Gran Turismo for PSP a Straight Port of GT4 from PS2?

Producer Yamauchi comments on the racing franchise for the PSP.

SCE has posted an interview with Gran Turismo producer Kazunori Yamauchi on its official Japanese site, revealing that the PSP version is planned to have the same amount of content as the PlayStation 2 version. Although the game is essentially a port from the PlayStation 2 version, the company will trim and alter the game for the PSP's handheld format.

"Currently, we are testing to see what needs to be chiseled off to bring GT4 to the PSP," said Yamauchi. "In terms of volume, it is carrying the GT4 name so we are planning to have the same volume of content as the PlayStation 2."

Yamauchi further states that the mechanics of the PSP version will be the same as the PlayStation 2, hinting that at its core the PSP Gran Turismo will be a port as opposed to a completely different take on the series.

"Hardware performance-wise [the PSP] is on the same level as the PlayStation 2," added Yamauchi. "Since we've been creating GT4's system on the PlayStation 2 hardware, we're probably going to just transfer that straight to the PSP."

Yamauchi justified the approach for Gran Turismo 4, talking of the difficulties in starting afresh on a new handheld system.

"All-new titles are usually made relatively on the lighter side [in terms of volume of content]," commented Yamauchi. "PSP game prices are going to be set lower, so there are more development fund constraints to deal with. However, if there's a big franchise that already has the mechanics in place, you can just skillfully port that to the PSP. Those are the two approaches to developing, and obviously we're taking the latter."

Talking about the PlayStation 2 version, Yamauchi said they are continually adding more cars to the game, and is about 75 percent complete. Although he states that Gran Turismo 4 for the PS2 is still on track for a holiday launch, the series debut on PSP will likely come later than the PSP's launch (which is due for a fall launch in Japan, 2005 release stateside).

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