SCE’s Online Dreams in Tatters as Gran Turismo 4 Rushed Out Minus ‘Net Play
Sony and Polyphony hack down their masterwork
Gran Turismo 4 has finally been given a release date. There’s no doubt that’s great news. However, it may not be exactly the same GT4 that the fans were waiting for: Sony has dropped all the game’s online features. The promise of online play was one of the main distinguishing features of the fourth GT instalment, but the indefinite delays experienced so far had largely been attributed to its tricky implementation. It’s a pretty major disappointment: one that’s barely compensated by Sony and Polyphony’s rather vague claim that an online version is planned for 2005.
It does seem a strange move on Sony’s part, though. Gran Turismo’s following is a fanatical one, with many early PS2’s sold on the strength of GT3. As such, there are a lot of people waiting patiently for an online Gran Turismo title: whilst the likes of PGR2 and Burnout 3 whiz past on either side. Many of these same folk would probably have put up with a delay if it meant the eventual arrival of the fully online enabled GT4, but now a difficult dilemma will present itself. Buy offline GT4 this year, or wait indefinitely for an online version which may or may not go on offer at cut-price?
Considering that the Polyphony masterpiece is a Sony exclusive, the precedent it is setting is all the more peculiar. When there are 4 separate versions of a game, it is usually down to fundamental differences in hardware platforms. Gran Turismo 4, however, will have 3 different PS2 incarnations (Prologue, offline and online) as well as a ‘near-identical’ PSP version in GT4 Mobile. We’ve heard about not putting all your eggs in one basket, but when the egg’s made of gold and the basket’s a souped up Nissan Skyline, we had assumed the proverb didn’t apply.
We are still awaiting the official word on next year’s online outing, but Gran Turismo 4, in its offline form, will be released in Japan on 3rd December; with US and European releases following in the week of December 14th.
It does seem a strange move on Sony’s part, though. Gran Turismo’s following is a fanatical one, with many early PS2’s sold on the strength of GT3. As such, there are a lot of people waiting patiently for an online Gran Turismo title: whilst the likes of PGR2 and Burnout 3 whiz past on either side. Many of these same folk would probably have put up with a delay if it meant the eventual arrival of the fully online enabled GT4, but now a difficult dilemma will present itself. Buy offline GT4 this year, or wait indefinitely for an online version which may or may not go on offer at cut-price?
Considering that the Polyphony masterpiece is a Sony exclusive, the precedent it is setting is all the more peculiar. When there are 4 separate versions of a game, it is usually down to fundamental differences in hardware platforms. Gran Turismo 4, however, will have 3 different PS2 incarnations (Prologue, offline and online) as well as a ‘near-identical’ PSP version in GT4 Mobile. We’ve heard about not putting all your eggs in one basket, but when the egg’s made of gold and the basket’s a souped up Nissan Skyline, we had assumed the proverb didn’t apply.
We are still awaiting the official word on next year’s online outing, but Gran Turismo 4, in its offline form, will be released in Japan on 3rd December; with US and European releases following in the week of December 14th.
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Comments
Showing the 20 most recent comments. Read all 26.
Mecha Ghandi 24 Sep 2004 13:25
7/26
config wrote:
>Is this really such a big deal?
As things
>stand today, the number of people that buy a game
>to play online is tiny compared to those who only
>play it offline.
That's true, but if GT4 was online, that situation might have changed. And if the PSTwo is coming with network-adapter built in (and bundled with GT4) it would have been a great opportunity for Sony to give its online PS2 community a kick up the arse...
If you were waiting for GT4
>online, it's a bummer. But as a tactical
>decision, I think development time is better
>spent making the offline functions
>badder/bigger/better (boom?).
From the outside, I think it looks like a really rash move. It's as if they were on the verge of creating the most beautiful painting in the world, and then they decided to chop the sides off just so that they could fit it in a frame.
We've been waiting ages for GT4, and everyone was braced for slippage, but this seems like an unfinished project. If GT4 was always intended as offline, we might have got it earlier and that would have been ace... but seeing as they've wasted all this time trying to fit in online play, I think they might as well go the whole hog and finish what they started.
>Is this really such a big deal?
As things
>stand today, the number of people that buy a game
>to play online is tiny compared to those who only
>play it offline.
That's true, but if GT4 was online, that situation might have changed. And if the PSTwo is coming with network-adapter built in (and bundled with GT4) it would have been a great opportunity for Sony to give its online PS2 community a kick up the arse...
If you were waiting for GT4
>online, it's a bummer. But as a tactical
>decision, I think development time is better
>spent making the offline functions
>badder/bigger/better (boom?).
From the outside, I think it looks like a really rash move. It's as if they were on the verge of creating the most beautiful painting in the world, and then they decided to chop the sides off just so that they could fit it in a frame.
We've been waiting ages for GT4, and everyone was braced for slippage, but this seems like an unfinished project. If GT4 was always intended as offline, we might have got it earlier and that would have been ace... but seeing as they've wasted all this time trying to fit in online play, I think they might as well go the whole hog and finish what they started.
config 24 Sep 2004 13:58
8/26
Stryfe01 wrote:
>I do'nt know where you got your information on
>Forza, but thats bull. No Xbox game runs at under
>30 fps, and most run at 60fps. So stop spreading
>false info. At 20fps any game would be barely
>playable by today's standards. Are you so
>ignorant as to believe a top title from MS, thsi
>far into the game, would be visually perform so
>badly ?
GamerFeed interviewed somebody from MS, stating it ran at 20fps, but played like it was 180fps.
LOL - 180 from 20???
They later corrected the interview to read 30 fps.
Heh.
>I do'nt know where you got your information on
>Forza, but thats bull. No Xbox game runs at under
>30 fps, and most run at 60fps. So stop spreading
>false info. At 20fps any game would be barely
>playable by today's standards. Are you so
>ignorant as to believe a top title from MS, thsi
>far into the game, would be visually perform so
>badly ?
GamerFeed interviewed somebody from MS, stating it ran at 20fps, but played like it was 180fps.
LOL - 180 from 20???
They later corrected the interview to read 30 fps.
Heh.
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DoctorDee 24 Sep 2004 14:10
9/26
Stryfe01 wrote:
>I do'nt know where you got your information on
>Forza, but thats bull. No Xbox game runs at under
>30 fps, and most run at 60fps.
How does any Xbox game run a OVER 30fps, when - with the exception of digital TVs, which almost no-one has yet - UK TVs run at 25fps, and US ones at 30fps?
>I do'nt know where you got your information on
>Forza, but thats bull. No Xbox game runs at under
>30 fps, and most run at 60fps.
How does any Xbox game run a OVER 30fps, when - with the exception of digital TVs, which almost no-one has yet - UK TVs run at 25fps, and US ones at 30fps?
Brown Force 24 Sep 2004 14:36
10/26
This is a big deal. And even though I probably wasn't going to get this game, this news as p**sed me off as well as shocked me.
I think most people have forgotten why this game was delayed until the end of this year...because they were having troubles with the online mode. 2 times they delayed it to 'perfect' the online mode the single player was all but done. And come the end of the year they announce that there will be no online mode, thats a real kick in the teeth for all GT fans everywhere. Even if you didn't want to play online, you had to wait for them to sort that bit out before it could be released...I know alot of GT4 fans who just wanted them to release the single player ages ago...and now they do this!
Secondly, theres the whole issue of Microsofts Forza. Too be honest regardless how good it looked...I never really belived it could literally beat GT4...but now I'm almost certain it will. If Forza can do everything GT4 can and have car damage, more customisation and full Xbox 3.0 support...GT4 will just not stand a chance. Even Sony fanboys will be tempted thanks to how they ahve been treated by Sony and Polyphoney.
This potentially can be a big blow in the Console war IMO. 2 months before Halo 2 hits the shelves, this dvastating news about Sony's biggest game of the year hits...its the last thing they need and with the next consoles launching possibly next year...Sony are going to need a miracle to stop Xbox finishing its generation on a incredible high.
I think most people have forgotten why this game was delayed until the end of this year...because they were having troubles with the online mode. 2 times they delayed it to 'perfect' the online mode the single player was all but done. And come the end of the year they announce that there will be no online mode, thats a real kick in the teeth for all GT fans everywhere. Even if you didn't want to play online, you had to wait for them to sort that bit out before it could be released...I know alot of GT4 fans who just wanted them to release the single player ages ago...and now they do this!
Secondly, theres the whole issue of Microsofts Forza. Too be honest regardless how good it looked...I never really belived it could literally beat GT4...but now I'm almost certain it will. If Forza can do everything GT4 can and have car damage, more customisation and full Xbox 3.0 support...GT4 will just not stand a chance. Even Sony fanboys will be tempted thanks to how they ahve been treated by Sony and Polyphoney.
This potentially can be a big blow in the Console war IMO. 2 months before Halo 2 hits the shelves, this dvastating news about Sony's biggest game of the year hits...its the last thing they need and with the next consoles launching possibly next year...Sony are going to need a miracle to stop Xbox finishing its generation on a incredible high.
TigerUppercut 24 Sep 2004 14:53
11/26
Flagship title climdown horror shames Sony's inept online service!
config 24 Sep 2004 14:55
12/26
Brown Force wrote:
> If Forza can do everything GT4 can and have car damage
Car damage and at least semi-realistic crash physic is, IMO, far more important to the GT line of games than any amount of online jiggery-pokery.
Since GT1 I've been of the opinion that the subsequent titles have just been over-priced car and track add-ons. Of course, GT3 was a bit (!) of an engine upgrade, but still left me cold.
I even found Prologue to tedious, so I'm hardly bursting with anticipation at the prospect of another 4 million cars and tracks for basically the same game.
> If Forza can do everything GT4 can and have car damage
Car damage and at least semi-realistic crash physic is, IMO, far more important to the GT line of games than any amount of online jiggery-pokery.
Since GT1 I've been of the opinion that the subsequent titles have just been over-priced car and track add-ons. Of course, GT3 was a bit (!) of an engine upgrade, but still left me cold.
I even found Prologue to tedious, so I'm hardly bursting with anticipation at the prospect of another 4 million cars and tracks for basically the same game.
Kaxxx 24 Sep 2004 15:01
13/26
The game will still be superb, and who here was honestly going to take it online anyway?
I dont know what all the upset is about.
I dont know what all the upset is about.
DoctorDee 24 Sep 2004 15:03
14/26
Brown Force wrote:
>This is a big deal.
Is it really a big deal? I mean, I'm kinda disappointed about it - but I don't actually know anyone who plays PS2 on-line (nor do I know anyone who plays Xbox on-line either). For all the trumpretting of subscriber figures on Microsoft's part, and quietly not doing so on Sony's, the fact is that as a percentage of installed user-base, on line console gaming is a minority hobby.
I mean, the delays are inexcusable, but I don't think the lack of on-line play will hurt sales that much. What might hurt it more is the fact that it's "just" another GT game. More cars, more tracks, but what else?
>This is a big deal.
Is it really a big deal? I mean, I'm kinda disappointed about it - but I don't actually know anyone who plays PS2 on-line (nor do I know anyone who plays Xbox on-line either). For all the trumpretting of subscriber figures on Microsoft's part, and quietly not doing so on Sony's, the fact is that as a percentage of installed user-base, on line console gaming is a minority hobby.
I mean, the delays are inexcusable, but I don't think the lack of on-line play will hurt sales that much. What might hurt it more is the fact that it's "just" another GT game. More cars, more tracks, but what else?
Mecha Ghandi 24 Sep 2004 15:30
15/26
DoctorDee wrote:
on line console gaming is a
>minority hobby.
Maybe so, but it's definitely on the increase... and Sony is always credited for creating markets, rather than just following them. GT4 could have been a major reason for people getting online (especially if bundled with a network ready PSTwo). It would have also been the thing that makes GT4 a major step up from the last one...
What
>might hurt it more is the fact that it's "just"
>another GT game. More cars, more tracks, but what
>else?
This hurt's going to be even worse if they release GT4 again next year with online play. The difference between an online GT4 and GT3 would be comparatively substantial compared to the difference between GT4 offline and GT4 online...
Sales of GT4 offline prolly won't be affected too badly, but that will in turn reduce the market for the online version... meaning it might never be viable. Alternatively, if Sony actually thinks that people will buy both versions anyway, and made this decision on that basis, then that's a hideously cynical and exploitative move on their part: especially considering how devoted the GT fanbase is...
on line console gaming is a
>minority hobby.
Maybe so, but it's definitely on the increase... and Sony is always credited for creating markets, rather than just following them. GT4 could have been a major reason for people getting online (especially if bundled with a network ready PSTwo). It would have also been the thing that makes GT4 a major step up from the last one...
What
>might hurt it more is the fact that it's "just"
>another GT game. More cars, more tracks, but what
>else?
This hurt's going to be even worse if they release GT4 again next year with online play. The difference between an online GT4 and GT3 would be comparatively substantial compared to the difference between GT4 offline and GT4 online...
Sales of GT4 offline prolly won't be affected too badly, but that will in turn reduce the market for the online version... meaning it might never be viable. Alternatively, if Sony actually thinks that people will buy both versions anyway, and made this decision on that basis, then that's a hideously cynical and exploitative move on their part: especially considering how devoted the GT fanbase is...
DoctorDee 24 Sep 2004 15:34
16/26
Mecha Ghandi wrote:
>part: especially considering how devoted the GT
>fanbase is...
I'm part of that fan base. But if they think I'm gonna buy this twice thaey can suck my nuts!
BTW, does it have a Lancia Stratos in it?
>part: especially considering how devoted the GT
>fanbase is...
I'm part of that fan base. But if they think I'm gonna buy this twice thaey can suck my nuts!
BTW, does it have a Lancia Stratos in it?
NiktheGreek 24 Sep 2004 15:50
17/26
Kaxxx wrote:
>The game will still be superb, and who here was
>honestly going to take it online anyway?
>I
>dont know what all the upset is about.
Come on, GT4 would have possibly been worth it online - after all, they'd gotten the cars, tracks and handling all perfect. The only problem is, the AI always has played like an orderly procession along the racing line, so an online mode would have meant some actual intelligent and competitive opponents. As it is, it's just more GT, so it's now far less likely to be denting my wallet.
>The game will still be superb, and who here was
>honestly going to take it online anyway?
>I
>dont know what all the upset is about.
Come on, GT4 would have possibly been worth it online - after all, they'd gotten the cars, tracks and handling all perfect. The only problem is, the AI always has played like an orderly procession along the racing line, so an online mode would have meant some actual intelligent and competitive opponents. As it is, it's just more GT, so it's now far less likely to be denting my wallet.
zerocool 24 Sep 2004 18:38
18/26
some people that are saying why are we so mad about gt4 not being online dont understand that the reason why it was delayed so damn long was because of the online mode. they previously stated that they wanted to get the online mode perfect because this type of game only deserves perfection. we coulda already been playing this game if they would have just stopped trying to make the online part altogether. this really pisses me off. i was going to buy the new PStwo because they said that it was going to come bundled with gt4 and has a network adapter built in even though i already have a ps2 cus i have the old ps2 that doesnt read some games. i cant believe they are doing this to us. this is basically saying that they lied to us all. me personally, i am not an xbox guy, but now, i think im going to buy an xbox and get forza. this is really supid on their part. i wanted to play this online or atleast they coulda scratched the online play and we coulda already been playing it. im gettin an xbox now and playing halo 2 and forza. F-POLYPHONY AND SONY
saurian 24 Sep 2004 19:19
19/26
The reason this is big news is that this is Sony admitting that their console cannot handle online play. If zerocool or anyone else wants to play online, there is only one option. Want to play Pro -Evo online? same solution. It is sad, but the fact is Sony are stuck until they can bring out the PS3. Which will not be soon. They are lagging behind the opposition for the first time ever. New territory for them. Their solution? Release the same outdated console in a different case.That should sell well over Xmas and beyond.
They will make loads of money with GT4 - first of all you buy a demo disc for £20, then the full game without online play for £39, then, if they can ever get it to run, you buy an online version - probably for another £39. I think I prefer Project Gotham 2 (free demo,£39 game with online included,then updates at £2.99 as a bonus.)
They will make loads of money with GT4 - first of all you buy a demo disc for £20, then the full game without online play for £39, then, if they can ever get it to run, you buy an online version - probably for another £39. I think I prefer Project Gotham 2 (free demo,£39 game with online included,then updates at £2.99 as a bonus.)
Funky 24 Sep 2004 20:55
20/26
I'll never play online anyway so I don't really care, but come on Sony, this isn't good.
zerocool 25 Sep 2004 22:47
21/26
its just that they said that the ONLY reason that they were delaying the game was that they were making the online play perfect now only to axe it when its already months overdue??? wtf is up with them. if we have waited almost a year already, why not just make us wait a little bit longer??? i dont even own a network adapter but its just that they freakin lied to us all.
saurian 26 Sep 2004 16:41
22/26
The problem is two -fold. First, they cannot get it to run online and after a year they are still too far off to get it running before xmas. This is the second problem. They must release it this year because the sales around xmas are way higher than at any other time of year. As usual, $ony put revenue first. Stuff the gullible ( sorry, loyal ) fanboys. It will sell millions.
config 27 Sep 2004 10:00
23/26
saurian wrote:
The reason this is big news is that this is Sony admitting that their console cannot handle online play.
Hehehehe.
Of course the PS2 can't handle on-line play.
Everybody knows it's boring old off-line console!
It's the very reason why Socom and Burnout 3, to name but two, are both very successful on-line titles, neither of which crash frequently during on-line play.
Hehe.
You just made my day! :)
zerocool 27 Sep 2004 22:02
24/26
i swear im just going to go xbox now. this really pisses me off.
DoctorDee 28 Sep 2004 07:08
25/26
saurian wrote:
As usual, $ony put revenue first. Stuff the gullible ( sorry, loyal ) fanboys. It will sell millions.
Yeah, right. Because Microsoft, EA, Nintendo, Sega et al are only in it for the good of the end user. They never do anything for bottom line, or shareholder value!
Sony are guilty of many things, but there isn't a listed company out there who will put their customers before their shareholders - it's what shareholder capitalism is all about.
And the thing is, no-one is making anyone go buy GT4 without on-line features. If it sells millions, that's because there are millions who aren't bothered about on-line play. Maybe these people have enough real friends who live nearby.
Kaxxx 28 Sep 2004 07:18
26/26
Exactly. Ive never been one for online play mainly because i prefer multiplayer games with friends,a bottle of beer and twenty bines.
I doubt their will be many PS2 owners out there who care. If you want online play get an XBox or PC.
I doubt their will be many PS2 owners out there who care. If you want online play get an XBox or PC.