I am ok with GT TV in general. I don't think it affects the gameplay development that much because the skillsets are different. In my view, it's an experiment for additional revenue.
However I am annoyed because they don't do a good job IMHO. There was (is ?) no background download, no stream viewing. Most importantly, it's rather clumsy to insert a GT5
disc, and download the episode.
I think they still have some ways to go to streamline the experience and effectiveness of the new model.
If you go into the game and read the news, you will see that the 1st of August we'll get a new update that among others adds chapter support, a download queue (8 downloads max), etc. I think that will take away most qualms with the service right now.
Eventually what would be perfect is if they integrate the experience with the PSN video store just as you can already buy items for games from within the game in other games. There is at least one other game that uses a similar system, which is Singstar, which also has a great working background download (and upload) queue, integration with the store for purchasing new songs, etc.
But for that to happen of course we first need to have a video download service in other regions. In the meantime, I think the August update should help a lot. There are other things in that update too, like having a wider range of tire options in certain online modes, further tweaks to the points system and so on.
As for the actual in-game driving, I have to say I strongly disagree with you there Thambos. Forza 2's driving model is quite good and realistic, but it's broken. At certain angles, almost all types of cars bar FF cars will spin out a lot more than they should. I can't find any real flaws in the latest GT5
rologue builds however, and that game has 16 cars and a fantastic in-car view. Of course having the wheel and the game myself, I am the last to say that Forza 2 doesn't have benefits of its own, but although the driving is pretty good, I don't think you can say at this point that GT5 Prologue's isn't better (not to mention has a lot better wheel options).
For myself, I much more hope that they will be focussing on improving the online play further. The first thing I would like to see is being able to set up your own races and being able to create your own rooms with your own cars and rule-sets. That to me is way more interesting than damage, to be honest. Preferably with tire-wear, fuel consumption and pit-stops, along with the option to select the strictest of rule-sets with black flags and time-penalties, and I'll want nothing more from PD except maybe some more tracks.
I'm almost disappointed that they are going to spend time on implementing damage, and I hope it is not on the top of the priority list.
GT5 Prologue is what I had been hoping for GT5 from day one. The wait from GT3 to GT4 was terrible, and in this day and age, releasing GT5 in bits and pieces is perfect I think - there is so much game in a GT release that the game will last you years. With that in mind, you might as well start releasing smaller bits of the game sooner so we don't have to wait so long, and they don't have to spend as much time getting it absolutely perfect the first time round - we can give feedback and have a quicker turnaround on any improvements.