This past week the creator ofGran Turismoconfirmed thatGran Turismo 7’s returning single-player GT Campaign mode would require a persistent online connection. At the time, no explanation for the decision was provided, leading many frustrated fans ofGran Turismoto question whether the online connection was necessary for a single-player mode.Gran Turismocreator Kazunori Yamauchi has now responded to the frustration, providing an explanation forGran Turismo 7’s odd choice.
According to Yamauchi,Gran Turismo 7will feature analways-online connection for its GT Campaignmode because the studio wants to prevent “cheating.” More specifically, Yamauchi says that it wants to preventGran Turismo 7players from editing the racing game’s save files. As such, if aGran Turismo 7game mode requires access to a player’s save file, it also will require an online connection. In other words, it’s a type of anti-piracy feature
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The GT Campaign mode, as a result, isn’t the only single-player-oriented game mode inGran Turismo 7that will require an online connection. GT Campaign, GT Cafe, and so on are all tied to save files that demand an online connection. In fact, there’s only one game mode that potentially will allow for an offline experience, that beingGran Turismo 7’sArcade mode. However, Yamauchi’s response implies that he isn’t entirely sure if this is true, so it’s possible Arcade mode could require an online connection, too.
Another feature that will be used across game modes that requires an online connection inGran Turismo 7is the Livery feature. Players will be able to use custom livery viaGran Turismo 7’s Livery Editor. This data will be stored and accessed online, apparently, and so requires an online connection to use.
This level of anti-piracy feature isn’t new to theGran Turismofranchise. It was also present inGran Turismo Sport, the iteration of the franchise that preceded the upcoming release ofGran Turismo 7.Gran Turismo Sportwas ultimately reviewed disappointingly, in no small part due to it preventing the player from saving if the game wasn’t connected online. It was also criticized heavily for focusing too heavily on online multiplayer.Gran Turismo Sportcritics are likely to be wary of these returning focuses inGran Turismo 7.
Obviously, Yamauchi’s explanation is unlikely to appease anyGran Turismofans who were frustrated over the online requirement. Save files and livery could both be handled offline, at least for activities and game modes that shouldn’t require an online connection in the first place. It also means that when Sony decides to inevitably take downGran Turismo 7’s online servers, the game will be nearly entirely unplayable. It’s a disappointing decision all around, but especially afterGran Turismo Sportwas criticizedfor the exact same issue.
Gran Turismo 7releases March 4 on PS4 and PS5.
