CONFIDENCE FOR CONFIDENCE
Encounter with Kazunori Yamauchi, creator of the Gran Turismo series.
From his beginnings in data processing to the making of the future Gran Turismo, Kazunori Yamauchi entrusted himself to us without turning. As a result : more than hour of interview; knowing the timetable of such a pressed person, those moments have to be engraved in annals !!
(in bold : question from Laurent Deheppe; in plain : answer from Kazunori Yamauchi)
When did you first show interest for cars ?
Just like any boy, I started at the age of 3-4. Way later, when I had the opportunity to make a video game, I had already 150 projects in mind that were linked to my automotive passion. Gran Turismo was one of them of course.
Maybe not the GT that everyone know and have today, but I knew what I wanted : a true automobile simulation, with true cars.
Today, you reached your goal; what does that inspire to you ?
Lots of things ! But especially the fact that this story never ends. We created a game which evolved from racing to rallying, while passing by normal roads and today, with GT-HD, we tackle drifting. But there are still many things we have to improve, lots of work. Nothings never really completed ! But the passion that animates my whole team is a true dope.
You came with a PORSCHE 996 GT3, we saw a FORD GT too... What other cars do you own, and which one is your favourite ?
I have 6 cars of my own. Two FORD GT, the PORSCHE GT3 you saw earlier, but also a MERCEDES-BENZ SL55 AMG, a NISSAN 350 Z and a HONDA S2000. That which I prefer is the FORD GT, as it dates from the year of my birth.
Which is the car which you dream to have ?
The McLAREN F1, without hesitation. I never drove this car, and I hope Ill be able to drive someday.
Where does the Gran Turismo name comes from and how did you choose the cars that appear in the game ?
Gran Turismo is an Italian name. This type of car allows to travel, as they are touring cars. We kept this philosophy for our game, thus in Gran Turismo, the player travels in great cars ! Some of the cars are claimed by the makers, but most of them are personal selections.
How was POLYPHONY born ?
At the every beginning; it was a division, named Yamauchi Team, and was integrated in SONY Corporation. In 1998, this division became an independent company by the name of POLYPHONY DIGITAL.
How many persons work with you ?
We are currently 120 persons. When I started the first GT in 1992, we were 7 and it took us 7 years to achieve the game.
Youre not a programmer though; what did you do before ?
I started by following Economy studies, and in the same time, I enjoyed myself creating games. I was 18, it was a hobby. When I was a child, I used to play a famous PC game : Grand Prix. I went then to SONY, in Epic Sony Record Music Department, and I evolved to video games.
Grand Prix was a F1 game. Why didnt you make the same ?
Actually, this is my dream !! However, making such a game is very expensive as it involves heavy interests. If I have the chance to do such a thing, Id make something completely different from what I do today, thats for sure.
Did you expect such a success when you released Gran Turismo ?
Absolutely not ! Auto games were very different before Gran Turismo. You could take a corner without braking. When we got feedback about driving feeling from GT players, they really loved braking before turning, steering and accelerating, it was something new. In fact, I was sure there were other persons, like me, who wished to have such kind of feelings. But I didnt expect this much !!
Did you know that most of European people discovered JGTC race cars (Japan Grand Touring Car Championship; renamed Super GT) thanks to your game ? Especially the NISSAN Skyline, which is not imported in France...
Yes, and the funny thing is that many persons who played GT have contacted Super GT Teams afterwards ! This series is very interesting and very competitive, although it runs in Japan only.
By the way, do you have some contracts with Super GT teams; do you call upon professional drivers to test Gran Turismo ?
Yes, very often. They come to the studio and I watch the races. I believe that a racers feedback is very important.
What is your favourite car in GT, and which one is the best graphically and technically to you ?
My favourite car is the NISSAN Skyline GT-R, and the most advanced is the Super GT NISSAN 350 Z NISMO.
Which game producers do you really like ?
Its hard to say, because I hardly take a look at other games, unless for technical reasons. On the other hand, one that caught my attention is Little Big Planet because designers managed to make something different, original. As for the rest, theres nobody I like much than another. But it is because I dont know any.
As for the future, what will GT HD Concept online feature consist of ?
First of all, the name has not been chosen yet. At the moment, I can tell you that there will be a game released between GT4 and GT5, but we dont have a name yet.
Regarding the online feature, the subject is vast...
Will we be allowed to download cars and circuit via the PlayStation Store ?
Everythings not settled yet, but youll be able to update the cars specifications. In fact, they will appear in the store when available.
In GT4, the big news came from the bonnet view; whats next ?
In the future Gran Turismo, the bonnet view will be maintained, and a new internal one will be available, with the dashboard or the cockpit, whether it is a normal or racing car.
You (finally) signed with FERRARI. Can we expect to get the whole line-up ? And what about PORSCHE and LAMBORGHINI ?
All FERRARI line-up will be introduced, but I cant promise anything for PORSCHE and LAMBORGHINI unless I have the license.
What about the circuits ? Whats new ?
I have several ideas ! You can expect something big ! However, I can tell you that there will be some classic race tracks, and one or several city courses...
Namely ??...
(laughing) Not now !!
Lots of players think that GT is an obsolete genre. What do you think about this ?
Gran Turismo is an universe. Whether you talk about circuits, cars, the driving school, the show-rooms, until now, everything was blocked, because the system wanted it to. Today, we have the online technology, and all of those features will open up : anyone will be allowed in this new system. There will be multi-player racing, you will belong to some sort of clans, clubs. We will create many categories for all type of players. We will create races and meetings, but expert and professional races as well. I want to go beyond the virtual, I want to transform the virtual into reality.
Theres a Drift Mode in GT-HD. Why did you decide to introduce this discipline, very famous in the USA and Japan ? Furthermore, will this mode be a complete mode in the future GT ?
Youre right, I plan to develop the Drift Mode, because speed alone isnt the only factor in mastering professional driving. On top of that, while online, you will be able to watch drivers on live doing this spectacular show.
On live, otherwise after downloading a file, like we currently do ?
On LIVE !
Do you monitor players progress in GT-HD ??
Yes, of course. I check their times and I have to admit that you European are very skilled. More surprising are the three best drivers driving skills. On the other hand, I see only a few Americans (laughs)...
Will you keep the driving licenses system ?
Absolutely. Licenses represent the games core since the beginning. The future ones will be more difficult, but more entertaining !
The damage feature has never been supported by GT. Do you think we will be able to crash a car, knowing that the very spirit of sports driving is not to make a scratch on the car ?
That question often comes back. I am aware that players would like the realism be taken to its limits.
All I can tell you is that some cars will support the damage feature. More precisely, the race cars will. But what do YOU really want ?
Now YOU ask questions (both laugh) !! In my opinion, I think GT is a driving simulator, and thus if you miss a turn, it becomes obvious that you must undergo damage.
On top of that, it is very frustrating to see another driver kiss the wall or a barrier, and keep going like nothing...
I know that. This detail is very tricky. We already tried all parades : if a car hits the wall/barrier at a determined speed, we noticed that even a slight bump can lead to heavy damage beyond players comprehension.
In that way, either we enable the real consequences of a crash, or we ease the damage a little, with the risk for us of not being realistic. In my opinion, I am for choosing the first one, but will the players accept that ?
The Gran Turismo official website tells that one, or several GTs may be released before GT5. Is that true ?
I confirm that prior to Gran Turismo 5, one Gran Turismo will be released. At least...
Can you tell us when ?
(thinking) A.S.A.P. !
GT succeeded thanks to its gameplay; for the first time, one could really experience the feeling of a real simulation. Did you work further on this factor ??
Yes, the PS3s powerful abilities now allows us to push the realism even further, for the driving, but also for graphics (in a global way) and car modeling.
In GT4, the setting options were pretty vast. However, it was difficult to obtain a good overall balance, due to the separate front and rear settings. We notice that the cars are more sensitive to mass transfer in GT-HD, however.
I assure you that we sharpened the car setting. But you are right : the cars you will drive in GT-HD are much more sensitive to mass transfer. However, I fear that all those settings may be annoying or too complicated for players...
As the game will be fully online, why not imagining setting exchange between players ? For instance, could it be possible for a rookie player to download perfect settings from an expert player ?
Of course, it will be possible.
In the same way, the cars tended to under-steer, even after a tuning; it was pretty hard to over-steer. Will the new setting panel allow us to freely tune a car from under-steer to the over-steer ?
That may be possible !
Last question : do you think youve become a full-fledged man ?
No. Im not completely satisfied yet, nor full-fledged. I still have a lot to do !!
ENCADRES
KAZUNORI YAMAUCHI : PERFECTION HAS A NAME (p. 59)
The Gran Turismo story would have never been written without its emblematic creator. Kazunori Yamauchi studied Economy, before joining Sony Epic Records in 1992. Next year, he went to the brand-new Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. An once-in-a-lifetime chance for him to build his auto game project. In the meanwhile, he works on the Motor Toon Grand Prix game, still in SCEI.
After five years of hard work, Kazunori presents his Gran Turismo. In April, 1998, he quits SCEI and founds POLYPHONY DIGITAL; the studio becomes later one of SCEIs main partners. In 2001, Gran Turismo 3 A-spec makes a hit and 15 millions (!!) are sold across the world.
Even if GT4 sales did not match his expectations, Kazunori Yamauchi remains attached to his prime objective : making the biggest virtual auto game, and the next step to fulfill that dream is Gran Turismo 5...
ABOUT DAMAGE (p. 61)
It is time GT became Full Realistic Mode !! Finally, Kazunori Yamauchi confirms that information. However, the problem remains unresolved, as he doesnt want to discourage the player, by putting a realistic (but restraining) damage feature, and on the other side, he doesnt want to do his work half-way. What we are sure about now is that racing cars will bear damage. Impacts taken will be very realistic. In these conditions, GT will reach a new dimension, where a little mistake will lead to big trouble. With that in mind, driving experience will be amazing, and even more thanks to the new cockpit view !!
PROBLEM WITH Formula 1 (p. 61)
F1s are a real pain for the developers. Making those cars in the game is no big deal, but when it comes to reproduce real F1s, developers hit a snag with the FOM (Formula One Management), chaired by Bernie Ecclestone. Through many names since 1974, the FOM holds F1 commercial rights. It means that in order for POLYPHONY to use F1s image, they have to deal with Bernie. This is where it gets complicated. When you know the guy a little, you can expect the bill to be... cocky !! However, the F1 hasnt always been so restricted, and we may see real F1 cars in GT, such as old FERRARIs, and -why not- F1 from the current makers : LOTUS, MERCEDES-BENZ, etc.
(by the looks of it 
I think we all know about what kind of tracks to expect in GT5, good idea. The past of K. Yamauichi was great, as well as the GT. Its very nice to know. In one question K.Y asks about whether poeple would agree with max damage.
