Gran Turismo 5 sporting $60 million budget

By Tor Thorsen, GameSpotPosted Nov 6, 2009 1:41 pm PT

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.

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