“We Can Release Gran Turismo 5 Whenever We Want”

kazunori-yamauchi-e3-2009

Thanks to an excellent new interview with Kazunori Yamauchi, we’ve just learned a lot about the progress of Gran Turismo 5 – and it sounds like it is further along than anyone may have imagined.  When asked about “how development’s going”, Yamauchi-san responded:

“I want to release it as fast as I can, but GT5 for us, when you talk about its status, it’s at a point we can release it any time we want, but we can always keep working on it. It’s very important for us to make sure everything is done perfectly and everything is done in detail.”

gran-turismo-5-screenshot-17After just one brief paragraph, GT5 suddenly seems closer than ever before, implying that the major features have already been implemented.  If it’s true that his team at Polyphony Digital are just polishing things up and working out the bugs, it tilts the scales in favor of a 2009 release.

Yamauchi also addressed questions about GT PSP’s extended development time, and how the game has affected Gran Turismo 5:

“We first made the announcement in E3 of 2004, so [laughs] it’s been five years. Since then we’ve released GT4, Tourist Trophy, GTHD and GT5 Prologue. Of course we were always working on the PSP version a little bit at a time, but every time we have one of those releases it’s affected by that new title. So this is a software that was born in between GT5 Prologue and GT5, and it’s affected by both of those titles.”

“I don’t think there was a direct effect [on Gran Turismo 5], but I do believe that the development team really gained experience in streamlining displaying graphics on a very small space and also how to manage memory when the amount of memory available is very small. That sort of experience is something that was gained by the team.  And you know, this is the first time we’ve developed a portable game, and I think there is an effect on how we see games, and how we understand videogames.”

Check out the full review at Eurogamer.

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Comments (90)

  1. Jack_uk

    I think we are getting close, very close. I would say the release date is between september and march/april next year. Personally I would be very surprised if it were to release anytime earlier than october

  2. TimButDim

    I can’t see them bringing GT5 out before GTPSP, as several people have pointed out it would completely steal GTPSP’s limelight.

    The result is they’ll hold onto it until the end of October, then announce it for December. Meanwhile we’re all sat glued to GTPlanet waiting for any news! I almost wish I could forget about it until the day before it comes out so I don’t waste so much time waiting!!

  3. G money

    Ok heres the deal. If PD can release GT5 any time they FEEL like it, where is the E3 playable demo?

    As for GT mobile or whatever they decide to finally name it, I got a PSP because GT mobile was supposed to come out. PD showed us a couple of videos and screen shots of the game. 4-5 years later, im still sitting here GTM-less with a PSP.

    Dont get me wrong, I love PD and their Gran Turismo series as much as the next guy, but you gotta admit, Kaz is full of SHIT. pardon my language. Im mad because when Kaz comes out and says things like “oh, we can release GT5 whenever we want” just pisses me off.

  4. Nick

    Releasing it with GTPSP won’t steal its thunder as noone will buy GTPSP anyways…I don’t want to play a portable version of gt4. If they don’t release GT5 this year its a joke. If anything releasing it will GTPSP will make people also want to try out the portable version.

  5. Javier de Martín

    GT fanboys are pathetic. After over a year, Sony gave you a trailer and suddenly you think they game is coming out now. Good luck with that.

  6. jc

    when you throw out a statement like that “we can release it whenever” you gotta be prepared for a lot of hate, thats akin to just dangling it in our faces. If you can release it whenever, then kick it out the damn door!

  7. RC-SM

    Game Releases

    Q1 2010

    Gran turismo 5

    aliens vs predator 3

    alien colonial marines

    Modern warface 2 Q4 2009

  8. Bilbo

    I love the comments about the Forza 3 team being arrogant. Where’s the disgust with Kaz when his arrogance is on full display? GT 5 isn’t even close to being complete but Kaz releases this statement along with a new trailer for GT 5 that tries to cop one of Forza 3’s most touted features: damage. There was no new information about GT 5 and not even a playable floor demo. It was nothing more than an attempt to steal Forza 3’s thunder.

    So if Kaz acknowledges Forza as his main competition, doesn’t that say something about how good the series is? Hell even the Forza team’s lead acknowledges that Forza is heavily inspired by the GT series.

  9. Obli

    Wasn’t the game quite compete when Prologue was released, or is Kaz saying that all content is complete (many more tracks, cars and game features) and now only polishing and extras are being added? I’m not so sure about this… we don’t even know what features to expect. The way I see it is the game was fairly complete when Prologue was released (Prologue was a case of ‘it’s the best we ca offer to-date’ and was a pretty good package) although it was too skimpy to be released as a new, full GT game. As I don’t know what to expect and what is in-place, I don’t know how to feel about this ‘GT5 could be released at any time’ statement.

  10. NTX

    Why all the hate on Forza?? If I remember well, Forza had damage before GT, so who was ahead in that? Hey they also had Lamborghini´s, Ferrari´s, did GT had that? And someone said before, only 400 cars on Forza 3?? GT1 had less than that, and did you guys said something back then? Also, the multiplayer in Forza 2 can kick GT5P multiplayer anytime.
    At least Turn 10 releases the game on time, they don´t let the fans waiting years, and years. I also like GT5, I´m not saying that I hate it, but most of you guys are saying that Forza 3 will be a crappy game. Please wake up and see the reality of things. Forza 3 will a great rival to GT5.

  11. Vivian

    I seen a few photo´s on virtualr.net of forza 3…If you play for a long time GT5P than is forza 3 just ugly!…

  12. Emmanuel

    not to mention that in fm3 you will customize cars like in nfs underground, childish. GT5 focuses on better things.

  13. caribbean topdriver

    dont really see eye to eye with u there pal, that trailer was the SHIT!!! beats any forza 3 trailer to me, not because i am a granturismo fan, forza trailer imply to me they have left the arcade stage and now more a simulator, that e3 forza 3 trailer is a knock off prologue intro copying the audi r8 slow motion effect used in prologue. dont get me all wrong forza can play……. until the bad boy is realease.

  14. DarkMan

    On the Czech Webs is the GT unreal interest and any news is expected with the greatest interest.

  15. STEPHEN M

    awesome…shows how many ppl care about gran turismo and how popular this forthcoming game will be

  16. DarkMan

    I would say that there are people from all over the world. Specifically, I am from the Czech Republic.

  17. Jordan

    Stephen, the site is based out of the United States, but we have lots of visitors (and forum moderators) from the UK, continental Europe, and around the world.

  18. STEPHEN M

    I love all the rumours on here…making it all tense. forza fans get off this page…played no 2 at my best friends last wednesday and its crap…thats why gran turismo is the best and nothing can beat it…forza will be at gran turismo 2 level lol…also forza 3 will have only 400 cars…gt5 will offer more choice which is fantastic…long live gran turismo. hope its before christmas over here in the UK. btw, is this website mainly aimed at the US people?

  19. DarkMan

    I have a very reliable source which says, that the GT is finished and the final version is provided by the cooperating companies for testing. In one of the companies working on. Testing should be completed by 18.7.09, the game could be released 25.9.2009. Please Excuse my incorrect English.

    DarkMan

  20. J.P.

    I can’t see it being released on December 25th!! For a start all the shops will be shut, what with it being Christmas day :)

  21. ido

    I just want the game to be as good as possible! 2010 please. 2009 is already so packed. Use that time to make the game even greater. Already going by the trailer the bar has been set so high!

  22. caribbean topdriver

    i say this, if its finish, give us official trailer with a list of the number of cars the amount of tracks also the weather issue by october 2009, i say that would give the undecided car enthusiast insight of which simulator is better for them…. anyone wid eyes would know GT5 is supreme. that first trailer was off the chain with air-force jets and shit, don’t get it twisted GRANTURISMO is and will always be NO.1 race sim ever!!!

  23. Vivian

    Kazunori doesn´t mind about damage, so as I. he is going on his own way, that´s why is gran turismo so good but also an outsider of other games (in the early years: no damage, no cockpit view etc.). only what he want’s is to be perfect. I like his thinking and beauty in the game. also if I look at the trailer of forza 3…it still has no magic. which you will see in gran turismo:). well for some of you it is crap but I’m growing up with gran turismo an it is my father and teacher^^

  24. Kewlguy

    i agree with jereweeti cuz there are many ppl on the edge whether they should buy a ps3 or a x360

  25. Emmanuel

    @ jereweeti: dont agree. It will be more interesting it it comes after fm3. Let them think they got the best. Then GT5 comes out and destroys all the lil x360 fanboys (especially those who come in here to diss). December 25th is the perfect day. The best christmas ever.

  26. GTracerRens

    @ jereweeti: Well, I don’t totally agree with you. How can a ps3-exclusive “steal buyers” from a Xbox360-exclusive? :P It’s a pity that they don’t release the game because of other games coming out. Now I have to play GT5 Prologue till the full version is out. I hope there are Formula one cars in there too! :(

  27. jereweeti

    I’ve been doing a little research for the release date. All the published articles about GT5 suggest it’s getting released in Christmas 2009 and the online game shopping sites mention either mid-September or mid-December. It is hard to tell which is correct, if any of them are. No big news but hope this means something to some people.

    I persionally think it would be the wisest for Sony to release GT5 the same time as Forza 3 in order to steal Forza’s buyers. This would also give time for GT fans to tell other people about the game for Christmas. More income, bigger budgets for future titles.

  28. Bilbo

    Because Kazunori is quite the salesman so I take what he says with a grain of salt. I still remember when he said he doesn’t pay attention to his competition. It was an arrogant statement and a lie since it is becoming obvious that PD has been watching other games for quite awhile now.. Remember when Kaz downplayed having damage in a GT game?

    Kaz is just trying to keep the buzz going on his game but he’s starting to remind me more and more of Itagaki, formerly of Team Ninja.

  29. Rens

    @ Bilbo: How do you know? I was very surprised by the trailer I saw a couple of days ago. They are working for a long time on that game right now and if Kazunori himself says the game is almost ready to release, you still don’t believe it?

  30. Bilbo

    Translation: We’re waiting for Forza 3 to come out so we can cop as many of its features as we can.

    It’s going to take a long time to do full damage modeling on every single one of GT 5’s cars. I bet it’s coming out in late 2010 at the earliest.

  31. Rens

    This is just so great! “Sooner than expected”. And yes, it is. The last trailer from E3 show us that the game is done. And now, they just have to find the bugs and make the game perfect. Than they can release it, and do the rest by updates!!! This is sooooo GREAT!!! ;)

  32. Mars

    I have to agree that they won’t release it anywhere near gtpsp otherwise it’ll steal it’s thunder. My guess is late 09 or early 10

  33. jereweeti

    They really should let it go, for God’s sake, and update it with patches regularly. I and many others cannot wait any longer. Hit when the iron’s hot!

  34. Lemon619

    I’m still happy to wait a while if they’re trying to make the game as best as it can be for the release, nothing annoys me more than a rushed game. and when i say a while i mean another 6 months max lol

  35. Vivian

    I say: release it now and all the bug’s it have report to gran turismo.com and over 2 weeks release a patch. he?

  36. Amar

    Release date hopefully chingo bells december 09 the game is done so they need some time to polishingthe game in detail 6 months

  37. riph

    I cant wait to race at nurburgring 24 hour with weather changing effects!! imagine we race day & nite on that legend track..wow!! hope PD had done that!!

  38. thatkid

    It is possible that they are holding onto the game until some signs of economic recovery start to show. IE, if released during an economic downturn, then they may not recieve the initial rush of sales. Thus, if they leave it till people start spending again, and they continually develop it until that point, not only do they have a better game, but also better sales.

  39. caribbean topdriver

    first car will be a toyota runx…….. tunned her up nicely, earn sum money and install a turbo and sum tein suspension. wen i get it where i want it i would be online Running at u guys ferraris & Gtrs lol.

  40. tomek_pl

    My first car will be Fiat 126p :)

    My first car will be Fiat 126p :)

    My first car will be Fiat 126p :)

  41. neige

    Hopefully it’ll be soon if not, as a long term GT fan, i’m skipping PSP Go version of GT and buy a refurb Xbox360 and Forza3 instead and use that to satisify my nordschlief needs till GT5 comes out.

    First car = Mitsubushi FTO in black lol

  42. caribbean topdriver

    my g25 wheel cant wait, i get so emotional thinking about what my first car will be, sumtin from toyota or honda i believe. what are u guys thinking of for ur first car?

  43. PERUDRIFTKING

    FORZA? IT´S A JOKE??
    I REALLY WANNA SEE THIS GUYS , FORZA, GTLEGENDS, RBR, LFS FANS DRIVING WITH CLUTCH, DO IT AND WE´LL TALK.

    GT5 FOR CHRISTMAS I HOPE.
    GREETINGS FROM PERU

  44. NOTMAD

    Just to let everyone know, Forza was created for people who can’t drive. Feel free to visit my website figureitout.com…

  45. Chris

    My guess is that of a spring 2010 launch. They would want to maximize revenue and so they should keep October-December clear for PSP. “Why bother with GT-PSP when GT5 comes out in 4 weeks?” would be what a chunk of consumers would say. But if there is no GT5 with a release date, then more people are likely to go the PSP route just to play a GT game. Right now, Sony seems heel-bent on pushing PSP while it seems that its PS3 product continues at a snail’s pace. PSP is okay – great for a portable – and I am guessing that Sony sees a market opportunity here so they are pushing PSP for Q4 2009.

    Then again, Q1 2010 will see GT5 competing against God of War and FFXIII, but maybe there is not that much crossover in target audience. I would still guess that they would have fewer overall sales launching the GT5 and GTPSP too close together.

    But that doesn’t make me happy!

  46. Gt-sm

    ok the game is done only polishing ? all cars tracks are don hopefully also weather and day night races

  47. Faburisu

    ” It’s very important for us to make sure everything is done perfectly and everything is done in detail ”

    that’s a good news !

  48. Gt-sm

    I want to release it as fast as I can, but GT5 for us, when you talk about its status, it’s at a point we can release it any time we want, but we can always keep working on it. It’s very important for us to make sure everything is done perfectly and everything is done in detail

    ? i still believe the game will release on Q1 2010 polishing the game in detail they need time

  49. GiphLag

    I dunno. I’m not reading this as being done anytime soon. Many game companies have the main creative assets of a game done for a while and spend almost as long fine tuning everything. Blizzard and its games come to mind.
    E3 would have been the perfect opportunity to announce a date. Or even just a certain quarter.
    My bet is still Spring 2010.

  50. sony fanboy

    I hope it is this year. Although that would be hard to believe since not even a time frame was given at E3. I guess this is one of those games Sony is keeping under wraps so they can avoid a counter by MS.

  51. Watevaman

    As long as nothing was lost in translation, I now have no doubt that GT5 will be out this year.

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