#1 - Weather Effects

It may not seem like a big deal, but weather changes the dynamics of a course. A perfect example of this is Wave Race Blue Storm. While the design of the course can remain the same, a change in the weather can greatly change the dynamics of the course. In Wave Race's case, the weather can create low visibility through fog, create turbulance in the waves during a storm, making it tougher to navigate through a course or even help create new paths through higher water.

But then again, we did have some different types of driving conditions in GT3. The rally mode is different than road racing, since the tires slide on the dirt easier than on pavement. A new kind of driving skill is required for that, since everything from handling to physics change from road driving. Also, there was one wet course. If you've ever done that course, you know it feels remarkably different from dry conditions. Earlier braking and better driving manuvers are required to win.

So then, it seem logical to offer weather effects such as fog or rain. If such a feature was added, it would not only offer new challenges, but increase realism. If you've seen auto races, not every day is bright and sunny. There are cloudy days, there are rainy and snowy days (for the rally events, in paticular), and there's even foggy days. Also, weather changes during the course of time. If you were in an endurance race, perhaps the race would start off partly cloudy, then advance to rainy conditions. If that effect or idea were used, it would make the endurance races seem a little less mundane, and require even more skill.

#2 - Fuel Useage

This is kind of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, fuel useage is a real part of auto racing, and has been incorporated into games such as Nascar Thunder and Test Drive Le Mans. Again, it's more for skill. How much fuel you decide to start with and how often you need to refuel. But then there's the thought that it becomes annoying. Like the tire wear already in place, you may have to make many pit stops to refuel, and thats irritating. But then there's the fact that fuel affects your car's weight, which can effect your steering and braking. Fuel useage is a thought, but perhaps once the idea is set into motion, you'll hate the feature.

#3 - Own GT3? Bypass The License Tests Entirely

If we passed all the tests once before, why should we do it again? Unless there was a new skill that has to be learned, there is no reason why I should spend two or more hours trying to get all the licenses just so I can finally participate in an actual event. I think this should be easy to employ by going through the GT3 save and realizing you've done the tests before. I'm sure many would agree with me that we should be able to bypass the license teests if we already did it before.

#4 - Build You Own Car

Sega GT came up with this feature, and it's a pretty good one. Although you were limited to a handful of body styles, there were many ways you can make your car internally. You can select the size of the engine, the engine type, the drive train and more. While the Gran Turismo series is all about realism, I think they can branch out into the idea of prototype cars. Again, this could boost replay value. You can work your way to better parts and body styles as you move along, and challenge modes perhaps not seen in other race modes.

#5 - More Than 6 Opponents

I'm not sure if the PS2 could handle more cars, since each car has so many polgons. But I've never seen a racing even with just 6 cars. Nascar has over 40, and even the road races with GT cars have at least 20 or more racers. Even if there were 8 opponets, I would be happy. 6 racers seems so limited. Also, we could use some more opponets in the rally mode. How about racing against 4 cars? It's a challenge issue, really.

#6 - Include Road Car Events

What is a road car? Well, from what I've seen labeled as "road cars" on the GT games, it's actually the cars you see in the Le Mans races. It's a blend of the formula cars with parts of a manufacutured car. Look up Le Mans on the internet, you be able to see more of what I mean. In GT3, we were introduced to the Formula event. How about a few Road Car events? GT3 had at least 5 road cars I know of (Toyota GT-One, Nissan R390, Jaguar XK220, Lister Storm and Panoz Esparante), and I think it's time to give these cars a couple of events.

#7 - Dump The Old Courses

I'm tired of racing on the same courses since the first GT, aren't you? Three times, we've had to race on Grand Valley Speedway and the SS5, and twice we had to race on the Seattle Circuit and the Midfield Raceway. Give us all new courses, please! I had to resort to Sega GT's nasty handling for new courses, so come on, Polyphony Digital, give us something new!

#8 - Expand The Rally Mode

Many have said (as have I) that GT3's rally mode was excellent. No rally game that has come out has matched the physics and handling of GT3. But we weren't given much in the rally mode. We need new courses, and perhaps some advanced road conditions such as mud and gravel. And, most rally courses are point-to-point, not circuit races. Perhaps there should be a blend of circuit races and special stage races, to mix things up. There's been a couple of stage designs shown, but I hope there's more.