Gran Turismo
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Drive Ayrton Senna's F1 car in upcoming Gran Turismo 6 DLC
An update coming to Gran Turismo 6 will allow players to relive the legacy of Brazilian racer Ayrton Senna, Sony and Polyphony Digital have announced. The content, which includes one of Senna's first go-karts and the Lotus 97T Senna drove during his second Formula 1 season in 1985, will be available for free on May 27. The update also includes two Senna Challenges, which test a player's ability to best Senna's times on the same courses he drove in '85. Those that earn bronze or better in a Senna Challenge will earn the Lotus 97T for free, but those that would rather skip the whole "challenge" part can buy the car using in-game currency. Kazunori Yamauchi, creator of the Gran Turismo series, called Senna a "personal hero" in the associated press release. "I am honored to be able to introduce him to the younger generation of racing fans through Gran Turismo," he said. Earlier this month, Sony and Polyphony released an update to the Gran Turismo site honoring Senna and the Ayrton Senna Institute. [Image: Sony]
Gran Turismo documentary 'KAZ' coming to Amazon and other services Feb. 5
KAZ: Pushing the Virtual Divide, a documentary film chronicling the life of Gran Turismo series producer Kazunori Yamauchi, will premiere for Amazon Instant Video, Crackle, and other video streaming services on February 5, Sony announced this week. Directed by Tamir Moscovici (Urban Outlaw, Painting Coconuts), KAZ explores the creation of the Gran Turismo series in the context of Yamauchi's lifelong fascination with cars and racing. The film focuses on Yamauchi's "relentless willingness to challenge himself, to hold none of his past achievements sacred, and push beyond the virtual divide in his pursuit of perfection." The documentary will also begin airing on the Sony Movie Channel starting next month, and will be available for download from the Sony Entertainment Network. KAZ launched this week as a Hulu exclusive.
Gran Turismo documentary 'KAZ: Pushing The Virtual Divide' hits Hulu next week
Come January 22, Hulu subscribers will be given a behind the scenes look at Polyphony Digital's fan-favorite racing simulation franchise, Gran Turismo, with the release of KAZ: Pushing The Virtual Divide. Partially named for Polyphony CEO Kazunori Yamauchi, the documentary "reveals historical footage and never been told stories shared by some of the most influential people in the automotive and gaming industries," according to Sony's official description.
Toyota's FT-1 concept coupe joins Gran Turismo 6 in latest update
The Gran Turismo 6 garage has grown a bit larger with the addition of Toyota's FT-1 concept coupe, a futuristic, high-powered sports car recently revealed at the ongoing 2014 North American International Auto Show. Like most concept cars, the likelihood of the FT-1 ever becoming available to the public hovers between "probably not going to happen" and "seriously, stop asking, it's not going to happen." Luckily for virtual gearheads however, getting your hands on one of these things in Gran Turismo 6 is as simple as downloading the game's latest update, then joining a new "unique seasonal event." This event will see players racing the FT-1 around the diabolical curves of Laguna Seca, and those who earn a bronze medal or higher will get to keep the fancy new ride.
Need for Speed Rivals offers you the keys to a 2015 Mustang
It won't hit dealerships until next year, but thanks to Need for Speed Rivals you can drive the 2015 Ford Mustang as early as today. Thanks to a free title update which should be applied the next time you fire up the game, Rivals now features a brand-new, not-yet-released Ford sports car. This new Mustang should not be confused with the 2014 edition of the vehicle previously released as promotion for the upcoming Need for Speed film, nor its tricked-out police variation. This 2015 Mustang is its own car, and as you can see from the above trailer, it flies down the track like a thematically-apropos bald eagle. Like the recently-revealed BMW M5 Coupé from Gran Turismo 6, Need for Speed's new Mustang resulted from the development team being granted early access to the car during production. "We worked closely with the development team at EA to provide them with engineering data for the new Mustang, several months before we showed it to the rest of the world," stated Mark Bentley, Ford product licensing manager. As a result, the in-game 2015 Mustang should perform similarly to its eventual real-world counterpart, only with fewer cops and exotic supercars chasing you through the streets.
Drive the 2014 BMW M4 Coupe first in Gran Turismo 6
The 2014 BMW M4 Coupé is slated for public release in June of next year, but thanks to the car industry connections of Polyphony Digital, you can drive the thing right this very minute from the convenience of Gran Turismo 6. But wait, wasn't the M4 only being officially debuted two days ago? It was, but like we mentioned, Polyphony has deep connections. Instead of waiting for production models to roll off the line, Polyphony's engineers were given early access to the BMW M4 Coupé during its initial concept car phase so that they could ensure the in-game version would feature the series' trademark attention to detail. As a result, the M4 found in Gran Turismo 6 should be the closest thing to owning a real one many of us will ever see - especially given the car's nearly $92,000 suggested retail price. To celebrate the virtual launch of the M4 Coupé, Gran Turismo 6 is hosting a Seasonal Event from now until December 26 that pits M4 drivers against one another for the fastest time through the Nürburgring Grand Prix track. This is mainly an effort to introduce people to the car's quirks on one of the world's most famous courses, but there's also bragging rights at stake here. The best news to emerge from this announcement is the virtual car's price. Instead of shelling out real-world cash to download the M4 into your copy of Gran Turismo 6, it's already there. Fire up your game, take a look at the BMW section of the car showroom, and you'll now find the 2014 BMW M4 Coupé, ready to be driven by the first racer with enough cash to afford its upper-middle class accoutrements.
Gran Turismo 6 microtransactions are 'completely optional'
Gran Turismo 6 will include microtransactions with in-game credits that players can acquire using real money, but Sony said the transactions are "not required" for players to advance in the game. In a statement to CVG, a Sony spokesperson said the publisher will "not penalize players for not making transactions (they still have access to everything) and it is completely optional." The microtransactions are so optional that players won't be prompted to buy-in during the game "at all." "As with previous installments of Gran Turismo, users are able to earn in-game credits and unlock additional cars by competing in races or event challenges," the spokesperson said. Players will be able to purchase credits in increments of $500,000 on PSN to speed up the process of unlocking content. Sony also provided the opening cinematic for the Gran Turismo 6, which players can see firsthand when the game launches tomorrow on PS3.
Europe: Gran Turismo 6 contest will dole out racing pods to lucky fans
PlayStation is holding a Gran Turismo 6 contest for Europe's would-be speed demons. Don't think you'll be able to just waltz on in and snatch a spot in the drawing, though. In order to be entered, you'll have to take a multiple-choice quiz on the history of the Gran Turismo series. There are six questions, and the fastest time wins. You know what that means - no screen-looking Google searching. Should you be one of the five grand prize winners, you'll receive an official Gran Turismo racing pod, a 40-inch Sony Bravia TV, a Thrustmaster Steering Wheel and racing seat, a PS3 system and a copy of Gran Turismo 6 Anniversary Edition. Ten runners-up will receive a copy of GT6 Anniversary Edition and a PS3 to play it on. As far as we're aware, you won't be able to do any sick burnouts using the Gran Turismo racing pod. As far as we're aware.
Virtual asphalt meets the real thing in latest Gran Turismo 6 trailer
For anyone worried that the racetracks in Gran Turismo 6 might be missing a crucial pothole or divet, developer Polyphony Digital has issued a video comparison between an in-game track and its real-world counterpart.
Ayrton Senna rides again in Brazilian Gran Turismo 6 bundle
Racing legend Ayrton Senna died in 1994, but thanks to a new agreement between the makers of Gran Turismo 6 and the Ayrton Senna Institute, his sizable legacy can be leveraged to help the children of Brazil. Sony has so far revealed two components of the agreement: A Gran Turismo 6 bundle earmarked for Brazil, and a "long-term partnership" that will, in some fashion, benefit the millions of children the Institute has been working to educate. Details on the latter half of the agreement are scant, but we do know that on December 6 a special Ayrton Senna-branded PlayStation 3 bundle will hit the South American nation. Though relatively simple - the bundle includes Gran Turismo 6, a 250GB PlayStation 3 and a single controller - the real draw for this package is being able to relive the adventures of Ayrton Senna. According to Sony, downloadable updates are planned for periodic release following the launch of Gran Turismo 6 that will specifically focus on Senna's most famous races, and undoubtedly his rivalry with Alain Prost. It's currently unknown whether this bundle will be available in other territories, or if it's exclusive to Brazil.
Gran Turismo documentary announced
Sony has announced a documentary film based on the Gran Turismo racing series. Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi showed off the first trailer for the documentary at the Jalopnik Film Festival held in the Classic Car Club Manhattan in New York. Directed by Tamir Moscovici, the film revolves around Yamauchi's journey to "push beyond the virtual divide in his pursuit of perfection." Sony did not specify when the full film will air, though it wouldn't surprise us if it were closer to Gran Turismo 6's release on PS3, December 6. It also wouldn't surprise us if it were delayed like the game often was.
Yoshida: Gran Turismo 6 would be 'hard to move' to Vita
Revving up Gran Turismo 6's engines on the Vita would be "really hard" on a technical level, Sony Worldwide Studios President Shuhei Yoshida told IGN last week. "As you can tell looking at GT6, it really is using PS3 to a very high level," Yoshida said. "In terms of Vita support, I don't expect the whole game to be able to run on PS Vita." Yoshida's statement follows Polyphony Digital CEO Kazunori Yamauchi's comments concerning the possibility of GT6 evolving into Gran Turismo 7 for the PS4 during its development cycle. GT6 will be tuned to race on December 6 for the PS3. In the meantime, fans can race to GameStop or Amazon for pre-order bonuses in the form of exclusive cars and in-game credits.
Gran Turismo movie confirmed
Sony confirmed a Gran Turismo movie is indeed in development. When approached about reports, a Sony Computer Entertainment UK spokesperson told Joystiq the Gran Turismo film is "being made," adding the company doesn't have any further comment. Yesterday, The Wrap reported it had learned a Gran Turismo movie was in development, with The Social Network and Fifty Shades of Grey producers Michael de Luca and Dana Brunetti on board, and Sony Pictures executives Elizabeth Cantillon, Devon Franklin, and Hannah Minghella in charge. Those scant details remain unconfirmed. With little to go on currently, we'll refer you to Dreamworks' Need for Speed movie for a point of comparison. Imagine that, but maybe with less crashes and more jazz.
Report: Gran Turismo movie in development
Sony has reportedly given the green light to a big screen version of Gran Turismo, just as we'd gotten used to the idea of a Need for Speed movie. Holly-blog The Wrap said it learned the film is in development, with The Social Network producers Michael de Luca and Dana Brunetti behind the wheel. Brunetti and de Luca recently teamed up on the upcoming film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey - there's a livery gag in there somewhere, but we're too stunned to make it. In any case, we've reached out to Sony for comment. As The Wrap notes, Gran Turismo is Sony's best-selling game franchise, so from that standpoint it's clearly lucrative. We're just unsure what the brand lends to the big screen beyond a name and the theme of very shiny cars, but maybe that's enough. Not forgetting, of course, Gran Turismo 6 is heading onto PS3s worldwide this holiday season.
Sony reportedly planning Gran Turismo movie with producers of The Social Network
While it's not the Mario Kart movie we'd all been hoping for (c'mon, right?,) it's arguably the next best thing. Sony is reportedly developing a film about that other petrol head game -- Gran Turismo. It's claimed that Mike de Luca and Dana Brunetti (The Social Network / Fifty Shades of Grey) are onboard with the project, which no doubt hopes to capitalize on the PlayStation title's solid following. That or Sony got sick of waiting for a certain other series to end before pursuing the idea. While we're not suggesting that our plot expectations are low, there's still hope other game crossovers might give us some faith in the format first.
Gran Turismo 6 product page discovered at official site
The Sony-managed website gran-turismo.com now features a product listing for the as-of-yet unannounced Gran Turismo 6. Currently, the link in question leads to its own unique (if empty) page; further URL manipulation produces generic results. The discovery yields no details, but Sony is expected to announce a new entry in Polyphony Digital's driving simulation series at an anniversary event tomorrow in the UK. Drivers, start your...waiting. [Thanks, Szczesny!]
Sony expected to announce new Gran Turismo title next week
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe is expected to announce the next entry in Polyphony Digital's Gran Turismo series next week during an anniversary event held at Silverstone Circuit in the UK. While specifics regarding the next Gran Turismo title are not yet known, Sony notes that designer Kazunori Yamauchi will be present at the event on May 15 to discuss the future of the series, and promises that "something big" will be revealed. Today, May 8, marks the 15th anniversary of the European release of the original PlayStation Gran Turismo title. Given the timing of the event -- and considering Gran Turismo 5's extended development period -- it's likely that the next entry in Polyphony Digital's driving simulation series will be announced for the PlayStation 4, though no details have been confirmed.
Gran Turismo now cruising at 67.89 million series sales, GT5 over 9 million
The Gran Turismo sales-o-meter is now at 67.89 million, according to the latest stats published by developer Polyphony Digital. Meanwhile, Gran Turismo 5 is in the slipstream of double figures, now up to 9 million units sold worldwide. While it still ranks as the lowest-selling main entry in the series (on PS3), it's closing in on fourth-placed Gran Turismo 2 (9.4 million).The majority of those 67.89 million series sales come from Gran Turismo 3, Gran Turismo 4, and the original Gran Turismo, speeding in at 14.9, 11.6, and 10.9 million respectively. As impressive as those figures are, Gran Turismo isn't the best-selling racing series out there. That accolade belongs to Need for Speed, which drove past 100 million sales back in 2009. We somehow suspect the two series' sales-per-game figures tell a different story.
Gran Turismo goes from racing lines to clothing line
Not to be outdone by another blockbuster franchise -- Metal Gear Solid -- the Gran Turismo brand has spawned its own clothing line. But where Konami is going for authenticity to its game and characters, Sony is focusing on neatly cut (and expensive!) coats and shirts. Being sold through the newly launched Gran Turismo Boutique, the threads range from a $25 T-Shirt with barely a hint of GT branding up to a $200 "endurance jacket" with the series logo embroidered across the back. Here's hoping the site's shipping isn't as delay-plagued as the series the clothing represents.
Thrustmaster T500 RS review
For a long time -- a long, long time -- Logitech and Gran Turismo have gone together like rubber and asphalt. Like carbon fiber and fender flares. Like drivers' privates and their Nomex underpants. The two were tight, but with GT5 came a changing of the guard. Thrustmaster, a company world-renowned for its high-end flight controls and its giggle-inducing name, stepped in and bought the license. The purpose? To release the decidedly high-end T500 RS wheel, the controller designed to abolish memories of all the plasticy racing controllers that have come before from the company. Does it succeed, and is it worth the pucker-inducing price of $599? These questions and more answered below. %Gallery-117113%
