Not so long ago started the phase of closed beta testing of the simulator Gran Turismo Sport, which goes on the PlayStation 4 this year. Our newsroom got one of the keys to access the game, and we hasten to share with you the first details about the future of one of the most popular racing series in the world.
Just want to say that to get a coveted key (albeit not at the start of the test) personally, I was interested not only because it is the opportunity to play the not yet released game, but from the fact that at the last exhibition “IgroMir 2016” I was lucky enough to play the alpha version of the GT Sport. It was very interesting to see what the developers have achieved over time. And, you know, they have done just a tremendous amount of work!
I would like to start with images, with which earlier versions were obvious problems: reflections, play of light and shadow, particle, animation people (which I’ll discuss later) and a bunch of small parts that make up the visuals look amazing. Yes, still graphic flaws like oddly drawn bushes, but visually, the game already looks not as greetings from the past, and as quite a modern product. The current beta version has been running on a regular PlayStation 4, but the holders of the PRO version of the console will get even more juicy graphics at 4K resolution with HDR. Trust me, screenshots do not convey a fraction of how the game now looks at the dynamics. But the picture for release, knowing the perfectionism of the Studio Polyphony Digital will only improve.
Pleased that the road became much livelier. On dangerous roads the workers stadium waving flags, warning drivers and pit-stop in General live their lives. Scurry back and forth, the mechanics of different teams. Yes, the stands are empty yet, but is testing the game, so this approach can be seen as a training session before the main race. There is no doubt that after the game the crowds will flood the place.
A very interesting approach to testing. At the beginning of each pilot were given 3 cars of different classes. As before, for certain types of racing need your car. In this case, as I understand it, these machines are scattered users “randomly”. Let’s say someone went to the BMW GT class, and someone in Volkswagen category. At the same time for completing daily challenges, both issued another random car on the day. Thus, developers not only test how it behaves on the track, each particular car, but the right balance between cars to not have a car fast or too slow. Elegant solution.
Number of tracks at the moment small: nürburgring, and the British brands hatch, and a couple “good friends” fans of auto simulators. The tracks still look awesome, but different from the team Kazunori Yamauchi to not expect. Of course, in the final version of the locations for the races will be much greater. Each of the currently available track becoming available every few hours. An hour later he is replaced by the next and so on. Before the race, you can qualify to earn a place in the starting grid, and at the same time to assess the physics behavior of cars, than we now do.
Compared to the early alpha, closed beta allows you to feel that you are playing the very Gran Turismo! Each car behaves differently, every turn is felt in all the slightest details. If the difference in the coupling of the right and left wheels with the road (say, the right side of the machine slid on the grass, and the left remained on the pavement), the car behaves exactly as if it had happened to her in reality. Her a little distracted. And if at low speeds, nothing bad will happen, then that’s when overclocking you can dramatically bring and throw beyond the road. The developers at Polyphony Digital found a very interesting solution for such departures. For sure will understand me now all the fans of motor racing: there are times when you’re flying at full speed in pursuit of the leader, and some “vodatel” flew off the road and tries to come back. And so, while he “crawls” out of the ditch, with him facing you or the other racers, creating a massive traffic jam on the road and more behind the leader. So, now off at the entrance road becomes a disembodied Ghost or provoke confrontations. Of course, in the full version it can be disabled, but for people who do not consider themselves superhardcore is a very useful feature.
Slightly modified experience system. If earlier to participate in certain types of races you had to get right in this category, but now, in addition to the rights, pilot, so you will receive your own level. This feature is disabled, but it is made, I suspect, to the best of matchmaking during online racing. In addition, there is also an indicator of aggressiveness of your driving. The more you face or “beat” rivals from the road, the higher it is. This means that you are considered a more dangerous driver, and all the surrounding players will know about it.
Will not go away fine tuning each specific vehicle. You can change dozens (if not hundreds) of parameters: change the wheel (all at once or separately front and rear), adjust the brakes, Rev the engine, suspension, and bunch of other stuff that will surely affect the behavior of the car during a race. If poking around in such a large number of settings there is no desire, you can always press a couple of buttons, and the game will give you the preferred embodiment characteristics for a given track.
Despite the fact that Gran Turismo Sport already plays great, it is still very much lacking. No night races and do dynamic change the time of day. No weather effects, career mode and rivals running artificial intelligence. Naturally, all this will appear in the final game, just to get a complete picture currently available of the game content is not enough. Although now it’s safe to say that at the end of 2017 all race lovers are in for a real treat, as is GT. And soon she’ll be back in all its splendor. What can we say, even in closed beta the developers have put an incredible beauty Intro with simply magical music.
By the way, you can now try your luck and sign up to participate in the next beta test of the game. Sony and Polyphony Digital regularly send out a new batch of keys to participants of this program. Maybe the new rider will be you. See you on the road!
Our impressions from the closed beta version of the game Gran Turismo Sport
Vladimir Kuznetsov