Sony Computer Entertainment Corporation held a "Completion Announcement Meeting" for "Gran Turismo 4," a Playstation 2 driving simulator, in a specially prepared tent outside of the Masanori Memorial Museum of Art in Tokyo's Meiji. 600 people, including those related to mass-communication, distribution, as well as those people from the automotive world that assisted in the development of "GT4."
The event began with a chorus singing the "GT4" version of "MOON OVER THE CASTLE" in Italian, led by Masahiro Andou, as well as a musical performance by "T-SQUARE," led by Takeshi Itou. According to Mr. Andou, recording was done at Skywalker Studios in America, which is something Mr. Yamauchi had been wanting to do for quite some time.
The main event, of course, was a presentation by Mr. Kazunori Yamauchi, President of Polyphony Digital Corporation and in charge of the game's development. Mr. Yasuhiko Akazaka was the chairman of the event.
-Over 700 cars!!
First, regarding the number of cars in "GT4," there has been an increase (previously over 650 cars) in the number of cars since the announcement at Tokyo Game Show 2004 -- it was that this number has crossed 700 cars. There are reportedly many older models. The number of courses has not changed from the 50 courses, and "Seoul" has been newly introduced (according to Yamauchi, it is comparatively simple). Also, the "before" and "after" results of the A and B corners of the "Fuji Speedway" (currently under improvement) are included, as well as "Twin Ring Motegi" appearing as both oval track and road course. In the "Photo Mode" for recording images, 15 exclusive courses + the "raceable" 50 courses can be used for recording images from different angles. Also, although it had been previously announced that these photographs would be printable using a supported Epson printer, newly announced was that USB memory could be connected and images could be output using this method.
Mr. Yamauchi then went to introduce the various features of the game, such as the "B-SPEC" mode new to "GT4," the main screen dubbed the "Gran Turismo Resort" (which displays "____'s Home" after you input your name after first starting the game), the car shop (the display is divided up into manufacturer by country, and after selecting a specific maker, that maker's new and used cars, or "one make" are shown), car purchase history, license acquisition history, garage (which can store 1000 cars), and a car washing scene which shows "GT AUTO" staff washing your car. The pit-scene human models have progressed from "GT4: Prologue." He also conducted a demonstration of "Photo Mode."
-Collaboration with Nike, new Fuji course, BMW's new 3 series for the first time
"We would like to be proactive about communication with those outside the company," said Mr. Yamauchi. As though to say "is that all you did," previous collaborations in the GT series have included the "Toyota Prius Version." Mr. Yamauchi also announced that the game would contain the complete Fuji Speedway, which is currently undergoing improvements. This is said to have been accomplished by going to the actual construction site and accumulating elements such as blueprints and other information from the construction company.
Next, it was announced that the "Motor Sports Simulator" using "GT4" technology would be installed in Toyota's "MEGA WEB" showroom from December 4th. This is reportedly a high resolution 6-axis simulator. It uses the new Fuji Speedway course and is a "bodily sensation theater attraction."
Continuing, it was announced that the game is the first to contain BMW's next generation 3-series model before the actual release of the car. This is o*ne link in cross-marketing activities that started with BMW at last year's Geneva Motor Show, and is the third activity after the Concept M5 and 1-series. As "we will do things like put in 'GT4' trial versions at European BMW dealers," it seems as though the partnership should last.
Also, though it is limited to Europe, Nissan Europe will reportedly release a limited edition version of the 350Z, dubbed the "Nissan 350Z Gran Turismo 4 Limited Edition" next Spring. Its limited manufacture features specially designed 18" wheels, Brembo brakes, and seats. Two body colors will be available: Sunshine yellow and Black. Sale will be limited to 700 cars. Mr. Yamauchi said, "Having the name of a game we made o*n an actual car is like a dream come true. I'm so happy." A video of the actual car running the Estoril Circuit was also presented.
To conclude the collaboration announcements, a collaboration between "GT4" and Nike was announced. This is said to be result of Mr. Yamauchi visiting the Nike headquarters, saying something along the lines of "wouldn't it be nice if there were some driving shoes like this," and Nike's staff responding, "let's do it." The driving shoes have a thin front, but the rear features a shock absorption structure called "SHOCKS." Coloring will be limited to white for Japan, red for America, and blue for Europe.
Also worked up was a T-shirt containing the tire tread pattern, the symbol of "GT," and a reflective waffle pattern which is the tradition of Nike. When this mark is recognized by the EyeToy, an original vehicle called the "NIKE o*nE" will appear in "GT4." The "NIKE o*nE," whose motif represents an athlete at a crouching start, is created for a scheduled release in 2022. You enter the car by spreading your hands and lying o*n your face, and your legs are exposed. The specially constructed car uses an inner-wheel motor, and when certain conditions are met, can appear in "GT4." It was designed by Mr. Hill Flank, who designs the Nike sunglasses and a few other products.
The shoes, T-shirt, and carbon-prepared aluminium case "GT4" will be released o*n December 3rd as the "NIKE/GRAN TURISMO 4 Limited Edition" for a price of 33,600 yen, and is limited to 1000 units. It will be sold at stores, but pre-orders begin o*n November 19th o*n Playstation.com, and stores that also sell Nike products will have for sale.
As a special guest, Mr. Mark Parker, the Co-President of Nike came to Japan from Scotland. He was invited o*n to the stage. He greeted the crowd by saying "It was a privilege to work with the Polyphony Digital staff. Mr. Yamauchi is a very special friend to me, and I got a deep impression of innovation from him. I think 'GT4' really expresses a 'soul.'" He gave Mr. Yamauchi a cast model of the "NIKE o*nE." It was reportedly made from a chunk of aluminium scraped off of a shoe prototype by a staff member.
-The next step is "GT for Boys"
To wind up, Mr. Yamauchi said "I would like for younger and younger children to know the depth of cars. Using the entertainment offered by games, within the next 20 years or so, I would like to increase the appreciation for cars. I would like to return the favor to the cars that have given us so much enjoyment. Games end their life cycle after 5 years. Because 'GT4's' system also has a lifetime, I want to think about 'A GT for Kids' after 'GT4.' It would be low-cost, and I keep thinking about if there's a way to get the software out for free. I think a project like this would be impossible without the cooperation of auto makers and media, but to build appreciation for cars in the future, I would like to advance this project."
He continued, "we all knew and loved cars when we were young, and have had an interest in cars since then. We had picture books and toy cars as kids, and because of this, we came to like cars. But the times have changed. Therefore, we need to send car-oriented entertainment the way of children with an intensity that it won't lose to other types of entertainment. That's why we're going to use the 'GT' system. This is outside of any profits. I'm thinking that I would want to limit the style to be for kids under 7 or 8, but laying out concrete policies is yet a task. I want to include labor vehicles as well."
After another performance by "T-SQUARE," the curtains to the intense presentation were closed.
-Damage in "GT5?" PSP "Gran Turismo Mobile" to be released next Spring
There was no comment regarding "GT4's" o*nline support besides "in the near future." Also, regarding the EyeToy support, "that is more or less an experiment. I don't think the next-gen trick will be achieved using the same thing as now, but in the 'GT5' future, I would like to include image recognition somehow influencing the game. 'GT4' does basically everything the PS2 can do. I think we almost 'did too much' in regards to scope too."
As for the prospects of the future, Mr. Yamauchi said, "I think the presentation of damage is extremely important for representation of reality. Completing this will require a great effort o*n our part. This is the theme of 'GT5.' I want it to be so that when you crash into a wall, the car will be deformed according to fundamental physics calculations. Please anticipate 'GT5.'"
Also, regarding the PSP-version "Gran Turismo Mobile," Mr. Yamauchi mentioned, "the characteristic of the PSP features some scale-downs of things you can do o*n the PS2. I think the game fits into a PSP package well thanks to good implementation of scalability. Although the PSP's 'GT' world is no different from other 'GT' games, I think the biggest effect of the PSP is not wireless LAN, but the 'real communication' offered by the handheld itself. I can't imagine it now, but I'm hoping the way we play 'GT' will be changed by real communication between two people with 'GT' o*n their portable game machine."
Sony Computer Entertainment CEO, Mr. Ken Kutaragi, said "cultivating the excellent talent the Polyphony Digital staff has to offer, we will release a PSP-version of 'GT' in the Spring."
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