The Swedish gaming studio Sector3 Studios (formerly SimBin) is known for pushing the hard-core driving simulation genre back to the surface at a time when it was more or less apparent that the market was oriented towards casual driving games. This movement caused major changes in the way driving games are developed nowadays and we’re all thankful for that.
The studio had a very nice portfolio of titles to tackle this change. Many of us have heard of the recent free-to-play RaceRoom Racing Experience title, while senior button and pedal-pushers should recall two Race titles and two GTR games from the past. The GTR products paved the reputation the studio currently has, albeit not alone – another title proved to be a great supporter in revitalizing the forgotten driving genre and it is known as GT Legends.
To the joy and happiness of loyal fans, the recently revealed plan to bring the title back to life may just be cause for alarm among developers of the current driving simulators. Former SimBin employee Simon Lundell announced that his newly established Tiny Feet Studios is considering the development of GT Legends’s sequel. In the statement for RaceDepartment, he confirmed that plans for the new sequel are already in progress:
“Ever since the SimBin bankruptcy I have been working towards the GT Legends rebirth. I finally have all the paperwork in place to let you know of our plans. There are a lot challenges, and a long project, ahead of us but we remain excited and motivated for the challenges ahead and look forward to bringing a game people will love to race “
There are no further details regarding the game and its future content, but one thing may be certain – if the game’s content is going to lean on the vintage paradigm of the last game, success will be inevitable.
Let’s remind ourselves; the original GT Legends was first launched in 2005 on PC machines, at that time the usual destination for hard-core driving simulators. With its realistic, albeit demanding physical engine and attractive offer of vintage touring cars, it quickly became distinct for the atmospheric and authentic asphalt-tearing of its ‘old-school’ period. As with all other SimBin installments of that time, the game gave birth to numerous user-made mods and additions over the years, which are still popular today.
Video and featured image provided by Youtube user NightCell90.
I thought GTL was an Ian Bell title. He was Lead developer while at SimBin on the title.
Now he heads up SMS, so does the title follow him or stay with Sector3?
SMS is the Same group that brings us pCars.
they were the team that worked under the SimBin name.
Not sure how Sector3 and SMS divided up ownership to the titles?
http://www.slightlymadstudios.com/team/ian-bell
Ian Bell
5/28/2013
What games have you worked on?
GTR, GT Legends, GTR2, BMW M3 Challenge, Need For Speed: SHIFT, SHIFT 2 Unleashed
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=22336
http://www.shacknews.com/article/57302/simbin-a-little-angry-with
“Mr. Ling’s suggestions are utterly absurd.
More than 25 of Slightly Mad Studios’ current staff worked on and are actually credited in GT Legends and GTR2 including the majority of the core development team.
They worked on these titles whilst at Blimey! Games Limited – who was involved in the development of GT Legends and actually developed GTR2 itself.
As you may know Blimey is now in administration but we recently purchased certain of its business and assets and took on all the jobs of its excellent team. That team deserves the credit for its work.
It saddens me when fellow developers make inappropriate statements like this in public, but I think the fact that the first I heard of it was from a gaming journalist says everything you need to know about the credibility of the claims. Had there been any merit to them I am sure I would have heard sooner.
Best,
Ian Bell
Head of Studio
Slightly Mad Studios.”
A partial list of Slightly Mad’s former SimBin staff and their credits follow:
Ian Bell – Head Of Development – GTR, GT Legends, GTR 2
Andy Garton – Technical Director – GTR, GT Legends, GTR 2
Stephen Viljoen – Lead Designer/Producer – GTR, GT Legends, GTR 2
Eric Boosman – Art Director – GTR, GT Legends, GTR 2
Doug Arnao – Physics/AI Director – GTR, GT Legends, GTR 2
Jan Frischkorn – Art Lead – GTR, GT Legends, GTR 2
Perran Truran – Lead Vehicle Modeller – GTR, GT Legends, GTR 2
Viktor Kolomiets – Builds / Asset Manager – GTR, GT Legends, GTR 2
Ged Keaveney – Programmer – GT Legends, GTR 2
Steve Dunn – Programmer – GT Legends, GTR 2
Robert Dibley – Programmer – GT Legends, GTR 2
Anders Johansson – Programmer – GT Legends, GTR 2
Iain Wallington – Programmer – GTR 2
Matt Hobbs – Programmer – GTR 2
Vittorio Rapa – Server Side Coder – GT Legends, GTR 2
Stephen Baysted – Sound Director – GTR, GT Legends, GTR 2
Greg Hill – Sound Designer – GTR, GT Legends, GTR 2
Casey Ringley – Vehicle Modeller – GT Legends, GTR 2
Gustavo Olivera – Vehicle Modeller – GTR, GT Legends, GTR 2
Daniel Karlsson – Vehicle Texture Artist – GTR, GT Legends, GTR 2
Bryn Alban – Vehicle Modeller – GTR, GT Legends, GTR 2
Vincent Dambreville – Vehicle Texture Artist – GT Legends, GTR 2
Sven Moll – Track Production/Organics – GT Legends, GTR 2
Andreas Moll – Track Production/Organics – GT Legends, GTR 2
Sean Vollmer – Track Modeller – GTR, GT Legends, GTR 2
Hopefully, it won’t end up like GTR3.
Remember seeing this game in the shelf a when I was working my way through school. Exactly the race game that I want. If it doesn’t come to console I might finally dive into PC racing.
Hey look! Cars with fairly well detailed interiors from a game in 2005… Why can’t we get that from GT in 2016 smh
These cars look more “premium” than most the cars in GT6 is what I’m trying to say. It’s quite sad really.
Yeah the interiors look cool, though not better than the premiums in gt5/6. They’re about as good as the updated open cockpit views on the caterham and LMP’s, but with working dials.
There are a few nice touches you don’t get in GT like bodywork in the mirrors. pit boards, if like me, you don’t like having a hud.
This game really needs to happen!
I never played the original but I love the idea of getting to race all the vintage machinery. If this was to come to consoles I might push people out of the way to get it.
Modern GT3 is cool and all but Group 5 DRM is where it’s at for me. Please please please, don’t mess this up (DLC).
I had never heard of this game. I looked up content and it looks awesome. It also looks very clean for 2005.
You can still get it on steam. It’s awesome.
GTL was the first proper sim I played, would love a sequel.
Sweet! thank god there are still companies like this wanting to deliver products with quality
Would love a remake of GTL – Get it done! :)
Legendary !
Still play GTR2, GTL and Race07. Make skins for all three titles via Race07. Awesome games.
Still play GT Legends now! Was playing it just this weekend, awesome game! A sequel would be awesome!
That would be fairly nice. I just want an endurance-focused racing game with PROPER AI (looking at you, PCars!)
For quite a while I wanted a Grand-Am (now IMSA) game. You know, start in Prototype lites, progress to Sports car challenge and then to the big series. Maybe start making a couple of stints in the longer races, then get a full-time GT or even DP ride