Kaz: Pushing The Virtual Divide Gran Turismo documentary now free on YouTube

[Ironman273]

Kaz: Pushing The Virtual Divide Gran Turismo documentary now free on YouTube
 

By Chris Bruce

Posted Aug 27th 2014 7:59PM

 

 

The video game Gran Turismo arguably wasn't the first great driving simulator, but it came along at just the right time to do things no other console game had ever done so well before. First, the Sony PlayStation allowed for 3D graphics that could create a recognizable model of a car in 360 degrees. Also, GT offered a huge breadth of vehicles that could get almost anyone interested. Up to that point in time, most driving games focused on just Formula 1, rallying, production cars, or other specific subsets of the autosphere, but GT had everything, which made it possible to find your dream car and go racing. The full-length documentary movie Kaz: Pushing the Virtual Divide delves into the mind of series leader Kazunori Yamauchi, and now it's available for anyone to watch for free.
 

Kaz originally launched in the US on Hulu in January, but not everyone has access to that streaming service. The documentary looks at the history of Gran Turismo starting from its early development and interviews Yamauchi about his theory behind making it. It also examines some of the racing that the series of games is emulating and influencing, including little kids getting into karting and the Nissan GT Academy. It's all done with beautiful cinematography and direction from Tamir Moscovici, who also helmed a 30-minute documentary about Magnus Walker. Note: Large portions of the movie have Yamauchi speaking in his native Japanese, so you're going to want to turn on subtitles to watch this intriguing film.

 

Source: Autoblog

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

This is an awesome little documentary here. Regardless of your position on where GT sits compared to other racing games (cough Forza cough), it shows the dedication and downright obsession Kaz has with driving and racing and creating a realistic as possible simulation video game.

[Ironman273]

This is an awesome little documentary here. Regardless of your position on where GT sits compared to other racing games (cough Forza cough), it shows the dedication and downright obsession Kaz has with driving and racing and creating a realistic as possible simulation video game.

I think the reality is that without GT other racing games (cough Forza cough) wouldn't even exist, at least not in their current form.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

I think the reality is that without GT other racing games (cough Forza cough) wouldn't even exist, at least not in their current form.

Absolutely agreed. GT started it all, and it is why it still has a place in my book.

And then once you see how damn crazy they get with things, I also think, well I would hope, it makes it a bit easier not to be so critical on the smaller things the game may or may not have these days.

It no doubt gave me a newly informed impression of GT. One that involves both great respect and admiration.

[neo1911]

Subtitles are available. Japanese, Chinese and Korean?

Are they trolling me?

LMAO