Microsoft: PGR5 could be driven by Forza dev

by Randy Nelson { May 22nd 2008 at 2:58PM }

When Project Gotham Racing dev Bizarre Creations was scooped up by Activision last year, many 360 owners were left wondering what would become of the system's flagship racing franchise. Speaking to Kikizo, Microsoft Game Studios VP Shane Kim provided one possible (and likely) scenario: put Forza Motorsports 2 team Turn 10 behind the wheel.

Kim says that MS is eager for Turn 10 to branch out and "do more creative execution in the racing space." (Read: more than just hardcore racing sims.) Kim expressed a desire to take "a fresh creative approach" to a fifth game in the series, and, to that end, proposed imagining "a future where [Turn 10] would develop a new version of Project Gotham Racing." We humbly suggest that – should they get the gig – Turn 10 replace Kudos with actual MS points.

Tags: forza, microsoft-game-studios, pgr, project-gotham-racing, shane-kim, turn-10

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

tcc3 @ May 22nd 2008 3:02PM

They can barely crank out an updated Forza every two years. How are they oging to have time for a release every year (assuming the releases stagger every other one, every two years)?

Dont get me wrong. T10 is great. I think they can and should, but they're gonna need a bigger team.

Lekko @ May 22nd 2008 3:28PM

It's called milking a franchise.

You add only one feature to each game each year, and just mix things a little to make it seem new, while occasionally tuning things. Then you add 'xx to the ending and put a different cover on it.

Look at Madden. Like that.

FordGTGuy @ May 22nd 2008 3:41PM

Did you actually just compare Forza to Madden? You must out of your mind.

VampireHunter Z @ May 22nd 2008 3:38PM

I can tell you they are infinitely faster than Polyphony Digital at cranking out a game.

Burritoclock @ May 22nd 2008 3:03PM

I would love a game that was half forza and half PGR, would be cool.

Phranctoast @ May 22nd 2008 3:04PM

if only you could be "man bear pig" while driving.

PojoMofo @ May 22nd 2008 3:05PM

Soooo, Forza with a Kudos system????

peaked my interest

voodoo_craig @ May 22nd 2008 4:23PM

It'll be more of the same I imagine pojo seeing as a lot of Turn 10 sat in on the creation of PGR2.

PojoMofo @ May 22nd 2008 4:39PM

@Voodoo_Craig

I have been hopeful that a return to form (meaning PGR2) at some point. PGR3 was decnt, 4 was retread crap. This might be the shot in the arm the series needs.

I do agree that PGR5 has a good chance of being more retread crap though

voodoo_craig @ May 22nd 2008 4:43PM

Yeah, 2 was the last one I enjoyed. PGR3 was just too bloated with too many boring races on unimaginative courses. I didn't even want to try 4.

Worst Review Ever @ May 22nd 2008 3:09PM

"Kudos" as in the delicious, chocolate-covered-granola-bar treat?

4.5 @ May 22nd 2008 3:11PM

I thought I was the only one that knew about those...I think I've only seen them in Utah.

xFenixKnightx @ May 22nd 2008 3:16PM

Nope, gottem here in Houston too. And they are deeeeeelicous...nom-nom-nom!

4.5 @ May 22nd 2008 3:19PM

I haven't had one in forever, I need to go get a box.

Mr.ESC @ May 22nd 2008 3:32PM

Hey that's actually Cool.

Kspraydad @ May 22nd 2008 3:39PM

But does Kim actually know what he is talking about? For the last few days it seems to be Kim Kim Kim...but most of it is hogwash.

AoE @ May 22nd 2008 3:41PM

Turn 10 developing PGR? Yes please.

ExMcCloud @ Jun 15th 2008 10:12PM

I'll take a serving of that also...Turn 10 is awesome they showed great improvement from Forza 1 to Forza 2...And hopefully they can get that engine used in PGr for Forza....lol

Supino @ May 22nd 2008 3:45PM

why not make a NEW franchise - or (oh god if they could) make a new RalliSport!!

RalliSport 3, come on DiCE.. MAKE - IT - HAPPEN

KOBES-ACCUSER @ May 22nd 2008 3:50PM

@Supino.....

You need to quit picking your butt hairs with that comment about Rallisport3 you 8 year old noob! Forza blows anyway, that franchise is going to run that game into the ground...It was cool about 5 years ago!

Supino @ May 22nd 2008 4:08PM

ok, sir - I must say I stand corrected after that brilliant response.

oh, and I don't want to be a pickie - but you can use the 'Reply' to - ehm - reply...

Mr.ESC @ May 22nd 2008 4:38PM

Isn't it great when someone that doesn't even knows how to use the reply button calls you a n00b?

Mr.ESC @ May 22nd 2008 4:40PM

FYI Forza 2 was a great game and the arcade mode was fun and smooth so I can imagine them doing PGR45.

Wii60Warrior @ May 22nd 2008 4:16PM

I thought the 2 series were very similiar? Can anyone explain the differences between the 2?

Personally I'm loving GRID right now. Its the first racing game that has enough realism for me as well as fun arcade like gameplay. The online is as close to perfection as can be. Graphics are excellent. Cars are stunning.

And after finding out how to change the camera angle my level of enjoyment increased even more.

Can't wait for it to come out.

Mr. Plow @ May 22nd 2008 4:30PM

PGR is somewhere of a mix between an arcade racer and a sim racer. Not quite as arcadey as a Need For Speed, but nowhere near the other side of the spectrum of Gran Turismo. Forza is purely a sim racer and a Gran Turismo competitor. Personally, as a Forza, sim-racer fan, I don't like this idea. Unless Turn10 hires a bunch of new staff, it either means Forza less often, or with less new features. A combined PGR/Forza sounds even worse, with a game too sim-like to please the PGR fans, but too arcadey for the Forza fans. Same thing happened when EA bought the Nascar exclusivity a few years back. EA had the more arcadey game before and tried to add more sim elements, pleasing no one.

Wii60Warrior @ May 22nd 2008 4:43PM

Thanks Mr. Plow

I totally feel yah. I would hate it if someone came along and just completely changed the focus/theme of some of my favorite series/games.

AZ @ May 22nd 2008 4:21PM

Forza fans who love racing simulators and wondering about Gran Turismo. I finally got a chance to play these two side by side the other day and I can tell you its no comparison. GT is light years ahead of Forza, and those looking for the best simulator and thinking of buying a PS3, DO IT.

Monster difference in just about every aspect, and GT is just a prologue right now.

why not the LS2LS7? @ May 22nd 2008 7:58PM

I agree, although the tuning on GT5P is very poor compared to Forza 2.

Either way, with the rate at which Polyphony Digital works, Turn 10 has plenty of time to catch up or pass GT5P before GT5 comes out.

Mr Khan @ May 22nd 2008 5:20PM

Makes sense, Turn 10 was built to be a single-genre developer, so their expertise in that field is unquestionable

Talryyn @ May 22nd 2008 5:22PM

What about SimBin, to me their games are the best on the PC, and miles ahead of anything on a console.

So I would love to see MS buy SimBin.

Oh wait, umm yes Turn10 can make PGR if they want. Have not bought one since 2, well 3 came with my wheel.

why not the LS2LS7? @ May 22nd 2008 6:46PM

Could be? How about will be.

MS has very few 1st party devs left. Which one did you think would do PGR5?

komamura @ May 22nd 2008 7:45PM

actually I thought the series would die after Bizarre got bought out, so this is quite a plesent suprise

why not the LS2LS7? @ May 22nd 2008 7:57PM

I want to add my vote:
Rallisport Challenge 3.

Rallisport Challenge 2 was the best off-road racer ever made. It so deserves a sequel, it can't even be played with the 360 BC!

Honestly, I'm a bit skeptical at PGR5 with Turn 10. Turn 10 has been unable to put even a little bit of broad-appeal fun into Forza 2. Don't get me wrong, it's an excellent sim, but they haven't shown any ability to make it appeal to those who don't like adjusting their tire pressures.

PGR2 was the best PGR by far, it's been downhill since then, and sadly, I see that continuing.