Kotaku: gt5: prologue

Gran Turismo Academy Kicks Off

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 28 May 2008 01:30:00 MDT

North America, Japan, this doesn't apply to you. But Europe? Pay attention. Sony have provided the first real details on their Gran Turismo/Nissan academy program. Which, to recap, is a GT5: Prologue competition, where the fastest online racers are not only given the chance to race a real 350Z around the Eiger Nordwand, but the fastest drivers from that are given a shot at racing in a 24-hour race in Dubai next year. For real. The competition will kick off on June 2, and will run for seven weeks. So long as you register your PSN ID and can log a time during those seven weeks, you'll be in with a shot.

Nissan GT Academy

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Ready For Download Tonight

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:20:00 MDT

I didn't really warm to GT5 Prologue. Too sterile, too slow, too broken. But hey, what the hell do I know. You might love the series so much you're willing to overlook these flaws and go ahead and drop $40 on it. If that sounds like you, know that the downloadable, PSN version of the game is due to appear for download at midnight tonight if you reside on America's east coast, or 9pm if you live along the fringes of the great Pacific Ocean.

GT5 Prologue To Be Updated After Launch

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 01:00:00 MDT

When Gran Turismo 5 Prologue launches, it won't let you create private races for just you and your buddies. Nor will it let you indulge in a spot of in-game voice chat. But don't despair, because that stuff's coming later, with these two features (and, most likely, more) to be added to the game in future updates. Certainly sets a new benchmark for those who think games these days are shipping unfinished, but then adding features late is better than never adding them at all. I guess.
Ferrari F2007: GT5 Prologue's "God Mode" [PlayStation.Blog]

GT5 Prologue Goes Platinum In Europe

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:20:00 MDT

Europe don't love Gran Turismo. They love Gran Turismo. Anyone in need of a reminder of this, here's your reminder: SCEE reckon the game's on the cusp of one million preorders, which with the game still a few weeks away will surely make it the first PS3 game to go platinum before it's even been released. Imagine how many copies the actual game's going to sell...
GT5 Prologue pre-orders nearing 1 million in Europe [GamesIndustry]

GT5 Prologue & Bundle Priced, Dated For Europe

Luke Plunkett — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:45:00 MDT

SCEE have announced a pair of release dates and a price for Gran Turismo 5: Prologue's European launch. The Blu-Ray version of the game will hit stores on March 28, while the downloadable version will arrive a day earlier as part of the week's PSN update. Those worried there will be discrepancies between the version's needn't, as the only difference is one comes in a box and one doesn't. The game will retail for ₤25/€40, and is joined by the GT5 PS3 bundle (₤300/€400) we mentioned the other week, which will also be appearing on March 28. Presser follows if you're at all interested.

Tuesday March 11, 2008 - Attention all driving fans!! One of the games industry's most legendary titles is about to make its PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) debut! That's right - the real driving simulator that's already sold almost 50 million units is back. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Polyphony Digital are pleased to announce Gran Turismo 5 Prologue™, a prequel title showcasing the forthcoming Gran Turismo™ 5 for PS3, will be available both on Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) on Wednesday 26 March for €39.99 (RRP), and as a download from PLAYSTATION®Network on Thursday 27 March. Launching on the same day as the standalone BD version, a PS3 bundle will be available including a PS3 40GB model, a SIXAXIS™ wireless controller and a Gran Turismo 5 Prologue game, all for just €399 (RRP).
Gran Turismo on PlayStation® is one of the most successful global gaming franchises of the last decade - renowned for its realism, quality of design and in-car physics technology. Now, with the power of PS3 behind it, it's going to be unstoppable. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue features 71 stunning cars - including vehicles by Lotus, Aston Martin, Subaru and, making another striking appearance, Ferrari - for you to race on six seriously realistic tracks: the Eiger Nordwand; the Daytona International Speedway; the London City Track; the Fuji Speedway, Suzuka and the High Speed Ring - all drivable in two layouts and all rendered in incredible High Definition graphics. There's also all-new driving physics for the most lifelike driving experience ever and new, improved, opponent artificial intelligence for the toughest race challenge yet.

But that's not all - for the first time in the history of Gran Turismo, you'll be able to race online. Thanks to PLAYSTATION Network, up to 16 players will be able to go head-to-head on some of the world's best racetracks - all you need to get racing is a broadband connection and a PS3. Once you're up and revving, Global Online Rankings will leave the world in no doubt as to just who is the best at Gran Turismo.

And then there's Gran Turismo™ TV - a dedicated online channel available exclusively from PLAYSTATION Network and packed with some of the greatest content that motorsport has to offer.

And, when you're done watching live coverage, you can take a more sedate browse through the Gran Turismo museum, where you'll find virtual exhibits on the history of many of the world-class car marques that have starred in Gran Turismo.

Key Features:

* The first ever Gran Turismo title with online racing: drive online against up to 16 other Gran Turismo aces
* Race a total of 71 stunning, high-performance cars
* Race the Eiger Nordwand, the Daytona International Speedway, the London City Track , the Fuji Speedway, Suzuka and the High Speed Ring - and then race them in alternative layouts
* All-new physics engine means true next-generation vehicle handling
* All-new and improved opponent AI opponents for a nail-biting race experience
* Access to Gran Turismo TV : a world of great motoring TV programming online
* In-game museum featuring the history and heritage of the top car manufacturers
* My Garage - a personalised homepage feature with calendar, clock and map & weather of major race circuits worldwide
* Quick Tune facility allows you to adjust power, tyres, suspension and more
* All in stunning High Definition at 1080p

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Additional Features for Europe:

* Drift Mode - The player's drifting technique is measured based on drift angles, racing lines, and speeds within evaluation zones located at various turns on the course.
* In Depth Car Tuning - Players have the ability to adjust the vehicle's performance, including power, tyres, suspension and the ability for quick tuning whilst racing.
* Two-player Split Screen Racing - Allows players to race head-to-head offline.
* New Race Events - Online racing fans can join in on a new set of scheduled events and time trials.

The complete Gran Turismo 5 launches in 2009. Until then, there's enough ultra-realistic, high-speed racing in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue on PS3 and it's out now! To find out more, visit www.granturismoworld.com.

Logitech's New Gran Turismo Wheel Is Terribly Official

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 04:30:00 MST

Racing nutcases will probably already own the "true" Gran Turismo wheel, Logitech's ludicrously expensive G25. If that's a little pricey for you, though, or if you'd prefer your GT racing wheel to be officially official, then that's OK. Try this: the Logitech Driving Force GT Wheel. Unveiled today (it's due in both the US and Europe in May), and designed in conjunction with GT creators Polyphony Digital, it's over $100 cheaper than the G25 at USD$150, and includes bells and whistles like an adjustment dial, which will let you adjust things like traction control from your wheel instead of the in-game menu. You'll also be pleased to hear that, yes, unlike Microsoft's wheel this baby allows for full 900-degree rotation and - vitally - includes a Gran Turismo-badged horn, for when ramming your rivals is just a little too unsporting.