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Third PGR3/PS3 mix-up demands 300 joke
When we found out that Project Gotham Racing had been used to promote the PS3 for a third time, it took every ounce of strength we could muster to avoid making a 300 "This is madness!" joke. The truth is though, this is madness. First, PGR3 was used by Sony to promote a trailer for Gran Turismo HD, then it was used again by Kia for a PS3 promotion. This time the offending publication is from Media Markt, one of Europe's largest electronics store chains, which overlays a PS3 on top of this image from PGR3. In an ironic twist, the article in question is apparently about the Playstation 3's future.At this rate, we'll be seeing PGR3 images in the next ad for Ratchet & Clank.
PGR3 scores a hat trick with Sony advertisements
The first time was amusing, the second time was embarrassing, but the third time ... wait, three times? Apparently Dutch advertisers have the same problem in keeping Project Gotham Racing 3 and Gran Turismo: HD separate. A Mediamarkt magazine published a PS3 article and emblazoned the 2-page spread with the infamous PGR3 Saleen picture, the same one used in advertisements and promo shots when the game first came out in Fall of 2006. In case you forgot what Gran Turismo: HD looks like, feel free to click here or here for some recent coverage. In case you forgot what PGR3 looks like, stay tuned for more Gran Turismo: HD coverage. As press coverage ramps up, chances are good someone will slather yet another PGR3 shot in error.[Via Joystiq]
Dj vu: PGR3 image used to promote Sony
Back in January Xbox 360 Fanboys everywhere erupted with laughter when Sony accidentally used an image from Project Gotham Racing 3 to promote Gran Turismo HD. Well, it's happened again, though Sony likely isn't at fault. A KIA website ad used an image of a car from PGR3 which alternated with the real version the same car. Making this even funnier is the Playstation 3 branding all over the screen. As CVG notes, it was more likely someone at KIA who made the mistake, not Sony. Still, the irony of using an Xbox 360 game to promote the graphical realism of the PS3 is just too good. The ad has since been changed, but you can see the offending image (including the telltale license plate) above.[Via CVG]
Bizarre auctioning off pumpkin car
In the market for a 1988 Ford Granada Ghia? No, well that's not the point. Earlier this year developer Bizarre Creations prettified a Granada (called the "Granzilla") to race in Europe's Scumball 3000 rally to earn cash for the NSPCC charity. They placed 10th in the rally and earned some cash, but they want more. So, they decided to eBay their Granzilla in hopes of earning more cash for the NSPCC. According to Bizarre, the Granzilla has "2 cup holders, an engine, and a steering wheel" and is pimped out with rally stickers galore. What more could a fanboy want other than an advanced copy of PGR 4? If you live in Europe, have some extra cash, and want to help out charity head on over to the eBay auction and bid, bid, bid away. We know you love the pumpkin car.[Via IGN]
CGS boasts $5 mil payroll, Playboy Mansion pro-gamer draft
Hosting its inaugural player draft far from the storied sanctum of The Garden, with a paltry $5 million league-wide payroll, (an amount routinely squandered on a single signing bonus for a young athlete in another professional league,) the Championship Gaming Series continues to take baby steps toward becoming a marquee "sports entertainment" business. Still, come June 12, 60 prospects will split the riches, as they're contracted to join one of six city-based squads that will compete in a small variety of games leading up to the CGS Grand Slam and World Championships this October. Not a bad gig, eh? But what of this Playboy Mansion draft locale? If CGS is to be taken seriously, it's gotta avoid these WWEsque publicity stunts ... right? Maybe not. A lil' scantly-clad drama might be just the lure needed to hook viewers who might not otherwise tune into a glorified LAN party.
PGR3 image used to promote Gran Turismo HD
Major Nelson just caught Sony in a major faux pas. On the PSP Connect site -- a site that offers downloadable goodies for PSP owners -- there is an ad for a new Gran Turismo HD trailer. There's only one problem though, the image used for the ad is from Project Gotham Racing 3. Seriously, check out the original image on Bizarre's website. Looks like someone didn't get the memo that GTHD and PGR3 are, in fact, different games. And just in case someone wises up and changes the picture, Major Nelson caught it on his Flickr account. We won't even go in to the hilarity of mistaking a year old 360 launch title for a brand new "4D" Playstation 3 game. Oh no, we couldn't do that. It would be too low. Check out the incriminating evidence after the break.
Sony site confuses GT:HD with PGR3
Hey, it's an easy mistake to make. Both Gran Turismo: HD and Project Gotham Racing 3 feature fierce and fancy cars hurtling about lavishly rendered tracks -- for all intents and purposes, the two games are identical. Of course, our amazingly trained eyes immediately noticed the bizarre appearance of a PGR3 render on the Sony PSP Connect website, innocently advertising a new downloadable GT:HD trailer. "That's not true HD!" we exclaimed, index fingers twirling in the air. "Anyone with barely functioning eyes can see that's an image from a graphically inferior competitor!" We ended off with a resounding "HMPH!" before navigating to the next amusing, albeit inconsequential piece of news.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in.]
360 Racing Wheel reviewed
Remember that spiffy racing wheel that Microsoft announced a while back? You know, the one that comes with the special force feedback version of PGR 3. Yes ... that racing wheel! Over at Xbox Canadian Live they got their hands on one to demo, and the short and sweet version is that they absolutely love it. The force feedback option sounds extremely fun especially with Forza 2 when it drops. Though, I'm not a huge race fan, I could see this little accessory adding to the enjoyment of a game. Are you willing to drop some cash on this bad boy so you can experience what real racing feels like? Seriously, why wouldn't you purchase this wheel? (I guess you probably wouldn't purchase this if you're totally broke and hate racing games or despise wheels in general ... then I can cope with your decision.)
Xbox 360 launches in South Africa
If you're a gamer living in South Africa, chances are that your visual periphery was dominated this past weekend by Microsoft's Xbox 360 launch and its accompanying marketing campaign. Nearly a year after the system's first-worldwide launch, the Xbox 360 became officially available to eager shoppers at the stroke of midnight on Friday, 29 September. Playable in-store kiosks, radio advertisements, campus tournaments and vaguely sinister cardboard stands announced not only the arrival of "the next generation of gaming," but the expansion of choice.Unless you wanted to import the original Xbox or stick your hand into the awkward and tangled mess of Gamecube distribution lines, the PlayStation 2 was the only console the average gamer could reliably and affordably find in game stores. The merits of Sony's system have long since been established and it's easy to argue that South Africa got the best console out of the bunch, though "best" loses much of its meaning when it becomes interchangeable with "only." Consider for a moment how your gaming habits might be affected if two out of three consoles weren't readily available to you. For comparison's sake (and because we didn't have much else to do) we attended one of the midnight launches at BT Games (Northgate) in Johannesburg, taking care to snap pictures and generally harass people who simply wanted to pick up their pre-orders in peace. Several midnight events took place all over the country, coinciding with the beginning of rAge -- a gaming expo we'll tell you about later.
New Xbox 360 bundle hits UK tomorrow
Console bundles are often reviled during a system's launch period, as they make it practically impossible to leave the store solely with the item you wanted to purchase in the first place. A less bungled bundle, like the £299.99 Xbox 360 package launching in the UK tomorrow, comes several months after launch and doesn't deluge you with a bunch of games, accessories and HD televisions that you weren't quite ready to spend money on yet. Eurogamer reports that the deal in question includes 2 wireless controllers, a copy of Project Gotham Racing 3 and, quite generously, a Premium Xbox 360 as well. How efficient can a bundle be at swaying your interest? Does the higher price tag or the lack of choice make it less appealing to those in the know? See also: TGS: Blue Dragon hits Japan this holiday (along with a matching bundle) Microsoft to launch Xbox 360 Core in Japan
New 360 Platinum Hits for $29.99
Microsoft has officially announced the first batch of Platinum Hits for the Xbox 360. The games are: Perfect Dark Zero Project Gotham Racing 3 Kameo: Elements of Power Need for Speed Most Wanted Conspicuously missing from the list is Call of Duty 2, the 360's first million seller. The first four Platinum Hits will be available for the bargain price of $29.99 starting October 15th -- the second set should be announced in the spring of 2007. It's a far cry from what we considered a bargain last gen, but it's definitely better than nothing. So, for those of you that haven't picked these up yet, will a $29.99 price tag make you reconsider? See the full press release after the break.
Scramble delayed, have some UNO instead
Scramble, Konami's arcade shooter that was slated to hit Xbox Live Arcade today, has been delayed. According to the press release that arrived in our inbox, the game hit some bumps during the certification process. As such, the boys in Redmond are giving it an extra week to iron out the kinks. So, whatever will we do with our empty Wednesday? Grab the new PGR3 theme deck for UNO, of course! Depending on who you ask, it might actually be more exciting than Scramble.Anybody grab the deck yet? Any spiffy cards?
25-year-old XBLA game delayed by a week
In a moment that's sure to elicit a grin or an unstoppable urge to fling your retinas into the back of your head, a game that was released in 1981 has somehow managed to be delayed for a week in the year 2006. Konami's side-scrolling shooter, Scramble, was all set for release this Wednesday when Microsoft's elite and possibly overworked team of testers concluded that the game simply wasn't ready to hit Xbox Live Arcade. The official word reveals that "during the final testing and certification of the title, we discovered some minor issues that should be addressed. Therefore, we are going to take an extra week and fix these items to ensure a high quality game experience for all when the title does launch on its new date of Wednesday, September 13." This isn't the first time the weekly XBLA release schedule has had to make due without a new game -- this week's replacement is a Project Gotham Racing 3 UNO deck priced at 100 points ($1.25 in non-funny money). As exciting as theme decks and picture packs may be, the consistency of game releases has been somewhat shaky so far. Let's hope future XBLA Wednesdays don't have more games taking XBLA sick days. Har.[Thanks Matt!]
Rumor: Free Game with 360 starts today
Video Game Jocks is reporting that Microsoft will begin giving away a free game with the purchase of a new Xbox 360. The promotion applies to either a Core or Premium console. The available games are: Project Gotham Racing 3, Kameo: Elements of Power, Perfect Dark Zero or Dead or Alive 4. Supposedly the deal begins today and runs through September 22nd. For now, take this with a grain of salt, as the article fails to link any source information whatsoever. If anyone can find the actual announcement, hit us up with a tip and see your name inside pretty brackets. [Like This]
PGR3 photo mode is Live
Like driving spiffy cars? Fancy yourself to be a talented photographer? Then put those talents to use in Project Gotham 3's new photo upload feature! All you need is Xbox Live, PGR3 and a Passport account. The overall process is simple, just take a picture in the game, upload it, head over to the PGR3 website, sign in, and share your photos. Hit the read link for more detailed instructions. Now somebody post some kuh-razy photos in the comments section.
New PGR3 content peels out on XBLM
Time to make room in the garage. Bizarre Creations just put the pedal to the metal with 12 new cars available on Marketpace as part of the PGR3 Style Pack. Here's the vehicle list: MW M6 (2006) BMW Z8 (2001) BMW M3 CSL (2003) BMW MINI COOPER S (2005) Gumpert Apollo Coupe 4.2 V8 (2005) 2005 Chrysler® Firepower Concept Ferrari 365 GTB4 "Daytona" (1968) Ferrari F430 Challenge (2006) Mercedes CLK DTM AMG (C209) Pagani Zonda F (2005) RUF R.K. Spyder 3.8 (2006) Vanwall GPR V12 (2006) The new wheels will set you back 400 MS Points, or 60 points per car if you you go the a la carte route. The pack also includes Photo Mode Integration and three mini-games so it's probably worth parting with the full Abe Lincoln if you're PGR freak. Race fans weigh in with your value assessment. Do you appreciate the option to download individual cars?[Thanks Sinz]
More cars pull into PGR3's garage [Update 1]
According to the lads at the UK's Official Xbox Magazine, Bizarre Creations is revving up 12 new absurdly beautiful cars for another Project Gotham Racing 3 download (pictured car sadly not included). The Style Pack is likely to release for the princely sum of 400 Microsoft Points ($5), with individual car downloads looking to set you back 60 (75c) points each. The marvelous machines included in the pack are: 365 GTB4 ("Daytona") BMW M3 CSL BMW M6 BMW MINI COOPER S BMW Z8 Chrysler Firepower Concept Ferrari 430 Challenge Gumpert Apollo Coupe 4.2 V8 Mercedes CLK DTM AMG Pagani Zonda F RUF R.K. Spyder Vanwall GPR V12 As with the previous Speed Pack, one car -- the RUF R.K. Spyder -- will be available for free, no doubts as a means to lure you into shelling out your easily purchased points for the full roster. Not a terrible thing to be tricked into, we admit, but we'd rather be given the opportunity to download some more garages. As any playboy millionaire will be quick to remind you, there's not much point in owning a sports car if you're not able to show it off to your equally rich fake friends.[Update: Now with real currency!][Via CVG, thanks smellslikepie! Mmm...pie.]
Cadillac secures Xbox Live ad space
Cadillac and Microsoft have reached an advertising deal that will bring virtual recreations of the CTS-V, STS-V and XLR-V high-performance models to Xbox Live, specifically to be used in Project Gotham Racing 3. The cars will be free to download.This latest revelation, part of the growing in-game advertising movement, highlights the differences between traditional advertising and in-game advertising. With the Cadillac deal, gamers actually interact with a product that is incorporated into PGR3, and more importantly, can choose to avoid it altogether. Microsoft's Kevin Browne has said that an additional 10 to 20 likeminded deals will be announced during the coming year, though it's unclear if any of these ads will be as "user-friendly" as the Cadillac one.While the Cadillac deal was orchestrated by Play, a division of Denuo, Microsoft recently acquired Massive, a company specializing in in-game advertising, which is set to spearhead this leap into Xbox Live's unlimited ad space.
High definition sports fans: It's PGR3 tourney time
Even though the NHL and NBA playoff games are over for today, you can still get some high-def tourney action in if you have an Xbox 360 and a copy of Project Gotham Racing 3. The regional finals for the North American region will be going on at 10 pm EST, the winners of this round travel to Italy and compete at the Lamborghini factory in June. Gamers have been playing Gotham since the launch of the Xbox 360 but this is the first official online tournament.Check out our breakdown on why PGR3 makes a good HDTV spectator sport with its live action, camera angles and competitive races and log on to check out the tournament later tonight.
