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Gran Turismo series ships more than 50 million globally

by Jason Dobson { May 9th 2008 at 10:57AM }

While it may seem seem like just yesterday that we first played Sony's love note to console gear heads in Gran Turismo, it was actually ten years ago ... a realization that made us feel incredibly old as Sony and developer Polyphony Digital announced that the sim, that first got its license in December 1997, has shipped more than 50 million units across the globe.

This figure, of course, includes the recently released Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, which according to Sony has shipped out more than 2 million units. The company is playing coy, though, as to whether this number includes just physical products or digital downloads over PSN as well. We'd like to extend our hand and congratulate the series for making it this far, but unfortunately it didn't stop between the two yellow lines on the pavement so it's going to have to go back to the start and try again.

Live the dream, become a real racer with GT Academy

by Majed Athab { May 6th 2008 at 5:30PM }

If you hadn't read about this from the live blogging earlier today, then better put on the seatbelts GT fans -- this one is going to be quite a ride. The PlayStation brand and Nissan car manufacturer are giving racing enthusiasts a chance to live out a dream with the introduction of GT Academy. GT Academy is a competition that'll earn two lucky gamers a four-month training program for a real racing license, and using it to race for team Nissan at the January 2009 24-hour endurance race in Dubai. Yes, you heard that right, a chance to race a real car (a Nissan 350Z) in a real competition. That doesn't come often. So, want to know how you can enter?

Well, to get into the Academy you'll have to register via the PSN with your copy of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. You'll be first entering into a special online tourney qualifier before going into real cars for a "series of elimination-based competitions on and off the racetrack" starting at the nation level. This will go on for eight months all across Europe (sorry, not for any other region). You'll be able to sign-up at the end of May when GT Academy goes live. Good luck! Godspeed!

[Via press release]

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Kid-focused Gran Turismo for Boys could become GT5 feature

by Jason Dobson { Apr 5th 2008 at 11:00AM }

It's been over three years since we first sighed 'awwwe' to Polyphony Digital's plans to develop a kindly, gentler racing simulation with the kid-friendly Gran Turismo for Boys. Now series mastermind Kazunori Yamauchi has come forward about the project, and in a recent CVG interview commented that Gran Turismo for Boys is still coming, though perhaps as an included feature in Gran Turismo 5 rather than a standalone game.

Gran Turismo for Boys was first revealed in November 2004 by Yamauchi as a way to hook preteens on cars, sort of like candy cigarettes, but since then there's been little said about the effort beyond the occasional footnote to let the world know that the project hadn't been run over. Tykes shouldn't get too excited yet, however, as Yamauchi admits that his team is currently spinning wheels working on GT5, and have little time to spend on side projects. Still, with the game's release about a year off maybe he'll find time to include the child dedicated feature -- and keep us from throwing a tantrum.

GT5 Prologue private races and voice chat in the works

by Majed Athab { Mar 20th 2008 at 3:30PM }

In the comments section of his most recent post on the PlayStation.Blog, SCEA producer Takau Imasaki mentioned that in-game voice chat and a private race setting will be available for Gran Turismo 5 Prologue in later updates. Now this news comes in as semi-official as it was not part of the original post, but was made in response to a reader's question. Imasaki wrote, "Private races with buddies and in-game chat are all in the works... but will not be ready from day one. Will keep you posted on the progress!"

We're hoping Mr. Imasaki makes sure that promise is kept. While we won't be seeing these additions by the time Prologue drives its way home with us, we're still anxiously awaiting to hit the GT racing circuit nonetheless. These new features are definitely great, but we can live without them for just a bit longer.

[Via CVG]

Have a look at GT5's Ferrari F1

by Majed Athab { Mar 17th 2008 at 5:00PM }

Click for high resolution image.

Stylish elegance. That seductive red color. No, this isn't a TV commercial for some new car. We're just stating how much we've fallen in love with Gran Turismo 5 Prologue's Ferrari F2007. Just look at those sleek curves. The detail on this baby is so life-like it's hard to believe that this is just a digital rendering.

Do you share in our excitement? Interested in seeing more? You can have a better look at the F1 car in the gallery below. Sony's Three Speech blog has even more pics to drool over, so be sure to check them all out.

Gallery: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue - Ferrari F1

GT5 Prologue scores third place in Japanese charts

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Dec 20th 2007 at 3:55PM }

You know times have changed when the top three spots in Japan's software sales chart are no longer occupied by traditional fare, but rather a miasma of Mario mini-games, a balancercise board and a glorified automotive demo. Gamasutra runs down last week's top ten, highlighting Polyphony Digital's Gran Turismo 5 Prologue which made its debut in third position with approximately 116,000 units sold. Professor Layton bully, Wii Fit, found itself parking off in second position with 124,000 units after having switched places with Mario Party DS and its 180,000 attendees.

Nintendo proved the overall wii-ner, with six first-party titles accounted for in the chart -- in fact, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue was the only game not to be found on the Wii or DS. The two systems are expected to enjoy continued good fortune in the hardware sales chart due for release tomorrow.

Gallery: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue

GT5 Prologue seen driving into uncanny valley

by Ross Miller { Dec 10th 2007 at 4:00PM }

This is your virtual car. (Points to car) This is your virtual car with its textures' reflectivity bumped up to 500%. (Points to own finger reflected from car's bumper) Any questions?

In watching new trailer for Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, which debuted during last night's Spike VGAs, Joystiq's own Griffin McElroy made a strange and unintentionally philosophical observation: can mechanical objects cross into the uncanny valley? Can a computer-generated car be so detailed that it edges too close to reality and minor differences become glaring issues? Judge for yourself; the video is embedded above.

Joystiq interviews Polyphony Digital's Kazunori Yamauchi

by Christopher Grant { Oct 24th 2007 at 3:29PM }

During TGS, we had the opportunity to visit the studios of Polyphony Digital and meet with the man behind the Gran Turismo series, Kazunori Yamauchi. We had just finished watching a demo of their video-on-demand GTTV service – which was announced during a Japanese-press only event at TGS the preceding day – and got to poke around their studios (check out Gamespot's fancy video tour) before sitting down with the man himself. We talked about GTTV (of course), the current status for Gran Turismo on PSP, how they reached the elusive 1080p goal, and if their PSP/PS3 connectivity ideas are any better than a rear-view mirror.

Gallery: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue

Thanks for taking the time to meet with us and show us the game and your studio. It's very much appreciated. Could you explain the rationale behind releasing GT5: Prologue before releasing the full Gran Turismo 5?

So there's basically two reasons behind GT5 Prologue. First one being, as we move with the franchise to a new generation of hardware, the PS3‚ and trying to extract the maximum out of it and being comfortable, it's already taken us three years to get to a point where we're almost happy with what we're delivering on the system.

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Gran Turismo TV to feature BBC's Top Gear

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Oct 24th 2007 at 8:30AM }

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: Gran Turismo TV (PS3)

Japan to get GT5 Prologue on Dec. 13

by Justin McElroy { Sep 20th 2007 at 12:50PM }

OK, try to keep up with us. This is Game 3.0 at it's finest. So, you know Gran Turismo 5 right? Well, there's this thing called Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. GT5P is a demo for GT5, not to be confused with Gran Turismo HD, which was a demo for ... we don't know, how big the PS3's brain is or something. OK, so it was recently revealed in Famitsu that GT5P will be released on Dec. 13 in Japan, though no release date has yet been set for the U.S.

"But wait," you say, "I thought that Gran Turismo 5 Prologue was coming in October!" Well, sorry to disappoint you, prom king, that's apparently the demo of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. So, to recap, the demo for the demo (that's not the other demo) will be out in October, but the demo itself will be out in Dec. 13. Glad we could clear that up. Now, if you'll excuse us, we've got to go punch a crippled kitten.

Gallery: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will be free

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 27th 2007 at 9:30AM }

According to the Gamespot, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will arrive as a free downloadable title on the PlayStation Store later this year. If this is true, Prologue will largely expand upon the previous free GT download, Gran Turismo HD. Prologue adds more cars and tracks, and a slew of new features, such as a new "TV" mode. The TV option will provide users replays and videos from manufacturers. A great Game ~~2.0~~ 3.0 nod would allow users to create their own replay videos and share them with their friends through the PSN.

A new "Home" mode will allow greater integration with the upcoming online service. "The goal is to create as seamless an experience between the game and the Home service as possible."

Just like the PS3, the goal is to have Prologue constantly evolve through updates. "It's possible that additional improvements, such as damage modeling, could be a part of a future update to the game somewhere down the line." Certainly, exciting -- hopefully, we'll find out more as Tokyo Game Show draws nearer.

Gallery: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue

A crystal clear look into Gran Turismo Prologue

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 24th 2007 at 7:30PM }

Can something look too good? That's what we're asking when we look at these brand new screenshots of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. Of course the cars look good. But we're taken aback by the detail found in the drivers and the environments. The attention to detail is more than impeccable -- it's scary.

So how does it look when it's in motion? Click past the break to see. Or, watch in glorious HD.

Gallery: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue

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New footage of Gran Turismo 5's cockpit view

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 22nd 2007 at 3:00PM }

Slowly but surely, interesting morsels of information are streaming out of Leipzig. Here, Jeux-France managed to capture some new video of Gran Turismo 5. Over four minutes of glorious real-time gameplay to feast on. We could say things like "that looks great!" But, we think you're more than capable of making that judgment yourself.

[Thanks, Stefan Torestam! Via N4G]

Rumor: DualShock 3 to rumble with GT5 Prologue

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:00PM }

Supposedly, the upcoming Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will support DualShock 3 -- at least according to a NeoGAF retelling of Japanese publication Dengeki PlayStation. This has sparked discussion that the controller featured on the official GT5 website (pictured above) is actually a DualShock 3, not a Sixaxis. But honestly, we all expect the rumble-enabled PS3 controller to look identical to our current Sixaxis controller. A silhouette won't tell us much.

Hopefully, we'll find out something at Leipzig later today.

[Via Joystiq]

Lots of Gran Turismo 5 details translated out of love for you

by Nick Doerr { Aug 5th 2007 at 5:00PM }

If you've been itching for some Gran Turismo 5 news to gawk at, let us direct you to a thread over at NeoGAF. Not only are there a lot of great screenshots from the official website, but user Doctor_No took it upon himself (or herself!) to translate the latest Famitsu interview with Polyphony Digital's Kazunori Yamauchi. We'll detail the finer points below, but all of them are worth looking over.

GT5 will be playable at Leipzig, where multiple online features will also be announced.
GT5 Prologue will be Home compatible!
While called Prologue, Yamauchi says there will be options to make money, buy cars, etc.
In the final build, there are ambitions to let you walk around a "town" and look at cars. We imagine this means your Home avatar checking out other people's GT5 cars.
GT5 Prologue will have 40 cars and 4 tracks, totaling 8 configurations.
If you use a steering wheel for the game, you can look around the cockpit in cockpit view by moving around the D-Pad. Nice.
In the full game of Gran Turismo 5, you can fully customize the interior of the car.
Right now, 16 cars are in each race, but in online modes, the number may shrink to 12.
Any money, cars, etc. you earn in GT5 Prologue will be able to transfer over to the full Gran Turismo 5.

Wow! This really seems like an ambitious title, so we're salivating to get our hands on the game as soon as possible. GT5 Prologue is rumored to launch on October 24th, so we'll wait until around then.