Project Gotham Racing 3 - Discussion Thread

[Pooon]

Some more PGR3 info:

You've heard of Gotham TV, the revolutionary new feature which we're introducing to the world through PGR3. Everyone that's heard about it is talking about it. It's hard to explain without actually seeing it, but we'll try and give you a little more info to whet your appetite...

PGR3 is a massive step forward in all areas of gaming, from gameplay to graphics, from audio to atmosphere, but we wanted to go further than that. PGR's unique style of street racing is now a televised sport! Tune into Gotham TV for all the racing news, features, and updates from around the world; straight to your Xbox 360.

A sports-style news ticker runs along on the bottom of most screens in PGR3, keeping you updated on what's happening in the Gotham community. Did somebody just break the world record in NYC? Did your friend just fight off a bunch of other racers to take the gold? Is the PGR3 all-time world champion about to race some of their rivals? All of this will be available to view at your fingertips through the Gotham TV sports ticker.

So you think you're a pretty good racer? Now it's your time to prove it! The rewards have never been greater... Gotham TV will broadcast your successes (or your losses) to the world - anybody can tune in to watch you race live on air. You'll feel the pressure of a car on your tail even more than before, knowing that hundreds of fans hang on your every move. You'll even be told how many people are watching!

Tune in to your favourite racing channel, and view live racing with hundreds of other Gotham fans. If you're lucky, you'll see some Gotham Heroes (all-star PGR3 players) decimate everyone else on the track. Make sure you study their racing style and spot their weaknesses, and send a game invite if you're up to the challenge.

What are the best things about Gotham TV for us? It's fun, informative and smart. The system looks at your friends list and filters the news for you, keeping you up to date with the people you care about, as well as hearing about the record breaking news from the world's best players. It's great to flick your eyes down to the ticker when you're in the menus and see what's going on live, online, as you're playing. And if something catches your attention, hop over and watch, then return to your game.

Gotham TV - it's channel surfing for gamers!

[CAS FAN]

This is sounding superb! I love the plans for Gotham TV and the fact that you can watch important races live as spectators. I think what they have done in Forza is great but the whole community aspect of PGR3 sounds amazing!

[oxygenuk]

the screenshots you see are pre rendered and not in-game, so if you think thats what your getting in-game, prepear to be dissapointed

[Pooon]

Quite interesting stuff in the latest Update from bizarre creations

Once upon a time at Bizarre Creations, Ben came to a startling realisation. All he had shown from PGR3 so far in his updates was pretty screenshots. So, this week, time for something slightly different...

It's been raining in Bizarre-land this week... the sunny weather we've been enjoying over the last month or so is finally being tarnished with big ol' clouds. It's not so bad though, as many of the team don't get to go outside now! Chained to their desks working feverishly to finish PGR3, things like company BBQs and footy matches are put on the backburner. Looks like the weather is working to the same schedule now though! Anyways, down to business...

If you haven't heard the news, brace yourself. Every Xbox 360 sold will come with Xbox Live. That means that potentially everybody with an Xbox 360 can get online, and get a piece of the action. There's a free subscription level ("Silver") which will allow you to access the basic features of Live, including the Xbox Live Marketplace, and you can choose if you want to upgrade to the all-singing all-dancing "Gold" level. It's all very exciting stuff.

With all of these next-generation web services kicking about, we felt it only fitting that we should really push the boat out with PGR3 Xbox Live functionality. You've already been told about Gotham TV, the television style broadcast service which turns Gotham racing into a real sport. You'll be able to watch your friend's race as if you were watching motor sport on TV - yes, you can choose which of your friends you want to watch, whenever they're online! You can also tune in to watch world-famous "Gotham Heroes" (the world's best players) live as they race. Gotham TV also takes the most exciting events in the PGR3 universe, and creates "Highlights", so you can stay up to date without ever putting down the controller.

On its own, Gotham TV is cool. Combined with the rest of the features we're planning... well, you're never going to want to leave your house! I've been given clearance to tell you about one such original feature - PGR 3 Online Tournaments!

Every month, we will run several tournaments over Xbox Live for PGR players who are in the PGR Live community. The tournaments themselves will take place in two parts... The idea is this:

The first two weeks of the month is the qualifying period. Race on the predefined track and car, and set the fastest lap you can muster. If you've played the weekly challenges in Project Gotham 2, you'll know what to expect here. Make sure you check the tournament leader board and see where you rank in the world.

Half way through the month, qualifying will close and the knockout phase will begin. For every tournament a set number of players with the best lap times will be split into groups (platinum, gold, silver etc.), and then organised into different seedings. Gotham TV will inform you if you've qualified, and tell you when your next race is scheduled to take place. You'll also get reminders when your race is about to start.

The knockout matches (12 player online races between seeded players), will take place at a regular scheduled times each week. The important rounds will be televised live on Gotham TV, and advertised around the world. If you're one of the winners, you get through to the next round. If you lose, you're knocked out. Simple as that.

We're not talking small tournaments for the top few players either. In the main tournaments, tens of thousands of players can qualify to the knockout stage each month. Thousands will make it through to the second round. Hundreds will get through to the third round. Eventually there will only be twelve left. There will also be a big mix of tournaments, ranging from events where tens of thousands can qualify, down to elite events where only the top 32 best qualifiers get through to the knockout stage.
The grand finals will be given prime time viewing on Gotham TV - you can support your favourite racer, or watch in the hope that your arch rival is taken down. There can be only one winner though, and that person will be known as the ultimate Gotham Hero. Who knows, there might be prizes on offer?

The nicest thing about all of these tournaments is that we can set up exactly what their contents are and how they are run. Do we want a cone challenge instead of a hot lap for qualification? Do we want 1,000 people to qualify, or 10,000? How many players can get through each knockout round? How many people are in each race? We can fine tune it all, so you always know you're getting the best gaming experience.

There's still tonnes more I can't tell you (including a couple of REALLY important announcements), so I'm afraid you'll have to stay tuned to bizarreonline.net for more PGR3 info. Oh, you want a new picture this week? Ok, I'm proud to present... a bunny with a controller on its head!

Mods:Can this thread be moved to the xbox forum please.

[-Jay-]

Done i've moved as many threads as i can see that are in the wrong forum, if you see anymore let me know and i'll move to the right place.

[CAS FAN]

OMG that sounds absolutely amazing Pooon!! That's basically what I was describing in another thread as my dream Pro Evo experience!

This game is going to be absolutely awesome, if you get to a final you could have 1000's of people tune in to watch you race!

I also think that if they charged everyone say just £1 entry into each tourney and then used that money for a prize fund then you could start to get some real pro gamers! If online gaming becomes popular enough (say 1,000,000 + people playing/watching) then surely that would also attract even more sponsorship into the games which could also go towards prize funds. Just think, the best drivers could actually attract real life sponsorship for their cars and generate real income through that!

I know the above sounds far fetched on the surface, but why not? If companies can get their name & products infront of large amounts of people then they will pay to advertise just like they do through other media.

I know that pro gaming exists already on a limited level but with mainstream online gaming/viewing then it could become HUGE! Just think - people could start making a living out of playing PGR or Pro Evo online. Cheating would also be stamped out (if not completly then virtually)if there are huge amounts of people watching events and if a lot of money is injected into online gaming.

I personally think that it will take some time (perhaps another generation or two of consoles) to reach the levels described above, but it's definately heading that way IMO!

[Kopite4Ever]

CAS fan while that sounds a good idea here is my 2 cents worth. no matter what game in history that has an online mode comes cheating and bad sportsmanship. at the end of the day it is 99% down to some sort of ranking / competition mode. ive seen it in the past, present and i will see it in the future. bringing out any form of competition to a world public brings out the worst in gamers. yes while this is a minority it spoils it for the rest. you only have to look at the halo 2 fiasco its an absolute joke, its that bad. farscial if you will. the mode sounds cool if you can set up like a mini AVF one for eg and it will be competitive but good natured. im sorry but i dont have trust/faith in half the gamers in the world now in what ever game i play. they are cheating scumbag childish people who bring the whole tone to a new low. its in all online gaming of some sort. ive found the best online gaming to be non competitive with likeminded people who just want to have some casual, mature games !

this games does sound as if it will be amazing but i feel while your idea is good its will no doubtably bring angst to the proceedings. not as much as total cheating as you could have umpteem people watching but dirty tatics ie bumping corners on purpose . these people do anything to gain a mm over the opponent and it spoils it.

WOW rant off now i promise

[CAS FAN]

Yes but if you cheat whilst everyone is watching then your gamertag becomes hated by 1000's and you'll definately get banned.

[Kopite4Ever]

i can sort of dig that. id like to state there would be no one happier if it all worked out rosey red but it never does. they need to look at the live service as a whole before 360 launch and sort it. playing with the guys off this forum will do just nicely for me i will get to see how good some of you really are, i heard pooney is abit of a racer

[CAS FAN]

Originally Posted by Kopite4Ever

i can sort of dig that. id like to state there would be no one happier if it all worked out rosey red but it never does. they need to look at the live service as a whole before 360 launch and sort it. playing with the guys off this forum will do just nicely for me i will get to see how good some of you really are, i heard pooney is abit of a racer

Yes the Pooonster tends to lock himself away in a dark room for a month or two, with just an X-Box and a constant supply of beer & pizza, until he has successfully posted top 10 ranking times on every track!

I've played him a fair bit on forza and also on PGR2 and he is indeed a formidable opponent.

[Kopite4Ever]

racing games arnt generally my thing but i will still get this. pes and splinter cell Spy V Merc are my games that i lock myself away with. if force feedback is officially supported for 360/PGR3 i may as well get the full kit and enjoy the experience properly

only just found out bizzarre are doing the game right by me i may sneak down the office and see if i can obtain some info

[CAS FAN]

Originally Posted by Kopite4Ever

only just found out bizzarre are doing the game right by me i may sneak down the office and see if i can obtain some info

Indeed - I feel that you should become Jack Bauer for the afternoon and infiltrate BZ with a digicam to being us the latest updates .

[inzaman]

Indeed - I feel that you should become Jack Bauer for the afternoon and infiltrate BZ with a digicam to being us the latest updates .

Yes you need to do that, any info would be excellent

[Pooon]

Originally Posted by CAS FAN

Yes the Pooonster tends to lock himself away in a dark room for a month or two, with just an X-Box and a constant supply of beer & pizza, until he has successfully posted top 10 ranking times on every track!

I've played him a fair bit on forza and also on PGR2 and he is indeed a formidable opponent.

I'm even better now mate!!! On the Forza time trials i'm ranked #50(last night anyway) with 2 Top 10's and 5 top 20's!

[CAS FAN]

Originally Posted by PooonTang

I'm even better now mate!!! On the Forza time trials i'm ranked #50(last night anyway) with 2 Top 10's and 5 top 20's!

I'm really going to have to get back into this, sadly i've not been gaming as much as I should of late - too many new DVD's to watch. Superb times though - very impressed!