Kazunori Yamauchi “Can’t Say There Won’t Be” a Tourist Trophy 2

tourist-trophy

Since a team of Polyphony Digital employees were seen scanning the Snaefell Mountain Course last year – host of the legendary Isle of Man TT – there’s been a lot of talk about the possibility of motorcycles coming to the next installment of the Gran Turismo series.

Of course, Polyphony has a strong track record with standalone motorcycle games, having released “Tourist Trophy” on the PS2 back in 2006, powered by GT4’s game engine.

While Kazunori is occasionally asked about a Tourist Trophy revival by the media, his most recent response to the “Tourist Trophy 2” question should raise a few eyebrows. In a video interview with Game’s Princess at the recent Peugeot Vision GT event in Paris, Kazunori laughed nervously, shook his head in agreement, and acknowledged the possible existence of the game:

“I won’t deny that, because I know there’s a lot of people waiting for it. I can’t say there won’t be a [Tourist Trophy 2].”

That’s a curious answer, considering last year’s news from the Isle of Man. You can watch the full interview below, where Kazunori works his way around the host’s other questions regarding GT7 and its possible release date.

Tourist Trophy Photomode image by MXHyland.

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Comments (40)

  1. HarVee

    I’m actually hoping this isn’t true. Kazunori and Co. already have enough on their plate with both GT6 and GT7. And going by their recent efforts, the studio can’t handle the extra load at the moment – that is unless the reason why their latest efforts have been abysmal is due to focus on TT2. Even then, effort would best be put into their more popular entity (GT), than continuing this old IP.

    Now if they had double the staff and were actually releasing moderate works, then I’d say go for it. But until then, please prioritize.

    1. SZRT Ice

      Just because there are less fans of TT than GT, doesn’t mean their desires shouldn’t be counted.

      I don’t think their recent efforts show anything in the way of abysmal efforts. GT5 was already pushing the PS3 near it’s limits, and GT6 is pushing it even more. I think they may have over estimated the track editor they made (likely functional and beautiful on PS4, yet not so much on PS3) and are working to get it to a more presentable state (or, it’s ready already, and will be released alongside some other big announcements in a short period of time). The version that they envisioned, which likely works great on the PS4, may require more system resources than the PS3 can handle.

      The VGT Project is paced by the manufacturers (although I know PD’s modelling capacity has something to do with it as well), and I think it’s obvious by now that most, if not all of the new street and race class vehicles are/will being/be held for GT7. If not yet, than starting soon. The VGT Project, was and is GT6’s main focus imo. It also serves as a placeholder while they make GT7 a substantially better game.

  2. infamousphil

    Could it be?… Kazunori Yamauchi “Can’t Say There Won’t Be” a Tourist Trophy 2… because GT’s success depends upon such nonfounded hype!?

    Shame on you Kaz ;(

    1. Johnnypenso

      “Can’t say there won’t be”. From anyone else it’s politician doubletalk and laughable. From Kaz it’s a stunning revelation to the GT Fanbase…lol.

    2. SZRT Ice

      The cue is not only in what is said… It’s also picking up on what is not said while taking note of emotion, body language, posture, and reaction.

      Word Choice:
      It was a simple question. “Do you think we wil ever play a Tourist Trophy 2”? He could’ve easily said “somewhere down the line”, “In the future there may be”, “we’re considering it”, “in time we…”, “it’s a possibility”, etc. Instead, he says he “won’t deny it”, acknowledges he knows there are fans waiting for it, and can “not” say that there won’t be.

      If it wasn’t already in the works, any of those responses would have been just telling enough without telling too much. So looking at what he chose not to say gives a bit of insight.

      Emotion:
      He seemed very overjoyed/delighted at the question. Almost like he couldn’t contain himself. Imo, it looked like he had some big secret he was holding in.

      Body Language:
      His head was saying yes, yes, yes, yes in agreement. As he searched within his mind for the words to reply.

      Posture:
      Posture was the same throughout. Confident and upbeat. Leading me to believe that none of the questions asked brought up heavy concern. He didn’t seem like he had to explain away the TT2 question, so much as he had to explain damage. Which leads me to believe the concept of TT2/motorcycles is more of a reality than a substantial improvement to the damage model.

      Reaction:
      Again, the delay in response, coupled with his demeanor as he searched for his words, facial expression and body language, lead me to believe there’s something up his sleeve. With GT Sports coming up as of recent, his acknowledgement of the want for motorcycles, the sighting of PD at the Isle of Man in recent times, GT partnering with FIA (the governing bodies of motorsport, including moto GP), and E3 around the corner, I believe the next GT may be closer than we think and may very well include motorcycles!

  3. ironman44321

    I think he’s just saying that they aren’t ruling out another TT. I seriously doubt they have plans to make one.

  4. MadMike32

    Please, for the love of God, make a TT2. This game would singlehandedly make me buy a PS4. GT7 might not even be able to do that.

  5. PsuPepperoni

    At this time we are unable to confirm or deny any date on which we might be able to comment on the likelihood of a venture seeking to explore the plausibility of a sequel to Tourist Trophy.

    1. Tenacious D

      Seriously.

      I’d prefer a Tourist Trophy section in GT7, eventually, because as a game, TT was a dud, selling less than 700,000 copies globally as of May 2013.

    2. Johnnypenso

      Problem with that reasoning is that there was probably plenty of crossover from GT to TT given it’s 15 times higher fanbase and the link to the GT name, and every single one of those crossover sales is lost. 700k units at $40 is a big chunk of change to give away, especially considering they could just port over the vast majority of the tracks from GT, change the UI and have a game ready to go.

    3. SZRT Ice

      Not everyone who likes motorcycles is willing to buy an exclusively all “motorcycles only” game.

      There are also those who are becoming bored with the GT series. And a GT Sports game that includes both motorcycles and cars, be different enough to warrant a return to the series for those who skipped or were highly disappointed by GT6.

      Combining the 2, increases interest and scope amongst a wider scale because it would differentiate GT even further from the competition.

      To my knowledge, a racing simulator that includes both motorcycles and cars, has yet to be done, or is currently not available anywhere else.

      Doing it first would be huge.

  6. Mike-ZENKAI

    After so many years you would think he could speak some English……..
    Still funny to see translator-san needs a paper to remember what Kaz said, he’s
    probably also pretty bored with it. Why is the girl grinning?

    I still would like a TT2, really liked the first one.

    1. Griffith500

      He can speak English, he prefers not to as he’s still not as good as he’d like to be. He can also understand English far better than he speaks it (standard thing with any language, including body language). That’s why he nodded at the question as it was asked in English, and again once Translator San had repeated it, before delivering the “I can’t say no” with an impish grin. ;)

      Translator San is there for more elegant / natural phrasing and to ensure an accurate translation (lol), as opposed to Kaz’s perhaps patchy coverage of the nuances. Plus having an intermediary is pretty badass.

      There have been times in the past when Kaz corrected / prompted Translator-San, though, which implies they’re more of a team. Watch also their eye contact and Kaz’s nodding as Translator San relays Kaz’s answer.

  7. HKS racer

    Please make TT1 available on ps3 and ps4 let us retrogame this masterpiece I no longer have Ps2 I miss it

  8. Crooooooow

    I just ordered TT1 because of this article. I’ve been meaning to try it, until I found a good copy on Amazon for $4. Also, I’ll smack that woman if she grins like that one more time after Kaz speaks.

  9. MXHyland

    What the…?! I know that he’s been giving the same ‘vague’ answers about TT2 before but I can’t help but to scream internally right now as the TT fanboy I am. Get Takamasa Shichisawa on it already and just make it happen, please!

    Also, nice to see one of my photomode shots being used. (:

  10. Venari

    TT2? Yes, yes, yes. Tourist Trophy was an excellent game – more fitting for sticks than GT. I’m not a bike nut, really, but the game was superb – the menus and mechanics were somehow more fun than GT4, and I loved doing back-to-back runs with TT and GT4 around Citta de Aria.

  11. dylanlikes88

    Are you telling me that there was an interview with Kaz, and they didn’t think to ask him about the course creator?????????

  12. H.Keslijinen

    Nice!!!!!! I’m looking forward to how badly PD can F this up!. Seeing as how they have a hard enough time focusing on 1 game, I can’t wait to see what 2 games is going to do to this “small” racing team….. I mean game development company. Then, there’s the moaning and griping from all of us boneheads who, for some heretofore unknown reason, thought that the game promised would be delivered. (HA HA HAHAHAHAHAHAHhahahahah.., etc.) And all the moderation, banning, cursing, throwing and general violence, bad languange, bad manners and mayhem that that entails. For me, I am at peace with PD, I have found my loving place, as I see it/them, they (PD/Sony) are a situational comedy style of enterprise, in the sense that, it’s designed to go up in flames and end laughter, every show. Why be disappointed in success I aks you? Not to mention, Kazunori reminds me of a Japanese Rowan Atkinson, you never know what the hell he’s on about, but he smiles when he should talk and talk’s when he shouldn’t, none of it makes sense, but I laugh my ass off anyway.
    Lastly, Jordan, since when is 1 game a strong track record? That’s like saying DMC is a major car maker cause they made A car ONCE, outta stainless nonetheless ;-).
    Peace out m petroleum/lithium addicted bretheren, let the comedy continue. F’em if they can’t take a joke.

  13. TRLWNC7396

    Take a good look at the starting line for Apricot Hill…. Those are motorcycle starting spots….. Hmmmm….. I’ve ALWAYS wondered about the chance for this! Hope it happens! (But as DLC or as an expansion to the game, so I don’t have to buy another one…… Well, I may anyhow…. ;) )

  14. Chikane

    Yes please 100000% times over … but this time don’t imply that stupid 10 second penalty System.

  15. Stylel_Code

    They also said that it’s possible there would be a GTPSVita. “Possible” just means 0.0001% of chance it happens according to them.

  16. Coquico

    It would be great, indeed. I am waiting for it since a long time. But… When? 2018? Hope to see something at E3.

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