Kazunori Yamauchi Goodwood Interview: Vision GT

GWFOS_2015_KazPods

It’s one of the most famous automotive gatherings on the planet and in recent years the Goodwood Festival of Speed has been taken over, bit by bit, by fictional concept cars from the Vision GT project of Gran Turismo.

Following on from last year’s headline unveilings of the Aston Martin DP100 and Nissan Concept 2020 Vision GT cars, one of the stable of virtual prototypes has this year made it onto Goodwood’s iconic central feature – a flamboyant sculpture tens of metres high adorning the lawn in front of Goodwood House, celebrating the manufacturer of the moment.

With Vision GT at the fore, GTPlanet was invited in for a chat with Kazunori Yamauchi behind the Infiniti stand – the manufacturer itself celebrating its own Vision GT – about the project.

GWFOS_2015_CentralFeatureGTPlanet: We’re here at the Goodwood Festival of Speed; we’ve seen lots of the Vision Gran Turismo cars made ‘real’ here – what do you think and feel when you see these virtual cars made into real ones?

Yamauchi: I work imagining a scene where something like that comes to life – that’s what the project is for – but when it actually happens it’s always incredible. Yesterday I saw the [Mazda] LM55 Vision Gran Turismo in the sky for the first time… Nice!

GTPlanet: If GTPlanet was to create a VGT car what specifications and parameters would you need to create it in the game?

Yamauchi: To create the VGT cars in GT it requires all the parameters you’d need for a real car, but at the same time because the VGT cars are really technically advanced cars that have some technologies that are not of the present in order to recreate those kinds of features in the game you need the principles and the mechanisms of the control algorithms that are required to control that kind of technology.

GWFOS_2015_KazTyphoonGTPlanet: So what’s the biggest challenge in bringing a new car to the game?

Yamauchi: Unlike a production car, the concept cars have a lot of details that are undecided. There has to be a lot of communication with the designers to decide on those kind of details. That communication is a lot of work – you have to ask things like ‘This carbon surface, what kind of finish do you want on it?’ or ‘What layers of colours went on top of each other to make this dark grey metallic colour?’. That’s probably the hardest part of the modelling. In terms of the mechanical aspect, the physics is also a very difficult issue because of the new features that go into a lot of these cars we have to make it brand new for that particular car.

GTPlanet: How do you determine how the fictional VGT cars would drive in real life?

Yamauchi: We get a scientific explanation from the auto maker’s engineers and they explain to us this is how a certain vehicle or technology should function. We try to implement that into the game.

GWFOS_2015_PeugeotVGTGTPlanet: None of the VGT cars so far has had a full interior cockpit view. Why is that?

Yamauchi: This time around when we’ve been doing the current VGT cars, the schedule has been very tight between the design and the actual release of the cars, so often there wasn’t enough time to model them. On other occasions the manufacturer hasn’t really provided us with an interior. But we intend to implement interiors for all of the VGT cars.

GTPlanet: What’s the current status of the Bertone VGT car?

Yamauchi: The company has gone now, so it’s really difficult. It’s really unfortunate – we had high expectations from the design.

GWFOS_2015_Toyota_FT1GTPlanet: Are there any other manufacturers that weren’t previously in the VGT schedule to be included in the future?

Yamauchi: I can’t say which one, but yes. We’re still having more and more cars being added – some manufacturers want to make a second car even though they’ve already released one!

GTPlanet: Have you been a little bit frustrated with the speed of some manufacturers to get their cars to you? The original plan for VGT was to have them all in a year.

Yamauchi: It’s really alright. Good design takes a lot of time and it shows that they’re serious about what they’re doing. I want to be flexible in accommodating that.

GWFOS_2015_LexusConceptDTMGTPlanet: Away from VGT, how do you decide which cars you want to put into a Gran Turismo game?

Yamauchi: Firstly we get the news of new releases and new designs that auto makers are working on. Then there’s cars that have historic importance which takes some research on our side. There’s also cars that go on the forums – top 30 or top 50 lists – and we kind of balance between them all.

GTPlanet: Do you find that manufacturers are more willing to let you model newer cars than older ones though?

Yamauchi: Yes, sometimes!

With thanks to Kazunori Yamauchi, Translator-san, HPS Jardine, Infiniti GB and SCEE.

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Comments (89)

  1. VetteFan02

    I still wish that Alfa was still working on their VGT concept, that would have been interesting to see.
    Maybe a hint at an 8C succesor? (: – /

  2. Whodoyouthink

    To my surprise, this is quite a straightforward interview from Kaz! Still not quite what I’d truly like to hear, but none the less, very informative. I’m used to all this cryptic and mysterious PR-level junk from him.

    I like that he states there is a clear intention for interiors on the VGTs. Doesn’t change my disappointment from not having them to begin with, but at least we are getting communication and an answer to something.

  3. vette858

    It’s great that there are vgt cars but they also need to work on making standard cars into premium cars and they need to do is cast out a vote on all standard cars and which ever ones that gets a certain amount of vote they should make it premium and throw away the others instead of stressing out of trying to make them all premium. I care more about making some standard cars I not premium cars more than adding new cars but I’m not dissing the vgt cars I just wish that we didn’t have more standard cars than premium

  4. BigJimmy

    Missed a question: “If a vision GT car was to be the course creator tool, when would it be released?

    Please answer the question, Its the only reason I bought GT6 in the first place. ANSWER ME. Will you be my friend? I need a friend to help make course creator for me. Do you like Cats?”

    1. Haulin_Hebrew

      Agreed 100% vette858 I don’t see any standard cars being upgraded, I think if it were a 3:1 ratio, 3 standard cars upgraded to premium to every one VGT car developed, more GT fans would be happy, personally I would be happy if Polyphony Digital just did The BMW M3 GTR 03, BMW M Coupé ’98 and the Ford GT40 Race Car ’69, and I’m sure everyone has their favorite three, I think Asian Engineers think more on terms of pushing boundaries of Innovation, and Europeans Engineers more on preserving the heritage and racing history. I’m just Glad Gran Turismo is NOT the only Sim Racer on console anymore, so we can appreciate the strengths that each developer has to offer, instead for feeling smothered by it, variety is the spice of life.

    1. Amac500

      The VGT program has incredible relevance to the automotive industry. Any one who can’t see it value needs to wake up and smell the roses.

    2. Johnnypenso

      The relevance to the auto industry isn’t really our concern. The relevance to our gaming experience is, and just as importantly, what did we give up to get these 30 VGT’s modeled over the 3 year (presumably) lifespan of this game.

    3. VetteFan02

      You do realize that it takes 6 months tp model a car into GT or Forza, not to mention designing the thing, so it makes sense that they’re taking their time if thats why you’re complaing. as for “we hope” i think only YOU hope

  5. 0r3n

    …. thanks @famine .. did he give any indication of which of the cars thus far is his favorite… ? (Or is that like asking a parent to name their favourite kid?)

  6. mef

    VGT cars are fake cars for advertising. I wished PD focused on making a realistic, fun racing game, not this non-sense. Looking forward to when the G29 is out, then it’s time to buy a PS4 and PCars.

    1. another_jakhole

      It’s not your game anymore. pCARS has some smooth physics, but the waiting game for the G29 might be good “timing” because the console versions of pcars need work/updates.

      The irony. In this instance, I love it.

  7. VBR

    This is the first interview where I genuinely couldn’t care less what Kaz says, & I’ve decided not to read it. This marks a big change from me, as I used to hang on his every word. Looks like I’ll be permanently getting off the GT Hype Train at the next stop!

    1. another_jakhole

      Cold turkey? Oooh good luck.

      Surprisingly nice read considering it had to be VGT related. These last two interviews have gad some great questions asked imo. Specifically, asking how VGT cars are put into GT. Great series of questions. I gave it an 8. I took points off since I wanted a video version :/

    2. VBR

      Next stop for me is selling all my sim racing gear on ebay & getting another hobby. I hear that synchronized swimming is totally awesome! ;)
      Going next gen has been an utterly joyless & painful experience for me so far thanks to Sony & Logitech.

  8. Mulan

    If he cant do interiors because lack of time, what about getting real production cars out to us, is vgt a timethief or if i may speculate on a more positive way: GT7 takes almost all time so VGT is hard to manage now.

    1. TeamCZRRacing

      You just answered you own question. If PD (NOT just Kaz, there are 109 other people working on the game) don’t have the time to model interiors for VGTs, what makes you think they have enough time to model real cars?

    2. another_jakhole

      Just saying. Its closer to 200 employees with recent hirings taken into account.

      And over the years, one would think advancements in technology and familiarity with equipment and experience have only expediated the process of recreating these cars. Choosing to keep the interiors of the appropriate cars empty was just to save time. Why would that be given priority over starting work on the next VGT cars? I’m hoping this means there’s no doubt in VGT cars being in GT7

  9. Flaco13

    “”There’s also cars that go on the forums – top 30 or top 50 lists””

    What “forums” exactly is he referring to?

    1. Famine

      One can assume GTPlanet – but we are not the only forum, so I’d opine that the major non-English forums (like GTRP, GTItalia etc.) and probably Neogaf and the official Playstation forums too.

  10. infamousphil

    Right on!… great Planet questions! No need to ask about the course creator either. He already said it’s coming to 6?

    Thanks Famine

    1. Famine

      He has already said that there is only one major update left to come for GT6 in the shape of the course maker, yes.

      This interview was specifically for Vision GT as that is what he was there for – you’ll notice I mentioned the interview was at Infiniti (where they had a model of the Infiniti VGT) but several of the photos are at Peugeot with a model of the Peugeot VGT in the background.

  11. Lord Protector

    Famine is there a spicific reason why you didn’t ask a single question about what community wants to know?

    Like GT7??

    1. Tenacious D

      Kaz has been very reluctant to discuss much at all about GT7, and interviews appear to all be subject managed, not much opportunity to ask wild card questions. He seems to be guarding his cards fiercely till he’s ready to unveil something substantial. Most likely, we’ll have to wait till he serves notice that he’s ready to address the new game, and that most likely will be when a good part of it is finalized. And then you can bet he’ll be swarmed like ants on a picnic.

      Hey, I’m googling every so often for GT7 news myself, but it’s a desert out there.

    2. Tenacious D

      Well, and one more quickie to stir up trouble. We’re not absolutely sure that thee next installment for PS4 is GT7. Could be GT6 HD… a lot of remasters coming out for the PS4 and The ONE! lately…

    3. Famine

      The comments before yours seem to indicate that what the community wants to know and what you want to know are not necessarily the same thing, even if you think they are.

      However it is literally explained for you in the third paragraph of the article.

  12. GTRacer22

    Great read Famine, thanks for interviewing the man himself! Some interesting responses though, don’t you say?

  13. Lille B

    Would it be logical to think that all the VGT cars will be included in GT7 WITH detailed interior???

  14. TheCrazySwede

    “Then there’s cars that have historic importance which takes some research on our side.”

    – And still, no premium 240Z….the most influential Japanese sports car ever made… :(

    1. Tenacious D

      Yeah, a number of Premiums really could stand to be made. 240Z, the Mk IV Supra, the dreaded Veyron, TVRs, a whole SLEW of race cars… RUF!! As popular as Porsche is in the racing community, you’d think the RUFs would be the first to get a facelift since that’s all we have, for now.

      GT7 really can’t appear soon enough. Well, in ready shape that is.

    1. HKS racer

      Don’t wait for them. He just said he would like implement them. Problem is how much time they require.

  15. dylanlikes88

    He was finally asked about the blank interiors! that mae my day! I’ve been wanting that to be asked to him since day 1. Now that I know the reason that hey don’t have interiors, I can finally rest in peace.

  16. TayeezSA

    This is what I like to see, some insight into what’s going on with the gear cogs that drive PD.

    Thanks Famine, Jordan and anyone who I may be missing out on.

  17. DingoDile

    Great interview!
    Im very happy with more VGTs, but I dont have PS3 anymore. :( PD please add them in GT7 in a special section.

  18. Smurfybug

    Kaz: I can’t say which one, but yes. We’re still having more and more cars being added – some manufacturers want to make a second car even though they’ve already released one!

    Porsche anyone?

    1. Tenacious D

      If Porsche appears in Gran Turismo as a Vision GT first, I can just imagine the uproar of both delight and dismay. ;D

      Of course, given the precosity of The Kaz, stranger things could happen…

    2. machine1121

      Perhaps there is a loophole in the Porsche/EA contract that would allow PD to put a fictional Porsche VGT into the game. Not likely, but maybe EA only has the rights to the “real” Porsches.

    3. Johnnypenso

      I’m guessing that if Porsche makes it way into the GT series, it’s not going to be in a category with laser powered, Wipeout style cars.

    1. Tunerguy21

      I saw that as well. I guess that’s his official designation now. I kinda feel bad that all he’s known as is Translator-san.

    2. Famine

      I think we’ve known his real name since before Translator-san was even a thing – but he did say he liked it a few years ago!

  19. Akwaaba

    “There’s also cars that go on the forums – top 30 or top 50 lists”

    If their gonna use the list from the GTPlanet car requests, it’s gonna be awesome :D

  20. photonrider

    Nice to hear from the man, himself.

    Great job getting to him and bringing this news home. :tup:

  21. oli440

    An interesting interview. Well done guys! At least we know why the VGT cars lack interiors now. I was convinced it was because of time issues. Still, it’s nice to hear that the father of Gran Turismo himself wants to bring interiors to all of the cars.

    On top of that, the inclusion of cars generally is interesting. I wonder if the team will be allowed to model all the historic cars that Peugeot had on stand for their VGT presentation in Paris. We need those cars converted to premium for GT7!

    1. Tenacious D

      I figured it was a matter of time, as well as some of the exotic technology used in the vehicles. Like, what would the dashboard displays include with that plasma powered monstrosity?

      Anyhow, interiors coming eventually, so you can keep an eye on that plasma field. And good interview Famine.

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