PGR4 limited by DVD

Johnnytoxic · 31 Jul 2007 at 16:39

This is disappointing. DVD is showing it's limitations.

You won't see different times of day per city because this involves recreating all the textures again (one for day and one for night). Whilst this wasn't a problem for our dev team, it was a problem fitting all this data onto a single DVD. So we've worked around the problem by providing different lighting models per city. For example, Macau is always in the daytime, but if you play it during a storm everything looks darker and more foreboding. If you play during a blizzard then things are slightly tinged blue and everything seems more frozen. Of course, playing this track in sunshine will make everything appear bright and yellowy.

Having the game spread across two discs isn't an option for a number of reasons. Sorting out gameplay both in single and multiplayer where you always have to swap discs around would be difficult, and detrimental to the flow of the game. Also, having two discs puts the price of manufacturing up, and that's one we'd have to discuss with the publisher.

As it stands, we've got the best of all options. We've got tonnes of cities, the best lighting effects we've ever done, and weather which dramatically changes the look of the cities too. And it all fits on one disc.

http://www.bizarrecreations.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=14802&p=

NokkonWud · 31 Jul 2007 at 16:43

Another day, another jonnyfive DVD is limited post. Wayhey.

Jono · 31 Jul 2007 at 16:43

So long as it plays well, and looks nice, and has plenty of variation I don't really care if it's not "as good as it could have been".

PS3 Fanbois, over to you..

Johnnytoxic · 31 Jul 2007 at 16:46

I bet that Bizzare staffer is sacked, causing MS bad PR.

Made digg too http://digg.com/xbox_360/DVD_size_limiting_Project_Gotham_Racing_4

and CVG
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=169199

That ben guy is gonna get disciplinary action lol.

Abooie · 31 Jul 2007 at 16:46

Tis a shame (even though (am I alone here?) I really didn't get on well with driving at night).

Still, this will be the best driving to come out 2007/2008. (Bold prediction).

JUMPURS · 31 Jul 2007 at 16:54

Hmmm interesting, wonder if they had to make a choice between bikes and full day and night support?

Wonder if night will be available as Premium DLC :rolleyes:

On a serious note though, if something is struggling to fit onto one DVD, then surely making it available as a free DL when you buy the game to store onto you HDD would be a better alternative? But make it free

JUMPURS · 31 Jul 2007 at 16:55

smcshaw said:
Tis a shame (even though (am I alone here?) I really didn't get on well with driving at night).

Still, this will be the best driving to come out 2007/2008. (Bold prediction).

I dunno will need to go a fair bit to beat DiRT imo.

knowledge123 · 31 Jul 2007 at 17:10

iirc, Bizzare are owned by Microsoft.

It's bad to hear about the lack of a full day/night cycle, but I don't think it will affect gameplay any.

Johnnytoxic · 31 Jul 2007 at 17:11

knowledge123 said:

Conincidence, It's really not me.

Abooie · 31 Jul 2007 at 17:16

knowledge123 said:
iirc, Bizzare are owned by Microsoft.

Not at all. Like with Bioware and Epic MS recognise the studios independence and pay to publish games which is why the 2K GTA IV episodes shouldn't really come as a big suprise.

Bizarre also have 'The Club' coming out, it's published by Sega and also for the PS3 and PC. Also Boom Boom Rocket their Live! arcade game was published by EA.

Abooie · 31 Jul 2007 at 17:16

johnnyfive said:
Conincidence, It's really not me.

It's the big grin that gives it away

knowledge123 · 31 Jul 2007 at 17:20

smcshaw said:
Bizarre also have 'The Club' coming out

I forgot this one!

Thanks for clearing that up smcshaw

dannyjo22 · 31 Jul 2007 at 17:32

Still doesnt sound good though does it. Can't be far off a decision having to be made to go to multi disc to keep up???

I'd rather that than miss out on decent extra features in a game.

Kreeeee · 31 Jul 2007 at 17:33

smcshaw said:
Tis a shame (even though (am I alone here?) I really didn't get on well with driving at night).

Still, this will be the best driving to come out 2007/2008. (Bold prediction).

No chance, mario kart is out this year

Abooie · 31 Jul 2007 at 17:36

Kreeeee said:
No chance, mario kart is out this year

You cheat... didn't think of this one.

Kreeeee · 31 Jul 2007 at 17:42

smcshaw said:
You cheat... didn't think of this one.

Glad you've got taste \o/

McManicMan · 31 Jul 2007 at 17:56

As it stands, we've got the best of all options. We've got tonnes of cities, the best lighting effects we've ever done, and weather which dramatically changes the look of the cities too. And it all fits on one disc.

at the end of the day thats all that matters TBH

james.miller · 31 Jul 2007 at 18:01

i dont think its anything to be worried about tbh. im sure it'll still look very good. it is something to note though - they could have made it better still if storage wasnt an issue. thats all they are really saying

Spleenus · 31 Jul 2007 at 18:06

Just shows what they can do if they're forced to do it because of space limitations!

roboffer · 31 Jul 2007 at 18:06

Pesonally I think its quite disappointing that thery are having to cut things out, although I guess you probably dont hear about half the things that dont get included or whatever reason.

I cant help feel that forcing HD-DVD might have been better for MS in the long run, but I certainly dont want to be forced into buying one just for playing a few games. Tricky decision really, and hopefully the multi disc option will be available to other games, as long as it doesnt need changing reguarly.