Gran Turismo 4 Online Edition in the works
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Feb 22nd 2006 at 2:30PM }
The same leaked Sony
marketing document that contained God of War 2 details, also revealed plans to release an online-enabled edition of Gran
Turismo 4 in Q2 2006. The game will feature six-player racing and worldwide server rankings, as well as replay
uploads. 700 licensed cars will be included, along with 50 real world racetracks. The online component of the game will
also support voice chat.The marketing document suggests that a complete single-player challenge will be a part of the package. Although, it is unclear how this will vary from the single-player version of Gran Turismo 4 released (in North America) exactly one year ago. Fans lamented the exclusion of online multiplayer then and now, but, if the document is to be trusted, it looks like Sony is finally ready to make amends. Here's to hoping Gran Turismo 4 Online Edition will be offered at a generous discount!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
prgrmmr736 @ Feb 22nd 2006 2:40PM
And this is the same company that is developing an XBOX360 Live killer. Yeah right. But otherwise this sounds good; Gran Turismo is a great racing franchise.
mendo @ Feb 22nd 2006 2:45PM
Eurogamer took off everything under the threat of lawsuit. I think that's a good sign: the news are true ;)
mike @ Feb 22nd 2006 2:47PM
it should be free it was promised in the original game...???
leaked marketing docs lol look like sony in damage limitation mode following the expected delay and share price nose dive
The1 @ Feb 22nd 2006 2:47PM
This is funny, this must show that SONY is going to milk the PS2 until the end; which is not a bad busines move. However, this also shows that the PS3 is no where near for the public to see.
Kamalot @ Feb 22nd 2006 2:48PM
I seem to remember the same announcement about Gran Turismo before. Yeah, before the online component was pulled.
Big whoop-de-doo.
Vince - UK @ Feb 22nd 2006 2:50PM
I didn't buy it last time round because of the lack of online action. This time however I'll be taking the day off work.
Toca and GT online will be all the racing I'll need for this year. Bravo!
gaminghobo @ Feb 22nd 2006 3:01PM
I really don't understand the logic of threatening legal action to stop news like this. What do they think they will achieve? All it does is make them look unreasonable.
mwahaha @ Feb 22nd 2006 3:02PM
Cool, um, where's my PSP version? You know, the launch game? Geez, everyday I hate my PSP more and more.
pennywise969 @ Feb 22nd 2006 3:04PM
This is something that has gone on with DVDs for quite awhile, known as the double dip. Its unfortunate that this is making its way into the video game world.
SuicideNinja @ Feb 22nd 2006 3:04PM
Personally, I think the Gran Turismo franchise should be about done. After GT2, I just couldn't get into 3 and 4. The graphics are great, but getting all the licenses and racing around in circles wore thin on entertainment factor.
Boss @ Feb 22nd 2006 3:19PM
This is cool but I don't have my PS2 online nor do I like Driving sims that much but otherwise cool this is good news for all the GT fans and I gree with#7 When is the PSP version going to come out oddly I'm intersted in that but not the PS2 version probaly because I'm waiting for a new good game for the PSP
Jeff @ Feb 22nd 2006 5:31PM
"Personally, I think the Gran Turismo franchise should be about done. After GT2, I just couldn't get into 3 and 4."
I agree, mostly. GT1 and GT2 were just amazing, amazing games, especially considering the limitations of the PS1 platform. They really provided a new experience for console racing fans (well, GT1 did, but GT2 upped the ante with a whole bunch more cars, more tracks, and better graphics).
GT3 and GT4 were basically GT1 and GT2 redux, though, just with PS2-level graphics. The amount of cars and options, though, were similar to the respective PS1 games. The experience itself was no different; gameplay was exactly the same, even down to the now-dated lack of a damage model or cockpit views (though I can understand not wanting to include cockpit views for 500 different cars), and the dumb-as-a-post AI.
I don't really want to see the GT series retired, but they had better make some changes for Vision GT on the PS3. I'm not hopeful that there's going to be any real difference between GT4 and GT4 Online (well, beyond online play), but Vision Gran Turismo should provide Polyphony with some new opportunities, and not just for better graphics.
I'm worried, though, that they'll be going back to the GT1 template again, with fewer events and fewer cars than GT4 (just as they did with GT3 vs. GT2) and no update to the core mechanics. It's basically like what electronics companies do these days with their "planned obsolescence" - improve certain areas in your new products but remove other features, only to restore those back later in another new product so they can part you and your money once again for Gran Turismo 6. If that's the route they end up taking, then GT4 might be the last GT game I buy.
ivanv4 @ Feb 22nd 2006 8:22PM
But Xbox Forza Motorsport didn't include online mode from the box for up to 8 players.
I think this was added to GT4 very late.
Jago @ Feb 23rd 2006 12:43AM
"This is funny, this must show that SONY is going to milk the PS2 until the end; which is not a bad busines move. However, this also shows that the PS3 is no where near for the public to see."
So b/c they are still going to support the PS2 with a big game like this means that the PS3 not ready for the public eye?
*rolls eyes*
Yea...like that makes sense. You are reading into the lines too much dude.
g @ Feb 23rd 2006 3:17PM
I'm pretty sure Forza had online multiplayer support, and for 8 cars rather than six. And GT4 didn't have any online support until this new edition; I agree with the hope they charge less for this version ("GT4.1"?), given that they promised online in GT4 and don't appear to be adding anything else to the game.
Thomas @ Feb 24th 2006 2:49AM
Just wondering, but does it even mention what system this title is being released for..
Could this be the PSP version.. just the PS2 ported with the online finished.. ??? If so, Ill finally by another PSP game.. To me this sound possible
T. Czl @ Mar 3rd 2006 4:55PM
I can't wait for GT4 Online Edish.
Nobody I know has the skills to hang with me on the track, so I think this will give me the competition I've been looking for since GT3. No game compares to the realism of GT3/4. It's the highest class driving game ever. I own one of the cars in GT3/4, and it feels damn similar to it's Gran Turis. digital counterpart. Turn off the traction controls and let 'er rip, you'll never get a more realistic digital driving exp. on current gen. systems. Don't even try it Forza. Log on to GT4 online and watch me dominate the under 200 Hp class.
T. Czl @ Mar 3rd 2006 4:59PM
By the way, it's gonna be for PS2.
apparently the PSP version ain't even on Yamauchi's mind right now.
I predict GT5 for PS3 before GT Mobile.
We'll see.