How GT Sport has changed since launch
As GT Sport passes its 100th day, we look at Polyphony Digital's evolution of its controversial game
When Gran Turismo Sport launched back in October, there were quite a few surprises. There weren't many cars - just 168, down from 1,200 in GT6 - or tracks. There was no traditional Gran Turismo career mode, with just a bunch of mission challenges in its place. The heavy online focus also meant the game was just about useless without an internet connection; if a player wasn't connected, they could only do arcade races and couldn't even save.
But series founder Kazunori Yamauchi promised that he would continue to improve and expand the game with updates, and he's stuck to his word. With 100 days under its belt, we're looking at how these patches have changed GT Sport.
GT League
GT League brings a more traditional Gran Turismo experience to GT Sport
Arriving in the December 2017 v1.09 update, GT League is a major expansion to the offline part of the game.
It contains events that are a lot more like Gran Turismo of old. In fact the whole thing has a look very reminiscent of Gran Turismo 3 which is, as we know, the best Gran Turismo game...
This section contains a number of themed races against GT Sport's much improved AI. These can be short and simple races in the Beginner League section, such as a couple of laps in Mazda MX-5s, or front-wheel drive cars. They can also be far more complex events, like the 30-lap Suzuka endurance race in Porsche 911s, complete with tyre and fuel management. The events have a variety of payouts, which you can increase by using a lower specification car, or driving a clean race.
GT League is split into four tiers, which you'll need to have the appropriate level to unlock. Don't worry though, as even the highest category only requires you to reach level 30.
Polyphony Digital expanded GT League again with the January 2018 v1.11 update, adding further events. It's likely that this will continue with each content update.
Vehicles
This Shelby Cobra is one of 25 free cars added to the game so far
The day 1 vehicle list in GT Sport wasn't entirely compelling. It was a design decision to ship the game with cars more appropriate to the game's esports goal - a mix of Gr.3 and Gr.4 racers intended to form the core of the FIA Championships.
With those priority vehicles out of the way, Polyphony has wasted no time in swelling the content so far, with 25 vehicles added up to January 2018, and another 25 promised by the end of March 2018. Thus far, they've all been free downloads, included in the game's updates, bringing the count to 193 in total.
There's been an eclectic mix too. Among the first three was Audi's 2016 Le Mans car, which completed the trio of LMP1 cars from that year - the Toyota TS050 and Porsche 919 were already present at launch. That update also brought the Shelby Cobra, showing off GT Sport's much improved sound engine.
More recently, the updates seem to be focussed on cars from previous GT games. These include the Ferrari F40, Jaguar XJ13, McLaren F1, KTM X-Bow and Lamborghini Countach. And, because Gran Turismo has always been a bit weird, a Ford F-150 Raptor pickup and a 1962 Volkswagen Samba bus.
The January update also corrected an error from both of the PS3's GT titles, by adding a fully updated 1997 Toyota Supra. Previous games had used a carryover model from the PS2 era. The Supra slots in alongside a Mazda RX-7 and both R32 and R34 Nissan Skyline GT-Rs, for all of us with a JDM bias.
Tracks
The addition of Monza brings the real-world track location count to seven - a step in the right direction
Although GT Sport's launch track list included Interlagos and Bathurst (okay, Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace and Mount Panorama), it was a little underwhelming. The 38 available circuits covered just 17 different locations, and the bulk of them were fictional. Add in the fact that three were rally locations and another three were oval variations, and you could be forgiven for being disappointed.
However, Polyphony Digital is rather good at fictional tracks - as fans of Grand Valley, Trial Mountain and Deep Forest will attest - and most of the circuits are rather enjoyable.
The first content update back in December added another couple of variations to one of the fictional circuits - the Kyoto Driving Park. It was okay as far as it went, but fans hoped for more: more real circuits and perhaps some of the old favourites.
Monza's inclusion in the January update seems to be an answer to those prayers. It's perhaps not everyone's first choice, but the fact it was a new real-world track - and again for free - shows a positive sign from Polyphony. The total track count now stands at 48, more than 25% up on the tally at launch.
Other changes
For the shutterbugs, there's even more Scapes available
As players are putting in millions of miles on the in-game cars, Polyphony has continued to adjust the 'Balance of Performance' calculations intended to even out the vehicles. Each update so far has tweaked the power and weight settings for some of the cars, occasionally leading to one being clearly the best - such as the Renault Megane in Gr.4 - before being adjusted with the next patch.
This bodes well for the FIA Championships, which start in April. It should ensure that you're competing on an even playing field, no matter who your preferred manufacturer.
Updates have also added more Scapes to the game. These highly detailed scenic images, captured by Polyphony Digital using special Sony Alpha cameras that it designed itself for the job, allow those who love photographing their cars as much as they like driving them to show off their vehicles and liveries. There's now 1,048 Scapes locations in total.
What do you think of GT Sport thus far? What have you liked about the game, and what have you hated? Comment with your thoughts below!
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I haven't convinced myself to get a PS VR unit just yet, and GT Sport's usage of the tech is amazing yet minimal. Read a few reviews on it as well, and it's properly amazing. Who knows, maybe it will be expanded in future updates? I certainly hope so!