. Whether they chose to race safely and be easy
on
the tires, or push hard, beat up the tires and take risks, the
choice
is with the player.
Overtake Command:
Overrides the pace
command and concentrates on over taking the car ahead.
Pit In
Command:
Commands the driver to pull into the pit for refueling or tyre
changes.
Pit Menu:
Allows players to adjust their selection of tyres
(front/rear) and
volume of fuel for refueling.
****
Enjoy the
car lifestyle in the motor resort city - "Gran Turismo Resort"
emerges
The Gran Turismo series is known for its driving and car
lifestyle
simulation game characteristics. The game's identity is firmly
rooted
in the car lifestyle simulation mode - GT mode. In the upcoming
GT4,
the Gran Turismo World will expand significantly. Starting from
their
home (or garage), players can explore car dealerships from around
the
world, visit used car dealers and tuning shops. Race events will
be
held in event pavilions set up by genre and Racing Fields will
be
located in the suburbs. The familiar License Test Centre returns,
but
this time on a much larger scale. For beginners and loyal fans of
the
GT series alike, Motor Resort City includes everything you need
to
enjoy your car lifestyle to the extreme. This is the Gran
Turismo
World.
Gran Turismo Resort Facilities:
"My home" will
act as the player's home and garage
"Car Towns" by territory will consist
of dealerships for the numerous
car manufacturers
"Tuner's Village"
will consist of famous car tuning shops
"Race Event Pavilions" will be
categorized by their various concepts
"License Centre" will be the venue
for the license tests
New and Old Used Car Dealerships/Shops
available
"Music Theatre" enables players to enjoy music from artists
around the world
"Circuit Areas" are located in the suburbs where an
event is held at each track
Over 80 manufacturers and 650 cars
GT4
will include the largest variety of cars in the Gran Turismo
series, ranging
from some of the earliest automobile models to today's
vehicles, with an
emphasis on cars of the 80s and 90s.
The Tracks: Travel the landscapes of
the world
The origins of the words Gran Turismo takes us back into the 17th
and
18th century where European aristocrats traveled long distances
across
the continent in horse-drawn carriages. Today, the words Gran
Turismo
define a car designed and suited for long distance travel. The
keyword
for GT4 is "the heart of a traveler" and the latest game
includes
breath-taking locations of cities or of nature from around the
world.
Take your favorite car and travel the world. GT4 also includes
world
renowned tracks (closed circuits).
Existing Tracks from
Japan
Fuji Speedway '80
This is the Fuji Speedway course layout which
was in use up until the
80s. The track was famous for being one of the
fastest tracks around
the world. Players can experience the old Fuji
Speedway.
Fuji Speedway '90
This is the Fuji Speedway after its first
major renewal in the 80s up
to 2003. The latest Fuji Speedway known to
all.
Tsukuba Circuit 2000
The Tsukuba Circuit is known as the sacred
grounds for Japanese sports
cars. Numerous production cars and tuning cars
use this track as their
benchmark for performance evaluation. Players can
experiment with car
modifications and see what effects they have on the car's
lap time.
Twin Ring Motegi (full course)
This is Japan's International
Racing Course. Twin Ring Motegi's road
course is known for demanding driver's
techniques and is harsh on the
brakes.
Twin Ring Motegi (Oval
Track)
Japan's only 1.5 mile oval course, built for the Indy Car
Race
Suzuka Circuit (full course)
This track is known as the home of
the Formula One Japan Grand Prix,
and is also demanding of driver's
techniques. Finally, Suzuka Circuit
is to be included in the GT series.
Experience Suzuka with the "Real
Driving Simulator".
Existing Tracks
from North America
Laguna Seca Raceway
This track is one of the most
well known and favoured track in
America, included in past GT titles. For
GT4, the team has revisited
and remeasured the track and it will be replaced
in higher quality. In
past titles, the setting was late afternoon with the
sunset, this time
the setting will be midday with beautiful
weather.
Sears Point Raceway
Located in Sonoma County, near San
Francisco, Sears Point Raceway
shares its popularity with Laguna Seca Raceway
amongst car fans. The
course layout suggests low to mid speeds and is
demanding of drivers'
skills. By looking at the cars that gather at this
track, one could
say this is the Tsukuba Circuit of North
America.
Existing Tracks from Europe
Nurburgring
Nordschleife
The world's most challenging and difficult track is 20.8
kilometers
long, and consists of 176 turns. The Nurburgring track is known
for
car manufacturers bringing their latest sport cars for
testing.
Mastering this track may take some time, but is for the same
reasons
quite rewarding. The history of joy and excitement of driving
in
racing games is about to be changed.
City Courses
Tokyo
R246
This was a popular track included in GT3. With the latest
GT4
technology, this track is back with more beauty and more
realism.
Seattle
Another popular city track included in the series
since GT2. With the
latest GT4 technology, this track is back with more
beauty and more
realism. The time setting has changed from sunset to mid-day
clear
skies.
New York
This track takes the centre of New York,
Midtown Manhattan and builds
a city track around it. With its multiple 90
degree turns this is a
technical track. Players can enjoy a bit of
sightseeing as the track
includes Broadway, Times Square, Fifth Avenue,
Central Park and more.
Hong Kong
Developed and created with full
support from the Hong Kong Govt.
Tourism Department.
Other City
Courses will include:
Las Vegas Drag Strip, George V Paris, Opera Paris, Cote
D'Azur,
Special Stage Route 5, Citta di Aria
Nature Courses
Grand
Canyon
Swiss Alps
Ice Arena
Grand Valley
Trial Mountain
Midfield
Raceway
Snow Lake
High Speed Ring
Amalfee Circuit
Motorsports
Land
Tahiti Maze
Autumn Ring
**Additional tracks to be seen in GT4
will be announced at a later date.
Photo Mode
GT4 brings another new
feature to the series called Photo Mode,
enhancing the watching/observing
mode one step further. "Photo Drive"
is included in all of the GT4 courses,
allowing players to take photos
of their car on the track. Players can use
real photography
techniques, such as zoom, depth of field and motion blur.
Special and
exclusive locations for photos will also be available at
"Photo
Travel". Players can travel in their favorite car to various
locations
around the world and take photos at a wide variety of angles.
Photos
can be printed on a compatible colour printer or saved to memory
card
to share with your friends.
Photo Travel (15 stages in
all)
Gion District, Kyoto Japan
Nanzenji Temple, Kyoto Japan
Sagano,
Kyoto Japan
Tsumago, Nagano, Japan
Piazza San Marco, Venice
Italy
Realto Bridge, Venice Italy
Shibuya, Tokyo Japan
Tokyo
International Forum, Tokyo Japan
Shiga Kogen, Nagano Japan
Brooklyn, New
York NY USA
Times Square, New York NY USA
Asian Fish Market
Freemont
Street, Las Vegas NV USA
Louisberg Square, Boston MA USA
The Human
Aspect
The Gran Turismo series has always injected realism into the cars
and
their surrounding environments. Now, GT4 takes the challenge
of
conveying the final essential element - people. The driver's
human
movements, the recreation of the pit crew, and the movement of
the
spectators have all been replicated. This completes the triangle
-
cars, people and nature - that the team has always wanted to
achieve.
This achievement adds to the overall realism of the cars taking
the
Gran Turismo series to new dimensions.
Car Physics Simulation
Engine
The car physics simulation engine allows for more reality in the
car's
performance at higher standards, making the actual driving
experience
easier. The accuracy level is equivalent to sports driving in
real
life.
New Generation Driver Assist Functions
In addition to
anti-lock brakes, traction control systems and active
stability control, GT4
will also include active steering. With all of
the safety devices combined
and controlled at high standards, this
allows for beginners to enjoy the
pleasures of driving.
The Latest Modifications
The fun of modifying a
favorite car has increased significantly.
Reflecting the latest car tuning
trends, Superchargers and NOS
(Nitrogen) will now be available. The range of
tires and other factors
allows for more flexibility of the player's car set
up. The new car
physics simulation engine is more delicate and responds with
more
realism.
Steering Controller "GT FORCE Pro"
The Logitech "GT
FORCE Pro" is a 2.5 turn lock to lock steering
controller, developed as a
joint project between Logitech and
Polyphony Digital Inc. The force feedback
on the steering has been
enhanced, as well as the firmness and stability of
the product.
A New Proposal to Racing: "Mission Races"
This is a new
concept to the Gran Turismo series, structured in a
mission-clearing-based
race event.
The race will not necessarily start from the starting grid. There
will
be set conditions for the start of the race for players to
challenge.
For example: a player may have to start one second later in
second
place, starting one lap behind and having to finish first. These
are
settings which are highly likely in the worlds of real racing.
Players
experience the drama of racing, and are sure to enjoy the challenge
of
clearing each mission.
Introducing a new "High Score"
system
The races in the GT series have always had specific race
regulations
for player to follow, such as limitation on tyres, maximum power,
etc.
In GT4, most of these regulations will be omitted to allow for
more
variety of cars to participate in each of the races, as well as
their
modification ranges. For example, a player can take a 600
horsepower
car and participate in a race setting for cars in the range of
150
horsepower.
The new "High Score" system will work as follows.
Players will earn
high points winning a race at a disadvantage (disadvantage
or
advantage is measure by whether a player's car is slower or faster
than
opponent cars), and conversely, players at an advantage will earn
less
points. With the introduction of this "High Score" system,
players have more
freedom in their gaming style. Some may take a very
fast car and win the
races easily, whereas some of the more stoic
players will intentionally take
the disadvantage and truly test their
driving skills. This system meets the
demands of a wide range of
gaming styles and players.
Developer:
Polyphony Digital Inc.
Genre: Driving Simulation
Players: 1- 2
players
Peripherals: GT Force®, GT Force Pro®, Network Adaptor,
Analogue
Controller (DUALSHOCK 2), Memory Card (8MB) (for PlayStation
2)
