Since the Gran Turismo 7 Power Pack DLC re-introduced endurance races to the franchise, speculation about the possible return of “B-Spec” mode has reached a fever pitch. We had a chance to ask Kazunori Yamauchi about it during a round-table interview at the Gran Turismo World Finals here in Fukuoka, Japan, and his answer turned out to be quite interesting.
It’s been over a decade since we last saw B-Spec in Gran Turismo 6, where it allowed players to manage a computer driver’s tires, fuel, and aggression in a race. Although the feature was controversial for some, it certainly has its share of die-hard fans who are eager for it to return. They might be waiting for a while, though.
The Sophy Challenge
While Yamauchi-san didn’t shut the door on the mode entirely, he was surprisingly transparent about why B-Spec hasn’t simply been “toggled on” for Gran Turismo 7. The hurdle, ironically, is the advanced technology of GT Sophy.
Unlike the traditional, scripted AI of the past, GT Sophy is a neural network trained through reinforcement learning. This creates a fundamental disconnect for a mode designed around player commands.
“I can’t say that it’s impossible, but there are a few hurdles involved in that,” Yamauchi explained. “In terms of controllability, the Sophy AI is a lot more difficult to work with. If you do B-Spec, obviously you want to direct the driver. That’s why it’s a difficult time to do [it] with the neural network.”
Yamauchi elaborated that because Sophy agents are selected based on their autonomous ability to be fast and well-behaved, they aren’t inherently “wired” to take mid-race instructions like “increase pace” or “defend your line” from a human director.
In the past, AI followed a set of predetermined paths. Sophy “thinks” for itself, and teaching a self-thinking agent to be subservient to a player’s tactical whims is a complex technical task.
Reading Between the Lines
Despite Yamauchi’s cautious tone regarding the “hurdles,” there is plenty of reason to stay optimistic. The fact the studio is even discussing the “controllability” of Sophy suggests that internal testing for a director-style interface is likely already happening.
The “Power Pack” showed us that Polyphony is listening to the demand for longer, more strategic races. Adding a refined B-Spec mode would be the logical next step to flesh out that experience. While Sophy might be the hurdle today, it could almost certainly be the foundation of a reimagined B-Spec tomorrow.
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