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Citroen concept car gets driven around UK, impresses Londoners
French car maker Citroën drove its "GTbyCitroën" concept car from the perpetually "coming soon" Gran Turismo 5 around London streets recently. It toured the the real-life version of a street track from the game and, wouldn't you know it, people everywhere were going nuts. Busting out cameras, mouths agape staring while the car rumbled past -- it's as if they'd never seen such a purty car before. Oh right! That's because they haven't ever seen the car before, because it's still a concept, unveiled at last year's Paris Auto Show as a collaboration between Polyphony Digital and Citroën. We have the full video after the break, but as you might imagine, it's not exactly nailing apexes and drafting opponents so much as slowly winding around pedestrian-filled British streets. With any luck, we'll have a more ... erm ... action-oriented video of the car soon for your viewing pleasure, as it'll be making an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this coming weekend.
Gran Turismo 5 trailer reveals damage system, amongst other features
While perusing through the Joystiq Pile o' E3 Trailers™, we realized we had forgotten to post this gorgeous direct-feed footage of Gran Turismo 5. It flashed by too quickly during the Sony press conference for us to truly understand all the new features hidden in the trailer. Here's what we noticed: Damage!We captured this still frame from the trailer, showing off what appears to be a new damage model for vehicles. Look at the bent hood, the crack on the car's side. Are those scratches in the car's paint? We think so. FIA World Rally ChampionshipThe off-road challenges in Gran Turismo 5 look absolutely gorgeous, showcasing the engine's impressive ability to render particles. NASCARThis is a huge license for GT5 to feature as NASCAR fans are as hardcore as they come. With EA Sports slowly pulling away from the franchise, hardcore racing enthusiasts will turn to GT for their fix. The vehicle liveries look accurate -- important for the NASCAR fan. New cockpit viewFinally, we were treated to a second of footage from what appears to be a new cockpit view. The camera seems to be pulled farther back, revealing more of the drivers inside. It doesn't seem practical for races, but it is very dramatic. What else can you pinpoint in the trailer? Check it out after the break.
Logitech presents in-game Gran Turismo 5 Prologue challenge
Players of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue are being asked to "take the Logitech Challenge." It may sound like a soft drink marketing gimmick from the '80s, but it's actually a three-week, in-game competition that could net you some sweet Logitech gaming gear.Beginning tomorrow, March 18, the Logitech Challenge is a series of three lap time based events set on specific courses with an equally specific car selection to choose from. At the end of each week, Logitech will record the top three lap times; third place will win a Logitech Driving Force Wireless wheel and V470 Cordless Laser Mouse; second place will receive the wheel and a set of Logitech Z-5 speakers; come in first and you'll get the wheel, mouse and Logitech Audio Hub speakers.Additionally, five random participants from each week will be selected to receive Driving Force Wireless wheels. Full contest rules can be found here; Logitech is extending a 10% offer at its online store for the duration on the event -- type in coupon code "challenge 09".
Cool Stuff for Sunday, Volume 1
Here's our new weekly feature, Cool Stuff for Sunday (a pretty straightforward name, we think). Here, we'll highlight some of the cool things we couldn't get to during the rest of the week. Hitler responds to Killzone 2 reviews (NSFW) What would Gran Turismo 6 look like? Fan-made portable PSone Killzone 2 "Super Bowl" ad Weekly Trophy Portal update PS Nation podcast - Episode 98 "Dumped"
Sony teases 3D PS3 tech at CES
Thought playing Gran Turismo 5 in 2160p wasn't insane enough? Then how about playing it in 3D? How about combining the two ... er, we're getting a little too excited about the future here -- let's get back on track. At CES in Las Vegas, Sony had been showing off some 3D tech tie-ins for the PS3, displaying WipEout HD and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue running in true 3D.Ars Technica went through the whole orgasmic experience recounting it as "one of the best demos of 3D technology [they] have ever seen." But hold your horses, folks; Sony says it's all for show ... for now. "We're not going to talk about specifications," said a Sony rep. "This is just a look at what 3D could look like if Sony decided to move in this direction."The black shades the gent is wearing in the picture is the 3D goggles for gameplay. It's not as dorky as Ars thinks it is ... imagine wearing those horrid red/blue specs, ew! The blur screen is no doubt an effect of the 3D and, well, we're dying (as much as you are) to know what it actually was like. Guess we'll never know for quite some time.[Thanks Julian A. and Erico316!]
Rumor: Gran Turismo 5 on track for holiday '09 release in Europe
Despite what series creator Kazunori Yamauchi had to say to us on the topic during E3, Spanish newspaper El Financiero quotes SCEE executive James Armstrong as stating that Gran Turismo 5 (the full, real deal – not Prologue 2 or some-such) will be released in Europe "by Christmas 2009." This is, of course, concerning a series that's been historically fast and furious loose with release dates.GTPlanet – which is part of the chain of custody on this rumor – speculates that, if true, we could see a summer 2009 release for GT5 in Japan and a late 2009 / early 2010 launch in the West. This scenario would certainly follow the staggered roll-outs of previous Gran Turismo titles to a (Model) T. [Via Evil Avatar]
Rumor: Gran Turismo 5 coming Christmas 2009?
There have been a few varying dates thrown around concerning the release of the full version of Gran Turismo 5. However, here comes the most specific one we've heard yet -- in an article in the Mexican financial publication El Financiero, SCEE's James Armstrong was quoted as stating the following: "the new version of Gran Turismo, which will at Christmas." Because the article is talking about the Spanish market, we are assuming the date applies to Europe only, but no other information concerning the highly-anticapted driving simulation was given. Note that back in July, Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi told our sister site Joystiq the game "might not even roll out before 2010," so we wouldn't get our hopes up. Take a look at the original article here (or the translated version here).[Via GTPlanet -- thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Pfft, 1080p? Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, in 2160p
What happens when you take four PS3 systems, one copy of Gran Turismo 5: Prologue, and a Sony SRX-110 projector and put them all together? Well, you get one incredible GT experience. At the 10th Anniversary Party in New York City, Polyphony Digital ran an interesting experiment, where they were able to render the game in a glorious 2160p resolution. That's four times the resolution of the current maximum standard for HDTVs: 1080p.The application is surprisingly simple. Each PS3 is dedicated to rendering one part of the enhanced 2160p image, with each PS3 rendering one full 1080p image. When combined, all four images turn into something that would make videophiles cry.That wasn't the only fun and games at the event. No, Polyphony also ran another experiment with 4 PS3s: they were also able to create a 240 fps experience. Each PS3 would render alternating 60 frames per second, so that the end result would be blisteringly fast. At that point, we doubt the human eye would be able to appreciate such fluidity.So, guys -- how 'bout you stop partying and making amazing 2160p tech demos, and uh -- you finish Gran Turismo 5? Please?[Via PlayStation Boards]
GT Awards celebrate real cars in the real world
The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show was home to this year's Gran Turismo Awards. Winning vehicles of the Gran Turismo Awards will be included in future Gran Turismo games -- maybe even the mythical will-it-ever-release Gran Turismo 5. Series producer Kazunori Yamauchi judged the five finalists to select the "Best of Show" winner.This year's winners include: "Best Japanese Import" - JR Rocha with his custom 2007 Infinity G37 "Best Truck/SUV" - John Wargo for his 1938 Chevy "Best European Import" - Robert Gal this year for his Volkswagon Concept car. "Best Domestic" - James Shipka for his 1967 Chevrolet Camero Rally Sport "Big Red." "Best Hot Rod"- Jason Lavigne for the Factory Five Racing 1933 Hot Rod. %Gallery-36734%
Who would you take Home? Chris Redfield or Chun-Li?
When PlayStation Home launches later this year, you won't have to choose.Capcom, one of new publishers for Home announced earlier this week, is showing off the content they'll be providing. We've got four videos for you right after the jump -- the first one begins with Street Fighter IV producer Yoshinori Ono explaining the content for Home. But even if your foreign language skills are limited, you can still enjoy seeing Chun-Li do her famous victory jump. Chris Redfield makes an appearance in the second video, but it seems like his Home incarnation doesn't hit the gym quite as often. The Gran Turismo 5 demo showcases a couple racing pods (check out a variation of it here) for your virtual pad. Lastly, Sony recreated their TGS booth in Home at the company's press conference. All four videos after the break.[Via MaxConsole]
New Gran Turismo 5 Prologue update adds new cars
Three new cars are now available to be downloaded to Gran Turismo 5: Prologue via a free patch. Simply load up the game and the download will begin almost automagically. Included in the patch are three new vehicles, the "GT by Citroen" concept car, the Ferrari California and the Lotus Evora. These cost 1 million, 500 thousand and 100 thousand in-game credits, respectively. A number of gameplay enhancements have also been added, including changes to the penalty system, tweaks to difficulty levels and reward balancing. Controller responsiveness, sound volume and Drift Trial races have also been improved. Sadly there's no sign of trophies. Before you run off to download the update, be aware that "rankings, arcade time trial times, drift trial records, as well as vehicle-specific quick tune settings and custom key layouts will all be reset with the new update. Replay data created before the second update will no longer be viewable after this update."Check out the PlayStation Blog for more information on what the patch adds.
The $15,000 Gran Turismo 5 Prologue GT Racing Pod
We see you. We see you salivating all over your keyboard. If you are a serious Gran Turismo fan, this is the stuff dreams are made of. The winner of the Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Middle East Challenge Ahmad El Azmi received a free trip to Japan to drive a Nissan GT-R and he took home the above GT Racing Pod. Valued at $15,000, the Racing Pod is equipped with a 40" Sony Bravia TV, a PS3 and a Logitech Driving Force GT Racing Wheel. However, El Azmi wasn't satisfied with the setup, and decided to disassemble and reassembled the entire Pod. He added a shifter mounter, inverted stand for the pedals, a surround sound system and replaced the DFGT with a Logitech G25 Racing Wheel. Kudos to you, sir, you have successfully made the world jealous. He was even kind enough to share with us -- check out the rest of the pictures after the jump.[Via BornRich]
Gran Turismo TV goes live
The latest update to Gran Turismo 5 Prologue has turned the game into a video download platform rivaling the console you play it on, with episodes of Top Gear and other auto shows, plus exclusive HD content filmed just for the game. Also packed in the update are some gameplay fixes, although we're still waiting for Sony to put real collision damage in our Real Driving Simulator. One step beyond watching HD video of others playing the game, all the content that costs is available for $.99 for the first two weeks, if you're still not sure check out the PlayStation Blog's video embedded below, or hit the read link to download 720p video of the Japanese version's video marketplace in action.
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue update brings GTTV content drop
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue expands this Friday, August 1st with a fairly large content patch. Not only will the patch bring the first load of GTTV content, but also a few gameplay enhancements and fixes. A full list of GTTV videos is available on the official site and will be constantly updated as more is added. At the moment there's plenty to choose from, from season 6 of Top Gear (a must see) to Japan's Super GT and a "video magazine" called Video Option. For the first two weeks all paid-for content will be at the reduced price of $0.99, letting you trial the content for a little while for half price.The patch also adds "fixes in penalty judgments, more tire choices for Time Trial and improved physics during collisions between cars during online races." Sounds like a pretty hefty update. Not bad for a free patch, right? Check the PlayStation Blog post for more info.
Gran Turismo 5 'might not even roll out before 2010'
Were you one of those people that skipped Prologue to wait for the full version of Gran Turismo 5? Get ready to wait. In an interview with Joystiq, Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi stated that the full version of GT5 "might not even roll out before 2010." Instead, Prologue will continue to be expanded upon, with additional cars, tracks and features. In fact, a new update is planned for the "near future." The big question we have though is: will it be free?Perhaps Gran Turismo 5 would wrap up production a bit sooner if Yamauchi and crew wasn't so adamant about filming an entire series for Gran Turismo TV. Have fun driving those Ferraris Yamauchi ... while the rest of us wait years for your next game.
Kazunori Yamauchi: More Prologue, no GT5 soon, GT PSP still coming
We somehow managed to get Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi to slam on his brakes for a moment today and talk to us about his flagship racing franchise. According to the Polyphony Digital boss, his studio is focusing a majority of its efforts on Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. In fact, he confirmed that the proper, disc-based Gran Turismo 5 might not even roll out before 2010. In the meantime, Polyphony will continue to expand Prologue with additional cars, tracks, and features. Yamauchi couldn't speak to specific plans, but mentioned that an new update is planned for the near future.With all of the work his company is putting into the next console GT installment, Yamauchi tells us that it hasn't forgotten the long-delayed Gran Turismo 4 Mobile for PSP. He confirms that the game – originally announced at E3 2004 – is still actively in development, although it isn't planned for release until after GT5. That would be 2011 for those with pen and calendar in hand.
Gran Turismo TV announced as part of GT5 Prologue
Gran Turismo TV will feature full high definition original content, such as racing events from around the globe, exclusive first peak into Ferrari's headquarters, and programming like the D1Grand Prix and BBC's Top Gear. They will also offer pay-per-view programs. Available on GT5 Prologue via the PSN on August 1st.
Deal of the Day: Free $15 gift card with GT5:P
Have you picked up Gran Tursimo 5: Prologue yet? If not, this might be an enticing deal for you. Online retailer amazon.com is offering a free $15 gift card with the purchase of Polyphony's latest racing game. Considering it only retails for $40, that's a pretty sizable bonus. (Strangely, buying this online at amazon would make it cheaper than buying it online at the PLAYSTATION Store ...)The gift card will be included in an email sent out by July 29th, after purchase.[Via Slickdeals.net]
GT Academy is now live - go get your race on
Registration for the Gran Turismo Academy is now open. Simply login to the official registration website with your PSN ID and then follow the onscreen instructions. Once this is done you should immediately be able to enter the GT Academy Time Trial section in the in-game online menu. Get one of the twenty fastest times in your country and you will be moved on to phase two. Keep winning and you might end up driving a real Nissan GT-R at Silverstone racetrack. Check out our previous post for further details about the competition, including prizes and end-dates for each of the individual phases. Good luck!
SCEA very pleased with North American GT5 Prologue sales
North American sales for Gran Turismo 5 Prologue pale in comparison to Europe's numbers; however, SCEA is still very much pleased with the results. NPD numbers showed that 224,000 copies have sold at US retailers, making the game the sixth best selling game overall and the second best selling PS3 title for April.Considering that GT5 Prologue marked the first time for a pre-full game Prologue title to hit North America, the game actually sold well. Also, the statistics have yet to take into account sales from the PSN version, so the numbers could possibly be exponentially higher. For those of you who just can't get enough number crunching, here are some other interesting stats: Polyphony Digital's website reports that Gran Turismo 5 Prologue has shipped 550,000 units in North America, 300,000 in Asia/Japan, and a massive 1,380,000 in Europe.Sony also expects that Gran Turismo 5 will do even better. "I don't think that these NPD sales fully represent the true anticipation for Gran Turismo 5," said Stephanie Yoshimoto, a SCEA senior product marketing manager. "GT5 will have a much larger overall scope that will inherently attract a larger, mass market audience."
