Gran Turismo (series)
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| Gran Turismo | |
|---|---|
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| Developer(s) | Polyphony Digital |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Latest version | Gran Turismo 4 |
| Release date(s) | GT (1998); GT2 (1999); GT3 (2001); GT4 (2005); GT4 Mobile (2006); Gran Turismo HD (2007); Gran Turismo 5 (TBA) |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3 |
Gran Turismo (GT) is a series of racing video games produced for the Sony PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation Portable gaming systems. All of the games, for their time, exhibited superior detail in simulating the appearance and performance of a large selection of vehicles, nearly all of which are licensed reproductions of real-world automobiles. The original Gran Turismo was the best selling game for the original PlayStation, and successive versions have also been very successful.[citation needed]
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[edit] Overview
The Gran Turismo series was developed by Polyphony Digital. The producer for all eight games is Kazunori Yamauchi. Gran Turismo is partially responsible for the US introduction of cars once available only in Japan and other right hand drive markets, such as the Subaru Impreza WRX, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution series, and the Nissan Skyline, under Nissan's luxury brand Infiniti as the G35.[citation needed] The game has also increased US awareness of such companies as Aston Martin, Ruf, Venturi, and Alfa Romeo. [citation needed]
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 is modeled on real-life driving impressions, tuning based on principles of physics, and sound on recordings of real-life vehicles.[citation needed] The game has been a flagship for the PlayStation consoles' graphics capabilities, often used to demonstrate the systems' potential.[citation needed]
Although Gran Turismo has an arcade mode, the majority of gameplay derives from its simulation mode. Players start with a certain number of credits (usually 10,000), which are used to purchase used or new vehicles from a number of manufacturer-specific shops (e.g., one sells only Toyotas, one sells only Mitsubishis, and so on), or from used car dealers, and then can tune their car at the appropriate parts store for best performance on the circuit. Certain events are open only to particular types of vehicles . Also, in order to enter and progress through more difficult races, there is a license-testing system, which guides players through skill development. Players may apply prize money won in events to upgrade their existing car or buying a new one, collecting a garage of carefully tuned cars.
[edit] Games
As of August 2006, there have been four full Gran Turismo games released, two on the PlayStation and two on the PlayStation 2. Four comparatively partial versions were released in limited regions between Gran Turismo 3 and 4: three different Concept games, and Gran Turismo 4 Prologue. A number of demo discs relating to specific real-life models have also been released. Two Gran Turismo games are currently in development, one for PlayStation 3 and one for PlayStation Portable.[citation needed]
[edit] Gran Turismo
The best selling PlayStation game, Gran Turismo is naturally the least sophisticated of the primary game versions. It has 11 courses and 178 cars, and includes arcade and simulation modes.
[edit] Gran Turismo 2
Released as a double disc in 1999/2000 for the PlayStation due to the game's sheer size, Gran Turismo 2 (GT2) has 28 courses and some 650 cars. It also has dirt tracks, follows players' game completion, and has the series' first real life track, Laguna Seca, making it one of the world's biggest games ever made at the time . The first North American release had a severe bug which erased the cars in the garage.
[edit] Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
The first installament of the Gran Turismo series on the PlayStation 2, Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec (GT3) featured vastly improved graphics and new gameplay features.
[edit] Gran Turismo Concept versions
[edit] Gran Turismo Concept: 2001 Tokyo Collection
Released only in Japan in the year 2002 for 3,200 yen. It first appeared in 2001's Tokyo Motor Show
[edit] Gran Turismo Concept: 2002 Tokyo-Seoul
Released only in Korea on April 9, 2002, this game featured Korean cars from Hyundai for the very first time. This game was based largely on the Gran Turismo Concept: 2001 Tokyo Collection and served as a launch pad for Sony Computer Entertainment Korea's Playstation 2 launch in Korea.
[edit] Gran Turismo Concept: 2002 Tokyo-Geneva
Released in Europe and Asia (Asian version DVD-9 was not released in Japan) in July 2002, this the most complete "Concept" version, giving all cars from others two previous versions adding a total of 65 new cars. The Asian version has a Tokyo Motor Show documentary.
[edit] Gran Turismo 4 Prologue
Gran Turismo 4 Prologue was released December 2003 (belatedly), originally intended as a teaser for GT4. GT4P has a driving model improved from GT3, and included the new GT4 HUD, however, continued development meant that GT4P ended up less than representative of the driving experience in GT4. Additionally, GT4P had only a few cars and a small number of tracks, and instead of the familiar simulation mode or multiplayer features, it had a series of events similar to licence tests, few of which include other cars. Despite this lack, GT4P was sold on store shelves in Japan and other parts of Asia. It includes a DVD with behind-the-scenes footage and driving advice, and was eventually released in other countries after GT4's production cycle was lengthened. GT4P also had a special event requiring completing a track in a Toyota Prius under a certain time and level of fuel consumption, modelling the functionality of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, foreshadowing the Toyota Prius demo disc (below).
[edit] Demo discs
[edit] 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. 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.
This Toyota edition was also available in European (PAL) territory and it is named Gran Turismo Special Edition 2004 Geneva Version (SCED-52455). It comes in a regular card sleeve with an illustration of the CD.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Gran Turismo 4
Gran Turismo 4 (GT4) was released in 2004/2005 with 720 cars and 50+ racetracks (including the Nürburgring Nordschleife), and the notable additions of installable spoilers (different from "racing modification" in earlier versions), nitrous oxide, a photo mode, an auto-drive feature dubbed "B-spec", and HD capability. An online component, originally intended, was not included.[citation needed]
[edit] Gran Turismo 4 Mobile
Gran Turismo 4 Mobile is the same basic Gran Turismo 4 game, except modified for PlayStation Portable.
[edit] Gran Turismo HD
Gran Turismo HD Demo will be available for download through the PlayStation store on December 24, 2006 in Japan only and will feature ten new cars and two playable versions of a single track. As of December 1, 2006 the official version of Gran Turismo HD has been abandoned so that further development on Gran Turismo 5 can take precedence as the Playstation 3's first official Gran Turismo release.
[edit] Gran Turismo for Boys
A kids-oriented version of Gran Turismo, scheduled for PlayStation 2 release [1]
[edit] Response
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. Also, the game helped to influence car sales and a mass influx of grey market imports, especially with Japanese cars to Europe and the United Kingdom, aided by the newly introduced SVA regulation, which the majority of people who brought one in during the late nineties mentioned in reference to the car they brought[citation needed]. As a result, car manufacturers stepped in to offer free licensing, in return for advertising their cars within the game, which also explained why Polyphony did not feel the need to pay for licenses for other manufacturers. Also, during the production of GT4, Yamauchi was given a VW Golf R32 as a gift from the company. [citation needed]
[edit] Criticisms
Although Gran Turismo is widely considered the best driving simulation available for the PlayStation or PlayStation 2, it is not without its drawbacks. For example, the game contains no damage-modeling—partly due to licensing agreements prohibiting car damage and partly due to the fact that many collisions during common gameplay would destroy the cars involved. This lack of damage modeling has prompted many players to quip, "Who needs brakes? That's what my opponents are for!" Indeed, using the AI cars as impromptu barriers is a time-honored Gran Turismo tactic.
Additional problems include a maximum of five opponent cars, and the apparent lack of demonstrable "intelligence" in the driving abilities of the AI cars. The sparse number of cars limits the variety and excitement in races. Since racing reflects specific vehicle performance, a player can simply drive a superior car off into the distance after the first corner. On the infrequent occasions that the player does contest the AI for position, he often finds that the AI seems not to be cognizant that the player's car is even there, usually driving into the player from the side or from behind in an apparent effort to keep on a predetermined racing line.
Also, there are certain notable marque omissions that leave many enthusiasts upset. There are no Lamborghinis (excepting a privateer JGTC Diablo in the Japanese edition of GT3), or Porsches (although RUF, which is available, builds its cars on Porsche chassis). Perhaps the most surprising absence of the game is that of Ferrari (although it is finally making an appearance in the new Gran Turismo HD). This is because the Publisher Electronic Arts holds the rights and will not allow futher licensing, at least not for a price acceptable to Sony/Polyphony.
Another aspect of the game that has been criticized is that many of the nominally different cars are only variants of a single model: there are 48 varieties (56 including race cars and other varieties) of Nissan Skylines and 20 of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions in GT4. Also, the majority of cars are Japanese; in addition, most used cars are Japanese. In GT1 and GT2, all used cars were Japanese (and GT3 had no used cars). In GT4, some European and American used cars were added, but seldom showed up. Furthermore, the only ones available at the beginning, such as an Aston Martin V8, were too expensive to be used as a starter car. Many players have interpreted this as a Japanese bias (and a very possible one at that, with the game's developers being Japanese). Another possible Japanese bias occurs in races involving unmodified vehicles, wherein Japanese cars are equally competitive with other country's cars despite being significantly statistically outgunned, for example, a computer-controlled Nissan 350Z (300PS) competitively racing against a TVR Speed 12 (800PS). Users can have a European or American model as a starter car, but, in contrast to the best of the wide variety of Japanese cars, the few available European or American cars are of very low performance.
[edit] Trivia
- The band The Cardigans said in interviews that the name of their album Gran Turismo is because they played the first game a lot during the tours and recording sessions. The song My Favourite Game is a reference of dedication of the band to the game. Polyphony Digital and SCEA later returned the favor; a remix of "My Favourite Game" replaces the main theme of the opening movie of the PAL and US version of Gran Turismo 2.
- The Cardigans - My Favourite Game excerpt (file info) — play in browser (beta)
- An excerpt from My Favourite Game
- Problems listening to the file? See media help.
- Gran Turismo 2 & 4 - While driving the Seattle circuit, which appeared also in GT3, the Kingdome (previous home of the Seattle Mariners) is visible next to their current stadium, Safeco Field. Kingdome was demolished in an implosion on 26th March 2000. According to the official strategy guide, it was added due to nostalgia.
- Gran Turismo 4 - The Nike One 2022 has Morse code on the right hand side of the car. When reversed, this reads www.phil-frank.com, the artist commissioned to design this car for GT4. There is also Morse code clearly visible on the inside of all 4 tyres which is undeciphered at the time of this writing.
- Gran Turismo 4 - After the tunnel and subsequent long straight on Trial Mountain, as you approach the banked left-hand turn, if you look over the wall into the valley, an impossibly tall tree is standing.
- Gran Turismo 4 - Just before the start/finish line on Rally d'Umbria, written on the tarmac is an inscription in poor Italian: "Dio lo benedice - fate il suo guidare il più sicuro e divertirsi" which translated means: "God blesses him; make his driving the most safely and to have fun".
- Gran Turismo 4 - If you drive Apricot Hill in reverse, at the second turn just before you head downhill, grayish smoke is visible over the mountain.
- For all installments of the series, Japanese watch maker Seiko has been credited as the official time keeper of the games' races. However in the credits section of the game manual in GT2, GT3 and GT4 it is stated that "The timing data used in the game is generated by Sony Computer Entertainment using its own method and not by Seiko Corporation".
- "Gran Turismo" was referenced in the The Streets song "The Irony Of It All" taken from the album "Original Pirate Material"
- Gran Turismo 3/4 - Following the first tunnel on Trial Mountain is a tree branch overhanging the road, if you look close enough, you can see a monkey sitting.
- Gran Turismo 4 - The Loch Ness Monster and fishermen are visible over the fence, on Trial Mountain on the final corner before the final chicane.
- Gran Turismo 1 - The starting grid lights never change at the beginning of a race.
- Gran Turismo 1-4 - It doesn't matter what car you drive, the reverse lights never work.
- Gran Turismo 4 - On the course known as the High Speed Ring, if you ignore the main pit entrance, continue around the corner and plough through the cones you can drive up the pit lane as fast as you like. Also note there are only two pit crew instead of the usual 5.
- Gran Turismo 4 - As with previous games in the series, the Japanese intro music 'Moon over the Castle' has been replaced by 'Panama' by Van Halen ('Reason is Treason' by Kasabian for PAL). The opera singing opening remains intact, but contrasts sharply with Panama (Kasabians track for PAL). The original 'Moon over the castle' theme can be heard in full from the music player screen along with a techno remix.
- Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec - In Arcade Mode, when selecting a difficulty, holding down L1 & R1 changes "Hard" to "Professional". Choosing this difficulty results in a 10-lap race with tire wear enabled, against some of the toughest opponents in the game, especially when using an S-Class car. Bear in mind, though, that a win on Professional difficulty is not recorded in Bonus Items.
[edit] See also
- Gran Turismo (video game)
- Gran Turismo 2
- Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
- Gran Turismo 4
- PlayStation
- PlayStation 2
- Sony
- Tourist Trophy
- List of Gran Turismo and Tourist Trophy Courses
[edit] External links
- Gran Turismo World - Official series website
- GTPlanet - Fan site
- GT Vault - Fan site
- Gran Turismo Series Center - Fan site
- Gran Turismo - Official game site
- Gran Turismo 2 - Official game site
- Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec - Official game site
- Gran Turismo 4 - Official game site
