Kazunori Yamauchi reaffirmed again that Gran Turismo 7 will be a main sequence title along the lines of previous games in the series.
The head of the Polyphony Digital studio was talking to journalist Toshifumi Watanabe for Octane Japan, in an interview published earlier today. Although the conversation focused mainly on Scapes, there was plenty of time to talk about the PlayStation 5, Gran Turismo 7 and the series’ “real purpose” as well.
One of the questions asked by Watanabe referred to the identity of Gran Turismo and its future. Although Yamauchi was not attracted to the latter part of it, he made special mention of the influence that Japanese automotive culture had on the original Gran Turismo, and how it worked as a purpose behind the series.
“I myself grew up as an auto enthusiast surrounded by the influence of Japanese auto manufacturers and the broadcasting of the automotive media,” comments Yamauchi, “and this is also the driving force behind my production. Although the title was played around the world, I never forgot that it originated in Japan, and now I feel the responsibility and the mission to inherit Japanese auto culture. “
Interestingly, Yamauchi recognizes that fans don’t always follow how Gran Turismo games change from generation to generation. This applies particularly to Gran Turismo Sportand his move to sport. “It may have seemed quite strange to some people!” he commented, and notes that support for the game grew differently from previous titles, gaining more momentum later in his life.
Sports Mode then, as we saw in Gran Turismo 7 trailer last July, still has an important role to play, but GT7 it will be nostalgic for those who played the previous games. “When inheriting elements like the [FIA] championship held in Sport, Gran Turismo 7 will return to the real purpose of complete volumes as [Gran Turismo] 1-4, and provide the best Gran Turismo experience at the moment, ”says Yamauchi.
Of course we’ve heard that GT7 it would be a combination of “past, present and future” of Gran Turismo, so this reinforcement reaches the ears of fans of classic GT games as music.
The interview also covers topics such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, in which Yamauchi was a guest judge for 11 years, and the PS5’s real-time lightning tracking capabilities. You can read the full article – in Japanese – on the Octane Japan website.