Gran Turismo 6 announced for PS3 with a 2013 release date

Written by Brandon Hofer on May 16, 2013

GT6 PS3 News: GT6 will be staying on current-generation PS3 console instead of launching with next-generation PS4 system, confirmed Sony today.

Gran Turismo 6 is coming to the PS3 later this year, Sony confirmed today, and the company made it clear that the racing game will indeed stay on the current-generation PS3 console.

The GT6 announcement was made by Gran Turismo franchise creator Kazunori Yamauchi at an event to celebrate 15 years of the series and the 70 million copies that it has sold thus far.

GT6 will bring new levels of authenticity to “the Real Driving Simulator” as well as introducing stunning new tracks and cars and a revised user interface. A new compact game engine will improve operation and increase the flexibility to expand it with downloadable content. Meanwhile, the game is also set for expanded connectivity with other devices such as smart phones and tablets and increased social and community functions.

All of the cars and tracks from GT5, which has sold over 10 million copies since launching in 2010, will be retained in GT6. Additionally, notable new additions to the impressive line-up of historic cars, road cars and and the latest race cars, brings the total car list to 1,200 at launch, with new cars set to be continually added online.

The UK’s famous Silverstone Circuit will be just one of seven new locations in Gran Turismo 6, taking the total to 33, with 71 different layouts available, 19 of them brand new. There will also be regular additions of new tracks set to be made available online. The improved course maker function will provide gorgeous scenery spanning several tens of square kilometers including the magnificent backdrop of Andalucia.

The theme of Gran Turismo’s collaborations with partner companies will increase with the inception of GT6. A number of exciting new projects that blur the line between the virtual and real will be announced in the run up to the game’s launch. Not least of these is GT Academy, a collaboration with Nissan to unearth real racing driver talent that first ran in 2008. It was announced during the event that the competition returns for its biggest ever year in 2013, with the entry mechanic set to take place on an exclusive GT6 demo in July.

“It is amazing to think that it is 15 years since we first released Gran Turismo,” explained Kazunori Yamauchi, during the announcement at Silverstone Circuit. “Things have changed a lot since then and now Gran Turismo 6 is a further evolution of my dream.

“We’re pleased to deliver GT6 to PlayStation 3 as we have a very loyal community on that platform. However, we have refactored the game to make it very flexible and expandable, with a view to making many future developments. I am very pleased with everything about the new game and the new additions, but the launch will be only the beginning for GT6. The game will continue to develop throughout its life. I already have many ideas for things I want to achieve in the next 15 years of Gran Turismo!”

What do you think about this GT6 announcement? Do you think it is a mistake to have GT6 on the PS3 instead of a PS4 launch game?