If you haven’t already read my GT5 hands-on preview, I suggest you do so right now. I did originally say that I would be giving impressions of GT5 in 3D from E3, but thanks to limited time and some ridiculously long lines, I wasn’t able to test it out.
What I was able to test out however, was GT5 running with a cam and head tracking enabled. On top of that, I slammed my car into some walls a few times to see how the game reacted.
More after the jump.
Let’s get started with head tracking. With the use of the PS3 camera, you now have the ability to use your head to move the view around in the game by rotating your head left or right. This ability only seemed to work in cockpit view, but I gave it a good go to see how it holds up.
The truth is that the head tracking was not really very good at all. The major issue with head tracking is that you are rotating your head, but still need to keep your eyes in the same place.
While there were a few fluid moments where the game allowed me to keep my eyes on the exits of corners using slight movements or check out the side mirror, the majority of the time, the in-game camera often just shifted harshly to one side or the other, completely disorienting me and causing my car to go flying off of the track.
What I also noticed is that the camera was placed pretty much right in front of my face (just above the steering wheel) which gives me the sneaking suspicion that it will only really be possible to use at such a close distance.
To be completely honest, Gran Turismo 5 really doesn’t need anything like head tracking. The game itself is so incredibly solid and everything works so well that it really doesn’t need something like head tracking to add more to the experience.
I also decided to check out some of the damage as well. I had limited time, so I wasn’t able to vary my test much. The game is also not complete, so take everything I say with a pinch of salt.
I was belting an Audi R8 around the Nurburgring and once up to some great speed, paneled the car nose first into a barrier to see what kind of damage it would show. At first, I didn’t even think that their was any sort of damage model at all. I then slammed it into a wall again and the only thing I noticed was a slight (and I mean very slight) change in the bumper model on the front of the car, with nothing on the back.
If that is a true reflection of the damage model, needless to say, I am not impressed. If however, it’s only due to the game being earlier code, then we will still have to wait and see.
Gran Turismo 5 launches in November.
Last Updated: June 18, 2010
Bobby Kotick wants to KINECT with you!
June 18, 2010 at 12:31
That sounds wicked! I’m definitely not a petrolhead (I got bored with Forza after a couple of hours), but this does sound pretty cool (I doubt I’ll buy it on release day)
PS: I’m getting weird errors from the lazygamer site on Chrome. I even got a warning that the site contains malware from a couple weird chinese sites and my java console also red-flagged lazygamer. Lads, just make sure that you’re not being hacked. :ermm:
Fox1
June 18, 2010 at 12:37
It did that on my FireFox browser the other day before they moved servers. Try emptying your cache first :dizzy:
Deathbringersa
June 18, 2010 at 12:53
yeah do that it worked for me
Milesh Bhana ZA
June 18, 2010 at 13:14
So.. Forza is still better then?
RSA-Ace
June 18, 2010 at 13:22
Yeah there is an inherent flaw with head tracking. Unless the screen is actually all around you it will always be awkward.
The reason the camera has to be close is so that it only focuses on one person. Having multiple people in the image would make it impossible to know who is playing (unless the controller had some weird glowing ball on it :D).
koldFU5iON
June 18, 2010 at 14:10
I got a virus today that’s infected everyone in my IM …. I hope it’s not lazy’s fault!
TrivsUK
June 18, 2010 at 17:10
the full damage model is on 200 of the cars, all of the racing ones such as wrc or super gt, which as a reviewer, you should know…
Gavin Mannion
June 18, 2010 at 17:10
I have to say I tried the head tracking for a little bit as well and found it to be a real pain in the ass. Not only does it not work very well but it also makes the game harder to play as it randomly decided to swing the screen when I was playing. Because it thought I wanted to look at the side barrier or something.
Gavin Mannion
June 18, 2010 at 17:19
Yeah a few people have told me about this today, it seems our old Ad server may be compromised… moving to a new server right now.
If you don’t have any anti virus on your machine I recommend getting your head examined and then running a scan on your machine. Otherwise you should be fine
lans
June 18, 2010 at 20:37
ya TrivsUk is right, you must try go backstage apparently they showing the full damage model to journalists behing closed doors, you can smash cars to smitherens, ign and eurogamer said the damge was not very gran turismo but was extremely impressive
Gavin Mannion
June 18, 2010 at 21:03
We were backstage, unless there was yet another backstage that we didn’t see.
And do you have links to the Eurogamer and IGN posts where they said the damage was good?
Gavin Mannion
June 18, 2010 at 21:22
The Audi R8 is one of the 200 premium cars that should include full damage modelling. Which as a GT5 fan you should know.
Potty391
June 18, 2010 at 21:33
I wouldn’t be expecting any links any time soon.. it is lans we’re talking about here. 🙂
Krypty
June 18, 2010 at 23:35
So what you are telling me is that not all of the cars have full damage models.
These guys develop a game with delay after delay and then after a complete lifecycle of the console brings out a half complete game.
Then fanboys praise the game as a gift send directly down from the angels of heaven.
Guys please stop masturbating and go out and get some fresh air, it will do you good.
lans
June 19, 2010 at 01:17
I want to clarify this damage issue!!!!
from what ive seen it looks more than good enough, this is why people think this is an xboy fansite
here is the latest gt5 trailer
http://www.gtplanet.net/new-gt5-video-violent-crashes-night-racing-more/
below is proper info that gt fans and not forza fanboys would need to read, not that nonsense you guys said about head tracking and damage! obvious its gonna suck, they still showing us old builds
i got this from gran turismo 5 and also from gtplanet sites
Polyphony Digital have conveniently published their own independent and specific confirmation of the features we’ve been learning about via media outlets over the past two days, thanks to one big update to their official site. In addition to what was already discussed here and here, this is what’s new:
•As confirmed in a note on the Japanese site, the 800 “standard cars†in the game will not have interior view or high-beam headlights (new video of standard cars here, thanks Paskowitz).
•NASCAR pit crew’s actions have been specifically re-created.
•All cars will be able to “roll over†if involved in an accident.
•Damage may “not necessarily be applied to all races in the gameâ€.
•You will be able to define your own password-protected online races with your friends, and you’ll be able to control all of the event’s regulations.
•“You can host ‘Track Days’, where everyone can drive freely on the track. You can try to shave down your laptimes, you can teach someone how to drive, or just enjoy drifting.â€
Vehicular damage was also clarified:
Physics-Affecting Damage
This is damage in which the physics simulation is affected by alignment deviations, etc. This is damage that affects controllability, and the car may not drive straight, or it might become unstable in corners, etc. depending on the amount of damage. Affects all cars.
Dirt, Scratches, and Dents
This is damage that can be visually seen, and involves dirtying of the body, scratches and dents. Affects all cars.
Separation (dislocation) of Body Panels
This is damage in which body panels are dislocated from their original positions, or deform. Affects only premium cars.
Gavin Mannion
June 19, 2010 at 06:59
First up, Nick wrote a glowing review from his hands on with GT5 so seriously get over your fanboy bias for once.
Secondly in your post here you stated that all cars will be affected by first, scratches and dents. I sat there and watched Nick slam his R8 into a wall about 4 times with no real damage of any sort being noticed.
I know you don’t like to hear this sort of stuff lans but it is the facts on hand and that’s simply what we posted.
bob
July 14, 2010 at 01:26
hahah GT5 sucks! 😆