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GT5 Damage Modeling Incomplete, Only “The First Step”

As most of you know by now, Polyphony Digital plans to incorporate damage into Gran Turismo for the first time with the upcoming fifth installment. However, there are a few things that should be cleared up:

Firstly, the damage video that arrived in Germany for last week's GamesCom event doesn't represent what we'll see in the final product. Series creator Kazunori Yamauchi said it only "marks the first step of what we want to achieve for damage," and during an interview with GameBlog , he added that the team will have to see "how far the players want to go." Now, if you're wondering what this means, this statement is a testament to Yamauchi's drive (pun intended) to create the most realistic racing game ever. To date, no racing title has provided us with an accurate damage modeling system; no title has even gotten remotely close . Thing is, in real life, just lightly scraping a wall at low speeds can put you out of a short race, 'cuz you'll have to pit to replace that tire and maybe quickly hammer that fender back into place. And if you want to get really nuts, you'd have to make it so if you don't make the proper additional modifications to your car after tossing in a turbo, the engine just blows up on the first straightaway. Race over. The bottom line is that true-blue damaging modeling might make the experience overly challenging…i.e., it would truly be the world's first racing simulator.

And racing cars ain't easy. It's also interesting to note that damage won't be sustained by all vehicles in GT5. Obviously, they won't have a race where some cars can be damaged and others can't, but perhaps the F1 cars won't be able to be damaged and that'll only affect F1 races. Who knows? But we do know that when people ask for 100% authentic damage in a racer, 99% of them have no idea what they're really asking for. Yamauchi knows this…he'll want to see how far even the hardcore are willing to go.

Related Game(s): Gran Turismo 5

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Orvisman
Orvisman
14 years ago

Amen!

pavlovic
pavlovic
14 years ago

100% damage… impossible to finish a single race for an average gamer.

I'm still not sure about this damage thing… I'm fine without it.

RadioHeader
RadioHeader
14 years ago

Yeah, same here. The cynic in me suspects that a lot of the people demanding damage are those who enjoy ending someone's race at the first corner :/

If damage was optional I'd go without, that way if you're taken out, you have a chance to work your way to an even more glorious victory 🙂

NoSmokingBandit
NoSmokingBandit
14 years ago

Yamauchi knows what he is doing. He knows exactly where to take a game and where to stop. I trust that he will make sure damage is perfectly balanced.

dillonthebunny
dillonthebunny
14 years ago

its just not needed… if we have to have it, then let us turn it off if we want.

JofaMang
JofaMang
14 years ago

Damage modeling for me, has always been just a visual indicator of a sliding bar of performance: an arcade racing feature. I was always content with GT not having damage, as realistic damage would be unachievable.

I think GT2 had non-visual damage (bumping walls and cars can cause instability and reduced speed, as well pulling to the damaged side simple, but effective when it was turned on), which to me is FAR more realistic than twisting up some fenders, knocking off a hood and spidering the glass, while you still hit 180mph and threading the needle between opponents sliding sideways.

Do it right, or don't do it at all! There are enough arcade racers out there already.

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
14 years ago

"Do it right, or don't do it at all!"

Absolutely 100% correct.

Nynja
Nynja
14 years ago

I mostly agree. If they can't get damage modeling done correctly, it may just end up pulling you away from the experience.

Yet, if they get it close to actual damage I can settle. I think it's mandatory for them to get some form of damage if they intend on including NASCAR.

fluffer nutter
fluffer nutter
14 years ago

That's exactly it. We have these "gamers" going around that the damage isn't realistic but I wonder how many physics classes they've taken to truly understand what a true, 100% accurate damage capable game would entail. Take off too fast, rear end someone and boom, you're out. Hit some debris on the ground and slide into the wall and you're out. The variables are nuts.

Ricochet
Ricochet
14 years ago

It's so obvious. The damage modelling in the GamesCom was less than stellar I must admit. Hopefully the game modes will provide: Arcade, Normal, Expert, Realistic"

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
14 years ago

Not a bad idea

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
14 years ago

I'm ok with no damage

I only care 'bout realistic RACING

Damage is fine to an extent but it shouldn't be what a game is ABOUT

Either way nothing will stop GT5!


Last edited by Scarecrow on 8/24/2009 11:20:45 AM

Kangasfwa
Kangasfwa
14 years ago

"Damage is fine to an extent but it shouldn't be what a game is ABOUT"

Say that to the success of Burnout.

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
14 years ago

No, Burnout can't compares to the success that is GT

Have you seen the sales figures on GT?

Nynja
Nynja
14 years ago

The more I see and hear about this game, the more excited I get.

Really need a 'next-gen' Gran Turismo fix… Prologue just doesn't cut it anymore.

Charger7302
Charger7302
14 years ago

This is unrelated to the topic in the article but does anyone know if Gran Turismo 5 will have the Charger SRT 8? If it does then I will definitely buy this game.

mexgeo86
mexgeo86
14 years ago

i currently own/drive a Charger but it's only a base model (love it though); would love an SRT-8 in GT too

mustang750r
mustang750r
14 years ago

American Muscle for the win!

I have much respect for the Charger as well as other autos in the industry and I look forward to having 16 car Muscle car shoot out.

Dingodial
Dingodial
14 years ago

I wouldn't mind having the Charger SRT8, along with the 2010 Shelby GT500 Super Snake, & the Camaro Z/28!

mexgeo86
mexgeo86
14 years ago

If they want total damage, they should turn to the Burnout Series. The racing aspect of GT shouldn't be sacrificed for aesthetics.

Diggity Dan
Diggity Dan
14 years ago

This strikes me as one of those gamplay elements that'll work best if you can tweak it in the options, which Im sure we'll be able to.

It'll be interesting to see how it works out.

Diggity Dan
Diggity Dan
14 years ago

Oh yea, and WANT!!!!

camaro300zx
camaro300zx
14 years ago

I thought the damage aspect in GRiD was really good.

But what I would like to see in terms of "realistic damage" is for example:

Your going down a strait away coming to a slight bend, the car in front of you brakes too hard and you rear end them. Causing your raditor to crack leaking fluid on the track. You get angry at the driver, slam the gas pedal full throttle, RPM's sky rocket then you blow an oil pan gasket. Now theres oil and coolant leaking onto the course.
And the cars behind you are sliding into the wall.
That would be funny. (And realistic)

www
www
14 years ago

Yes GRiD alongside DiRT all have nice damages.

I think people will learn how to drive very well if they know their cars will damage. How do you think folks will be driving in real life if cars don't damage? Brakes wouldn't be needed, cause we'll just be bouncing off each other, there'll be no accidents, nothing.


Last edited by www on 8/24/2009 12:36:40 PM

CH1N00K
CH1N00K
14 years ago

This could be interesting…It will seperate the arcaders from the simulators….The Nascar fans won't be affected though..lol they bump and grind their way around left turns all day long anyway.

"Rubbin is Racin!"

I remember watching a GT2 class race a few years ago when Bobby Archer did that to someone in his Viper. The guy in front of him kept shutting him down for a few corners, so finally Archer just bumped the guy in front of him and spun him out. As Archer zipped by him you could hear him on the radio to his team saying,

"He looked like he couldn't decide whether to let me through or not, so I made up his mind for him."

Cracked me up.And didn't damage the Viper at all, however you have to have been racing for awhile to be able to have that much control of your car in the middle of a race. 100% damage in the game will turn some people away from it unless it's an option you can turn off (or down)

www
www
14 years ago

Damage is a nice addition imo.

Hows about when you're playing GT and some non-gamer is looking and he's like "wow, this game looks too realistic" and then, you crush but the car is still brand new and he goes "whoah! how come the car is still in perfect shape" and he starts walking away, believe me I've experienced this.

Yes I know realistic damage hasn't been done and it'll make a race impossible but I'm not asking for some ultra-realistic damage,just a little bit will do. I mean, damage is in almost all racing games now, I don't see why it shouldn't be done. It should be optional!


Last edited by www on 8/24/2009 12:30:28 PM

Nynja
Nynja
14 years ago

Burnout and Motorstorm series probably offers some of the best vehicle damage available, though, even these series do not have 'realistic' damage.

Dingodial
Dingodial
14 years ago

@ Nynja
I agree although I think that it is stupid when your wheels fall off in every wreck that you have (Motorstorm Pacific Rift)

Alienange
Alienange
14 years ago

Just release the game with what you've got ! Fro crying out loud! Leave the "super realisticly not fun car damage" for GT6.

lfcjake
lfcjake
14 years ago

Oh dear… Thumbs down for you.

Alienange
Alienange
14 years ago

Why? Because I spelled "For" wrong?

tes37
tes37
14 years ago

No, for talking about a tearful hairdo.

Trarman
Trarman
14 years ago

I know for sure one of the first things I'll be doing is seeing how messed up I can make a car and still finish the race!

mustang750r
mustang750r
14 years ago

i say just release the game and then in the form of updates (or dlc) implement the more "authentic damage" in piece by piece. PD should leave it to the player to decide if they want to play with damage on or off. I see a Pro mode for those who want all the damage and physics, Medium for those who want just visual damage and physics, and Novice for those who, well you know and it could have light physics and optional visual damage.

mustang750r
mustang750r
14 years ago

i just read the above comments and i see my fellow gamers have the same ideas and share the same feelings as i do.

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
14 years ago

It seems to me that there are four possible modes here.

* No damage
* Visual damage only, damage has no impact on performance
* Arcade damage, damage is shown visually, but has only a slight impact on performance.
* Fully simulated damage. Damage has realistic effects on performance.

As is stated in the article, realistic damage modeling may well be too much for the vast majority of players, and in F1 cars, all but the slightest damage is race ending.

This is a game, it's a simulation sure, it's accurate, but it sill has to be playable.

Geobaldi
Geobaldi
14 years ago

In the least they could do the damage like the NASCAR games on PC used to do. It was realistic enough and really made you try your best not to take any. And it was fun to drive in reverse and just cause havoc in the leaderboards 😉

King James
King James
14 years ago

Thank goodness! I thought I was gonna have to race with the damage off all the time. The video I saw was not GT realistic at all! I think the guy playing mashed into the wall (on purpose) going at least 50mph, and all that happened was a hanging front bumper and an open door! Terrible.

This is relieving. Thank you Ben for reporting this. I hope they do what Arnold K. suggested a couple of months back; the option to choose how realistic you want your damage:
-No damage (just good ole GT play)
-Fun damage (damage similar to GTA and Burnout, with no true penalty towards performance)
-And hardcore damage (You got slightly bumped at 120mph and now your car's f*%^ed and you have to pay for repairs and even medical bills)

SkantDragon
SkantDragon
14 years ago

I do hope to see fully realistic damage capability. And I think most gamers won't actually be able to deal with it, so it will need to be configurable just how realistic it is.

I actually compete in amateur racing events in RL, and I often use GT to practice. If I hit a wall in the game, I stop and turn off the console. I just wrecked my car, and I'm done.

Approaching it that way really changes how you drive and for the better. I can play GT for days without ever hitting anything. And that's exactly the kind of habit I want to teach myself for being in my RL car on an RL track where I don't just get to push the restart button.

I do think it would be good for gamers to be exposed to these concepts. Because race games so far have really taught a lot of bad habits that are nothing like how you approach the real thing. Racing around without ever crashing into walls isn't nearly as difficult as most people think. But the approach that produces that result changes the whole way you drive. And it's actually a faster way to drive, too.

Basically, gamers would have to learn how to actually drive a race car properly.

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
14 years ago

You mean everyone would have to learn to hit the apex, and take the racing line?

But…that would mean no more riding around corners on the doors of the car along side, no more using the dude in front of you as a breaking point for a sharp turn, and no more riding the wall as you corner! However will the newbs manage?

www
www
14 years ago

Well said SkantDragon!
And games like Grid and DiRT have really thought me how to drift along sharp turns without doing too much damage.

"But…that would mean no more riding around corners on the doors of the car along side, no more using the dude in front of you as a breaking point for a sharp turn, and no more riding the wall as you corner! However will the newbs manage?"

LOL Highlander, so true! But tha's the point. People using others as brake at sharp turns is really annoying, but that will never go away, cause we all do it. I can imagine how cars will be smashed at those corners when playing online.


Last edited by www on 8/24/2009 4:15:43 PM

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
14 years ago

I used to do it all the time on the TOCA I and II racing games on the PS1. That game modeled damage and you paid the price, though you still had a bit of lee-way for door to door racing….LOL!

I bet it will always be a temptation in off-line racing.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
14 years ago

This doesn't bode well for a 2009 release though.

lfcjake
lfcjake
14 years ago

I'd rather them get the game right, instead of having a product that feels half arsed, to me and others.

A2K78
A2K78
14 years ago

"To date, no racing title has provided us with an accurate damage modeling system; no title has even gotten remotely close"

Yamauchi is right hence why the damage that Turn10 market so much is fake. If anything it also show how pointless damage is…if you can't technically reproduced actual damage, why put it there at?

A2K78
A2K78
14 years ago

"To date, no racing title has provided us with an accurate damage modeling system; no title has even gotten remotely close"

Yamauchi is right hence why the damage that Turn10 market so much is fake. If anything it also show how pointless damage is…if you can't technically reproduced actual damage, why put it there at?

A2K78
A2K78
14 years ago

"To date, no racing title has provided us with an accurate damage modeling system; no title has even gotten remotely close"

Yamauchi is right hence why the damage that Turn10 market so much is fake. If anything it also show how pointless damage is…if you can't technically reproduced actual damage, why put it there at?

A2K78
A2K78
14 years ago

"To date, no racing title has provided us with an accurate damage modeling system; no title has even gotten remotely close"

Yamauchi is right hence why the damage that Turn10 market so much is fake. If anything it also show how pointless damage is…if you can't technically reproduced actual damage, why put it there at?

photo K
photo K
14 years ago

if they add it… my car is gonna be @#$%@$%! I tend to bump and scrape cars and walls…a lot, lol. But its fun, but it wouldn't be so fun if it'll take me outta commission right away. I hope it won't cost the user money to repair it… I'd pretty much have to buy a new car after each race.

lfcjake
lfcjake
14 years ago

Damage is essential in driving sims. Well, it is today, thanks to Forza.

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