GT5 Prologue update hits on Friday
by Randy Nelson 
{ Jul 30th 2008 at 10:15PM }
As we reported during E3, the next evolution of the Gran Turismo series isn't Gran Turismo 5 – it's enhancements to the glorified GT5 demo, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. Specifically, Sony and series creator Kazunori Yamauchi are all revved up about the roll out of Gran Turismo TV, an on-demand video service featuring motorsports shows from around the world – as well as original programming – accessible from within GT5P's front-end.
We've learned that these features will finally hit this Friday, August 1 as part of an update for thegame demo. Auto aficionados will be able to download episodes of programs including England's Top Gear and Japan's Best Motoring. Programming created by Polyphony Digital itself – and indeed even hosted by Yamauchi – will also be up for purchase. Speaking of which, SCEA has announced that PPV content will cost 99 cents per episode for the first two weeks of GTTV, after which it will increase to $1.99.
In addition to the debut of GTTV, Sony has confirmed that some welcome gameplay tweaks will be introduced via the update. These include improved collision physics for online races (a biggie), more tire choices for Time Trial play, and fixes in penalty judgments. In speaking with Polyphony's Yamauchi at E3, we learned that the next GT5P update will introduce new tracks and cars. No date has been set for that yet.
We've learned that these features will finally hit this Friday, August 1 as part of an update for the
In addition to the debut of GTTV, Sony has confirmed that some welcome gameplay tweaks will be introduced via the update. These include improved collision physics for online races (a biggie), more tire choices for Time Trial play, and fixes in penalty judgments. In speaking with Polyphony's Yamauchi at E3, we learned that the next GT5P update will introduce new tracks and cars. No date has been set for that yet.
[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Glen @ Jul 30th 2008 10:23PM
But what about CAR DAMAGE, dammit!
I'm patient. Top Gear is awesome.
Jakka (Not sure why he got banned?) @ Jul 31st 2008 7:20AM
Just play GRID.
Car Damage in GT is just a Polyphony's running gag.
dark_inchworm @ Jul 31st 2008 12:36PM
MASSIVE car damage, at that.
Come on, it's a Sony product. Why wasn't this awful joke already done?
Tom18230 @ Jul 30th 2008 10:55PM
England's Top Gear...? Sorry, I guess I must have imagined watching it in Scotland then...
When they say England, they mean Britain. When they say Britain, they mean England. There's more to Britain than England!
Shader @ Jul 31st 2008 4:57AM
As a fellow Scotsman, I concur, although the country is The United Kingdom not just Britain. Don't forget Northern Ireland!
WorMzy @ Jul 31st 2008 6:56AM
If you're going to play silly buggers, they recorded part of the last episode in Belgium, so shouldn't it be technically be "Europes" Top Gear? :p
Necki @ Jul 31st 2008 7:27AM
Yes but if we're really gunna play "silly buggers", they recorded most of the other one in japan, so it hardly even European.
Tenchkov @ Aug 1st 2008 7:13AM
It should be Britain's Top Gear as it is made by the British Broadcasting Corparation. So I don't think we have to worry about Belgium & Japan. Although this clearly does as injustice to Northen Ireland.
NOT ME @ Jul 30th 2008 11:21PM
just itching its way up to a full $60 ey?
Kevin @ Jul 30th 2008 11:37PM
Oh nice. An update to a $40 demo that allows me to pay MORE money for stuff that isn't gameplay related. Awesome.
Wake me when the free cars and tracks finally show up...
Nate @ Jul 31st 2008 12:13AM
No one's forcing you to buy it. It's there for people who want it, and I'm sure there will be free content as well.
Eggy @ Jul 31st 2008 4:48AM
You didn't even buy the game so wake me up when you do. otherwise shut your trolling mouth.
3cubed @ Jul 30th 2008 11:56PM
Wait, so there is another update? When are they going to release this? As soon as they announce the day I'm going to start looking for PS3s on special.
Paulmichael @ Jul 31st 2008 2:30AM
It's coming this Friday, which is tomorrow if you're already in Thursday!
artemisgone @ Jul 31st 2008 1:03AM
So what it seems to me is that they're executing the original idea they had for the next GT game: gradual release and micro transactions.
We're going to get the full game bit by bit. Those that bought Prologue could potentially buy all the features as they become available. They'll have the entire game by the time the full product is ready to ship.
I'm probably wrong about this, but it wouldn't surprise me at all. Talk about one of the most half-assed releases ever.
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Jul 31st 2008 3:30AM
yea i used to include Polyphony Digital right up there with Insomniac and Naughty Dog as the best 1st party Sony devs but Polyphony is fast falling out of favor with me this gen. i mean its just one delay after the other. i know these things take time, but it doesnt even seem like they are even working on getting the full release out. from their comments about the subject, it seems like they can only work on 1 game at a time. i mean they disappointed me by not getting Gran Turismo Mobile out and now im even more disappointed that they are in no rush to get the full GT5 out. sure Prologue is robust when compared to some full games on the market now, but when compared to what the full version of GT5 is supposed to have, its still a demo. its flipping annoying is what it is.
JeSuZ Cicle @ Jul 31st 2008 1:24AM
Meh.. Forza 2 is developer Turn 10s second game and already accomplished more than Gran- bore me to death- Turismo has through 5 iterations.
Maverick Saturn @ Jul 31st 2008 1:28AM
What? The same game with the tacky damage? Couldn't be :O Last time I checked, its main highlights were simply its car customization and XBL option, well, that was the last time I played it before I realised I was wasting away my time :)
Haon @ Jul 31st 2008 8:56AM
Play the two back to back. Forza 2's driving model feels better at least to me. And yes Ive tried all sorts of setups with both (the assists).
phinnvr6 @ Jul 31st 2008 2:17AM
I get tired of hearing about calling it a demo. Not to many racing games have 75+ unique cars, online play, HD videos... The tracks are limited but they are adding more. A few more tracks and car damage and it'll be well worth the $40 even more so than it is now.
Don't really care about this update, it's the next one I'm interested in but it sounds like its a ways off.
j.howlett @ Jul 31st 2008 2:26AM
i noticed some writers call it a demo and some don't. i think they said something in one of the last podcast.
Paulmichael @ Jul 31st 2008 2:32AM
It just depends on their PS3/GT bias, those who like them call it a game, those who don't favor them call it a demo or an extended/glorified demo.
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Jul 31st 2008 3:32AM
compare it to what GT5 is supposed to have and tell me Prologue is not a demo. and im a die hard Sony fan over here.
j.howlett @ Jul 31st 2008 3:39AM
it is a prologue
Jakka (Not sure why he got banned?) @ Jul 31st 2008 7:31AM
Guys, you can't argue over this because no matter what you say, it will still be a demo by definition.
It is a cut-down version of a full game developed to show you what the real GT5 will be like.A DEMOnstration.
If you have to argue, argue about the quality of the actual title or whether having these "Prologues" is a good idea.
Roddie @ Jul 31st 2008 2:24AM
Heard there are 6 new BGM's as well, so it's worth it for that alone.
ShinyaAoki @ Jul 31st 2008 3:22AM
Very nice, but WHERE IS MY GODDAMM GT PORTABLE?
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Jul 31st 2008 3:33AM
god i get so pissed every time someone mentions that game. what a let down. GET IT TOGETHER POLYPHONY!
John McPoop (PSN:johnnynumber5) @ Jul 31st 2008 10:08AM
Aoki got the shaft in Dream 5 ... He had Hansen and I think that groin kick really made a difference
Jason Magio @ Jul 31st 2008 8:27AM
I'm looking forward to the real GT5, not Prologue. I can not wait to use the Logitech G25 wheel with the full version when it releases. It will be truly amazing.
colinbell @ Jul 31st 2008 10:26AM
GT still cant compare to Forza and it realistic damage, so realistic that you can run head-on into a wall at 150 and then drive away nonchalantly - I do it all the time in real life now for fun, you should try it as well.
na2ru1 @ Jul 31st 2008 11:31AM
Demo? Have you even unlocked that F1 car yet RANDY Nelson?
Iridium @ Jul 31st 2008 11:48AM
I don't think you should have to pay for episodes of Top-Gear. You can download them for free on the internet. Since the BBC essentially works like PBS, all the shows are free.
The reason why you have to pay to download other shows is that there are no commercials. Publicly funded shows like Top Gear are already paid for. Charging for them should actually go against a few laws.
If GTTV Top-Gear episodes are free, I'll watch them. If you have to pay $1, well I'll just donload them to my PC and stream them through the PS3.
Mooseman721 @ Jul 31st 2008 3:55PM
You know i'm actually ok watching top gear re-runs on Dave ta. For NOTHING!
paul @ Aug 3rd 2008 9:13PM
They still haven't added the ability to change button assignments to the second controller when playing a two player battle. I cant believe this issue is almost never addressed in the comments here or in many other forums.