BREAKING: GT Legends Rebirth Confirmed

[Paul Jeffrey]

RaceDepartment have been made aware of an ambitious new project to rekindle the spirit of yesteryear with a return of the fabled GT Legends franchise, bringing a much anticipated sequel to the 2005 hit title some 11 years after its original release.

Simon Lundell is heading up new development team Tiny Feet Studios who aim to bring a second installment of the fabulous game to PC sim racers sometime in the coming years.

Although the project is very much in its infancy at this stage, RaceDepartment have been speaking with the team recently and share the enthusiasm for this project and the prospect of once again recreating the classic age of racing on modern PC simulators around the globe.

Simon is no stranger to GTL as he formed part of the SimBin development team that re-released on Steam classic titles RACE Injection, RaceRoom Racing Experience and its derivatives, GTR, GTR 2 and GT Legends. Leaving SimBin during the Swedish developers bankruptcy struggles in 2013, Simon has been concentrating his efforts on bringing the GT Legends name back into the gaming arena.

Speaking to RaceDepartment Simon had the following to say regarding the future of GT Legends

"Ever since the SimBin bankruptcy I have been working towards the GT Legends rebirth. I finally have all the paperwork in place to let you know of our plans. There are a lot challenges, and a long project, ahead of us but we remain excited and motivated for the challenges ahead and look forward to bringing a game people will love to race "

RaceDepartment are due to sit down with Tiny Feet Studios in the coming weeks and discuss what plans are in store for this new adventure however in the mean time you may have already noticed the freshly restored GTL sub forum (here) has made a return to the main section of our site… please keep an eye out for further news and stories being posted in the coming months as progress develops with this title.

We at RaceDepartment are delighted to see such a wonderful concept coming taking its first steps towards coming back to life with a proposed sequel so long after the original made its debut. We will aim to keep our readers abreast of all the latest news and features as and when they become available.

Excited about the news? Have any burning questions you want to know the answers to when we do our interview? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

[Naliport Halulam]

I never played the original GTL, but I am very excited about a dedicated historic sim.

Hopefully they will use a modern platform ( Kunos engine or Rfactor 2 ) or better their own engine, and a full roster of historic tracks, so they can avoid laser scanning expenses btw.

 

[Ramon van Rijn]

Fantastic news. GT Legends always was one of my favorite sims in the past. Although, most of the time I played it single play only.

For this new title I only have 10 wishes based on recently developed sims like Assetto Corsa, Project Cars, etc.

1. Netcode
2. Netcode
3. Netcode
4. Netcode
5. Netcode
6. Netcode
7. Netcode
8. Netcode
9. Netcode
10. DirectX 10/11 visuals. (I love the way Assetto/project cars looks)

Did I already mention the Netcode?

 

[Von Butters]

While im flattered im not currently licensed by any games

But you are a playa

 

[P*Funk]

Would it be unfair for the consumer to ask that we advance and move on to bigger and better things?

The first point I would contest is the general attitude that bigger and better things equals first of all an evolutionary leap that has been emblematic of this gen of extremely pretty but not necessarily superior sims.

So what have we got? PCars, AC, rF2. Usually GSCE gets thrown under the bus as not good enough and even its proponents need to defend it in relative terms, or feel they must.

Pretty, more advanced in various ways, yet ultimately what have we got? Inferior package. What was GTL's great quality? Well it was definitely a great package. A well rounded experience. I can't say that any of the bigger and better things have necessarily punted the old rF1 alumni out of the way because I don't think any of them has yet to manifest into a complete package.

So what is bigger and better things? So far as I can tell for this generation of *cough* discerning sim racer a lot of pretty and a whole lot less polish. Lots of rejection of polished platforms because they lack something that is found in other platforms that have frankly yet to live up to the standards of the former ones.

 

[David O'Reilly]

Good luck gents, may the frame rate be with you. Anyone who wants to get in the mood chech out Empty Box's latest offerings. He is back in GTL.

 

[8bar]

I loved this game so much like no other before!
What a wonderfull idea to bring this sweetheart back to life,
a lot of respect to the team for this.
Can't wait until release but I will, I promise.
Thank you so much for this!

 

[MrDoedel]

Wow, best news ever !

 

[Warren Schembri]

Question:
Will we get historic version of tracks or modern version of tracks or both?

 

[Duke55]

The first point I would contest is the general attitude that bigger and better things equals first of all an evolutionary leap that has been emblematic of this gen of extremely pretty but not necessarily superior sims.

So what have we got? PCars, AC, rF2. Usually GSCE gets thrown under the bus as not good enough and even its proponents need to defend it in relative terms, or feel they must.

Pretty, more advanced in various ways, yet ultimately what have we got? Inferior package. What was GTL's great quality? Well it was definitely a great package. A well rounded experience. I can't say that any of the bigger and better things have necessarily punted the old rF1 alumni out of the way because I don't think any of them has yet to manifest into a complete package.

So what is bigger and better things? So far as I can tell for this generation of *cough* discerning sim racer a lot of pretty and a whole lot less polish. Lots of rejection of polished platforms because they lack something that is found in other platforms that have frankly yet to live up to the standards of the former ones.

Bigger better things? Well, if this version of GTL was built around the rF2 engine the new tyre model could improve it somewhat. GTL physics were great of their time, but it could be taken to the next level or two. Considering how the cars of that era handled.

I agree GTL was pretty well the benchmark of its time, but it certainly wasn't well rounded. Personally, the netcode, server browser and starforce gave me no end of trouble with both GTR and GTL.

Anyway, I've said my bit and will reserve my final decision once the game is finally released. Just don't expect all of us to be excited if it's based on the original game engine yet again. Hopefully the devs will eventually move on and utilise the new goodies that ISI have brought to the fore.

 

[Jay Adgie]

Had some great times here a few years back with the RDHCS league, hopefully one day it might return with this new version

 

[Kostadin Kostadinov]

I would say that's very exciting news ! I they manage to recapture even a small percent of the charm of the original, I will be a happy man.

@Paul Jeffrey

- I believe no one has asked this one, but for me it's the most obvious question. Do they plan to make it a simulation ? Given that's a new developer, and we still don't know at what end of the simulation spectrum and what kind of audience they are aiming for. There are much more money to be made from a title with a broader appeal, than what we who visit RD would want and we've certainly been fooled before. The question of the engine will come second.

- Given the choice, would they want to make the cars historically accurate or like the old GTL represent them the way like they race today with modern upgrades to brakes, suspension and tires?

I would love to see some period correct cars on period correct tracks with enough variety for full grids and multi-class racing. Wouldn't hold my breath for Porsche and Ferrari, but if the generosity of the Lotus and Ford licenses in other games is to go by, the Cortina should be a given. As well as Capris various BMWs etc. Personally I believe the beauty of the old GTL was in the more left-field options like DeTomaso, TVR etc. Hope there will be plenty. I'm keeping my fingers crossed

 

[Quas]

We know close to nothing but the hype train is already running, can you smell the early access? Definitely good news, but not enough to get my hopes up just yet, i'd also like to know the engine they'll be using and who will be working on the physics. Personally, GTL never clicked with me, i always found HistorX to drive much more believably.

My first thought when i read this was they should hire Jorge Azcoitia, the other HistorX physics guy, since Reiza grabbed Niels already. Coincidently, i just saw him offering his help on another website. Go get him, a guy that laps his Hachiroku around the Nordschleife and knows ISI physics can only be beneficial to the team, if they go the ISI route!

In the meantime, if you're starving for a bit of historic fun join us here on RD in the HistorX club. Races are fantastic fun and it's highly unlikely you'll get better physics and sounds anytime soon .

Good luck Tiny Feet!

 

[Paul Bennett]

Its got my attention...

The rise of the phoenix

 

[philm]

Very Great !!! when i can play ??? I can not wait !!! Very Very good idea !!!

 

[awatring57]

WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE HOW HYPED I AM RIGHT NOW!!

 

[gamer19]

Amazing news! Really amazing and out of the blue.

Still have it on my PC and I will always, perhaps only sequel could make me think about removing it.
This and GTR2.
As a matter a fact these days I mostly play GTR2, since I find some great site that allows you to DL unlimited track for it (google GTR2 tracks). Unlike dumb Nogrip page does. :-P
My only hope is that they won't use that silly Starforce protection. Or some look-a-like sequel of that piece of *hit.

 

[P*Funk]

Bigger better things? Well, if this version of GTL was built around the rF2 engine the new tyre model could improve it somewhat. GTL physics were great of their time, but it could be taken to the next level or two. Considering how the cars of that era handled.

There's this perception that the old engines are terminally limited. Given what Reiza could do without source code access to the rF1 engine I think its perfectly conceivable that without going for access to a game engine nobody has access to yet a new GTL could offer plenty of new goodness without being all shiny and crap. Meanwhile all the current gen engines in use are either basically last gen upgraded or are yet to themselves be ready to stand on their own as something third parties could license. Neither Kunos nor ISI's latest engines are ready for licensing and are constantly under improvement. AC in particular has been going back and forth lately with every update.

I agree GTL was pretty well the benchmark of its time, but it certainly wasn't well rounded. Personally, the netcode, server browser and starforce gave me no end of trouble with both GTR and GTL.

I'm referring to a content package. The supporting assets, such as those which enable a better experience in multiplayer, are specifically where great gains could be made while basically changing very little of the older content on offer in addition to obvious updating it as far as the engine allows which has been shown perfectly possible by newer gmotor based titles as well as iterating forward the physics.

Just don't expect all of us to be excited if it's based on the original game engine yet again. Hopefully the devs will eventually move on and utilise the new goodies that ISI have brought to the fore.

Which nobody has access to yet and which are themselves not ready to be licensed. In other words there is no sim available other than AC or rF2 which is capable of satisfying this discerning community because if its based on gmotor2 its underwhelming, right?

 

[David Wright]

This is wonderful news. Its very easy to get carried away though.

Realistically, a small development team is unlikely to match GTLs 30 different cars let alone add F1 and prototypes.

Like many above I prefer the purity of the cars as they were back in the 60s and 70s - no roll cages on the 60s cars, no digital displays or rev limit lights, and the super-soft suspension on the earlier cars too. However, mod teams like the P&G team do not have to worry about licensing. Licensing the original cars means getting the manufacturer license, the team license and the driver license for each car. This is no easy task 50 years on. Papyrus managed it for GPL but there were only 7 cars and they failed to license 2 of them and the Ferrari was touch and go.

So the advantages of licensing a current historic racing championship are huge. And gives you access to the cars for modelling, physics and sound recording. And while the purist in me prefers the originals, there is no denying that current historic racing is very exciting as this years St Mary's Trophy at the Goodwood Revival proves, with no BOP required. And I would echo the pleas for no BOP.

For Simbin with GTL, the other advantage of the modern series was they could update many GTR tracks and re-use some of the new GTL tracks in GTR2 so in the end only 3 tracks were unique to GTL. Tiny feet may not be in this position - it remains to be seen if they plan to make all their own tracks or try to buy tracks from other developers. Making historic tracks is possible as we've seen in rF2 for example but making a current track must be far easier. And in the 60s and 70s, GTs and touring cars rarely raced together and usually on different tracks. So to include a GT and Touring Car championship from the 60s/70s would require two sets of tracks - not likely given the cost of making a track. Finally while modern tracks with their chicanes and gravel traps lack the purity and beauty of the 60s tracks, their chicanes do help level the playing field between the big, fast but cumbersome cars and their smaller, slower but more nimble rivals. The David and Goliath aspect of GTL which was such a big part of its appeal is in part down to the modern tracks.

So I really wish Tiny Feet well and look forward to their new title with great enthusiasm. But let's try to appreciate the problems involved in producing a commercial product and not be too disappointed if they can't provide everything on our wishlist. If they can leave the game open to modders then perhaps modders can fill in the gaps.

 

[Kostadin Kostadinov]

I have the feeling that the "loophole" of licensing a historic championship much as in the same fashion Simbin did for GTL and the FIA license for GTR1/2 isn't going to work the same way in 2016 (or 2017 or whatever).

 

[MeqTrader]

Just shut up and take my money