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How a car is scanned for Gran Turismo HD
Jalopnik has a nice little feature on how shiny drivable boxes are digitally scanned for the final release of Gran Turismo HD. The binary reproduction process includes two men in jumpsuits dimming the lights and unloading a bunch of lasers on a given car. Not sharks with lasers, but lasers none-the-less."It was bizarre. A red line swept across the interior. It was sort of a spacey type of a deal. The room was somewhat dimly lit, and you would see this red line sweep across - bzzzzzzzzt. As soon as it finished it was producing a 3d wireframe model to scale on the screen."After wireframing is complete, four more nerds take comprehensive photos and videos to fill in the gaps, like turning wheels, braking, opening the hood, and every other type of human-to-car interaction imaginable. Better driving games through technology.[Thanks, Will]
Gran Turismo added to list of 'killer games'
UK newspaper The Times has added Gran Turismo to its short list of "killer games." Sony's racing sim joins Manhunt, Carmaggedon, and Canis Canem [Edit] (but not oft-targeted series Grand Theft Auto -- or Pac-Man). GT landed on the list following the trial of two boy racers whose reckless driving led to a fatal car crash, killing 79-year-old Phylis Williams. Both men were cleared of "causing death by dangerous driving"; instead fined relatively small amounts (£1,000 and £750), in addition to having points deducted from their licenses.Immediately preceding the crash, one of the "bloody chavs," 19-year-old Christopher Hayden, had been playing Gran Turismo (on an in-car LCD monitor) while parked alongside a road. The court seemed convinced that playing the game encouraged Hayden to engage in the impromptu race; The Times took it a step further, placing GT in the company of "killers." *Sigh* ... another game catching the blame for senseless tragedy... [Via Guardian Unlimited]
Gran Turismo 5 "Prologue" to hit the PS Store this Fall
You heard right -- this Fall (or Autumn, if you want to be really specific) Sony and Polyphony will be releasing a sort of demo Prologue to the upcoming Gran Turismo 5. It's rumored to feature several cars and circuits apart from what we experienced with Gran Turismo HD. Not to mention some online network play via the Gran Turismo Network.Well, since this comes out in the Fall and the next full iteration of the GT series is due out in the Spring of '08, we've got to wonder if this will follow GTHD in some respects. Namely, will it be free to download? We're going to vote 'yes' because the Gran Turismo series is pretty much Sony property. Sony wants to keep their network free and there's no reason to charge us for that. For third-party games there'll probably be a fee once demos start rolling out. What do you guys think?[via Joystiq]
Gran Turismo 5 'Prologue' in late 2007
The downloadable prologue to Sony's "Online Car Life Simulation" will arrive in autumn, according to French gaming site Jeux-France. Meaning, we'll see a playable Gran Turismo 5 demo (what some will tease, "Gran Turismo HD 2") hit PS3's PlayStation Store later this year.Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, as Sony insists, will be followed by the actual game in the spring of 2008 (in Europe). The demo will feature several cars and circuits, and will support online play via the Gran Turismo Network. Although unspecified, given that GTHD is free, we assume that the GT5 demo will likewise be a complimentary promotion.[Via VGB]
Forza 2 hitting the track in May
In a brief and somewhat enthusiastic e-mail, Microsoft has today announced that Forza Motorsport 2 is expected to come roaring out of the development pits in May, straight into the open arms of driving enthusiasts. It could get messy, but getting down to the nitty-gritty and tweaking speeding hunks of metal until they reach peak performance is what the game is all about. The official site has also been updated with a full track listing, which includes such exotically named locales as Nürburgring Nordschleife, Sunset Peninsula Infield and, err, Test Track. If you still crave satisfaction and insist on doing everything you can for za motorsport (OOF!), consider purchasing two more Xbox 360s and indulging in ludicrous, triple screen immersion (as seen above).
Nintendo holds key to franchise longevity, profitability
As noted earlier, a list published by UK newspaper The Independent reveals what many already assume; Nintendo's Mario is the best-selling franchise of all time. Coupled with the second best-selling franchise Pokémon (also a Nintendo property), the two series, which have sold a combined 348 million games worldwide, account for nearly 34% of the total sales of the top-twenty best-selling franchises; which include two additional Nintendo IPs ranked in the top ten, Donkey Kong and Zelda. So what's Nintendo's secret?Cross-culture appeal, spin-offs (e.g., racers, sports titles, puzzlers), brand saturation (e.g., apparel, card games, TV shows), and E-ratings all appear part of a profitable formula built for the long haul.
Gran Turismo creator on Motor Trend's Power List
Motor Trend's 2007 Power List has been released and a surprised face has emerged on it -- the creator of Gran Turismo, Kazunori Yamauchi. The list chronicles those who make a significant impact on the automotive world. While many of us agree that Gran Turismo is an excellent title that did wonders in the realm of racing simulation, to hit the Power List is an incredible feat. Yamauchi secured a spot at #29, ahead of faces like the CEOs of Honda and Ferrari. The gaming world applauds you, Mr. Yamauchi, you've moved video games another step toward being a fully legitimized source of entertainment.
Gran Turismo's constantly shifting "release date"
The potentially canceled, or un-canceled, PSP version of Gran Turismo 4 has just shifted its release date once again on the GameStop website. The retailer is notorious for accidentally revealing crucial release info, but in this case, we're willing to bet that they're simply moving the date so that they can still hold on to pre-orders (some undoubtedly made nearly two years ago!).The game is now listed as to come out on July 2nd. While that may seem like an eternity away, it'll be the slight glimmer of hope for those of you that don't want to believe in its vaporware status.[Via PlayStation]
PS3 Xmas freebie: Gran Turismo HD Concept
Unlike Nintendo's $5 (or 500 Wii Points) Christmas treats and more like their free Wii web browser, Sony's poised to really spread that holiday cheer with a holiday freebie. As promised, Gran Turismo HD -- recently re-imagined as a technology demo and not a full title -- will hit the PlayStation Store on December 24th (that's Christmas Eve) for the eminently reasonable price of $0 (or 0 Wii Points). Today, they've announced that offer applies to North America as well as Japan. Thanks, Sony!The important info: one track (the Eiger Nordwand course), two game modes ("Time Trial" and "Drift Trial"), ten cars (with 10 additional "tuned" variations unlockable), and the much vaunted 1080p. Of course, the only online action you're going to be getting is downloading the game from the PlayStation Store. Like Kaz said, "For the genuine implementation of 'Online Car Life Simulation', please wait for Gran Turismo 5."
Gran Turismo Mobile's life as vaporware
Remember Gran Turismo 4? The often cancelled and un-cancelled game that proved to be one of PSP's crowning technical showpieces. Game|Life takes a look at the long, torturous development hell this still-highly-anticipated game has gone through. The copy written for the game still haunts PSP fans to this day:""Gran Turismo Anywhere" -- Gran Turismo 4 Mobile, coming from the Gran Turismo series, is the PSP version of the real driving simulator. Its product quality is not at all inferior to its PS2 counterpart, and is compatible to competition over wireless LAN, a unique feature to the PSP."
Gran Turismo HD/5 Demo details are here!
There's got to be a way to get our grubby American hands on this demo! Japan gets to download the free GTHD demo on December 24th, we know, but what does it include? New details have surfaced and the available cars and track are known. The track is Eiger Nordwand, available in both normal and reverse racing modes. The cars are thus: Suzuki Cappuccino '95 Mazda Eunos Roadster '89 Honda Integra Type R'04 (yes, the Integra is a Honda) Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR'96 Infinity G35 Coupe Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR'05 Lotus Elise 111R'04 Nissan Sky Liner GT-R V Spec II '94 Toyota Celica GT-FOUR Rally Car '95 Ferrari 599'06 You start with the Cappuccino, just like every day of my life (har, har), and by completing certain criteria, you unlock the next car. So on and so forth. No online play, but you can post your scores online and the top-ranking fellows even have the race itself up for download. Pretty snazzy! Hope we can get into it, also.
Sony and Nissan collaborate to keep the GT5 engine turning
This blogger has fond memories of Nissan, his parents having driven one of that illustrious Japanese company's cars back when it went, in foreign climes, by the infinitely cooler name of Datsun. Today, Nissan is mostly known for its powerful Skyline sports motor (which is sold in the States under the infinitely sillier name of Infiniti G35). As there's a new model of Skyline in production at Nissan -- and what with Sony's dramatic Gran Turismo HD rethink -- there's no time like the present for the two companies to announce a big love-in. Or, more appositely, a "collaboration." We're not sure of the details of the "collaboration," but it's given Sony cause to post a two-minute video clip on the Japanese PlayStation Store this lunchtime. We downloaded it to our PS3 and reminisced about childhood journeys to the zoo and, thanks to Sony's Japanese website, you can do the same even if you don't have a PS3 (but you do need one-time Datsun-owning parents). Click for the HD flick, or peep the embedded version below.
Gran Turismo HD resigns itself to demo world
That was fast! Right after some amazing screenshots were revealed, Sony and Polyphony decided to cut the crap and halt production of Gran Turismo HD, focusing solely on Gran Turismo 5 due out in 2008. GTHD is, however, going to come out as a demo on December 24th, offering a little less than a dozen cars and two variations of one track. It's supposed to be a Japan-only demo, but they couldn't possibly keep it away from everyone else. Could they? Now... while this is pretty sad news (even though people were complaining about the microtransactions idea and people will know complain about a free demo... go figure), we have to think... could this demo truly be more of a lead-in to Gran Turismo 5 instead of the resignation of GTHD? A taste of what to come, one may say. Leave us your thoughts.
Gran Turismo HD goes free as focus shifts to GT5
Gran Turismo HD on the PlayStation 3 is no more. The game, which was due for release in Japan this month, has officially been cancelled, leaving developer Polyphony Digital to focus its energy on the completion of Gran Turismo 5. All is not lost, however, as what was Gran Turismo HD will now be offered through the PlayStation Store as Gran Turismo HD Concept -- essentially a playable preview of Gran Turismo 5. GTHD Concept will be free to download and becomes available in Japan on December 24. There is currently no confirmation of a worldwide release date (what a nice holiday treat though!). This free business has us wondering what happened to that dubious rumor about Gran Turismo's excessive microtransactioning?It appears that there will be no online elements in GTHD Concept (apart from the very act of downloading it), with SCEI's new Mr. Big, Kaz Hirai, explaining in an open letter released this morning: "For the genuine implementation of 'Online Car Life Simulation', please wait for Gran Turismo 5."That we will do.
PlayStation 3 kiosks invade Japan
Famitsu's posted Sony's PlayStation 3 kiosk distribution strategy, which -- if our interpretation of the Google translation is accurate -- will see 1,000 units dumped across Japan by year's end.The kiosks, the first of which are currently being installed, will include demos of Devil May Cry 4, Gran Turismo HD, Ridge Racer 7, and Sega's Power Smash 3. In addition, some level of network functionality will be active, presumably to beam down upcoming demos to the individual stations. The kiosks will also feature "Cross Media Bar" functionality, suggesting that videos, photos, and music will also be installed and regularly updated -- and possibly distributable onto memory units.[Google translation]
Gran Turismo plays with our hearts
Gran Turismo 4 is the one game on PSP that can't decide whether or not its cancelled or not. Producer Kazunori Yamauchi recently went on record saying the PSP version of Gran Turismo 4 still exists, and will connect to the PS3 "similar to how a PC connects with a cell phone. I still can't comment though." What does that mean? Will you be able to upload ringtones to your PSP? And why?I hate this cat and mouse game Sony seems to be playing with this game. Considering how Gran Turismo HD looks to disappoint, I might be done with this series altogther. That is, until they finally release Gran Turismo for Boys (that's a real title, I'm serious).[Via IGN]
TGS 06: Best in Show, according to CESA
The mighty Computer Entertainment Software Association of Japan revealed the eleven titles they thought were the "best in show." Of those titles, two were exclusives for the PSP. Here are the winners, in no particular order: Elebits (Konami) for the Wii Gyakuten Saiban 4 [Phoenix Wright] (Capcom) for the DS Gran Turismo HD (Sony) for the PS3 The Eye of Judgment (Sony) for the PS3 Seiken Densetsu 4 [Dawn of Mana] (Square Enix) for the PS2 Tales of Destiny (Namco Bandai) for the PS2 Blue Dragon (Microsoft) for the Xbox 360 Heavenly Sword (Sony) for the PS3 Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops (Konami) for the PSP Monster Hunter Portable 2nd (Capcom) for the PSP Lost Planet (Capcom) for the Xbox 360 This should come as no surprise. There are so many excellent games at TGS this year, that it must've been nigh impossible to even narrow the list down. But, for those of you that are battling a fanboy war, you might want to note that PSP got two titles, and the DS only got one.[Via Joystiq]
Dubious rumor: Gran Turismo HD to ship without cars or tracks
Clearly, it's the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard of. In fact, the mere suggestion that a premier racing game would be released without vehicles or courses (arguably two of the most important elements in such a game) is so beyond what is defined as "ridiculous", things like tap dancing unicorns and flying kangaroos can actually gaze at said suggestion through a telescope. That reason alone is worth marking this story as a rumor, though it's certainly not the only one. If we're to believe the forum-posted translation of the latest interview in Famitsu, Kazunori Yamauchi has big plans in store for his beloved automotive franchise -- big plans composed of teeny tiny transactions.Gran Turismo HD will supposedly see release in two versions. The first, entitled Gran Turismo HD: Premium, amounts to nothing more than a demo of, you guessed it, Gran Turismo 5. The 30 included cars and two undoubtedly exciting tracks are rendered in pristine PS3 glory and are meant to give you a solid idea of what Yamauchi and friends are putting together for a full release in 2008. Two more tracks and 30 extra cars can be purchased and downloaded for this version. If you prefer purchasing a full game instead of an extended prologue, perhaps Gran Turismo HD: Classic would be more your speed. Or perhaps not.Though the Classic moniker may stem from the fact that you're getting a high resolution PS2 game, you may distinctly recall the original game actually giving you hundreds upon hundreds of cars for your $50. Not so with this version. Every car and every track may be purchased and downloaded from Sony's online network. The interview mentions a price of 50-100 yen per vehicle ($0.43 - $0.85) and 200 - 500 yen per track ($1.71 - $4.26). Being generous and sticking to the low end of the scale results in $408 spent if you want all 750 cars and all 50 tracks (roughly what you got in Gran Turismo 4). Moving up on the scale approaches values that surpass what you paid for the PS3 (newsflash: a lot) to begin with.Is any of this true? 1UP's Luke Smith points to a more utopian quote (his version actually gives you one car!) by Sony's Phil Harrison that seems to match up with this story: "Imagine Gran Turismo shipping on a disc with one car and one track. And then you can browse, online, a dynamic circuit of vehicles that's growing every day because either the car manufacturers are adding new vehicles or we're adding new vehicles. And you can see a specific-type car that's being called up and say, 'I think I'll play with that one. Let me download and play it.'" Seems more likely that the quote created the story. Until Sony confirms (unlikely) or denies it later this week, consider this an entertaining vilification of the microtransaction and nothing more.
Forza 2 delayed, release date in limbo
After several days of internet murmurings and a noticeable lack of response from Microsoft, a delay in Forza 2's holiday release has manifested in that cruel place often referred to as "reality." Posting on the official Forza Motorsport forums, community manager Che Chou (username "chespace") revealed that the speedy sim sequel would overtake the 2006 holiday period and that the team would not "announce a new date until X06. Gotta do what you gotta do to get things right, y'know?" Oh, we know. Given the game's relatively brief development time (the first Forza hit the Xbox last year), lofty goals and glut of prerendered promotional trailers, the news will likely disappoint more than it surprises. The few weeks leading up to Microsoft's X06 event are sure to be filled with speculation regarding the new release date -- we hear March 2007 is pretty popular these days. In the meantime, Microsoft expects you to gaze upon the latest screenshots, one of which features a rather exciting wall. [Via Xbox 360 Fanboy] See also: Forza 2 jacks PGR3 technology
Gran Turismo Mobile shoved aside for PS3 dev
Devil May Cry for the PSP made a brief reappearance today, as did Gran Turismo 4 Mobile. The "indefinitely delayed" game was pushed aside so that the development team can finish their work on the PlayStation 3 follow-up in the Gran Turismo series. Once they're done with that (and who knows how long that'll take?), the development team expects to move onto finishing the PSP game.Sadly, it appears that the game probably could've been released much earlier: "We've reached the stage where a GT4 equivalent runs on the PSP hardware," Polyphony Digital commented to Eurogamer. While the PSP doesn't suffer from a lack of racing titles, it's disappointing to see one of Sony's premiere development studios simply abandoning work on the handheld.[Via PSP Vault]
