Gran Turismo (series)
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Gran Turismo
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| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Developer(s) | Polyphony Digital |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| First release | Gran Turismo / 1997 |
| Latest release | Gran Turismo 5 Prologue / 2007 |
| Official website | http://www.gran-turismo.com |
Gran Turismo (Italian for "Grand Tourer"), also known as GT, is a highly successful and critically acclaimed series of racing video games produced for the Sony PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and Playstation Portable gaming systems. All of the games are said to simulate the appearance and performance of a large selection of vehicles, nearly all of which are licensed reproductions of real-world automobiles. Since the franchise’s first entry in December 1997, over 50 million units have been sold worldwide for the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3.[1]
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[edit] Overview
The Gran Turismo series is developed by Polyphony Digital and produced by Kazunori Yamauchi.
The appeal of the Gran Turismo series is due significantly to the graphics, the number of licensed vehicles, the extent and detail of simulation, and the ability to tune performance. Handling of the vehicles is modeled on real-life driving impressions, tuning is based on principles of physics, and the sound of the vehicle's engine is based on recordings of real-life vehicles. The game has been a flagship for the PlayStation console's graphics capabilities, and is often used to demonstrate the system's potential.
Although Gran Turismo has an arcade mode, most gameplay derives from its simulation mode. Players start with a certain number of credits, usually 10,000, which are used to purchase vehicles from several manufacturer-specific shops, or from used car dealers, and then tune their car at the appropriate parts store for best performance. Certain events are open only to particular types of vehicles. In order to enter and progress through more difficult races, a license-testing system has been implemented, which guides players through skill development. Players may apply prize money won in events to upgrade their existing car or buy a new one, collecting a garage of vehicles.
[edit] Game history
The Gran Turismo series is represented by four primary releases, two for the PlayStation and two for the PlayStation 2. The series is also represented by many other “abbreviated” releases on the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3. Polyphony Digital has announced the production of two other primary release titles labeled Gran Turismo (PSP) and Gran Turismo 5. Gran Turismo (PSP) was recently given a North America and Europe release date of October 1st, 2009 with a Japan release following on October 8th, 2009. The Gran Turismo (PSP) release date coincides with the release of the PSP Go.
[edit] Games
[edit] Primary releases
| Title | Year Released | Platform | Cars | Tracks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gran Turismo | 1997/1998 | PlayStation | 178 | 11 |
| Gran Turismo 2 | 1999/2000 | PlayStation | just under 650 | 27 |
| Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec | 2001 | PlayStation 2 | over 150 | 34 |
| Gran Turismo 4 | 2005 | PlayStation 2 | over 700 | 51 |
[edit] Other releases
[edit] Games in development
| Title | Release Date | Platform | Cars | Tracks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gran Turismo (PSP) | October 1st, 2009 | PlayStation Portable | over 800 | 35 |
| Gran Turismo 5 | TBD | PlayStation 3 | TBD | TBD |
[edit] Demo discs
| Title | Notes |
|---|---|
| Gran Turismo | During Christmas, 1996, a special promotional demo of Gran Turismo was included with the PlayStation console. The demo was limited to; Arcade Mode, Clubman Route 5 (track), three cars (each Subaru Impreza WRC, Honda NSX, and Chevrolet Corvette), and races were limited to ninety seconds. |
| Gran Turismo 2000 | Gran Turismo 2000 was a demo on display at E3 in 2000/2001 promoting the Gran Turismo franchise as well as the capabilities of the PlayStation 2. Due to a delay in the release date, the name of the full version of the game was changed to Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec.[2] |
| Toyota Prius demo disc | In the summer of 2004, Toyota sent a demo disc of GT4 along with a marketing brochure for its 2004 Prius hybrid car by way of customer request from their web site.[3] The demo was also given out at a presentation of the Toyota MTRC at the New York International Auto Show. The demo disc featured only two cars, namely the Prius and the Toyota MTRC concept car. Two tracks were included, Fuji Speedway 90's and Grand Canyon, but each was limited to two minutes of play time. Toyota stopped offering the demo discs when the requests for the marketing brochure became disproportional to the real interest in their cars. The disc became a collectible item for Prius owners and is still sometimes available via auction at eBay. |
| BMW 1-series demo disc | Features four models of the 1-series (118i, 120i, 118d, and 120d), and three Gran Turismo 4 tracks – including the Nürburgring (driving around this circuit was limited to three minutes). BMW customers in the United Kingdom who ordered a 1-series before its official release date were invited to a private event at the Rockingham Motor Speedway in Northamptonshire. On departure from the event, all guests were given a pack containing the demo disc. |
| Nissan Micra demo disc | With the release of Nissan Micra Roma, Nissan distributed a press kit for each concessionaire in several countries in Europe to promote the car. This press kit included several photographs, a press information booklet and three discs. One of the discs included in this kit is an official Gran Turismo demo named Nissan Micra Edition. |
| Nissan 350Z demo disc | Similar to the Nissan Micra Edition, this CD also comes in one of the many press kits available for the Nissan 350Z in the United States. There is no confirmation that a European version exists. The press kit containing the game demo comes with two other discs inside a silver folder. An additional booklet with information and pictures of the Nissan 350Z is also included. |
[edit] Gran Turismo for Boys
Gran Turismo for Boys, a youth focused Gran Turismo, was announced in November 2004 [4] with a scheduled release date of 2005. [5] The game missed the target release date of 2005. In September of 2006, Kazunori Yamauchi confirmed the game was still in development.[6] In April of 2008, while discussing plans for Gran Turismo 5, Kazunori Yamauchi was quoted as saying, "we're hoping to make [Gran Turismo for Boys] a feature within GT5."[7]
[edit] Gran Turismo related products
[edit] Official simulator kits
Polyphony Digital has collaborated with peripherals manufacturer Logitech and auto parts maker Sparco to design official driving simulator kits for the Gran Turismo franchise. The most recent product designation is Driving Force.
[edit] Official model car kits
In 2009, radio-control model car company HPI Racing released an official RC car tie-in: the HPI E10 RTR Ford GT LM Race Car Spec II designed by Gran Turismo (200mm), a pre-built officially licensed radio-control car kit built to look exactly like the cover car for the Gran Turismo 4 game. Plans for future releases include releasing more kits to replicate other Gran Turismo cover cars.
[edit] Gran Turismo Awards (SEMA)
[edit] 6th annual Gran Turismo Awards (2008)
The sixth annual Gran Turismo Awards was held at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The exhibitors were given a chance to have their car featured in a future version of Gran Turismo as a drivable vehicle, with Gran Turismo creator and series producer Kazunori Yamauchi judging the five finalists to award the "Best in Show" prize.
The awards ceremony was held at The Joint, located inside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas) and was hosted by experienced Formula D driver, Tanner Foust. Following the ceremony, Hip-hop star Ludacris and special guests Tommy Lee and Dave Navarro treated the guests to a special live performance.
The winners of the awards are as follows:
- Best Domestic: 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Rally Sport (James Shipka)
- Best Truck/SUV: 1938 Chevrolet (John Wargo)
- Best Japanese Import: 2008 Infiniti G37 (JR Rocha)
- Best European Import: Volkswagen Concept Car (Robert Gal)
- Best Hot Rod: 1933 the Factory Five Racing Hot Rod (Jason Lavigne)
- Best In Show: 2008 Infiniti G37 (JR Rocha)
Recap of the 6th Annual Gran Turismo Awards
[edit] Reception
| Game | Metacritic | Game Rankings |
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| Gran Turismo |
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| Gran Turismo 2 |
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| Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec |
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| Gran Turismo 4 |
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The Gran Turismo video game series has been one of the most popular over its lifetime, appealing to an audience ranging from casual gamers to fans of comparatively super-realistic PC racing sims. Because of the success of the Gran Turismo series, Guinness World Records awarded the series 7 world records in the Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008. These records include "Largest Number of cars in a Racing game", "Highest Selling PlayStation Game", and "Largest Instruction Guide for a Racing Game".
With a collective sales total of over 50 million units sold[1], it is the highest-selling PlayStation exclusive franchise of all time.
[edit] References
- ^ a b ""GRAN TURISMO" Series Software Title List". PolyPhony Digital. http://www.polyphony.co.jp/english/list.html. Retrieved on 2009-06-17.
- ^ Katayev, Arnold (2001-07-10). "Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec Review". PSX Extreme. http://www.psxextreme.com/scripts/reviews2/review.asp?revID=61. Retrieved on 2009-06-17.
- ^ Thorsen, Tor (2004-06-02). "Toyota offering free Gran Turismo 4 demo disc". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/news/6099820.html. Retrieved on 2009-06-17.
- ^ Gantayat, Anoop (2004-11-09). "New Gran Turismo". IGN. http://ps2.ign.com/articles/564/564793p1.html. Retrieved on 2009-06-16.
- ^ Gantayat, Anoop (2004-12-29). "Gran Turismo For Boys in 2005". IGN. http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/575/575913p1.html. Retrieved on 2009-06-16.
- ^ Gantayat, Anoop (2006-09-25). "Gran Turismo Still For Boys". IGN. http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/735/735034p1.html. Retrieved on 2009-06-16.
- ^ Jackson, Mike (2008-04-04). "Kazunori Yamauchi Interview". CVG. http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=186087. Retrieved on 2009-06-16.
[edit] External links
- Official sites
- Wikis
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