Has anyone else noticed...

[fusion808]

... a trend on the part of PD to increasingly remove the end user from actually using GT as a simulated racing experience with each iteration of the game and/or each version of the software?

I notice that in GT4, b-spec (although useful for completing endurance events with fast forward) comprises a relatively small percent of the overall game experience. Also, there are many more "a-spec" race events (3 to 4 times as many as GT5) in which to compete.

In GT5, much more emphasis is placed on b-spec mode, which has many users using their consoles to gain XP and credits (has removed user from actually using the software to race cars) as an integral part of the experience. PD wants the end user to focus on something other than the racing aspects of the game, in a big way. And that is strange to me...

Now with "remote racing", PD yet again removes the end user another whole step away, and wants people to not even actually play the game at all or even be in the same location? An auto-pilot for your auto-pilot, just to grind xp and credits? Why even devote the development resources towards these ends when they could be used to enrich the "a-spec" experience?

c-spec? lol whut?

Most of the software updates have included "cancel" "limit" "reduce" "prohibit" type of changes, I almost cringe now every time I see an update pop up, wondering in what way the end users are going to be restricted now.

I don't understand Gran Turismo anymore, it used to be so good.
Why does PD not want us to enjoy their awesome physics and instead wants end users to auto-grind b-spec until the PS3 overheats? This happened to me, twice... both times during endurance races. I then went to buy another PS3, I feel like the biggest fool around.

 

[Xenn]

It IS PD's game after all, they can do whatever they please with their updates.

 

[VBR]

I too hate the general direction Kazunori San & PD are taking the GT series in, I don't mind all the wierd stuff they're adding to it, just that it's being done at the expense of GT becoming more of a motor racing sim. But, it's their game & if they wanna make it more like Pokemon to please themselves more fool them is what I say, I'm just upset cos GT has so much potential to be the best & most realistic motor racing sim ever & that area of the game hasn't really moved on much since GT1.


👎

 

[replacement]

Not a fan of b-spec/remote racing either, but to me it's just a novelty, gives you something else to do and probably extends the life of the game (hours played) a bit for most people. You can still play the game 100% a-spec if that's all you are into. My playing time is probably 95% a-spec.

 

[zedextreme8177]

The way B-spec was implemented was near-perfect in GT4. I didn't use it for short events, but I let my Bob run parts of the Enduros for me.

You didn't HAVE to do it to get 100%, unlike in GT5.

And Bob wasn't as idiotic anyway I cannot imagine Kaz being happy with how B-spec as it is.

 

[eight6er]

The only reason i used B-spec was to get the prizes, if they where A-spec races, I would have spent that time driving rather than watching tv while bob is driving.
I've always hoped GT would be the best, I want a simulator that has all kinds of real cars, to drive and modify any way I like. I thought GT5 was going to be it, but they have seemed to miss the mark and concentrated on developing new things things that a lot of people don't really want and not improving what they already have, actually making what they already had worse in some ways.
There's still hope that a lot of things can be fixed in patches though, just it looks like it could take a long time.

 

[mcfizzle]

PD is giving us more options, which isn't a bad thing, rather than removing the driving aspect of the game as you say. The major emphasis in this game is still A-spec and us driving our cars. That is why Bob can't do License Tests, Special Events, Time Trials, and Seasonal races. If anything they put it more in our hands, because if I remember correctly Bob could do all A-spec for us completely in GT4. Now it is seperated so Bob can only do Bob races, and we can do our races and events. In fact, you don't even have to touch B-spec if you don't want.

In my opinion remote races was an excellent idea. It keeps peoples mind on GT5, keeps us active in the community. I am racing my friends drivers all the time at work, and it is a positive for everyone.

C-spec, I don't know about that, we would have to see a finished product to form an opinion, but I don't see it happening ever.

 

[Gran_Turismo]

PD is giving us more options, which isn't a bad thing, rather than removing the driving aspect of the game as you say. The major emphasis in this game is still A-spec and us driving our cars. That is why Bob can't do License Tests, Special Events, Time Trials, and Seasonal races. If anything they put it more in our hands, because if I remember correctly Bob could do all A-spec for us completely in GT4. Now it is seperated so Bob can only do Bob races, and we can do our races and events. In fact, you don't even have to touch B-spec if you don't want.

In my opinion remote races was an excellent idea. It keeps peoples mind on GT5, keeps us active in the community. I am racing my friends drivers all the time at work, and it is a positive for everyone.

C-spec, I don't know about that, we would have to see a finished product to form an opinion, but I don't see it happening ever.

Ahem. "License Tests, Special Events, Time Trials, and Seasonal races." are not A-Spec modes. A-Spec is a seperate mode. All those modes you listed are designed in ways that a B-spec driver could never seriously compete in as the A.I. is just not that good right now.