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Gran Turismo PSP ambitions include PSP/PS3 play, race manager feature
In a revealing interview with Joystiq, Polyphony Digital's Kazunori Yamauchi talked about his current plans, dreams and ambitions for the potentially upcoming Gran Turismo Mobile. "Once we get GT5 out," he notes. "We hope to position it as the satellite to GT5 on PS3, GT on PSP."Of course, making Gran Turismo 5 is no easy task, and who knows how long it'll take for the team at Polyphony to put the finishing touches on that game. Regardless, it's clear that there are some truly ambitious plans for GT when (or if) it ever comes to PSP. One idea involves being able to save replays from the PS3 and display them on the PSP. "One example would be for people to utilize replays of their race experience. Take that outside the home, whereas at home you would need the PS3, but they can take that away and share."Another wish of the GT team is for PS3-PSP versus play. "We're just talking ideals here – but it would be nice if we were able to allow people to compete whether they're on the road or in their living room on the PS3, compete in the same race. Even though the visual qualities will be different depending on which hardware they're on it would be nice if we could allow for that. Technically, we think we should be able to."Finally, another feature that would be added to a PSP version would be one where players don't even race the car. "Basically you're the race manager. You don't even need to steer the controller, you just set the car and let it go; you're managing it. Another example would be the PSP would be your management tool: give it input and give it instructions and the car would continue on with the race." Visit Joystiq for the complete interview.
Top Gear coming to Gran Turismo TV in 2008
A partnership has been announced today between the BBC and Sony, in collaboration with Polyphony Digital. The partnership will allow Polyphony Digital to distribute forty episodes of the hit UK car show Top Gear as part of the Gran Turismo TV service. GT TV will launch on the PlayStation Network in 2008 as an online car television channel for motor enthusiasts.Not only that, but a new level based on the Top Gear test track will also be included in Gran Turismo 5. Certainly, car enthusiasts should be excited by this announcement. Top Gear is a great piece of entertainment, even if you're not a huge fan of motoring. Having free downloadable episodes for the PS3 sounds great to us.%Gallery-9053%
Gran Turismo TV to feature BBC's Top Gear
A newly announced collaboration between Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., Polyphony Digital and BBC Worldwide will see the broadcaster's popular motoring show, Top Gear, distributed through Gran Turismo TV. The online channel, expected to launch on the PlayStation Network during 2008, will host 40 downloadable episodes of the Jeremy Clarkson vehicle snobbery-fest.An added bonus resulting from the agreement is an in-game replica of the Top Gear Test Track, bound for the PS3 installment of Sony's driving sim, Gran Turismo 5. You'll be able to experience "every white knuckle, hairpin turn," whether or not you're rambling into a camera about how the unnervingly attractive car makes you feel. If you haven't done so already, you can coax the Japanese PSN into giving you the GT5 Prologue demo while you await the final game's release.%Gallery-9051%
GT5 Prologue demo coming Oct 20 in Japan
Japanese racing fanatics (and international racing fanatics with Japanese accounts) can rejoice. A demo for Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is coming to the Japanese PlayStation Network on October 20. Given the futuristic nature of the country (it's currently early morning Friday), that's less than 24 hours from this time of publication.According to the press release (via Rocket Punch Auto Blog), the trial includes seven cars and one course (Suzuka). There is no online play but single-player races for up to 16 cars. Video service Gran Turismo TV will also be included with reports from 40th Tokyo Motor Show. No word on a demo release outside of Japan. GT5 Prologue is due out this year next year, according to the official PS blog.%Gallery-4884%
Full details on tomorrow's free Gran Turismo 5 Prologue demo
Japan is getting a free taste of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue tomorrow. A demo version of Prologue will be available on the Japanese PSN until November 11th. (The full version of Prologue will retail for about $43.) Included in the demo are seven playable cars: Lexus IS-F Nissan GT-R Mazda Atenza Subaru Impreza WRX STI Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR Daihatsu OFC-1 BMW 135i Coupe Also, in coordination with the Tokyo Motor Show, new cars will be unveiled in the game from October 23rd to the 25th. However, there will only be one track featured in the demo: Suzuka. No online play will be included with the demo, but single player will have you competing against 15 other racers, making for a less solitary experience than last year's Gran Turismo HD.[Thanks, Rocket Punch!]
GT 5: Prologue demo available Oct. 20
Now this could be the first time a demo for a demo has ever been released as GT Channel is reporting Sony will offer the Gran Turismo 5: Prologue demo free directly from the PlayStation Store beginning Oct. 20. The demo will likely be the same as the one shown at Tokyo Game Show, which featured 16 vehicles and three tracks. You might remember Sony removed Gran Turismo HD from the PS Store in late September, paving the way for GT 5: Prologue.Unless something else swoops down to unseat it, GT5: Prologue will be the most expensive demo ever at about $43 for the disc version and about $39 from the PS Store. [Thanks for the tip, Shoaib!]
Can you tell the difference between GT5 and real life?
The graphical line separating video games and real life has been getting thinner and thinner with each passing console generation, and the Gran Turismo series always seems to be the one leading the charge. Harnessing the PlayStation 3's graphical power, Gran Turismo 5 features the most realistic graphics to date. So real, in fact, that many people can't tell the difference between an image from GT5 and its real-life counterpart. To prove this, a Neo GAF forum member created a quiz featuring screens from GT5 and GT5 Prologue that will have you staring inches away from your monitor trying to discern the difference.Take the quiz, and see how you do![Via NeoGAF]
Gran Turismo Mobile back in the works (again)
It was one of the first PSP games to ever be shown. Then, it was canceled. Then, it was resurrected. Then, it mysterious disappeared, hidden away under the shadow of the colossal Gran Turismo 5. Finally, things look a bit brighter for mobile racing fans. "We are working on the PSP version, and we will get around to it eventually," GT producer Yamauchi told GamePro.The plan is to finish the game right after the release of Gran Turismo 5 next year. Although we'd love to believe you, Yamauchi, we're going to place some skepticism on your statement. Place your bets now to see how many times this game will get canceled, and uncanceled in the coming months.
Gran Turismo HD leaving Japan PSN -- Europe, US next?
In apparent preparation for next month's release of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue in the region, the free and beautiful GT HD Concept is going to pulled from Japanese PlayStation Store as of this Sunday, September 30. According to the official page (translation), online ranking from within the game will still be running.GT 5 Prologue is due out October 26 in Japan, whereas US and European gamers are expected to see it December 13. Will HD Concept also be pulled in these areas? We're not sure -- until we get an answer, we recommend going ahead and downloading the racer just in case.%Gallery-4884%[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Gran Turismo HD being phased out
Last year's small taste of next-gen GT, Gran Turismo HD, is being removed from the Japanese PlayStation Store. Makes sense, considering Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is just around the corner. Beginning September 30th, the free download will no longer be available. The online stats tracking service that's included with the demo will continue, however.There's no word on whether or not the US version of Gran Turismo HD will meet the same fate. It was a great gift while it lasted, and it's time to move on to bigger (and hopefully, better) things.[Thanks, Kspraydad! Via Wired]
TGS07: GT5 Prologue to have five tracks
There was a bit of controversy over the price of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, as revealed at Tokyo Game Show. Since then, Sony has revealed a few more details on the game, the most telling of which is the game's limited track selection: five in total. While this is four more than the free Gran Turismo HD, it does still feel quite scarce compared to the usually line-up of tracks typical to a GT game. Hopefully, other features included in the game will make the experience seem meatier: 16 player online multiplayer - A first for the series. 30 cars to choose from - Including vehicles from Ferrari, Lotus, Nissan and Mitsubishi. Gran Turismo TV - Watch hot racing-relevant videos straight from the game. Photo Mode - The classic feature returns, letting you take in-game pictures and save them to your HDD. American pricing and a release date have yet to be revealed. Stay tuned for continuing developments on Gran Turismo 5 Prologue.
GT5 Prologue priced: 4,980 on Blu-ray and 4,500 download
Click to enlarge Tucked away, quietly, within the pages of Sony's TGS press catalog, is the final pricing for the Japanese release of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. Now scheduled for December 13 (as indicated by Famitsu earlier this week) the game is listed as ¥4,980 ($43.10) on Blu-ray and ¥4,500 ($38.95) for the downloadable variant. Though the game features many of the functions of the full product – scheduled for a 2008 release – it's still considered to be a sampling, in part intended to "keep people aware [Polyphony Digital is] still around" (as told to us by the game's designer, Kazunori Yamauchi). We're not sure if this price will extend to the European and North American releases of GT5 Prologue, but we've asked Sony for clarification.
TGS07: GT5 Prologue is most expensive demo ever
Click to enlarge Hidden away in Sony's TGS catalog was a shocking revelation: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue's Japanese release date and price. Scheduled for December 13th, the game sample (demo, as we used to call) will retail for a whopping ¥4,980 ($43.10) on Blu-ray and ¥4,500 ($38.95) when downloaded through the PlayStation Store. Although the game will feature stunning graphics and many features of the final game, this seems as much too high for a game that has a limited track and vehicle selection. We hope that this kind of sticker shock doesn't come across the Pacific into other territories.
*Updated* GT 5 Prologue's price tentatively announced
*Update*According to IGN, Sony has stated that the 45 Euro price is 'categorically incorrect' and that cost has not been decided yet.The Netherlands based site PS3 Only have received pricing information from Sony in regards to the Blu-ray version of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. According to the site, Sony has stated that the retail version of GT5 Prologue will run a slightly-expensive 45 Euros (about $60 American).Though it might seem like a lot of money for a glorified demo, Sony was quick to point out that GT5 Prologue really is a full game, with over three dozen cars, five tracks and online play with up to 16 people. Also just announced was a cool new feature called GT TV, where gamers can download auto-enthusiast TV programs along the lines of Top Gear. According to PS3 Only, the programs will also be tailored for different regions -- so Japanese, American, and European gamers will all get localized content.The addition of GT TV definitely adds some value to GT5 Prologue, but while it clearly has way more gameplay than GT HD it will be curious to see if gamers are willing to drop that much money on what amounts to GT5-lite. Gran Turismo fans are pretty hardcore though, so it's hard to tell.[Via N4G]
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue coming to Japan in October
You thought you'd have to wait until 2008 for some Gran Turismo fun, didn't you? Well you can stop thinking that right now as the latest piece of news to come out of the PlayStation Premiere event in Tokyo is an announcement that GT 5 prologue will be available in Japan in October. What is effectively a demo for Gran Turismo 5 will feature full online support as well as some cars which will be featuring in this year's Tokyo Motor Show.Whether it will be available in the US or EU in October is up in the air, however it's fairly safe to assume it will be out before the end of the year. There is no word yet on what the price will be for the download, considering the current PSN offering is downloadable for free.
It's real: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
At Sony's E3 press conference, Sony showcased the stunning Gran Turismo 5 Prologue trailer. At first, we thought that some parts of the game were pre-rendered. We overheard one Sony developer telling us, off the record, that if any developer can make a game look that good, it's certainly Polyphony Digital.Check out the new screenshots in our gallery:%Gallery-4885%
In-car view confirmed for Gran Turismo 5
The creator of the Gran Turismo games, Kazunori Yamauchi, has confirmed that there will be an in-car view in Gran Turismo 5 -- a first for the Gran Turismo series. Speaking to French motorsports TV show Turbo, Yamauchi said:"To translate the real car into 3D, we use data and assets provided by the car manufacturers, but we also use a scanner that completely digitizes a car. Here's a scoop: We're also modeling the dashboards because you can drive from the interior view in the upcoming Gran Turismo 5."The in-car view is something that fans have been requesting for a long time, so this should make quite a few people happy. It seems like Polyphony Digital is really pulling out all the stops this time around; this combined with car damage, shows that the Gran Turismo series truly is going next-gen (sorry GT HD -- you don't count). Makes you wonder how many of the changes are because of Microsoft's driving games though. PGR 3 has a great in-car camera, and Forza 2 has damage modeling already and they both have online play. So the Gran Turismo series definitely has some catching up to do in some areas.
Seriously, Project Gotham Racing 3 is not a PS3 game
Alright, this is getting ridiculous. For the third time in almost as many months, a sports model from Project Gotham Racing 3 has becoming an unwitting spokesmodel for Sony's PlayStation 3. Having already been mistaken for Gran Turismo HD and used to promote the PS3 in a KIA ad, Microsoft's exotic car racer now finds itself inside Dutch magazine, Mediamarkt, as posted in the Bizarre Creations forums. The depicted Saleen has likely been in those pages before... just not in an article discussing the PlayStation 3's future. Is this indicative of some deeply rooted desire for a multiplatform excursion for the series? Perhaps it's some subtle commentary on the lack of distinguishing features in the racing genre? We'll ponder these questions and more once we've finished our race in the Forizmo demo. Or whatever.[Thanks, v]
Final Forza 2 car list rev-vealed, headline writer shot
A just punishment for such a terrible mangling of words, not to mention the trickery of "Final Forza 2" leading people to believe that Microsoft was releasing a bizarre automotive RPG, complete with mutant mechanics and bottles of restorative oil. No, the relevant game is Forza 2, simmy sequel to 2005's foray into car customization, reckless racing and all-round Gran Turismo-ing. The official Forza Motorsport 2 website has unveiled the full list of cars to be included in the final game when it screeches into stores this May. Numbering 310 and representing enough reflective metal to burn holes through the back of your head, the list of cars is sure to please fans unsatisfied by the forthcoming demo's comparatively meager offering of 24 vehicles. It's noted that seven of the 310 cars have been deemed "special," with some only being available to pre-order deals and the game's collectors edition. The "controversial unicorn cars" will also be exclusively available for a limited time in the game's online auction house. Racing enthusiasts are encouraged to look, use the Forza page and inspect the list closely as they attempt to answer the question, "Is there vroom for improvement?" Update: Article author shot as well.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
Gran Turismo HD 1.2, GTA 4 trailer to hit PS Network today
Sony has sent word of their new offerings for the US PlayStation Network today. Most importantly for racing fans, Gran Turismo HD Concept will be upgraded for free to version 1.2, which enables force feedback through Logitech steering wheel peripherals. (European gamers have been enjoying GTHD 1.2 since the console's launch in the region.)The Grand Theft Auto IV trailer is also available for download in high definition, as is the Armored Core 4 demo. Microsoft's Peter Moore, proud that Xbox Live got the GTAIV trailer up before Sony, has added yet another tattoo on his arm to add to his collection of AAA-titled inkings.All of the content will be available free of charge and should be online sometime today.[Update: It's the Armored Core 4 demo, not trailer, that is released today. All parties responsible for the error have been thoroughly sacked.]
