Thoughts on 'Gran turismo anywhere' next month?

[Shinzah]

So you say you actually enjoy watching the AI race and giving commands? Cool, I can't argue with that. I absolutely despise B-Spec mode but I believe that you are actually telling the truth and you actually like the gameplay interaction of B-Spec mode. After all video games are an interactive medium.

If (as you say) you like managing and watching GT5 virtual drivers how can you think that this "Gran Turismo Anywhere", a new feature of GT5 that costs time and money, is going to be an enjoyable feature to you? You won't watch the race, you won't be able to command your drivers (how can you command them if you don't see them?) and you would have to leave your PS3 on pointlessly!

Are you seriously still defending "Gran Turismo Anywhere"? What's the point of "Gran Turismo Anywhere"? More credits? If it is so then it is a over-engineered but deeply flawed solution to a problem that shouldn't exist in the first place! They should just increase the credits for regular A-Spec event and give some proper prize cars!

Make no mistake, every feature in every program costs time and money and both are finite. For every new feature of a game there will be other features that will be underdeveloped or not even there. A good developer/manager is someone who will be able to find the proper balance. And seeing how PD spent time and money on B-Spec, and apparently is developing this "Gran Turismo Anywhere", while the core driving game has so many missing features/bugs/glitches proves they have forgotten the core values of driving games.👎

As far as I understand, Gran Turismo anywhere is not an adddition to B-Spec specifically, and the technology used is far more deeper then many people here understand.

If PD can provide an online browser based system for displaying realtime races over the internet, they've created a propietary Timing and Scoring system that can be used in all modes of gameplay, which then provides a much deeper level of telemetry then the telemetry review panel in the replays.

As far as I understand it, remote racing is for watching remote races, not for issueing commands. A racing game with its own timing and scoring would not only help b-spec gamers, of which obviously exist, but also help in A-Spec competitions and online racing as an invaluable tool.

The fact is, and I say this from a personal standpoint so take it as an opinion. Most of the people jumped on this update without ever bothering to research what it COULD mean for the rest of the game. Even a post someone made detailing the fact that it could, and probably is what I just said it was, was ignored by all the B-SPEC UPDATE OMG posts.


Now, you:

Incorrect... you make the false assumption that, just because someone dislikes B-Spec, that automatically means they haven't learned how to play it. I have golded all my B-Spec races up to close to Level 30, then gone back and tried them with lower power cars. They WERE NOT even remotely any more entertaining. Watching Bob drive like a moron in a 200hp car is no more fun than watching him drive like a moron in a 600hp car. He STILL drives like a moron, in fact, even MORE moronic than the main AI, which is quite an achievement.

Then you DONT know how to play it, and have proven my point thusly.

And, I'm sorry for you if B-Spec is the most intense racing you've NEVER driven. Watching Le Mans, FIA GT1, ALMS, BTTC, DTM and all the other racing on TV every day is what I consider the most intense racing I've never driven. If I want to watch someone ELSE drive round a track, I'll watch the pros, and maybe pick up a tip or two about lines and overtaking. Not some idiot who I could outdrive with my eyes closed.

So your a racing driver? What titles do you hold? licenses? where have you raced? If you think you can outdrive anyone, human or AI, you'd better bring proof you've driven something before.

Secondly, if you want to get literal I was not included televised events in my statement. Referring instead to the Game as this thread is about the Game.

If B-Spec was supposed to just be a 'break' from regular driving, how come the races are twice as long? How come the prize cars aren't available as A-Spec prizes for those that don't NEED a 'break'? How come the EXP for B-Spec doesn't simply get added to A-Spec? B-Spec has NO VALUE except cash and cars.

The races are twice as long as length is experience in GT5's level structure. Because B-Spec has no Seasonals, Specials, Or licenses the length of races was increased for the ammount of experience needed so that you wouldn't need to grind as much as in A-Spec to up your level.

This I guarantee... If ALL B-Spec races were available to be played as A-Spec races, and their EXP went to A-Spec, there would be, at a conservative estimate, about a thousand times as many players NEVER playing B-Spec again. The tiny few that have fallen in love with this mode would be exposed for the minuscule minority they are.

Ever been to an asian forum, or better, read some of the japanese tweets in response to Kaz. B-Spec is not a worldwide minority. If anything theres as many people who enjoy B-Spec AND A-Spec as there is people who enjoy only A-Spec

Go watch some BTTC, some GT1, some ALMS. Learn what REAL racing looks like, then compare to the joke that B-Spec is...

BTCC* GT1? In what series? I went to three ALMS races last year. I see on average two to three hundred televised racing events a year, and go many times to upwards of ten races a year, across multiple disciplines, participating in track days and kart races on top of that. I don't need a lesson, thank you.

 

[Bigbazz]

Just want to point out, Destinkeys was saying he can beat the B-spec driver with ease, he never mentioned being a real racecar driver or outdriving any humans. The B-spec driver is slow, really slow compared to a human driver.

Much of it is not about skill or strategy, as much as it is about luck or being in the right car. Bob likes some cars more than others, luck is a huge factor. Keeping control of bob ensures he does not overdrive or underdrive, but the control you have is minimal.

 

[DanDiplo]

You don't understand. Beyond the endurance races, B-Spec wasn't designed to be left on unattended. It was designed as a break from driving yourself to watch some racing and be a pit chief. If you use a competitive car, with the right setup and tire combination, then good luck winning with zero strategy or effort.

I know B-Spec wasn't designed to be left on unattended, but this thread is about Grant Turismo Anywhere which some people have reported in this thread (if you read all of it) require you to leave your PS3 on and say you cannot even give any input to. If that is the case it is a waste of power.

I actually quite like normal B-Spec, it's an OK diversion. But even in this mode, I've read many people on this forum just leave their PS3 on and turn the TV and leave it just to get cash XP. Someone has even created a lego robotics arm to continually press a button so they can leave it "grinding" away. If GT Anywhere encourages or exacerbates this type of automated, remote "grinding" then it is crazy.

 

[Shinzah]

I know B-Spec wasn't designed to be left on unattended, but this thread is about Grant Turismo Anywhere which some people have reported in this thread (if you read all of it) require you to leave your PS3 on and say you cannot even give any input to. If that is the case it is a waste of power.

I actually quite like normal B-Spec, it's an OK diversion. But even in this mode, I've read many people on this forum just leave their PS3 on and turn the TV and leave it just to get cash XP. Someone has even created a lego robotics arm to continually press a button so they can leave it "grinding" away. If GT Anywhere encourages or exacerbates this type of automated, remote "grinding" then it is crazy.

Many sites have already confirmed that the addition won't let you play regular season B-Spec events, so grinding is not even an issue.

 

[Bigbazz]

It allows you to grind xp and money. that is the point of it.

 

[Shinzah]

It allows you to grind xp and money. that is the point of it.

Click Here.

Research, it helps win races, and flamewars. tyvmhand.

 

[Kaaosherra]

If you really need to have your PS3 on, then this is an almost useless feature.

 

[vrooom]

If PD can provide an online browser based system for displaying realtime races over the internet, they've created a propietary Timing and Scoring system that can be used in all modes of gameplay, which then provides a much deeper level of telemetry then the telemetry review panel in the replays.

If you are taking about streaming the video of the race you are very optimistic if you think that PD will be able to develop something like that. But even if they manage to do that that would be something not trivial and will take a lot of time. Not to mention the huge server costs or the trouble that will cause to our Internet connection. Do you think we should update our Internet Connections to media provider status for GT5?

If you are talking about a table of laptimes that the AI clocks then that's an even crazier idea! While I can understand (barely) watching the lap times of a real race or the score of a real football game, watching the lap times of some very bad AI routines is a bonkers idea!

And my point still stands. Video games, especially driving games,are an interactive medium! A board of lap times the AI clocks is not interactive, thus not a game! Unless of course you don't consider GT5 to be a driving game and in that case there is not point in arguing...

Still do you think that this is the way forward for GT5? That's a good way to spend development time? Didn't we all bought a driving game? Last time I checked the tag line of GT5 is "The Real Driving Simulator" not "The virtual race with dump AI video streaming simulator while your PS3 is steaming cause it's working non stop". Don't you think it's time PD starts focusing to make the GT5 tagline somewhat true? Cause right now while some cars handle great (definetely a lot better than GT4) the game is severily lacking in all other important aspects of driving games compared to other titles and previous GT versions!👎

Many people here made some very logical remarks and comments but you seem to be arguing just for the sake of arguing or you don't consider GT5 a driving game like I am sure (almost) everyone does. Frankly there is not point in arguing any more. Let's just agree that we disagree!

 

[Bigbazz]

Click Here.

Research, it helps win races, and flamewars. tyvmhand.

Yes cheers for that. As i said, it allows you to grind xp and money.

 

[Lawndart]

What a mess of a thread...

I wonder if people would be making such a big issue over this B-spec business if they had more A-spec races to keep you/us busy... Hmm... I guess we are running out of things to do, hungry for more, and only remote B-spec on the horizon...

I like B-spec a lot... but I too would prefer more A-spec or driving game play content...

Simply the best part about GT's has been starting with a beater (often times a car you own or had owned in the past) and gradually upgrading it through several events before it looses its effectiveness and moving on up to the next class of car...

 

[Shinzah]

If you are taking about streaming the video of the race you are very optimistic if you think that PD will be able to develop something like that. But even if they manage to do that that would be something not trivial and will take a lot of time. Not to mention the huge server costs or the trouble that will cause to our Internet connection. Do you think we should update our Internet Connections to media provider status for GT5?

Thats not what I ever ment, sorry.

If you are talking about a table of laptimes that the AI clocks then that's an even crazier idea! While I can understand (barely) watching the lap times of a real race or the score of a real football game, watching the lap times of some pure AI simulation routines is a bonkers idea!

Bonkers to you. You don't understand how the technology can be adapted into A-Spec, Either. You're ignoring EVERY aspect of it, just because you don't like it.

And my point still stands. Video games, especially driving games,are an interactive medium! A board of lap times the AI clocks is not interactive, thus not a game! Unless of course you don't consider GT5 to be a driving game and in that case there is not point in arguing...

I consider GT5 to be a catch all racing simulation. This includes driving races and managing them.

Still do you think that this is the way forward for GT5? That's a good way to spend development time? Didn't we all bought a driving game? Last time I checked the tag line of GT5 is "The Real Driving Simulator" not "The virtual race with dump AI video streaming simulator while your PS3 is steaming cause it's working non stop". Don't you think it's time PD starts focusing to make the GT5 tagline somewhat true? Cause right now while some cars handle great (definetely a lot better than GT4) the game is severily lacking in all other important aspects of driving games

Its paragraphs like this that I wonder why the more vocal people of the community bothered to buy a game this despise, say they love it, and then complain about every single possible aspect of the game without ever saying one damn positive thing in support of it, or the development team.

I'm starting to hope this is the last game in the series. So that PD can close down and you'll all have something properly upsetting to complain about beyond them giving some people what they originally promised on the packaging, or the lack of events or this or that or the other thing.

compared to other titles and previous GT versions!👎

Many people here made some very logical remarks and comments but you seem to be arguing just for the sake of arguing or you don't consider GT5 a driving game like I am sure (almost) everyone does. Frankly there is not point in arguing any more. Let's just agree that we disagree!

Fine. I agree that we disagree.

I'm defending B-Spec because its a part of the game I enjoy. I'm not arguing for the sake of arguing, I'm really not arguing at all. I don't have to justify anything to anyone who thinks A-Spec should be the ONLY mode because THEY want it to be. And I don't have anything to prove over the internet to a development studio who doesn't even know me.

 

[vrooom]

Just a quick reply cause I may have given the impression I don't like GT5.

I like GT5, I think even with all the flaws is a game worth having and I have great fun with it. I like much more than the previous GT games cause the driving dynamics have improved a lot while I consider the previous GT games to have an awful driving model.

So just because I am criticizing GT5 doesn't mean I don't like it. If I hated GT5 I wouldn't even bother to post. I just think that it could be (and it can still become) much better if they would focus in the driving/racing part of GT5.

If they don't change the focus in the future I don't think I will bother buying any other GT game. Again this is just me and I am sure it wouldn't bother Sony and PD one bit since GT is very popular.

(Disclaimer: I am not arguing right now )

 

[Shinzah]

Just a quick reply cause I may have given the impression I don't like GT5.

I like GT5, I think even with all the flaws is a game worth having and I have great fun with it. I like much more than the previous GT games cause the driving dynamics have improved a lot while I consider the previous GT games to have an awful driving model.

So just because I am criticizing GT5 doesn't mean I don't like it. If I hated GT5 I wouldn't even bother to post. I just think that it could be (and it can still become) much better if they would focus in the driving/racing part of GT5.

You, and everyone else have said pretty much this same thing.

But you don't understand that this game will be updated over time, and not all of them will be what you want them to be. Love or hate GT5 and the GT franchise series direction, B-Spec is part of the game now, and thats how it will remain, and be updated, like the rest of the game. Pointless or no.

Also, everyone should withold judgement until the update comes out before passing blame to PD for ignoring A-Spec and so called "nessecary" updates.

 

[Schmo]

How did this thread get turned into another B-Spec bashing thread? If you dont like it, thats cool. To each his own. But makes discussing this new feature with others also interested in it difficult.

 

[Bigbazz]

We are on this site because we like GT, many of us are long time fans and the game has become something we care about. Just like an artist, a musician or even an engineer will be his own biggest critic, finding the faults in your own work or the things you love with an aim to want to improve them... its natural.

I love GT5 and the GT franchise, partly because of that it is very easy to see the flaws in the game and the improvements that are needed. However, improving the game and fixing the flaws is out of our hands, and is left down to the people at PD, when they announce an unneeded new feature that adds little to nothing to the game, that promotes not playing the game, instead of the possible brilliant things that could be done with the time and rescources, we get frustrated.


Imagine you buy a car, you like the car but something does not work, you send it to the garage and instead of them fixing the car they install something that you did not ask for, the problem with the car remains.

 

[will4noobs]

How did this thread get turned into another B-Spec bashing thread? If you dont like it, thats cool. To each his own. But makes discussing this new feature with others also interested in it difficult.

This ^

can we get back on topic and talk about this feature and how it'll effect B-spec mode

 

[CarreraGT]

I can claim it as a fact. When GT1 came out after "Five years in the making" it was DEVELOPED for two years, possibly three. It was not on a five year development cycle, because you can't develop a game for a system that does not even exist, its not possible.

Its possible the idea for the Gran Turismo franchise and brainstorming has been about that long, but its not possible for the actual game, in a state of form AS a game, to be around for that long.

Brainstorming is part of development. If poor choices are made during the concept stage then they generally carry through to the finished product. As I said, I think the graphics are amazing but the structure of A-spec and the levelling system are not. These are a result of concept design choices, not lack of development.

Implication is not promises. NONE of these were promises, at all.

Now you are just splitting hairs. In that sense we weren't "promised" anything, but it's hardly unreasonable to expect things that you see in trailers and interviews.

Realistic damage WAS NEVER PROMISED

This was "implied" many times in interviews with KY. He even stated that NASCAR's would "smash into tiny pieces" (did a quick google search for the article but couldn't find it).

Improved tuning options? When was this promised?

Fair enough this wasn't promised, but you would expect this to evolve with the series would you not? In fact it's gone backwards since GT4.

Anyway we're getting a bit off topic. All I'm saying is that there are some aspects of the game which need work. You can add features left right and centre but at the end of the day, fixing just a few of the existing issues would make the game much more polished overall.

If they released a patch tomorrow with a fix for AI and a few graphical/sound bugs it would do so much more for the gaming experience than adding gimmicky features that most people won't use. Then they can go nuts and add whatever they like

 

[Lawndart]

We could use some moderation here... if not I say we go back to Le-Mans stories!!!

This thread is to talk about remote B-Spec or GT anywhere, not a place to debate how good or bad the MP4 is in COD... I mean personal opinions on an existing feature in GT5...

 

[Shinzah]

We could use some moderation here... if not I say we go back to Le-Mans stories!!!

This thread is to talk about remote B-Spec or GT anywhere, not a place to debate how good or bad the MP4 is in COD... I mean personal opinions on an existing feature in GT5...

I have a good many le-mans stories...

 

[II IVORBIGUN II]

Beyond the endurance races, B-Spec wasn't designed to be left on unattended. It was designed as a break from driving yourself to watch some racing and be a pit chief.

That comment just proves what I said many posts ago that Kaz isn't much of a gamer. If I was an PD employee working on GT5 I would of instantly spotted that many would leave B Spec unattended and thats exactly what many people do. Sorry but in my opinion Kaz was naive to believe many gamers would happily sit there watching some races.

This is the whole problem with GT5, the gameplay is old and dated. I love the physics, graphics but the gameplay is very poor. Now whats interesting is 10yrs ago I would of been happy with the gameplay on GT5, but why aren't I now? Well the answer is because gaming has changed and other developers have opened my eyes to this new gaming experience.

 

[ESR_balla]

Seems like a theme to this game, another stupid and pointless idea/feature to concentrate their work on with so many other glaring issues.

 

[Stigsblkcousin]

You mean to tell me I can play GT5 from work?!?!?

I can dig it!

 

[Lawndart]

I'm going to have to defend Shinzh's comment and back it up with this is a more of an enthusiasts feature. I watch racing every time its on TV and take great joy in having this odd feature that gives me some control over the action...

If you have gotten to the B-spec extreme events and can still say you hate it then fair enough... but things get pretty crazy with the tire wear, balancing the car, having to rely on drafting in a timely manor to win a race... And the Nascar B-spec is like watching Nascar... the way the car appears to slide around the track is remarkably well modeled and I'm not at all a Nascar fan.

But lets all agree this is in all fairness a car enthusiasts feature, one that anyone at any age and skill level can enjoy if they so choose, and this is Kaz's brain child that other games have loosely followed... but for different reasons.

 

[CarreraGT]

Seems like a theme to this game, another stupid and pointless idea/feature to concentrate their work on with so many other glaring issues.

Yep

 

[p-coletray]

B-spec is not racing, it is not even coaching, and it is not fun. It is so e-z one does not even have to click a single command if a powerful enough car is chosen. People click a button and go to work while the stupid "bob" drives easily to victory for up to 24 hours? Does that not sound puzzling to everyone here?

I am one to start conspiracies: I think that the longer PD keeps people logged in, the better deal they get for network space? Perhaps there is something in it for them if they increase market share? If they have enough people logged in, for a long enough time, it will boost their value? Yep, that's it. Sorry Kaz, I figured it out, you know this is a meaningless part of the game and you boost the potential for increasing time logged in by promoting and increasing the support for a completely useless program. Not an original concept, but effective.

B-spec is the most pointless, meaningless game I have ever seen, for all time. I know everyone deep down agrees, but it hurts to swallow pride when you already bought in to the aimless concept of b-spec, so a boycott is not going to happen.

Here's my thoughts OP: I don't like b-spec and I am disappointed that it has not been removed entirely. There is no future in B-spec, GT is going to lose their fans slowly if this is the chosen path for them. This is a very disappointing news release.

Ok, I'll eat my words, partially. I did find one use for bob, and it works:

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=161269

I would still rather have a spec updates, leave the b alone.

 

[Calais02]

Looking forwad to GT Anywhere as makes it easier to grind at work, and that means more money which means more cars in my collection

 

[CarreraGT]

I would rather just send B-spec Bob to the casino to put all my credits on red. Maybe this feature will come in the march update?

 

[Stigsblkcousin]

ITT: People with a life are ecstatic about this new convenient feature!

 

[CarreraGT]

The day I find myself out at the pub checking my phone to see how some AI driver is going on my PS3 back at home is the day I realise I have no life.

I love GT but there's a time and a place for it

 

[machschnel]

GT Anywhere is the answer to the question nobody wanted asked.

From what I can gather from the responses to this thread, players are excited for this feature because in essence, it will allow them to grind more effectively. That can't be denied. If your'e not watching a B-Spec race, your'e grinding. So GT Anywhere solves (slightly) the grinding problem.

But wouldn't common sense tell you that the best way to solve the grinding issue is to increase race credits/XP? Seems so simple a solution.

GT Life is akin to amputating your leg because it's broken. Sure it will solve your broken leg problem, but is it really the right course of action?

Use simple logic Polyphony, thats all I ask.