Gran Turismo 5
Gran Turismo 5 (commonly abbreviated as GT5) is the fifth edition of the Gran Turismo racing video game series, and is scheduled for release in March 2010. The game is currently under development by Polyphony Digital and is to be published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3. Its expected date of release is 31 March 2010 and will be released on the Blu-ray disc media. The game is designed by Kazunori Yamauchi and supports 1080i, 1080p, 16:9 aspect ratio, 480p and Dolby Digital sound. The game expands on the Prologue version (a new in-cockpit view provides a unique perspective for racers and features a customized dashboard for each of the cars in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue) and is the first of the main numbered series to feature on the PlayStation 3. The game features an online mode with support for up to 16 drivers racing simultaneously. GT5 will also include visual damage modeling, dynamic weather changes and night/day racing; as well as WRC and NASCAR franchise. The game was first revealed at E3 2006 and is being worked on by 150 people for three years, with all of Polyphony Digital’s 120 employees working on GT5. Gran Turismo 5 is said to feature over 950 cars by Manufacturers (Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, and United States.) and 20 track locations, with variations bringing the number of unique circuits to 70. The Top Gear Test Track, Dunsfold Park located in the UK, popularized by the British automotive television show Top Gear, will be included in the game. The Lamborghini and Bugatti make their first appearance in the game, following on from their introduction in Gran Turismo PSP, and it has been confirmed the new “gullwing” Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG will appear. The game will also features electric cars including the latest Tesla Motors vehicle. The latest Hybrid and electric cars will also be included. The game will also feature head tracking using the PlayStation Eye allowing the player to move their head around the 3D cockpit instead of using buttons. At the Tokyo Game Show held beginning September 24, Kazunori Yamauchi, creator and producer of the Gran Turismo franchise, summarizes the following features on the soon-to-be released Gran Turismo 5: over 950 cars (including vehicles from Ferrari, Lotus, Nissan and Mitsubishi) on over 20 locations (including the Eiger Nordwand, the London City Track and Suzuka – then race them in reverse and with alternative routes) and 70 variations; new physics such as overturning of cars, damage, movable objects on the course and newest Hybrid cars and electric cars; Single Player and Split Screen 2 Player modes; GT Mode with World Map, My Garage, Car Dealer, Tuning Shop, Championship Race and License Test; Online gaming with Open Lobby, Text / Voice Chat, Private Room, Online Photo Album, Online Replay Album and export of replays to YouTube; Photo Mode (Photo Drive and Photo Stage); improved UI, export of video to the PSP and progressive downloading.
Reviews
“Gran Turismo 5 takes the series to a whole new level. A first for the franchise, The game supports online racing and features over 950 cars, over 20 courses, 70 variations, the newest hybrid cars and electric cars, a new physics engine, a new in-cockpit view, HD support, and much more” – (IGN, 2009)
