Polyphony Digital looks beyond Gran Turismo for new title

Speaking in London last week at the launch of Gran Turismo 4 in Europe, Kazunori Yamauchi, head of Sony-owned Polyphony Digital in Tokyo, has confirmed that Gran Turismo is not the only series the firm will work on in coming years.

Yamauchi first admitted in 2000, when giving interviews for GT2000 - which was eventually named Gran Turismo 3 - that after the release of the fourth game in the fabled car series he would like to turn his hand to something completely different. An RPG was mentioned at the time.

"That thought has not changed at all," said Yamauchi. "There is a plan which is proceeding. But I'm also thinking that it will take at least three years to show something, and then another additional period to allow it to be readied for release."

When asked whether or not the game would be made actually within the developer, Yamauchi replied, "Yes, within Polyphony Digital."

No further details regarding the title have been revealed. It would be only the second game to be produced by Polyphony Digital outside the Gran Turismo franchise - the first being space shoot 'em up Omega Boost on the PlayStation.

Speaking in the boardroom of Sony's Tokyo HQ in 2000, Yamauchi dwelled on his desire to build a traditional Japanese RPG for several minutes, but fell short of detailing any specific ideas.

Gran Turismo 4 launched in Europe last week with a record 3.2 million units shipped to retailers across the region, making it the largest launch for any PAL PS2 game. Yamauchi has already confirmed that work has begun on a fifth instalment of what has become Sony's premium console franchise.