'Yamauchi hasn’t done anything for me in years'
Forza franchise director surprised that GT5 'didn't show up' at E3.
Forza franchise director Dan Greenawalt has delivered his verdict on Sony’s Gran Turismo series, saying Polyphony Digital CEO and franchise creator Kazunori Yamauchi “hasn’t done anything for me for years”.
During Microsoft’s E309 media briefing last week, Greenawalt took to the stage to confirm the latest iteration in the Xbox-exclusive racing sim, Forza 3, would be released this October.
The game is seen by Xbox 360 owners as Microsoft’s answer to Sony’s hugely popular Gran Turismo series.
In an interview with VideoGamer.com following the media briefing, Greenawalt explained his confidence in Forza 3 was fuelled because Gran Turismo 5 "didn't show up" during Sony's press conference.
GT5 was shown in trailer form only during Sony's E309 press conference, and damage modelling was revealed for the first time in the series. Forza 3 was playable on the show floor.
He said: “We watched the Sony press conference and we were like, OK so we just brought what we believe firmly is the best racing game ever made, and our competition didn’t show up. So now you can see why I’m fairly bullish. I hate to sound so cocky but the truth is the stars have aligned. I don’t know how else to say it.”
In December last year Sony's chief executive in southern Europe, James Armstrong, was reported to have revealed to Spanish newspaper El Financiero that Gran Turismo 5 will be released at Christmas 2009.
However, a Sony Computer Entertainment UK spokesperson could only tell VideoGamer.com at the time: "Polyphony are working on GT5, but we cannot confirm a launch date at this point in time."
For many, the fact that Gran Turismo 5 wasn’t playable at E309 casts doubt on a Christmas 2009 release, although it doesn’t rule it out completely.
When asked if he was surprised by Sony’s conference, Greenawalt replied: “Absolutely. Kazunori Yamauchi-san is someone I have tremendous respect for. I have tremendous respect for the work of team, but I am a GT fan. I bought my first car that I stressed out about buying because I played it in Gran Turismo. I’m in this industry because of that game.
“That said, as a fan of the series, he hasn’t done anything for me in years. So in many ways he’s handing the baton to me. He probably doesn’t see it that way, but I do, because I believe that I’m now taking what he ignited in me as a passion, and taking it to a much, much, much broader level. I’m not saying it’s necessarily larger yet, but definitely broader, younger, older, men, women. So I’m really excited.”
What do you think about Dan Greenawalt’s feelings on Gran Turismo? Let us know in the comments section below.
User Comments
startover4
Kollosson@ renegade
Polyphony continued to inovate with each version of GT and other games could just copy and try to stay up. Forza 3 looks great but better than GT5 ? i very much doubt it, in terms of development time Polyphony are years ahead of everyone, i was blown away by Forza 3 and how good it looked....untill i saw the new GT5 trailer, its just a different class and i think all the bad mouthing by turn 10 is because they realise that too, the fact that Polyphony felt they did'nt need to show up with GT is testament to how confidant they are in GT5, personally i can't wait !!!
renegade@ reddrascal
renegade
sadghost
Forza 3 Definitive ?
reddrascal@ renegade
dangerousbrian0
renegade
Oh and what have they been doing? Well making a PSP game? Gt 5 And helping Make 2008s supercar of the year Maybe.
jakseth
I used to be a big GT fan but the direction the game is taking and the godlike attitude Yamauchi is making me just wish Forza 3 will beat the hell out of GT5. And to finish... Nascar? WRC? the answers from polyphony to Forza 3 treat were just pathetic.
If Yamauchi would have launched a real and good GT5 in end of 2008 the PS3 would be probably outselling the 360 today.
jakeistheman
renegade
Ah who am I kidding, Gt FTW. But if i get an Xbox ill probably get it.
renegade
mykem
And whatever new stuff Turn 10 supposedly introduced to Forza3 has been done before by other games (GRID for the rewind option, Sony's F1 Championship for the one button driving and plethora of earlier sims including GT5 Prologue for the cockpit view). It's fine to be proud of your hard work but please a little bit of respect and certain amount of refrain is always a good thing.
GT5overForza3
Listen, your game is very good, no doubt. But..
It is nowhere near GT5. GT5 has better graphics no matter how you put it. GT5 has more than twice as many cars as you do, GT5 has dynamic weather and its more realistic than your game. That is not so weird, as it took Polyphony Digital twice the time to develope their game. Dont get me wrong, Forza 3 is a great game, and I will buy it ofcourse :) - But stop saying that your game is better, when you havent even seen the full GT5 game yet. + GT5 is on ps3, which is the better choice of a console.
Karlius