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Citroen concept car gets driven around UK, impresses Londoners

by Ben Gilbert { Jul 1st 2009 at 5:00PM }

French car maker Citroën drove its "GTbyCitroën" concept car from the perpetually "coming soon" Gran Turismo 5 around London streets recently. It toured the the real-life version of a street track from the game and, wouldn't you know it, people everywhere were going nuts. Busting out cameras, mouths agape staring while the car rumbled past -- it's as if they'd never seen such a purty car before.

Oh right! That's because they haven't ever seen the car before, because it's still a concept, unveiled at last year's Paris Auto Show as a collaboration between Polyphony Digital and Citroën. We have the full video after the break, but as you might imagine, it's not exactly nailing apexes and drafting opponents so much as slowly winding around pedestrian-filled British streets. With any luck, we'll have a more ... erm ... action-oriented video of the car soon for your viewing pleasure, as it'll be making an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this coming weekend.

Qore leak reveals new PSP Metal Gear and more

by Xav de Matos { May 30th 2009 at 1:40PM }

In a leaked interview in the June issue of Qore, Sony's John Koller revealed new game announcements Sony is set to make at its E3 2009 press briefing. Among the titles mentioned are (a previously revealed) Jak & Daxter PSP and a re-emergence of Gran Turismo for the handheld -- first revealed when the PSP was announced.

Koller also mentions a new Metal Gear Solid for PSP is in the works, which may be the subject of the current Kojima Productions countdown nonsense (seriously, stop). Also, around the 15 second mark of the leaked Qore video, footage appears that bares a striking resemblance to Warhawk -- but (as comments have pointed out) the ship appears apart of the Jak & Daxter footage reel. Other clips include footage of LittleBigPlanet and Jak & Daxter.

Let's hope, for Sony's sake, this video doesn't encapsulate the lion's share of announcements the company was planning for June 2. Incidentally, crack out those bingo cards and a big red marker ... you have a few things to cross off.

Polyphony opens real-world Gran Turismo Cafe

by Andrew Yoon { Apr 3rd 2009 at 12:30PM }

Polyphony Digital continues to work diligently on things that aren't Gran Turismo 5 or Gran Turismo PSP. Their latest project is the "Gran Turismo Cafe," located at the Twin Ring Motegi race circuit in Japan. We're not sure how one would describe a cafe based on the popular race sim other than "realistic."

Don't expect exclusive access to Polyphony's upcoming projects at the cafe. Instead, those that attend the cafe will be able to play Gran Turismo 5 Prologue at one of three play booths. Boo.

Logitech presents in-game Gran Turismo 5 Prologue challenge

by Randy Nelson { Mar 17th 2009 at 4:00PM }

Players of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue are being asked to "take the Logitech Challenge." It may sound like a soft drink marketing gimmick from the '80s, but it's actually a three-week, in-game competition that could net you some sweet Logitech gaming gear.

Beginning tomorrow, March 18, the Logitech Challenge is a series of three lap time based events set on specific courses with an equally specific car selection to choose from. At the end of each week, Logitech will record the top three lap times; third place will win a Logitech Driving Force Wireless wheel and V470 Cordless Laser Mouse; second place will receive the wheel and a set of Logitech Z-5 speakers; come in first and you'll get the wheel, mouse and Logitech Audio Hub speakers.

Additionally, five random participants from each week will be selected to receive Driving Force Wireless wheels. Full contest rules can be found here; Logitech is extending a 10% offer at its online store for the duration on the event -- type in coupon code "challenge 09".

Rumor: Gran Turismo 5 coming Christmas 2009?

by Alan Tsang { Dec 1st 2008 at 3:30PM }

There have been a few varying dates thrown around concerning the release of the full version of Gran Turismo 5. However, here comes the most specific one we've heard yet -- in an article in the Mexican financial publication El Financiero, SCEE's James Armstrong was quoted as stating the following: "the new version of Gran Turismo, which will at Christmas." Because the article is talking about the Spanish market, we are assuming the date applies to Europe only, but no other information concerning the highly-anticapted driving simulation was given.

Note that back in July, Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi told our sister site Joystiq the game "might not even roll out before 2010," so we wouldn't get our hopes up. Take a look at the original article here (or the translated version here).

[Via GTPlanet -- thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Rumor: Gran Turismo 5 on track for holiday '09 release in Europe

by Randy Nelson { Dec 1st 2008 at 3:30PM }

Despite what series creator Kazunori Yamauchi had to say to us on the topic during E3, Spanish newspaper El Financiero quotes SCEE executive James Armstrong as stating that Gran Turismo 5 (the full, real deal – not Prologue 2 or some-such) will be released in Europe "by Christmas 2009." This is, of course, concerning a series that's been historically fast and ~~furious~~ loose with release dates.

GTPlanet – which is part of the chain of custody on this rumor – speculates that, if true, we could see a summer 2009 release for GT5 in Japan and a late 2009 / early 2010 launch in the West. This scenario would certainly follow the staggered roll-outs of previous Gran Turismo titles to a (Model) T.

[Via Evil Avatar]

Pfft, 1080p? Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, in 2160p

by Andrew Yoon { Nov 19th 2008 at 6:16PM }

What happens when you take four PS3 systems, one copy of Gran Turismo 5: Prologue, and a Sony SRX-110 projector and put them all together? Well, you get one incredible GT experience. At the 10th Anniversary Party in New York City, Polyphony Digital ran an interesting experiment, where they were able to render the game in a glorious 2160p resolution. That's four times the resolution of the current maximum standard for HDTVs: 1080p.

The application is surprisingly simple. Each PS3 is dedicated to rendering one part of the enhanced 2160p image, with each PS3 rendering one full 1080p image. When combined, all four images turn into something that would make videophiles cry.

That wasn't the only fun and games at the event. No, Polyphony also ran another experiment with 4 PS3s: they were also able to create a 240 fps experience. Each PS3 would render alternating 60 frames per second, so that the end result would be blisteringly fast. At that point, we doubt the human eye would be able to appreciate such fluidity.

So, guys -- how 'bout you stop partying and making amazing 2160p tech demos, and uh -- you finish Gran Turismo 5? Please?

[Via PlayStation Boards]

Shuhei Yoshida: Gran Turismo PSP on the way

by Alan Tsang { Oct 13th 2008 at 4:35PM }

Polyphony Digital boss Kazunori Yamauchi confirmed this back in July, but If you needed further confirmation that Gran Turismo PSP is actually in development, we've got you covered. Speaking at TGS, the head of Sony Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida stated that Polyphony Digital is "working on" a Gran Turismo PSP.

Yoshida attributes the long delay to other titles Polyphohy Digital have been working on, namely Gran Turismo 5 Prologue and Gran Turismo 5 for PS3. He was also unable to provide a timeframe for when the game will be released. Yamauchi believes the game won't be out until after Gran Turismo 5 makes its debut, which means PSP owners will have to wait another two years. Sigh.

GT5 Prologue update now available, adds 3 new cars

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Oct 3rd 2008 at 9:37AM }

Or, as SCEA producer Taku Imasaki puts it on the PlayStation Blog, "NEW CARS!!" He's very excited. Wouldn't you be too, if a free update to Polyphony Digital's Real But Not Real Enough To Crumple Up Your Ferrari Driving Simulator enabled three new rides and a host of gameplay tweaks?

When you next load up Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, you'll be able to download the "GT by Citroen" concept car (pictured), the Ferrari California and the Lotus Evora. Gameplay enhancements introduced by the update include alterations to the penalty system, race difficulty levels, wireless controller responsiveness, sound volume balance and Drift Trial races, which will now feature a rolling start.

A word of caution, however: "Rankings, arcade time trial times, drift trial records, as well as vehicle-specific quick tune settings and custom key layouts will all be reset with the new update. Replay data created before the second update will no longer be viewable after this update." That's the price of Prologue progress, we suppose.

Gran Turismo devs create real, smoking hot concept car

by Majed Athab { Oct 2nd 2008 at 12:45PM }

Polyphony Digital is best known for making Gran Turismo and digital concept cars for their games. Now the gamemaker can be known for giving life to real world concept cars. The white hot machine pictured above is a collaboration between Polyphony and car manufacturer Citroën, and was "specifically designed to bring the virtual and real worlds together."

Dubbed "GTbyCitroën," the machine was shown off at the Paris Auto Show in anticipation of Gran Turismo 5. Polyphony president Kazanori Yamauchi had this to say on the design: "To see the GTbyCitroën take shape in our game studios and then for real has been a truly unique experience -- as our work normally stays in the digital world." It sounds like to us that if you won't be able to drive this baby in the real world, you'll still get to hop into the driver's seat on the virtual track. Expect to see this concept car burning up laps on GT5. More pictures here.

[Thanks Tracy and Trevor!]

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 the ~~game~~ 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.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue update brings GTTV content drop

by Jem Alexander { Jul 30th 2008 at 6:45PM }

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue expands this Friday, August 1st with a fairly large content patch. Not only will the patch bring the first load of GTTV content, but also a few gameplay enhancements and fixes. A full list of GTTV videos is available on the official site and will be constantly updated as more is added.

At the moment there's plenty to choose from, from season 6 of Top Gear (a must see) to Japan's Super GT and a "video magazine" called Video Option. For the first two weeks all paid-for content will be at the reduced price of $0.99, letting you trial the content for a little while for half price.

The patch also adds "fixes in penalty judgments, more tire choices for Time Trial and improved physics during collisions between cars during online races." Sounds like a pretty hefty update. Not bad for a free patch, right? Check the PlayStation Blog post for more info.

Gran Turismo 5 'might not even roll out before 2010'

by Andrew Yoon { Jul 17th 2008 at 9:30AM }

Were you one of those people that skipped Prologue to wait for the full version of Gran Turismo 5? Get ready to wait. In an interview with Joystiq, Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi stated that the full version of GT5 "might not even roll out before 2010." Instead, Prologue will continue to be expanded upon, with additional cars, tracks and features. In fact, a new update is planned for the "near future." The big question we have though is: will it be free?

Perhaps Gran Turismo 5 would wrap up production a bit sooner if Yamauchi and crew wasn't so adamant about filming an entire series for Gran Turismo TV. Have fun driving those Ferraris Yamauchi ... while the rest of us wait years for your next game.

Gran Turismo PSP still 'actively in development'

by Andrew Yoon { Jul 17th 2008 at 9:30AM }

Gran Turismo for PSP is one of the greatest jokes of the console's history. Ironically, a Duke Nukem game will actually release on our system before this much-touted title ever finds way. It's one of the few titles announced before the PSP's launch that still hasn't come out yet. Ouch.

In an interview with Joystiq, Polyphony Digital boss Kazunori Yamauchi explained that the PSP version of Gran Turismo is still "actively in development" and reiterated that the title would not be completed until Gran Turismo 5 (PS3). Of course, considering GT5 won't release until 2010, PSP owners can still make jokes about this vapourous title for at least two more years.

Kazunori Yamauchi: More Prologue, no GT5 soon, GT PSP still coming

by Randy Nelson { Jul 17th 2008 at 9:00AM }

We somehow managed to get Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi to slam on his brakes for a moment today and talk to us about his flagship racing franchise. According to the Polyphony Digital boss, his studio is focusing a majority of its efforts on Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. In fact, he confirmed that the proper, disc-based Gran Turismo 5 might not even roll out before 2010.

In the meantime, Polyphony will continue to expand Prologue with additional cars, tracks, and features. Yamauchi couldn't speak to specific plans, but mentioned that an new update is planned for the near future.

With all of the work his company is putting into the next console GT installment, Yamauchi tells us that it hasn't forgotten the long-delayed Gran Turismo 4 Mobile for PSP. He confirms that the game – originally announced at E3 2004 – is still actively in development, although it isn't planned for release until after GT5. That would be 2011 for those with pen and calendar in hand.