Thoughts on Ford's recent reference to GT

[Rudenut]

Is that RX-8 based? I hate the Capri name though. Plenty of names to resurrect better than that.

 

[jedisteampunk]

Now that you've said it, it does very look RX-8 ish, anyway here is what the blurb says about it:

First Ford Capri was design and built in Europe back in the day and was sold in North America from 1970 to 1977 through Ford’s Lincoln/Mercury dealerships. However, the Ford Capri carried no brand badging when it was sold in the U.S.; it simply carried the Capri badge. However, later the car became known as the ‘Mercury Capri.

New Ford Capri – it mixes those with the company’s latest design themes. At the front there are the trademark twin grilles, with a large lower air intake incorporating neat spotlights. Bold Mondeo-style headlamps complete the Capri’s striking look.

Its profile harks back to the original model, with a tail-heavy stance and familiar C-shaped rear windows and thick pillars. At the back, strong shoulder lines combine with distinctive tail-lights and a sloping tailgate to create a pert-looking rear. A neat roof spoiler and venturi-style lower bumper finish the design off.

Inside, the Capri will offer a 2+2 seating layout, with a cabin inspired by the current-generation Mondeo’s. Under the skin, it’s likely that Ford will follow VW’s approach with the Scirocco, which sits on the Golf platform, and base the car around the Focus. That will mean a front-wheel-drive layout and a similar engine line-up to the family model, with the range topped by the 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged unit from the ST hot hatch.

 

[Bobby-Vegas]

Yes Please.

Love all the variations of high performance Mustangs. PD could do the GT 5.0, Shelby GT500, Boss 302 and Laguna Seca edition with this new body style. I expect one of these to be released as DLC..

^ Agreed, I'm a Camaro person myself, but the Boss is just

I have a Camaro also.
Would be nice to see the magnetic suspension 600hp Camaro ZL1, which could be rendered from the 2010 Camaro SS as the demensions are the same.

Overall I am happy that Ford talked about the impact of the Video Game industry on recognition. And also, I had no idea what a Mitsubishi EVO or Subaru WRX/STI was until I played GT 1, I have two friends with STI's. The GT series opened my western civilized eyeballs on other makes aswell.

 

[Slash]

I'd like these please:

1969 Mustang Boss 429

1970 Mustang Boss 302

1967 Shelby Mustang GT500CR Venom (800hp stock)

1968 Mustang Bullitt

1987 Mustang Cobra GT 5.0

2013 Shelby Mustang GT500

2013 Mustang Boss 302

PLEASE AND THANK YOU

 

[ed24]

Apart from seeing any Australian Fords, I'd love to see the Sierra Cosworth and perhaps a recent Focus or Fiesta.

 

[CorvetteConquer]

All this American muscle is making me feel stronger!

ZL1+ 2012 Boss 302 are a must.

 

[elric718]

In all the discussions about Mustangs, I don't think I have seen someone mention the Roush Stage 3. I had never heard of them myself, but one day when I had my Ranger at the dealership for major service, I had the day to spend wandering around there. The Roush 3 puts out 540 horsepower, isn't that the best of the variants?

 

[Slash]

Why all the love for the new models? Sure, they are superb, but they wouldn't be around if we didn't have the originals. I prefer the look of the originals over the new ones though.

No the Roush 3 isn't the best, nor Saleen. The Shelby GT500CR Venom is, at 800hp (imagine in GT5, most cars gain at least 400 horse from tuning an another 20-40 broken in. That's like 1250 horse. HOLY.) The second best is the 2013 Shelby GT500, at 650hp. The Boss 429 comes it at 375, it's a pig, but if you port the heads you'll be looking at 530hp. The GT500 has beaten it A LOT, even last year at 550. The old ones also put out 380ish and with 1 or 2 mods you'll be looking at 500+.

 

[N24_VANTAGE]

Guys, we are missing some key European Fords in this quest for new models. I have loved Fords since I was a kid, my favourite has always been the Mondeo, since it appeared to replace the Sierra in 1993 to its current Bond form. So I would like to see some of the newer euro Fords such as:

Ford Mondeo ST200
Ford Mondeo ST220
Ford Mondeo 2.5i T5 Titanium X
Ford Focus ST 2008
Ford Focus ST 2012
Ford Focus RS 2002
Ford Focus RS 2009
Ford Fiesta ST 2003
Ford Fiesta XR2i 1988
Ford Fiesta RS Turbo 1992
Ford Sierra RS Cosworth Saphire RWD
Ford Sierra RS500
Ford Racing Puma
Ford Escort RS1600
Ford Escort RS Cosworth
Ford Escort RS2000
Ford Capri Tickford
Ford Lotus Cortina

 

[Dirty_Rebel21]

I would love to see a 2003 or 2004 Cobra.

 

[maxpontiac]

Those 2013 Mustangs look great!

 

[Rudenut]

Why all the love for the new models? Sure, they are superb, but they wouldn't be around if we didn't have the originals. I prefer the look of the originals over the new ones though.

No the Roush 3 isn't the best, nor Saleen. The Shelby GT500CR Venom is, at 800hp (imagine in GT5, most cars gain at least 400 horse from tuning an another 20-40 broken in. That's like 1250 horse. HOLY.) The second best is the 2013 Shelby GT500, at 650hp. The Boss 429 comes it at 375, it's a pig, but if you port the heads you'll be looking at 530hp. The GT500 has beaten it A LOT, even last year at 550. The old ones also put out 380ish and with 1 or 2 mods you'll be looking at 500+.

Someone on this forum has suggested that new models would be preferred by manufacturers because this is a marketing medium to them. This makes sense to me and I'm ok with newer models. If they approve the occasional classic that's great.

That being said, I was not intending this thread to be another wish list. I would prefer we keep it on whether this medium (gaming, and specifically GT) will grow as a marketing tool car makers will support more in the near future.

 

[ParkourVeyron]

When I saw the word "demographic" in the news article, I knew that Famine wrote it.

 

[ChrisGT]

I think it's great, and GT5 needs to have more Fords to compete. +1 to 03/04 Cobra, 2011 5.0, 2013 GT500.

 

[Slash]

Someone on this forum has suggested that new models would be preferred by manufacturers because this is a marketing medium to them. This makes sense to me and I'm ok with newer models. If they approve the occasional classic that's great.

That being said, I was not intending this thread to be another wish list. I would prefer we keep it on whether this medium (gaming, and specifically GT) will grow as a marketing tool car makers will support more in the near future.

True but there still are a lot of people out there that would like that classics as well.

 

[mikeonthebike]

I am hoping that Ford reaches the same level of teamwork that PDI currently shares with Nissan.

Yes Please.

PD could show their appreciation for Fords positive and encouraging comments, by giving up some of those Beautiful Ford Muscle and race cars from days Past. Im quite sure the Drag crowd would love a Ford Thunderbolt Galaxy and Hows about a Ford Pantera Detamosa. AHHHHHH Yeah.

I'd like these please:

1969 Mustang Boss 429

1970 Mustang Boss 302

1967 Shelby Mustang GT500CR Venom (800hp stock)

1968 Mustang Bullitt

1987 Mustang Cobra GT 5.0

2013 Shelby Mustang GT500

2013 Mustang Boss 302

PLEASE AND THANK YOU

Someone on this forum has suggested that new models would be preferred by manufacturers because this is a marketing medium to them. This makes sense to me and I'm ok with newer models. If they approve the occasional classic that's great.

That being said, I was not intending this thread to be another wish list. I would prefer we keep it on whether this medium (gaming, and specifically GT) will grow as a marketing tool car makers will support more in the near future.

👍

 

[Max911]

Some tuned Mustangs would be nice. Mostly wanting the Roush and Saleen versions.

 

[plate88]

I think it's great, and GT5 needs to have more Fords to compete. +1 to 03/04 Cobra, 2011 5.0, 2013 GT500.

Definitely need those Mustangs in GT5. Would love to have one of my beloved fox bodies in GT also. Those three are well known with the return of the 5.0's and those Terminator Cobras. Even the fox body, which was the longest running body style in the Mustang stable.

Not really surprising that a car company would say that about the GT series. Although, I don't think Ford is represented nearly as well as some of the manufacturers. While they have a decent lineup of Ford cars, it could be soooooo much better.

 

[LarryL]

If people from Ford and PD are listening.....my car please......93 Mustang Cobra. May as well add the best of that body style.It's always annoyed me that car was never in GT, or any racing game I've ever owned. I didn't even get a Ridge Racer rip-off in the 90's. Lil' Help.........

 

[OHM_fusion]

They should just put every gen Mustang in the game, like they did for the GT-R, with customizations and preferably race mods. And bring back the 1968 Shelby gt500 from GT2. Hopefully American manufacturers push for more cars to be included in GT6.

 

[analog]

This is quickly turning into a Ford wishlist whilst the intention clearly was to debate the recognition Ford paid to the direct impact of videogames on their sales and thus started treating it much more than before as a serious marketing tool.
Since this undoubtedly isn't exclusive to Ford, why not make this discussion broader instead of narrowing it down to just showcasing each personal favourite Ford model and expressing the desire to include it (since that's all it is frankly, it doesn't change one single iota on which cars we'll be getting and there are already more wishlists on this forum than cars to fill them with).

What are the consequences and implications of car manufacturers seeing GT or any racing game as more than simply a videogame which includes some of their products?
Will it affect what cars we see, what they're capable of and what we can do with or to them?
When and how did it change from simply allowing their products to be used to perhaps playing a more proactive role in the decision to include certain models.

Is this for example the reason BMW asked for 2 Premium Minis to be included from the start and 2 more to be included via DLC since they think it's more worthwhile to promote this particular brand to a specific demographic which plays driving games, whilst another one of their brands, Rolls-Royce (which you'd expect to be included in something which calls itself a car encyclopedia) has hardly got anything to gain marketing or saleswise from exposure in a videogame?

Will it be considered poor judgement to sign exclusive deals in the future (like Porsche/EA) or will it spark competition between brands to include new models as soon as they can (allowing game developers early access to cars yet to be released, etc.)?
All questions which are, in my opinion, far more interesting to be discussed, than seeing the whole history of Fords high performance range being posted.

 

[Slash]

Again, we wouldn't be were we are now if those cars never existed. And they'd make money of them.

 

[Rudenut]

This is quickly turning into a Ford wishlist whilst the intention clearly was to debate the recognition Ford paid to the direct impact of videogames on their sales and thus started treating it much more than before as a serious marketing tool.
Since this undoubtedly isn't exclusive to Ford, why not make this discussion broader instead of narrowing it down to just showcasing each personal favourite Ford model and expressing the desire to include it (since that's all it is frankly, it doesn't change one single iota on which cars we'll be getting and there are already more wishlists on this forum than cars to fill them with).

What are the consequences and implications of car manufacturers seeing GT or any racing game as more than simply a videogame which includes some of their products?
Will it affect what cars we see, what they're capable of and what we can do with or to them?
When and how did it change from simply allowing their products to be used to perhaps playing a more proactive role in the decision to include certain models.

Is this for example the reason BMW asked for 2 Premium Minis to be included from the start and 2 more to be included via DLC since they think it's more worthwhile to promote this particular brand to a specific demographic which plays driving games, whilst another one of their brands, Rolls-Royce (which you'd expect to be included in something which calls itself a car encyclopedia) has hardly got anything to gain marketing or saleswise from exposure in a videogame?

Will it be considered poor judgement to sign exclusive deals in the future (like Porsche/EA) or will it spark competition between brands to include new models as soon as they can (allowing game developers early access to cars yet to be released, etc.)?
All questions which are, in my opinion, far more interesting to be discussed, than seeing the whole history of Fords high performance range being posted.

Exactly this. This was my intention for the thread and I even tried to rerail it.

My hope is that more manufacturers colaborate with developers in a similar manner Toyota did with the 86. Lots of movie showcases that can be used for presentations at auto shows and similar events.

Having another avenue of income through marketing could mean that such content derived from it could be offered free to gamers.

Of course this also means we would likely have less influence on what goes into the games. Unless, of course, other models are included in the negotiations.

 

[analog]

Having another avenue of income through marketing could mean that such content derived from it could be offered free to gamers.

That would imply sponsoring by those brands or brands paying (partly) themselves for the development of a specifc cars virtual counterpart which I think PD mentions isn't the case right now.
Would be fun seeing brands themselves (via PD) offering DLC and directly competing through offering discounts on PSN although that would just be a literal translation of real life practices focussed more on selling commodities than marketing their real life products.

What I think could be a possible outcome might be the reflection of a brands priority due to different brands following different strategies and which might not be a good thing regarding balance between categories of cars included.
Some brands may wish to offer an enjoyable association with their brand by offering certain high performance versions or high end models (or classics and racecars, etc.) in the hope it will translate to more sales of their humdrum models whilst others might go for a more direct approach by offering those humdrum models they wish to sell basically as a test drive (that may also depend on the kind of line up/history a brand has got and a lot of brands can do both).

There are positives and negatives to a more serious perception of videogames by car manufacturers I think, in some ways it makes things a lot easier like getting a license in the first place or access to new cars whilst the significant impact on sales apparantly might make the involvement on the decisionmaking too intrusive (as there's a lot at stake for them) and therefor could have a negative impact on what content we're getting (which is subjective obviously).

But then again, we won't ever know that and it may already be that way.

 

[Rudenut]

That would imply sponsoring by those brands or brands paying (partly) themselves for the development of a specifc cars virtual counterpart which I think PD mentions isn't the case right now.
Would be fun seeing brands themselves (via PD) offering DLC and directly competing through offering discounts on PSN although that would just be a literal translation of real life practices focussed more on selling commodities than marketing their real life products.

What I think could be a possible outcome might be the reflection of a brands priority due to different brands following different strategies and which might not be a good thing regarding balance between categories of cars included.
Some brands may wish to offer an enjoyable association with their brand by offering certain high performance versions or high end models (or classics and racecars, etc.) in the hope it will translate to more sales of their humdrum models whilst others might go for a more direct approach by offering those humdrum models they wish to sell basically as a test drive (that may also depend on the kind of line up/history a brand has got and a lot of brands can do both).

There are positives and negatives to a more serious perception of videogames by car manufacturers I think, in some ways it makes things a lot easier like getting a license in the first place or access to new cars whilst the significant impact on sales apparantly might make the involvement on the decisionmaking too intrusive (as there's a lot at stake for them) and therefor could have a negative impact on what content we're getting (which is subjective obviously).

But then again, we won't ever know that and it may already be that way.

I understand that it isn't that way now. I do, however, think it is a possible evolution. Similar, in a way, to taking ads out on tv or magazines.
Pay to have a new model injected into a game with a sort of commercial that plays when it is downloaded (with the option of replaying in the showroom). Possibly include a couple events featuring the car. Likely would include some short term exclusivity...like a monthly or even weekly spot.

In the extreme the user would get no other content during this period. A reasonable way would only exclude other commercials and events during this period.

I understand this is not the case now. I simply think this is a possible evolutionary outcome.

 

[DEATHSARTHE]

I think a lot of manufacturers have held GT in a different light. Except for Porsche.

Honestly I think its great product placement and am somewhat suprised that manufacturers might still be charging for license agreements rather than help PD present their product in the best way possible. Kind of like how movies work... that movie with Ricky Bobbie - it was basically a long commercial but that movie wouldn't have been as successful without sponsors and all the product placement. Takes a good talent like Will Ferrell to make a concept as dumb as a long commerical into an entertainig comercial.

I'm also suprised the usual suspects aren't playing a bigger role product placement in Gran Turismo. Mountain Dew, McDonald's, and Cheetohs might find it beneficial to have a few adds in there or something or perhaps sponsor a premium race car. I remember a game way back in the day, Sega GT for Dreamcast, in which after every race you got the base prize of lets say 10,000 cr and then another screen would pop up with real-world sponsors (some of which had nothing to do with motorsports or automobiles) and award you another 10,000 cr.

I also like how shows are starting to take notice of the power of gaming, as Gran Turismo and Top Gear really do go hand in hand (although Top Gear did leave GT). But there's a lot of shows out there that could jump on the bandwagon. Gran Turismo 5 has a neat little feature called Gran Turismo TV in which gamers can watch content with simply a press of the button. Motor Trend, The Car Show, Jay Leno Big Dog Garage... A lot of content out there for this. Everything from full on TV episodes to just little podcasts - but these updates being in game offers something new and fun to look at. BestMotoring is cool and all, but doesn't really relate to me and what I'm interested in. Theres a lot of good car enthusiast content out there.

But anyway, I don't think manufacturers take games 100% seriously yet but I do think when GT6 drops, it will be revolutionary in this sense. I can't help but to think that PD will be on the forefront of this type of thing since it is held in a much different light, IMO.