GT5 1.08 Reinstall Info

[bobd]

I was bored so went and did a reinstall of GT5, just for the heck of it.

Before I start, I had already backed-up my Game Save, Photos and Replays (replays >200Mb will not export, there goes the Endurance Races). However was unable to backup the Custom Courses and all downloaded GT-TV Movies, the game won't let me (don't have a PSP).

Below are my findings.

Disclaimer : Please attempt at your own risk, as our milage might vary.

Tested a Simulated HDD Wipe and Reinstall back to 1.08

- XMB > Game Data > Delete GT5 Data. Warning : will delete your GT5 data.

- Launch Game from Disc, to perform online updating from v1.00.
- Game will not update if network or PSN server not accesible.
- GT5 v1.00 will NOT prompt you to sign-in PSN during start. It automatically connects to PSN to get game update info.

- Game loads, then prompt to update 1.08. The following actions are automatic :

- Download 608Mb update and install (v1.05. Assume this update should include updates 1.01, 1.02 and 1.03)
- Download 301Mb update and install (v1.06)
- Download 47Mb update and install (v1.07)
- Download 1763Kb update and install (v1.08)

- Restart GT5. Prompt to install 8Gb Game Data onto hard drive.​

- To manually re-download any DLCs, go to XMB > PSN > Acct Management > Transaction Management > Download List.

- Done. Sparkling fresh unfragmented copy of GT5, hopefully it'll load a bit faster


Results After Game Data Delete and Reinstall back to 1.08 (simulated HDD wipe)

• - Download and install all updates ~1 hour (depend on web connection).
• - Install GT5 disc data to HDD ~40 mins.
• - 1.08 bare-bones install : 7,367Mb (no game replays, no GTV videos).

• - Most garage PP points still mismatch. List view PP not similar to detailed car view PP. No auto recalculation performed.
• - A lot of random garage thumbnails missing.
• - All GT TV downloaded videos gone. Only in-game Opening and Endings, if previously unlocked.
• - All Custom Courses gone. Even online shares.
• - All Replays and Photos gone. User Avatar missing.

*Safe to assume those intact below are from the game save file or stored online.

• - UCD car list intact, exactly the same.
• - Garage intact. Favourites intact, Online cars intact (except DLC cars, unless re-download from PSN).
• - B-Spec Bobs intact. Online Bobs' undownloaded Credits intact.
• - Music Selection intact.
• - Controller/Wheel Settings intact.

GT5 v1.00 features (tested in offline mode before update)

• - Fresh game launch from disc.
• - Game version displayed as "-.--" in XMB > Game Data info.
• - SS7 course hole-in-wall glitch with GT-R '07 already exist (Tested via Arcade mode time trial).
• - GT5 save is copy proctected. Only allow backup to the new Online Storage (PS+).
• - Backup Game Save from external storage can be restored, overwriting original protected save.
• - Replay data from external storage NOT restorable.
• - Able to read 1.08 game save data. Some missing garage thumbnails. Engine limiter & weight ballast options missing.

CONCLUSION
I prefer that GT5 does not depend on online server for updates, because I will most likely be still testing out cars in GT5 when the GT5 Servers are decommissioned in the future (in 5, 10 years ?).

With GT5 and its online update, if I need to perform a fresh install (HDD crash etc) in the future when there are no more Servers (like what just happened to Prologue?), I'll be out of options and stuck playing version 1.00, with no GameSave backup function.

Does GT5 Prologue still provide the Spec II update if you reinstall it today ?

Today I can still fire-up the old PS and PS2, and GT, GT2, GT3 & 4 discs will still run fine and works, they don't have any updates that fix broken issues !

Why does one still go back to GT2 ? One of the cool reason is below :

An 800HP Van

Please PD, if you want to make GT5 immortal (or maybe live a tad longer), please plan to offer Offline Updates. Because your servers WILL come down in the future when revenue dries up... Also from what I read, it will help the offline users in this forum a lot too.

But I think you'll most likely will wring extra dough from us by releasing a GT5 PS3 Best Edition with the latest update, in due time...


I am one of those nuts that waited for GT5 before buying a PS3. Not a fanboy per se, just a regular gamer. The above are purely my own opinion and findings. You may or may not agree

Thanks for reading. Feel free to share your findings.

 

[Mr. S]

Just out of curiousity: is it really THAT much faster if you re-install the game?

 

[rssjib]

Nice read.....good job.

 

[bobd]

Just out of curiousity: is it really THAT much faster if you re-install the game?

As far as I can tell, absolutely NO difference in load times

Loading up from XMB to Main Menu offline mode takes around 1 minute. Before and after.

Its exactly the same as before, only now I get to manually "Add Thumbnail" for > 30% of the cars in the garage... and I lost all my crazy Custom Courses.

Do not try this at home kids!

 

[freedomweasel]

How would they offer "offline updates"?

It's pretty much the same with ever modern game. If the game was made for a platform that has internet connectivity, there are patches and updates for it.

 

[bobd]

How would they offer "offline updates"?

It's pretty much the same with ever modern game. If the game was made for a platform that has internet connectivity, there are patches and updates for it.

Well, the updates they provide currently are in PKG file formats (after a little digging on the web).

We just need a MENU OPTION to load it from inside GT5 Exactly like those PS3 PUP offline firmware updates.

So in essence every modern game's shelf life is tied to their servers' existence. Which means in 20 years time, somebody will hear about GT5, but probably can only play version 1.00 (if they have a working PS3). Its a disturbing trend... but this is real life then.

 

[niky]

Likely offer a "Gold Edition" with all the updates built into the Blu-Ray... like they did with GT5P... later editions of GT5P were already Spec II or Spec III, if I recall correctly.

 

[bobd]

Likely offer a "Gold Edition" with all the updates built into the Blu-Ray... like they did with GT5P... later editions of GT5P were already Spec II or Spec III, if I recall correctly.

Thanks for the heads up

Apparently they do, goes by the name "Greatest Hits" edition in other parts of the world. GT5 Prologue Spec III too...

So thats the most likely the direction then. I can sleep better, now that I know

 

[XRtec]

It is possible to reinstall only the 1.05 patch right? I did a few special events (1.05) and I heard it's even tougher to complete them on 1.06-1.08 patches.

 

[Mr. S]

It is possible to reinstall only the 1.05 patch right? I did a few special events (1.05) and I heard it's even tougher to complete them on 1.06-1.08 patches.

I guess it'll download the latest (and greatest) update right away and will patch up right to 1.08, like most current games would do.

 

[XRtec]

I think it downloads and installs the update one at time. i remember seeing a progress bar (that says 1/3) when I went from 1.05 to 1.08. I guess I'll kill the connection after it installs 1.05

 

[bobd]

It is possible to reinstall only the 1.05 patch right? I did a few special events (1.05) and I heard it's even tougher to complete them on 1.06-1.08 patches.

Well, I think after the 1.05 install, you might be able to X-Cancel the 1.06 download. Then disable all network access and launch the Game on 1.05. Give it a go and good luck !

 

[Aldajjal_2010]

I did this and aborted the update after v1.05 was done. I could play the game alright but you will not be able to do any online events as connecting to PSN will prompt you to download v1.08.