Gran Turismo 5 sporting $60 million budget

Polyphony Digital head Kazunori Yamauchi reveals next year's sprawling racing simulator cost nearly three times as much as Killzone 2.

It's no secret that Gran Turismo 5 is one of the most anticipated PlayStation 3 exclusives ever. As it turns out, it's also one of the most expensive. Two years after a Dutch newspaper pegged the budget of Killzone 2 at $21 million, Autoweek has revealed that the expansive racing simulator will cost nearly three times that.

For $60 million, you could buy 40 Lamborghini Reventons..

Speaking to the magazine, Polyphony Digital head Kazunori Yamauchi said the budget for the game is around $60 million. That makes it among the most expensive games ever made--but not the most expensive, according to Yamauchi.

"There are other games that cost more," said the famously perfectionist designer "Considering the size and scale of the game, I think it's probably a fairly small amount."

Yamauchi wasn't shy about telling Autoweek what Gran Turismo 5's massive budget produced. The game will have nearly 1,000 cars sporting 400,000 polygons each--100 times more polygons than Gran Turismo 4's vehicles had. However, unlike its predecessor, the cars in the game will take actual damage when they crash and will be fully customizable.

As outlined in GameSpot coverage of Yamauchi's presentation at the 2009 Tokyo Game Show, the game will have 20 locations and 70 variations of tracks to choose from. It is also an official license of several prominent racing organizations, such as NASCAR and the World Rally Championship. The game is due out in March in Japan, with a Western release "probably" happening in early 2010, according to Yamauchi.

616 Comments

  • Cabal23

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 5:43 am PT

    @ CHAOS100
    Not all cars have damage. The premium cars only show scratches. Not sure how they decide that. I believe it is a contractual thing with the car companies.

  • DeathByRhapsody

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 11:26 pm PT

    Gt4 sold more than forza 1 and 2 combined not including gt gt2 gt3 gt portable.............GT is and will always be the GREATEST racing game available to the public

  • CHAOS100

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 2:42 pm PT

    I was very pessimistic about this game... but "the cars in the game will take actual damage when they crash and will be fully customizable"... OK now they finally have damage!? Sold.

  • Shinkada

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 2:39 pm PT

    "The game is due out in March in Japan, with a Western release "probably" happening in early 2010, according to Yamauchi."

    Translation: While Western and European game companies strive for global releases, Japanese companies continue to not give a rat's, leaving outside releases to third parties and working solely to get the game released in their own country as soon as possible, further encouraging weeaboos and pissing off everybody else.

  • Cabal23

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 11:57 am PT

    Here is a list of the most expensive games ever. http://blog.knowyourmoney.co.uk/index.php/2008/08/10-most-expensive-video-game-budgets-ever/

    When looking at budgets don't forget the ridiculous marketing and advertising costs. That is where the majority of money goes. Much like FF or any other Sony exclusive, the die hards and Asians will buy this, but not many others. I am sure they will make their money back, but many other dev teams have shown it doesn't take five years to make a good racing game. Ala' Forza. Say what you want about "lazy spots" but Forza looks smokin and fills most peoples casual and hardcore racing needs, but that doesn't help PS3 owners. Glad you guys are finally getting a game after five years. Sounds like that tends to be the party line for Sony. No wonder everyone feels cheated on the games the PS3 receives/or doesn't recieve.

  • peewizzle

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 10:20 am PT

    i cannot wait until this game is released!

    i am currently enjoying FORZA 3 and applaud the developers for including a great amount of content and customization BUT

    in my opinion FORZA graphics and content just simply DONT COME CLOSE to GRAN TURISMO 5...although i have no idea what sort of customizations GT5 will implement but hopefully its worth the 1000 year wait! haha

    when i turn my tv and ps3 on with gt5 playing and wonder am i watching an actual race or a video game...thats when i know the wait was worthwhile

  • coldsauce09

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 4:20 am PT

    xbox fanboys are so jelous about this lol go work hard and get a PS3 guys.. im telling you forza aint nothin compared to this ive been playing it and yea its meh since im using a crappy xbox racing wheel...

  • KoruKinshi

    Posted Nov 10, 2009 1:10 am PT

    Meh, I'll enjoy my Forza 3 and not help recoup their budget.

  • bisonfan2010

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 8:28 pm PT

    pukemon

    yeah i remember GT2 it is the best all time game (as of now..gt5 will take its spot)
    And I remember you hit a wall and ruin your axel so your tires were bent weird and drove funny

  • pukemon

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 6:34 pm PT

    "...However, unlike its predecessor, the cars in the game will take actual damage when they crash and will be fully customizable."

    "Polyphony Digital is stepping up their game. I don't remember any of the previous GT games having car damage."

    gran turismo 2 had limited damage. remember when you you bumped into walls or cars too hard your car started driving wonky.

  • arnaldo1991

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 6:26 pm PT

    Gran Turismo is the best racing games!

  • Thomas-Crown

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 3:54 pm PT

    Substance and Style combined - $60 millions: Value for money considering the profit it will generate when released.

  • coldsauce09

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 1:38 pm PT

    we need more developers like this.

  • Takeshi0106

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 12:40 pm PT

    I've been waiting for almost five years for this game. (short after the release of GT 4)
    It's about time!
    on the other hand, I'm willing to wait a bit longer if that's what it takes to make the game even more awesome

  • Joker_268

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 12:25 pm PT

    OMG just imagine the scale of this, and if japan is getting it on march, then i think ''early 2010'' is probably going to be on spring lol, but i can wait...WORTH IT

  • Jag-T1000

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 12:24 pm PT

    Gran Turismo is too slow for me! Give me Ridge Racer 8!

  • LiquidSifu80

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 11:46 am PT

    @waylander422

    Well yes, Blizzard also postpones dates. But it is also about the way of promising things. Oh well, never mind. I have enough other games to play. You are also correct about all the other games. Somehow this empty promise practice seems to be stuck to Sony. Love the cut-off date idea btw!

  • spudster007

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 11:31 am PT

    Hmm...uh yeah...good luck making a profit with that.

  • yearof3000

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 11:24 am PT

    400,000 polygons each and over 1,000 cars! Holy crap! Yeah this game beats the crap of Forza M3!

  • bisonfan2010

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 11:16 am PT

    I literally fell for this hook, line, and sinker.
    I'm getting this game right when it comes out for NA.

  • enoslives7

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 11:08 am PT

    this should have been out 2 years ago

  • Get_Shorty

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 11:01 am PT

    I've been waiting for this one. Forget Forza or the other car games this is the one to own and I'm looking forward to it!

  • george999819

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 10:59 am PT

    If it doesn't score a perfect 10 on GameSpot, it will be a complete failure. I predict an 8.5 or a 9.0.

  • utap

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 10:37 am PT

    man I hope I get to take my blu-ray disk out to customize my car LOL

  • Dualmask

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 10:16 am PT

    Hmm, damage and fully customizable cars? I think I might be returning to the GT franchise after all. Gran Turismo always brought about a special feeling in me, something I can't describe, something that just made me love the atmosphere of the game, but I was not wowed by Prologue in any way--it felt like things were getting old. I'm glad to hear the developers are listening to what the players want and making changes.

    I think I'll be doing my small part to help them recoup that big budget.

  • NYCraziestplaya

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 10:14 am PT

    other games that have cost more are GTA4 -cost $100 mil, MTG4, $80mil

  • Rottenwood

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 10:04 am PT

    Wow. At this point, it'd just be cheaper to buy all of the actual cars and let gamers take turns driving them on an autobahn.

    While I'm not a driving simulator guy, I DO appreciate developers that meticulously craft a product that even the die-hards are amazed by. I hope this investment pays off, because this level of attention to detail should be rewarded.

  • jadefury27

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 9:48 am PT

    No way in hell they make this back. This game does not gear itself to the casual fan. It's too difficult for most aside from the hardcore. if this one adds some type of arcade mode to the gameplay that may change things.

  • duo_mtl

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 9:43 am PT

    shenmue II costed more.. i can't remember what the budget was though

  • KrazzyDJ

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 9:13 am PT

    "There are other games that cost more". I'd certainly like to know the names of these games !!!

  • Strictly2K

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 9:10 am PT

    For a fact most of that money went towards licensing rights. I mean look they have Lamborghini's in there now, you know they are gonna want their share.

  • tremor33

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 9:00 am PT

    This game looks so dope. It will be the "must have" racing game of this generation

  • Ogelthorpe posted Nov 9, 2009 8:33 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Ogelthorpe

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 8:33 am PT (hide)

    Wow - 60mil is not something to be proud of based on the awful GT prologue game and the gameplay I've seen thus far. I even doubt the community integration will be up to the Forza standard. I hope Sony proves me wrong, but I doubt it.

  • KrzyJoe

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 8:21 am PT

    i bet most of that budget went to getting permission from auto companies

  • gsmith77

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 8:08 am PT

    I love how 'fail' has taken on the meaning of 'wrong' in the past year. Maybe it is just a higher percentage of people failing English?

  • TheArcade

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 8:03 am PT

    However, unlike its predecessor, the cars in the game will take actual damage when they crash and will be fully customizable.

    Polyphony Digital is stepping up their game. I don't remember any of the previous GT games having car damage.

  • Megavideogamer

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 7:52 am PT

    60 million to makeI wonder if they will make their money back on this game? Hopefully it will be good.

  • Wolf_BladeGX

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 7:28 am PT

    $60Mill.... holy crap that's a lot. This is a day one for me (already have it payed off) but geez now i really hope it's worth it, you know? if it has that kind of budget and only seems like GT4 with better looking cars and more rivals.... I don't know what I'd think.

  • jtuds

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 7:25 am PT

    GT5 had been in the works for so long, and is so hyped, that it will be very hard for it to live up to expectations. I am not a racing game guy but I will most certainly buy this game because I have always played the GT series. I am looking forward to it, I just hope it is as good as expected.

  • SavageEvil

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 6:59 am PT

    I hope this fully customizable car thing is at least Forza's level, not so much the vehicle vinyl layer, but everything else, they should also allow you to paint the car by body panels independantly. I play Forza 3 daily, it's fun to play. Don't get me wrong it's a great game, but visually it's below GT5 Prologue. The AI cars' shadows do this weird swap thing going from realistic shadow cats, to just a big rectangular shadow randomly. Although they said cars are fully customizable, why is it when you install downforce parts you don't get the range of actual race cars? Perhaps they should include body paneling like actual race cars? Single greatest feature in Forza 3, the rewind, sounds cheap but after racing 30 laps on the Nur only to make a mistake on the final lap....come complain about it after having that happen and you have the rewind there. It's optional so i have no problem with it, GT5 should think about having this feature. That infuriating NFS Shift needed this as that game thinks all cars drift doing simple cornering maneuvers. All that said, I can't wait to wrap my hands around GT5, I really hope they added distinct clutch release points for the G25/27 Wheel, I hate that lazy crap in Prologue and they should also have power shifting back in *yay* since damage is in. Ahh I cannot wait to spend much awaited time with GT5.

  • lhawley088

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 6:04 am PT

    its not a "racing" game, NFS is a racing game. GT is a driving simulator. All the cars drive almost exactly like they do in real life. It gives people a chance to "drive" their dream cars

  • Cabal23 posted Nov 9, 2009 5:56 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Cabal23

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 5:56 am PT (hide)

    Fail Fail Fail...it is a freakin racing game.

  • waylander422

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 5:15 am PT

    Also when the PS3 was annouced they annouced that there was gonna be a tekken, MGS, GT, Final Fantasy etc to get everyone excited and want to buy the console. None of which were released early on in the consoles life. At least GT gave a demo of its ideas...

  • waylander422

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 5:12 am PT

    @LiquidSifu80
    Yeah i agree that shifting release dates is not cool. To some extent i understand it in that the developers wanna make sure the game is awesome, but at the same time the project must have a cut off date. As for Blizzard, correct me if i'm wrong, but havent those projects been postponed multiple times to?

  • jasopan

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 5:10 am PT

    Compared to budgets of Movies, this is nothing, I mean the quality would probably be 100x more detailed than any cheapo, brainless action movie.

  • JKnaperek

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 4:41 am PT

    -HCMF- a year ago they didn't even have damage for the cars. You don't work for Polyphony and have no idea what they are doing to make the game. It probably could have been released with the PS3 launch like you say, but I doubt it would have been as good as they're aiming for. Saying that PS3 is suffering is more idiot logic. Next time you have a thought, let it stew around in your head before posting your ignorance.

  • FallenAngel

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 4:39 am PT

    I agree with Liquidsifu80. I got a PS3, and will get GT5, but this is ridiculous. Ok, I get someone being a perfectionist, but taking 5+ years to release GT5 and deprive the Sony fanbase of PS's flagship racing franchise while MS fans get to enjoy not one but two excellent editions of Forza in the meantime is not cool.

  • -HCMF-

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 4:20 am PT

    hasn't this game been in production for, I don't know 5+ years now? I know they keep putting out mini games of GT, but Forza has put out 2 games in it's series and the new NFS also looks to be taking away it's once grand market share. I just don't understand the boys at sony. I mean here is a product that could have and should have been at launch for the ps3, and I mean in the form of a full NEW game. This is why the ps3 continues to suffer... mismanagemanet of it's IP's...

  • Darkmoone1

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 4:10 am PT

    It'd be funny as hell if this game flops and all that money goes to waste.

  • ArtOfCraft

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 2:58 am PT

    I agree with LiquidSifu. Don't make false promises, do what Blizz does (for the most part) and don't give a release date until you know without a shadow of a doubt it will be completed.

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