Gaming Target - News: Gran Turismo 4 E3 Fact Sheet

Written by John Scalzo on May 13, 2004

News: Everything you need to know about the latest entry in the most realistic racing series ever.

Gran Turismo 4 is shaping up to be the most realistic racing game ever created. Which is the same thing that was said about Gran Turismo 3... and Gran Turismo 2... and Gran Turismo. Gran Turismo 4 will go a step further by finally bringing the series online and adding a very interesting Photo Mode that is sure to create a community of people who will work on creating the craziest in-game photos. The details from Sony:

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Developer: Polyphony Digital, Inc.
Genre: Racing
Players: 1-6 players
Platform: PlayStation2 computer entertainment system
Peripherals: Network Adaptor (Ethernet/modem) (for PlayStation 2), DUALSHOCK2 analog controller, Memory Card (8MB) (for PlayStation 2), Logitech Driving Force Pro
Launch Date: November 2004
Target Age: 8+
Rating: "RP' for Rating Pending

OVERVIEW
Automotive racing is much more than a sport, it's a lifestyle. This November, the lifestyle comes to PlayStation 2 as the greatest automotive racing simulation returns in Gran Turismo4. As the fourth installment of the worldwide blockbuster-selling Gran Turismo series, Gran Turismo 4 is available exclusively for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. Developed by Polyphony Digital Inc., the latest version of Gran Turismo 4 further demonstrates its mission to provide the most authentic driving simulation available in the marketplace. New features will extend above and beyond just pure automotive racing, providing a unique destination for automotive and PlayStation 2 enthusiasts to enjoy car culture in every dimension Ц extending that goal will be highlighted through the new "GT Photo Mode," and the highly anticipated "GT Online Mode." In addition, enhanced popular features will return with "GT Career Simulation Mode" and "GT Arcade Mode."

Following in the footsteps of the PlayStation 2 "Greatest Hit," Gran Turismo 3 A-spec, and a racing franchise that has sold more than 35 million units worldwide, Gran Turismo 4 features authentic racing gameplay that focuses on more cars, courses, race modes and online gameplay via the Network Adaptor (Ethernet/modem) (for PlayStation 2). With an all-new physics engine and an all-new artificial intelligence engine, combined with revolutionary technology, Gran Turismo 4 delivers enhanced, if not perfected, game physics, graphics, and feel, acting as a near-realistic automotive driving simulator.

In Gran Turismo 4, the characteristics of the cars are realistically designed and calculated so that they handle to the "real life" physics of that particular vehicle, taking into account weight, speed, friction, wind, and more. Courses include various sites such as Nurburgring Nordschleife, New York City, the Grand Canyon, Tsukuba Circuit, and more. Highly detailed vehicles and environment mapping create broadcast-quality graphics, with light and competitor car reflections on the player's automobile to leaves on a tree shaking in the wind.

FRANCHISE STATISTICS

North American sales Ц Gran Turismo (May 1998 release): more than 3.9 million; Gran Turismo2 (December 1999 release): more than 3.8 million; Gran Turismo 3 A-spec (July 2001 release): more than 6 million (Includes GT3 Racing Pack)

Worldwide sales Ц Gran Turismo: more than 10.8 million; Gran Turismo 2: more than 9 million; Gran Turismo 3 A-spec: more than 12.9 million (Includes GT3 Racing Pack)

KEY FEATURES

New physics engine adding a higher level of realism in cars, which allows for cars to be handled easier.

More than 5,000 polygons per vehicle capture exceptional detail, right down to the disc brakes behind the wheel.

Up to 100 courses including Nurburgring, New York City, the Grand Canyon, Tsukuba Circuit, Fuji Speedway, Citta di Aria, Hong Kong, Costa di Amalfi and others. Includes courses that can be played in reverse mode.

More than 500 vehicles encompassing manufacturers from around the world with a range from vintage to modern models seen today.

All vehicles are fully customizable from racing tires to gear ratio.

Race opponents posses advanced artificial intelligence, which allows for behavior that captures human-like emotion.

Refined replay mode with broadcast-quality graphics.

Compatible with the Logitech Driving Force Pro Wheel Ц To further enhance the automotive racing experience, in lieu of the DUALSHOCK 2 analog controller, the Logitech Driving Force Pro can be used for the entire game. Available in black with brushed aluminum accents, the Gran Turismo branded GT Force Wheel provides a shifter for manual transmissions, 900 degrees of steering rotation and force-feedback. For more information, please visit www.logitech.com.

Four race modes including:
- GT Career 'Simulation' Mode Ц Via the GT Universe, players start from the bottom and race to earn money, unlock cars and courses, buy and sell cars and upgrade parts while competing in more than 200 various championship races.
- GT Online Mode Ц Mode in final product features head-to-head racing for up to six players per race. Chat functionality and in-depth menu screens for the ability to build communities to interact about automotive topics.
- GT Arcade Mode - Players compete against each other or the artificial intelligence with select cars on select courses. More cars and course are available in the GT Arcade Mode when they are unlocked in the GT Career Simulation Mode.
- GT Photo Mode Ц Players can travel around the globe with their car(s) and conduct photo sessions in various popular locations that include Piazza San Marco, Shibuya, Tsumago, Sagano and more. Once the photo is taken in the game, the player can save it to their memory card (8MB) (for PlayStation 2) and have the option to share with friends or print out a color copy via a USB printer.