GTPlanet’s Kazunori Yamauchi Interview at SEMA 2011: Standard Cars, DLC, and the Future of Polyphony Digital
At the 2011 SEMA Show last week, I had the very special opportunity to – for the first time – personally interview the master himself: Kazunori Yamauchi. We had a great chat, and I am happy to report that Kazunori seemed happy, relaxed, and in good spirits.
I could talk with Kazunori for many hours, but my time for the interview was, of course, very limited. Regardless, we covered a wide range of topics and I think you’ll find some of his responses very interesting.
Polyphony Digital has had quite a year of ups and downs, some of which I was also able to discuss with Translator-san. Japan’s earthquake and tsunami last spring was a particularly difficult time for the company’s employees, many of whom suffered tragic personal losses in their family. My thoughts, prayers, and sympathies remain with all who were affected by this disaster.
After the interview, I had the opportunity to present Kazunori with a special, embroidered GTPlanet shirt, which you can see in the image above. Once again, I would like to thank him for taking time to speak me. Now, on to the interview!
GTP: First, congratulations on your class victory at the Nurburgring 24 Hours. What did you learn from the experience?
KY: You might be surprised by my answer, but I actually didn’t have that much time to prepare or train this year for the race. I actually brought a copy of GT5 to the hotel, and throughout the event, I would come back to the hotel and practice again with the game. Even while the actual race was going on, between my driving sessions, I was practicing in GT5!
GTP: Could you explain why you decided to open Polyphony Digital’s new offices in Fukuoka and Tokyo? How is the company structured now?
KY: The answer is quite simple – it is because of the nuclear accident at Fukushima. After it happened, I calculated how much the radiation would spread, and it turned out there would be a significant amount of radiation in a 500 kilometer radius around Fukushima, which would lead to people having to leave Tokyo.
I had everyone with small kids or families move to Fukuoka. Considering all the different cities in the area, Fukuoka was a prime location.
GTP: There has been much discussion and debate in GTPlanet’s community regarding GT5’s Standard and Premium cars. Could you explain how you came to the decision of which cars would be Premium and which would remain Standard, such as the Bugatti Veyron?
KY: It wasn’t a matter of making a decision, we just didn’t have time to do it! There is still a possibility that some Standard cars may become Premium in the future.
GTP: In an interview last year, you mentioned that some Standard cars may be upgraded to Premium status in the future. Do you still have plans for this, or will GT5’s future DLC focus on adding new car models to the game?
KY: I think that we should focus on adding new cars to the game.
GTP: Could you offer any hints about what else may be coming in the future, or how frequently new content may be released?
KY: We’re continuously working to make more and more content for the game, and I think what’s really important is the reactions of our users. We’ve had our DLC and our 2.0 update, and the reaction has been really good so far, but we want to look at the overall feedback to see what we should do from here on, and adjust accordingly.
GTP: If you could go back in time and start over with GT5, is there anything you would do differently?
KY: No, because I think everything that I thought about in that way, we have done in the updates. If I can think of one, I think we should have made more A-Spec races. When you buy a car, it’s fun to be able to participate in a lot of races with that car, and I don’t think there were enough.
GTP: How will you decide when to stop supporting Gran Turismo 5 and begin the transition to Gran Turismo 6?
KY: [Laughs] I’ll think about that next year!
GTP: In the future do you see Polyphony Digital dedicating resources to major Gran Turismo titles or to creating more spin-off games, such as Tourist Trophy and Prologue?
KY: The only thing I can definitely say is the next one will be GT6, but we might have something else pop-up in between now and then [laughs]!
GTP: In closing, is there anything you would like to say to the GTPlanet community?
KY: The feedback we receive from our users – the positive and the constructive feedback – really provides energy for our company and really motivates us to do more. I think if we can keep up that relationship with the community, that would be great! Lastly, thank you all for your support!
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Newest comments are displayed first.
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November 11th, 2011 at 8:09 am - #magburner
Nice pic at the top, the shirt could have done with an iron though!
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November 11th, 2011 at 6:17 am - #furiosomarron
i love the game and agree we need better sound and more a-spec. i would also like to see more older cars added to the game i dont play much anymore because i have all the cars so it kinda gets boring. i find my self starting the game just to collect the sign in bonus.
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November 10th, 2011 at 4:42 pm - #MrJim
“I think we should have made more A-Spec races. When you buy a car, it’s fun to be able to participate in a lot of races with that car, and I don’t think there were enough.”
I agree! I think it would have been perfect if they had kept something very similar to GT4′s career layout. Dealer exclusive races and separated race categories.
Also more tracks. I’m one of “those guys” who cares far less about premium vs. standard cars than I do about the number of tracks. I would go as far as to say I’d trade all the detailed premium interior views for a dozen more unique tracks.
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November 10th, 2011 at 9:44 am - #Vin1021
This DLC was decent but $12 was way overpriced. It literaly took me a few hours before I had put down my new personal bests with these new vehicles. One day and I was already bored with these new cars.
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November 10th, 2011 at 7:07 am - #Nissan Skyline
More Ferrari
F512M
599 GTO
575M Marenello
288 GTO
500 Superfast
365 GTB/4 -
November 10th, 2011 at 3:15 am - #jasr73
Many congratulations on great interview Jordan. What an awesome opportunity to meet with Kaz again and just hangout for a bit. Fantastic to see GTP site and the Community getting some well deserved recognition as well. Awesome.
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November 10th, 2011 at 12:53 am - #doodooshorts
new A-spec seasonal up!!!
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November 9th, 2011 at 5:39 pm - #ICEYOU
Enough race cars already.
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November 9th, 2011 at 5:24 pm - #Wiki
Good interview!!!, really, really i’d that some standard were upgraded to premium and if yuo are going do more DLCs please get some new cars in the game such as the aventador porshes and huayra!
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November 9th, 2011 at 4:30 pm - #SafaditM3
Great interview Jordan! I’m hoping we can get the fast forward option on B-Spec. I’ve YLOD my PS3 twice because it overheats on B-Spec.
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November 9th, 2011 at 4:28 pm - #iridegravity
You can tell by the way and places Kaz uses the word I, that this game is very much the product of one man’s vision, and it shows. Seeing you all speculate and plead for your favorite Standard to be converted is just comical now.
PD: Is there anything you would do differently?
KAZ: NO. Because “I” think that everything “i” thought about in that way………is in the 2.0 update so take it or leave it……and I don’t like your questions so I won’t answer them.
Were talking about a game that pretty much boils down to A-Spec and the AI is not good enough to push us in the A-spec mode. Without matchmaking, online is busted unless you create your own scene or join someone elses.
B-Spec is nothing more than a demo and money grinder. It’s cool for a freebie throw in, but lacks real depth.Theres nothing to do differently or areas to improve besides adding more A-spec events? Seriously? No wonder he’s not talking about the future. Maybe GT5 Vita, or whatever spinoff they make next will be better, but I don’t see how they improve.
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November 9th, 2011 at 12:54 pm - #GTracerRens
Very nice interview. When I was reading the question with the Bugatti Veyron, I was really hoping for an answer which was somewat more confirming.
And about the DLC: Does he count adding tuned versions of premium cars to adding new models? :P
I’m still not really happy with A-Spec. I’m glad there are Seasonal Events.
I would just love to see models like Ferrari racing cars, Audi R8 racing car (premium) and aston martin racing cars. No more japanese cars. ;) But yeah, that’s just my opinion. I’m just starting to get a bit jealous on the people who are playing Forza 4…-
November 9th, 2011 at 12:57 pm - #GTracerRens
And about the standards to premium: I would LOVE to see the Veyron and the supra (streetcar) to be premium!
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November 9th, 2011 at 9:30 pm - #Fotoalex
Stop to be jealous man!!Buy an Xbox (or rent ) grab one copy of Forza 4 (or rent ) – enjoy riding….or be like me,own both of em and double the pleasure …easy and no bitching about comparing
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November 9th, 2011 at 11:10 am - #tvvisted
Great interview Jordan, happy for you and hopefully this will open doors to more and more activities between GTP and PD.
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November 9th, 2011 at 5:32 am - #Bfc_1882
The main thing at the moment I want sorting out is this 7000 items problem and being able to delete museum cards. Those two things should be top of the list for the next update
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November 9th, 2011 at 4:40 pm - #iridegravity
Those items were carefully placed their and will never come out. mandatory tax of your PS3 unit. Don’t you know Sony lost a lot of money of the front end of this system. Your unit must break eventually.
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November 9th, 2011 at 4:22 am - #GT Pro
None of these car requests are necessary. What really matters it that KY finally realises the need to implement the Test Course and its 400m/1000m/Max Speed modes. Until then, I can’t see myself playing GT5 again.
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November 9th, 2011 at 3:15 am - #topolino
that’s why i love gtplanet oO big thanks mr. jordan……
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November 9th, 2011 at 3:15 am - #Loonycrazyone
how about you fix the crappy engine / exhaust notes of 99.99 % of the cars in this game. Do that, and you have a winner. Every car like a hair dryer. Shocking.
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November 9th, 2011 at 12:55 pm - #GTracerRens
You are right about that man! The McLaren MP4-12C for example, even with my 1000Watts 5.1 surround system it sounds like crap.
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November 9th, 2011 at 2:42 am - #joetruckv8
I think you guys should focus more on tracks than cars, in my opinion.
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November 9th, 2011 at 1:49 am - #Rich S
It would have been nice to ask about future tracks. I dont know why that didnt pop into his head. He got an answer, then asked the question that had the answer he just got.
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November 9th, 2011 at 12:59 pm - #GTracerRens
LOL, I thought that too. But I think Kazunori Yamauchi isn’t confirming anything in interviews. Only like: “Well, that might be something we might be working on in the future…”
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Jaguar XJ220
Mercedez-Benz CLK GTR
Sukuzi Escudo Pikes Peak
RUF CTR Yellow Bird
Chevelle SS 454
Corvette C1
Corvette Stingray C2
Plymouth Superbird
Some standards worthy of “premium: status.