Hands on with Sega GT 2002 for Xbox

Can Sega topple GT3? Full report inside

Posted by Staff
At the recent X01 event, Sega and Microsoft demoed Sega GT 2002 in playable form for the first time.

The game was somewhat hidden away at the venue and took some seeking out. Facing away from the main event and tucked unflatteringly in a window alcove was Sega’s answer to Polyphony Digital’s Gran Turismo. We were most excited!

The reason for the game being hidden was clear to all with a Sega rep confirming to us, “We were not at all sure about putting the game on public display at this point. Although it doesn’t say so, it’s only about 30 or 40 percent complete. And we think that really shows at this stage.”

The start-up screen showed the potential of the finished game displaying the badges of pretty much every car company you could want involved in the game. Though most of the companies were not available for selection, a few of the Japanese manufacturers were, including Subaru, Mitsubishi and Honda.

Unfortunately it seems the development team has started from the bottom up, making the comparatively boring and slow cars first. In the Toyota section the Supra glinted temptingly, but only the Yaris was available. The hottest car that was on offer was the Subaru Impreza WRX.

There was one track available to play, though the game promised many, many more. The one that was on display was a lengthy affair and was very much reminiscent of the track design in the Dreamcast original.

The best thing about the build on show was the fact that the AI engine was obviously nowhere near complete. The computer controlled cars would weave around the track madly if nudged from the racing line they were all following. The amount of bumping around and jostling was reminiscent of Destruction Derby. Great fun! Interestingly though, the AI on display in Sega GT 2002 at only 30 or so percent complete, is about as realistic as the AI in the final release of Gran Turismo 3.

The playable track looked nice enough and, although blatantly cobbled together at the last minute, didn’t disappoint.

Sega GT 2002, is due for a global release at some point next year and really is shaping up nicely. Whether it will overcome its competition is another thing altogether. Gran Turismo 3 really was something special, a landmark game in every respect. Though lacking in the AI department, the handling and beauty of the game made this fault easily forgiveable. Sega is not interested in making the world’s second best racing game and Microsoft is not interested in hosting it.

We will bring you everything on GT 2002 as we get it.
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