Gran Turismo (video game)

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Gran Turismo
Gran Turismo - Cover - North America.jpg
North American cover art
Developer(s) Polys Entertainment
Cyberhead [1]
Publisher(s) Sony Computer Entertainment
Producer(s) Kazunori Yamauchi
Designer(s) Kazunori Yamauchi
Takeshi Yokouchi
Hirotaka Komiyama
Programmer(s) Seiichi Ikiou
Artist(s) Masaaki Goto
Composer(s) Masahiro Andoh
Isamu Ohira
Series Gran Turismo
Platform(s) PlayStation
Release
Genre(s) Sim racing [4] [5]
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer

Gran Turismo is a sim racing video game designed by Kazunori Yamauchi. Gran Turismo was developed by Polys Entertainment and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 1997 for the PlayStation video game console. The game's development group was later established as Polyphony Digital.

Sim (simulated) racing is the collective term for computer software that attempts to accurately simulate auto racing, complete with real-world variables such as fuel usage, damage, tire wear and grip, and suspension settings. To be competitive in sim racing, a driver must understand all aspects of car handling that make real-world racing so difficult, such as threshold braking, how to maintain control of a car as the tires lose traction, and how properly to enter and exit a turn without sacrificing speed. It is this level of difficulty that distinguishes sim racing from "arcade" driving games where real-world variables are taken out of the equation and the principal objective is to create a sense of speed as opposed to a sense of realism.

Video game electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device such as a TV screen or computer monitor

A video game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a two- or three-dimensional video display device such as a TV screen, virtual reality headset or computer monitor. Since the 1980s, video games have become an increasingly important part of the entertainment industry, and whether they are also a form of art is a matter of dispute.

Kazunori Yamauchi Japanese video game designer

Kazunori Yamauchi is a Japanese game designer and professional racing driver. He is CEO of Polyphony Digital and producer of the Gran Turismo video game series.

Contents

After five years of development time, it was well-received publicly and critically, shipping a total of 10.85 million copies worldwide as of March 2013 [6] (making it the best-selling PlayStation game), and scoring an average of 95% in GameRankings' aggregate, [7] making it the highest rated racing video game of all-time. Many publications have deemed it one of the greatest video games of all time. The game has started a series, and has spawned over 10 spin-offs and sequels.

GameRankings website that collects review scores from both offline and online sources to give an average rating

GameRankings is a website that collects review scores from both offline and online sources to give an average rating. It indexes over 315,000 articles relating to more than 14,500 video games.

<i>Gran Turismo</i> (series) series of racing video games

Gran Turismo, abbreviated GT, is a series of racing simulation video games developed by Polyphony Digital. Developed for PlayStation systems, Gran Turismo games are intended to emulate the appearance and performance of a large selection of vehicles, nearly all of which are licensed reproductions of real-world automobiles. Since the franchise's debut in 1997, over 80 million units have been sold worldwide for the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Portable, making it the highest selling video game franchise under the PlayStation brand.

In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, film, or any narrative work, derived from already existing works that focus on more details and different aspects from the original work.

Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot featuring a Mitsubishi FTO GPX on Trial Mountain Circuit Gran Turismo Screenshot.jpg
Gameplay screenshot featuring a Mitsubishi FTO GPX on Trial Mountain Circuit

Gran Turismo is a racing game. The player must maneuver a car to compete against artificially intelligent drivers on various race tracks. The game uses two different modes: Arcade Mode and Simulation Mode (Gran Turismo Mode in PAL and Japanese versions). In the arcade mode, the player can freely choose the courses and vehicles they wish to use. Winning races unlocks additional cars and courses.

In computer science, artificial intelligence (AI), sometimes called machine intelligence, is intelligence demonstrated by machines, in contrast to the natural intelligence displayed by humans and animals. Colloquially, the term "artificial intelligence" is used to describe machines that mimic "cognitive" functions that humans associate with other human minds, such as "learning" and "problem solving".

Race track Facility built for racing of animals, vehicles, or athletes

A race track is a facility built for racing of vehicles, athletes, or animals. A race track also may feature grandstands or concourses. Racetracks are also used in the study of animal locomotion. Some motorsport tracks are called speedways.

However, simulation mode requires the player to earn different levels of driver's licenses in order to qualify for events, and earn credits (money), trophies and prize cars by winning race championships. Winning one particular championship also unlocks a video and a few additional demonstration tracks. Credits can be used to purchase additional vehicles, and for parts and tuning.

Drivers license license for driver of motorized vehicles

A driver's license is an official document, often plastic and the size of a credit card, permitting a specific individual to operate one or more types of motorized vehicles, such as a motorcycle, car, truck, or bus on a public road.

In sport, a championship is a competition in which the aim is to decide which individual or team is the champion.

Gran Turismo features 140 cars and 11 race tracks (as well as their reversed versions). Two Honda NSX cars from 1992 were included in the Japanese version, but were removed from the North American and European versions. There is also a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette and a 1998 Mazda Roadster exclusive to the Arcade mode.

Chevrolet Corvette (C2) sports car

The Chevrolet Corvette (C2) is the second generation of the Chevrolet Corvette sports car, produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 1963 to 1967 model years.

Mazda MX-5 car model manufactured by Mazda

The Mazda MX-5 is a lightweight two-passenger roadster manufactured and marketed by Mazda with a front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The convertible is marketed as the Mazda MX-5 Miata in North America, where it is widely known as the Miata, and as the Eunos Roadster or Mazda Roadster in Japan.

Development

The game required five years to complete. [8] During an interview with Kazunori Yamauchi, it was revealed that development of Gran Turismo started in the second half of 1992. Yamauchi added that at different times there were only seven to fifteen people assisting him. [9] When asked how difficult it was to create Gran Turismo, Yamauchi remarked: "It took five years. In those five years, we could not see the end. I would wake up at work, go to sleep at work. It was getting cold, so I knew it must be winter. I estimate I was home only four days a year." [8] Sound design was one aspect that Yamauchi believed was compromised due to a lack of time. Although Kazunori considered the game's artificial intelligence to be superior to its competitors, he remained unsatisfied with its development. [10]

When Gran Turismo was released in Japan, Polyphony Digital was still a development group within Sony Computer Entertainment. The studio was established in April 1998, before the Western release of the game. [11] Yamauchi estimated that Gran Turismo utilised around 75% of the PlayStation's maximum performance. [12]

Music

The opening song for the North American and PAL versions is a Chemical Brothers remix of the Manic Street Preachers song "Everything Must Go". The opening song for the Japanese version is "Moon Over the Castle", composed by Masahiro Andoh. The game itself had a selection of licensed songs, including "Lose Control" by Ash; "Chicken on a Bone" (reworked instrumental), "Shade" (instrumental), "Tangerine" (instrumental), and "Sweet 16" by Feeder (PAL version); "As Heaven is Wide" by Garbage; and "Oxyacetalene", "Skeletal", "Autonomy", and "Industry" by Cubanate (North American and PAL versions). The Japanese version, however, used a completely original score. Aside from "Moon Over the Castle", other songs were remixed for Gran Turismo 2 and Gran Turismo 4 .

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic 96/100 [13]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGame Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [14]
CVG 9/10 [15]
Edge 10/10 [16]
EGM 9.33/10 [17]
Game Revolution A [18]
GamePro Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [19]
GameSpot 8.6/10 [20]
IGN 9.5/10 [21]
Next Generation Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [22]
OPM (US) Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [23]
Entertainment Weekly A− [24]
Awards
PublicationAward
Spotlight Awards 1999Best simulation
Official UK PlayStation Magazine Perfect 10
Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Racing Game of the Year
MobyGames Game of the Year

Gran Turismo received "critical acclaim", according to review aggregator Metacritic. [13]

Next Generation reviewed the PlayStation version of the game, rating it five stars out of five, and stated that "as it stands in the Japanese version, everything about Gran Turismo is a class act, and it raises the bar for racing games on almost every possible level. Our highest possible recommendation." [22]

Gran Turismo won the best simulation of 1999 at the Spotlight Awards, [25] won "Best Driving Game" and "Best Graphics" of 1999 according to the staff of PlayStation Official Magazine , [26] and was voted the sixth best game of all time by the magazine's readers in the same issue. [26] In 2000, readers of Computer and Video Games voted it the eighth best video game of all time. [27] Game Informer ranked it the 21st best video game ever made in 2001. The staff felt that the racing genre had not offered as "complete [a] package" as Gran Turismo. [28] In 2017, Gran Turismo was declared the best driving game ever by Top Gear. [29]

Gran Turismo was a commercial hit. [2] [3] It received a "Gold" award from the Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland (VUD) in August 1998, [30] for sales of at least 100,000 units across Germany, Austria and Switzerland. [31] It sold 270,000 units in the German market from January through September 1998, which made it the region's best-selling console game of the period across all systems. [32] The VUD raised it to "Platinum" status, indicating 200,000 sales, by November. [33] At the 1999 Milia festival in Cannes, it took home a "Platinum" prize for revenues above €66 million in the European Union during 1998. This made it Europe's second-highest-grossing game of the year, behind Tomb Raider III . [34] It was also a high seller in Australia, selling over 100,000 units in the first two months and with sales exceeding 130,000 as of October 1998. [35]

As of April 2008, the game has shipped 2.55 million copies in Japan, 10,000 in Southeast Asia, 4.3 million in Europe, and 3.99 million in North America for a total of 10.85 million copies, in which to this day, remains the best selling video game for the PlayStation and the third highest-selling game in the Gran Turismo franchise, behind Gran Turismo 4 and Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec respectively. [2] [3]

Related Research Articles

<i>Gran Turismo 4</i> 2004 video game

Gran Turismo 4 is a 2004 racing video game, and the fourth installment in the main Gran Turismo series and the sixth for the overall series. The game was the last gran turismo game to be released for the Sony PlayStation 2. It was developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Computer Entertainment and was released on December 28, 2004 in Japan and Hong Kong (NTSC-J), February 22, 2005 in North America (NTSC-U/C), and March 9, 2005 in Europe (PAL), and has since been re-issued under Sony's 'Greatest Hits' line. Gran Turismo 4 is one of only four titles for the PlayStation 2 that is capable of 1080i output, for another release being Tourist Trophy which was also developed by Polyphony, and based heavily on the physics engine of GT4.

Polyphony Digital internal video game development studio of Sony Computer Entertainment

Polyphony Digital is an internal Japanese first-party video game development studio of Sony Interactive Entertainment, part of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios, which in turn is owned by multinational conglomerate Sony. Originally a development group within Sony Computer Entertainment known as Polys Entertainment, after the success of Gran Turismo in Japan, they were granted greater autonomy and their name changed to Polyphony Digital. Polyphony currently has 5 studios in Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States.

<i>Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec</i> 2001 video game

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec is a 2001 racing game, the first in the Gran Turismo series released for the PlayStation 2. During its demonstration at E3 2000 and E3 2001 the game's working title was Gran Turismo 2000. The game was a critical and commercial success and went on to become one of the best-selling video games of all time. Its aggregate score of 94.54% on GameRankings makes it the second-highest rated racing video game of all time. It has been listed as one of the greatest video games of all time.

<i>Gran Turismo 2</i> 1999 video game

Gran Turismo 2 is a racing game for the Sony PlayStation. Gran Turismo 2 was developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 1999. It is the sequel to Gran Turismo. It was well-received publicly and critically, shipping 1.71 million copies in Japan, 20,000 in Southeast Asia, 3.96 million in North America, and 3.68 million in Europe for a total of 9.37 million copies as of April 30, 2008, and eventually becoming a Sony Greatest Hits game. The title received an average of 93% in Metacritic's aggregate.

<i>Need for Speed: High Stakes</i> video game

Need for Speed: High Stakes, known as Need for Speed: Road Challenge in Europe and South America is a 1999 racing game released by EA for the PlayStation and Microsoft Windows.

<i>Formula 1 98</i> video game

Formula 1 98 is a racing video game and the sequel to the 1997 video game Formula 1 97. The game was first released in Europe on 30 October 1998 for the Sony PlayStation, and was developed by Psygnosis which held the official Formula 1 game licence at the time.

GTPlanet

GTPlanet is an online community dedicated to the Gran Turismo racing game series. GTPlanet was originally created as an MSN group in 2000 by Jordan Greer. It became a fully functioning website in January 2001 and has undergone several functional and visual changes since then. The site currently has over 240,000 registered members, features over 10 million posts and 290,000+ threads so far. As of November 2007, GTPlanet owner Jordan Greer acquired the address GTPlanet.com. While the site remains at the .net address, typing .com will redirect to GTPlanet.net. The .com address previously belonged to the now defunct Gifts and Toys Planet.

<i>Tourist Trophy</i> (video game) video game

Tourist Trophy: The Real Riding Simulator is a 2006 motorcycle racing game. It was designed by Polyphony Digital, the same team that makes the popular Gran Turismo auto racing series. It was largely created off of Gran Turismo 4's game engine. Tourist Trophy is one of only four titles for the PlayStation 2 that is capable of 1080i output, another being Gran Turismo 4, the physics engine of which is heavily used in Tourist Trophy.

<i>Gran Turismo HD Concept</i> 2006 video game

Gran Turismo HD Concept is the first installment of the Gran Turismo racing series to be released on the PlayStation 3. It was made available as a free download which was released on the PlayStation Store on December 24, 2006. A Blu-ray Disc version, called "Install Disc", was released in Japan in limited quantities in September 2007. This game is intended to be a sneak preview, in the likes of Gran Turismo Concept, preceding the release of a full version title, but the Gran Turismo HD project was canceled and replaced by Gran Turismo 5 Prologue.

<i>Motor Toon Grand Prix 2</i> 1996 racing video game

Motor Toon Grand Prix 2 is a racing video game released in 1996. It was developed by a development group within SCE that later formed Polyphony Digital. It was released in the US as Motor Toon Grand Prix, since its predecessor never left Japan, although the European version kept the Japanese title for unknown reasons. In 2002, the game was re-released in Europe in a Twin Pack with Gran Turismo, Kazunori Yamauchi's following game. In 2010, the game was re-released on PlayStation Network.

<i>Motor Toon Grand Prix</i> 1994 racing video game

Motor Toon Grand Prix (モータートゥーン・グランプリ) is a racing video game developed by Poly's and published by Sony Computer Entertainment of Japan (SCEJ). It was released for the PlayStation in Japan on December 16, 1994. The game and its sequel were directed by Kazunori Yamauchi, and are notable as precursors to his subsequent racing series Gran Turismo.

<i>Gran Turismo</i> (2009 video game) 2009 video game (PSP)

Gran Turismo is a 2009 PlayStation Portable (PSP) game developed by Polyphony Digital. The game was announced at the E3 Sony press conference on May 11, 2004, alongside the original PSP. Following five years of delays and speculation, during which it was variously known as Gran Turismo 4 Mobile, Gran Turismo Mobile, Gran Turismo 5 Portable and Gran Turismo Portable, it made a reappearance at E3 on June 2, 2009 in playable form. It was released on October 1, 2009 as one of the launch titles for the new PSP Go. As of September 2017, Gran Turismo has sold 4.67 million units, making it one of the best-selling PSP games. On June 1, 2010, the game was re-released as part of Sony's Greatest Hits budget line of video games.

<i>Gran Turismo 5</i> 2010 video game

Gran Turismo 5 is a racing video game developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was released for PlayStation 3 on November 24, 2010 and is the tenth game overall in the Gran Turismo video game series. It expanded on the game's Prologue version and is the first entry of the series to be developed for PlayStation 3. As of 2013, it was one of the best-selling PS3 games and the best selling PS3 exclusive with over 10 million copies sold.

<i>Gran Turismo 5 Prologue</i> 2007 video game

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is a racing video game developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is the sample version of Gran Turismo 5, following Gran Turismo HD Concept. The "Prologue" suffix is a self-reference to Gran Turismo 4 Prologue, which was released one year before the full version of Gran Turismo 4.

GT by Citroën

The GT by Citroën is a sports car that debuted as a concept car on October 2 at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The car is a collaboration between the French automaker Citroën and the Japanese racing simulation developer Polyphony Digital. Six cars are expected to be built. The expected MSRP is $2,100,000.

Red Bull X2010

The Red Bull X2010 is a fictional prototype vehicle featured in the PlayStation 3 video game Gran Turismo 5. It reappeared in Gran Turismo 6. The Red Bull X2010 appeared on the Goodwood Festival of Speed and in Madrid. The digital creation was a response to Kazunori Yamauchi's question: "If you built the fastest racing car on land, one that throws aside all rules and regulations, what would that car look like, how would it perform, and how would it feel to drive?" The Prototype was designed by Red Bull Racing Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey in conjunction with Yamauchi. It features enclosed wheels, and a "fan element" to increase low and medium-speed downforce.

<i>Gran Turismo 6</i> 2013 video game

Gran Turismo 6 is a racing video game developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3 video game console. It is the sixth major release and twelfth game overall in the Gran Turismo video game series. It was released worldwide on December 6, 2013, and was popular with critics, won awards, and topped charts in countries around the world. New features included the addition of more cars and tracks, improvements to the car customisation options, and partnerships with the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Ayrton Senna Institute, the FIA and NASA. Gran Turismo 6 is the first-ever video game to have officially certified FIA content.

<i>Gran Turismo Sport</i> racing video game developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment

Gran Turismo Sport is a racing video game developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for the PlayStation 4 as the 13th game in the Gran Turismo series, seventh in the main series and the first game in the series to be released for the PlayStation 4. Gran Turismo Sport was released worldwide in 2017, receiving generally favorable reviews from critics.

References

  1. ↑ "Corporate profile". Cyberhead. Archived from the original on 2001-10-24. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 ""Gran Turismo" Series Software Title List". Polyphony Digital. June 2008. Archived from the original on 2007-02-06. Retrieved 2008-12-03.
  3. 1 2 3 "Gran Turismo Series Shipment Exceeds 50 Million Units Worldwide" (Press release). Sony Interactive Entertainment. 2008-05-09. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  4. ↑ "The Top 10 Most Influential Racing Games Ever". 3 April 2015.
  5. ↑ The Greatest Games of All Time: Gran Turismo, GameSpot
  6. ↑ "Gran Turismo Series Software Title List". polyphony.co.jp. 2013. Archived from the original on 2007-02-06. Retrieved 2013-01-30.
  7. ↑ "Reviews and News Articles - GameRankings". www.gamerankings.com.
  8. 1 2 Vaughn, Mark (June 3, 2009). "Six questions for the creator of Gran Turismo". AutoWeek Magazine. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  9. ↑ Takahashi, Dean (2010-01-14). "Gran Turismo's creator takes a fifth stab at a perfect racing game". GamesBeat. Retrieved 2011-01-27.
  10. ↑ "Prescreen: Gran Turismo 2". Edge. Future Publishing (68): 48–49. February 1999.
  11. ↑ "Corporate Profile". polyphony.co.jp. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  12. ↑ "Prescreen: Gran Turismo 2". Edge. Future Publishing (68): 46. February 1999.
  13. 1 2 "Gran Turismo for PlayStation Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  14. ↑ Broesder, Chris. "Gran Turismo - Review". AllGame. Archived from the original on 2014-11-14. Retrieved 2014-11-22.
  15. ↑ Alex C (1998). "PlayStation Review: Gran Turismo". Computer and Video Games . Archived from the original on 2007-06-10. Retrieved 2014-03-11.
  16. ↑ Edge Staff (February 1998). "Gran Turismo review". Edge (55). Archived from the original on 2014-02-21. Retrieved 2015-03-08.
  17. ↑ "Gran Turismo". Electronic Gaming Monthly (175): 188. January 2004.
  18. ↑ Baldric (May 1998). "Gran Turismo Review (PS)". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2014-03-11.
  19. ↑ Air Hendrix (1998). "Gran Turismo Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com". GamePro . Archived from the original on 2005-02-12. Retrieved 2014-03-11.
  20. ↑ Broady, Vincent (1998-01-15). "Gran Turismo Review". GameSpot . Retrieved 2013-11-06.
  21. ↑ Boor, Jay (1998-08-23). "Gran Turismo". IGN . Retrieved 2013-11-06.
  22. 1 2 "Finals". Next Generation . No. 40. Imagine Media. April 1998. p. 97.
  23. ↑ "Gran Turismo". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine . 1998.
  24. ↑ Walk, Gary Eng (1998-06-19). "Gran Turismo". Entertainment Weekly (437). Retrieved 2014-03-11.
  25. ↑ "Game Developers Choice Awards". Gamechoiceawards.com. Retrieved 2013-11-06.
  26. 1 2 Official UK PlayStation Magazine issue 50, page 38, Future Publishing, October 1999.
  27. ↑ Computer and Video Games issue 218.
  28. ↑ Cork, Jeff (2009-11-16). "Game Informer's Top 100 Games of All Time (Circa Issue 100)". Game Informer . Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  29. ↑ "The top 50 best ever driving games: 10-1". Top Gear. 23 December 2016.
  30. ↑ "Uhr TCM Hannover – ein glänzender Event auf der CebitHome" (Press release) (in German). Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland. August 26, 1998. Archived from the original on July 13, 2000.
  31. ↑ Horn, Andre (January 14, 2004). "VUD-Gold-Awards 2003". GamePro Germany (in German). Archived from the original on July 18, 2018.
  32. ↑ Müller, Eva; Canibol, Hans-Peter (November 23, 1998). "Die Spaßmaschine". Focus (in German). Archived from the original on December 6, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Neues aus der Verbandsgeschäftstelle" (Press release) (in German). Paderborn: Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland. November 27, 1998. Archived from the original on June 10, 2000.
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  35. ↑ "10 million PAL PlayStations". Official PlayStation Magazine (Australia) (15): 14. October 1998.
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