Gran Turismo SPORT - The Next Long Wait Officially Begins


When Gran Turismo 6 came out on PS3 in December 2013, some people wondered why it wasn't on the PS4 that was released a couple of weeks before. Well, in the end it was basically a GT5-and-a-half that meant they kept to their traditional two titles per console. Yet, two years later, the new console is still without an edition of PlayStation's most successful franchise of all, despite it apparently being a much easier console to work with. Seeing as Sony has stingily omitted backwards compatibility, anyone whose PS3 has bitten the dust (like mine!) or been sold on is now without Gran Turismo in their lives...

...but look! A new thing!

The video shows new-to-series cars like the 2015 Mazda MX-5 (ND), AMG GT S, Aston Martin Vantage GT3, Alfa Romeo 4C, 2015 Audi R8 LMS/GT3 and Lamborghini Veneno. However, that's not the most interesting aspect of it.


Here's a little blurb from the official site:

"That Gran Turismo SPORT will feature highly evolved graphics and sound quality, not to mention a totally revamped physics engine, should come as no surprise. The true beauty of Gran Turismo SPORT goes much deeper, as it will forever change the way driving games are seen. It will redefine the very definition of “gaming” and “motorsports.”"

But what does it all mean? Well, details are scarce at this early stage, but we've been categorically told that GT SPORT is not Gran Turismo 7. However, it's more than just a Prologue title too. Gran Turismo SPORT will be the platform for the new FIA Gran Turismo Championships. Players can take part in the Nations Cup to represent their home country or the Manufacturers Cup if they want to race for a particular brand. The game will also utilise the new PS4 "broadcast" feature, meaning that players can also spectate live from their own console through Sony Entertainment Network if they don't fancy racing. There will also be introductory challenges for new/young/bad players.

But here's the kicker!

"And best of all, the winner of each championship will be coroneted in the same way as a real-life race winner, at a prize-giving ceremony held by the FIA. This will mark a historic moment in video gaming as Gran Turismo will officially be recognized as a motorsport." [emphasis mine]

So, what, this is like GT Academy in reverse?

I'm not someone who considers professional gaming as a true sport, but it looks like this phenomenon has now reached Gran Turismo, with real-life prize money and recognition as a motorsports participant in the same way as proper racing drivers. Personally I'd still prefer GT Academy, but it's still an opportunity to change your life through The Real Driving Simulator, which is something special and a sign of how far racing sims have come in itself.

Beta testing will start in "early 2016" and we can expect more info before then. Until then... YAY NEW GRAN TURISMO HYPE!!!!!!!

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