Sony to release free download of Gran Turismo HD Concept

[Havok83]

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/751/751831p1.html

Gran Turismo Demo Details
Find out what's in Sony's big Christmas gift.
by IGN Staff

December 20, 2006 - Sony is delivering the ultimate Christmas gift to Japan this year: a free demo of Gran Turismo 5, set for download starting December 24 exclusively via the PlayStation Store. Thanks to Famitsu, we were able to relive our childhoods and get a sneak peak at the gift in advance.

According to the latest issue of the magazine, the demo, titled Gran Turismo HD Concept, will ship with one course and ten cars. The course is the all new Eiger Nordwand, and you'll be able to race it normal and reverse.

The car list has mostly Japanese vehicles, but there are some high profile foreign models in the bunch. Here's the full list:

Suzuki Cappuccino '95
Mazda Eunos Roadster '89
Honda Integra Type R'04
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR'96
Infinity G35 Coupe
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR'05
Lotus Elise 111R'04
Nissan Sky Liner GT-R V Spec II '94
Toyota Celica GT-FOUR Rally Car '95
Ferrari 599'06

You start the demo off exclusively with the Cappuccino, but by clearing the time attack mode in a pre-set time, you'll be able to unlock the next car. Eventually, you'll unlock a drift trial mode.

The magazine also scored an interview with Kazunori Yamauchi. The Gran Turismo series producer talked about how the demo came about, and what we can expect in the coming year from his hard working team at Polyphony Digital.

Asked to explain why Sony decided to skip out on a retail release for Gran Turismo HD, and instead focus on GT5, Yamauchi admitted that following the Tokyo Game Show, gamers expressed their desire for the full game. He made specific mention of overseas gamers, which means that if you complained on a message board, your voice might have been heard.

Yamauchi spoke vaguely on the relationship between GT5 and GTHD. While not getting into specifics, he stated that his team wants to put both GTHD Premium and GTHD Classic into the new title. Asked if Sony intends on carrying out its ambitious plans for downloadable content, Yamauchi stated that there has yet to be a decision on whether or not to carry the business model over.

On the topic of the GTHD Concept demo itself, Yamauchi revealed that the Christmas Eve download will include Polyphony's next generation driving simulation engine. According to the producer, this engine fixes such areas as drift control and drift angle. As previously announced, the demo won't have online races, but it will offer network rankings separated according to the various cars. Replays from the top ranked players will be available for download, so you can see how the best of the best race.

More downloadable content will become available before GT5's full release. Yamauchi promised a photo mode of some form to become available for download. He wouldn't give a specific time frame.

Yamauchi also promised an official announcement for Gran Turismo 5 before the next Tokyo Motor Show, scheduled for October 27, 2007. We plan on getting close and personal with the GTHD Concept demo until then.

And confirmation of North American release: Link

 

[Mentok]

Its nioce that it turned out to be free. You will have to wait and see what the deal is with microtransactions for this game.

It l ooks alright, A HD version of a part of GT3.

Its just a pity that the physics engine uptake rate is still attached to the framerate

I guess since its not the new engine they had no choice of changing that though.

 

[Ken Kutagari]

I wish there was a free $599 refund download

 

[Kritish]

GT was and is the best racing game ever created, I still enjoy Gran Turismo 3.

 

[Havok83]

GT was and is the best racing game ever created, I still enjoy Gran Turismo 3.

IDA. I beleive that honor goes to Burnout Revenge. I think Burnout 5 is going to be so much more fun than GT5. I guess it depends on which kind of racer you like. GT would probably be the best simulation racer with Burnout being the best arcade racer

 

[Zenien]

It's out NOW on the PlayStation Store. And it's FREE.

Specifications
1080p@60fps (no kiddin')
Save file size: 140KB
Demo file size: 630MB
Compatible with: GT FORCE®, GT FORCE®Pro and GT FORCE®RX
Sound: 5.1DD


Featured Automobiles (Year, Manufacturer, Model)
-- 1995 Suzuki Cappucino
-- 1989 Mazda Eunos Roadster
-- 2004 Honda Integra TYPE R
-- 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR
-- 2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe
-- 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR
-- 2005 Lotus Elise 111R
-- 1994 Nissan SKYLINE GT-R Vspec II
-- 1995 Toyota Celica GT-FOUR Rally Car
-- 2006 Ferrari 599

Game Modes
[Time Trial]
Player selects a car and must complete the Eiger Nordwand course within the target time indicated at the top of the screen. Each time the player beats the target time, a new car is unlocked and made available for selection. Upon unlocking all of the cars, the player can access tuned cars, along with the option to race Eiger Nordwand in the opposite direction.

[Drift Trial]
The player's drifting technique is tested, rather than their lap time. The player earns drift points based on their drift angles, racing lines, and speeds within evaluation zones located at various turns on the course. For each evaluation zone, the results are based on the number of flags and a numerical figure. The point total from all zones determines the player's drift points for the lap and is counted toward the rankings.


Available Settings
-- Transmission: the player can select either Manual or Automatic.
-- Stability Management (SM): the player can turn this ON or OFF during gameplay. ASM is designed to prevent vehicle skidding by controlling each of the four wheel brakes independently.
-- Traction Control (TC) Level: the player can set the TCS level, which senses drive-wheel slip and prevents wheel spin.
-- Tires: the player can select front and rear tires from nine types of brands.


Other info
[The bad]
-- No online play.
-- No AI drivers.

[The Good]
-- Online rankings (hopefully worldwide).
-- You can watch and save replays (did you read that Evolution Studios?).
-- Replays from the top ranked players available for download.
-- More downloadable content will become available before GT5's full release. Yamauchi promised a photo mode of some form to become available for download sometime next year.


Media
Latest trailer @ 720p (.WMV , .MOV)
Random Pics from the trailer
Car selection screen
God

Notes
Japanese demo is in Japanese only.
USA demo is in English

Links
Official JPN webpage

-Neogaf

 

[XwolverineX]

I find it funny how Zenien hypes games she doesn't like because they're PS exclusive.

 

[Zenien]

Wow since when did Mentok turn into a stealth troll.

 

[Zenien]

I find it funny how Zenien hypes games she doesn't like because they're PS exclusive.

I'm not 'hyping' GT5. I find it funny how you think you're being incisive. Jebus.

 

[XwolverineX]

Gears of War crushes this, MotorStorm, Resistance and all the silly PS3 games you talk about, but you dismiss it because it's on XBOX 360.

 

[Zenien]

I'll keep Gears of War in mind next time I'm itching to play a good racer, thanks.

I played some, I enjoy Viva Piniata more. Deal with it.

And conversly, have fun over-rating Gears because it's on the Xbox360?

Seriously grow up.

 

[Havok83]

Im surprised its only 630 mb. I expected it to be a bit larger

 

[Mentok]

Wow since when did Mentok turn into a stealth troll.

Just because I actually KNOW what I am talking about makes me a troll

Keep reaching Zen.

 

[Mentok]

Im surprised its only 630 mb. I expected it to be a bit larger

Its small because there is not much in the download. The other stuff wiill come later as a mix of microtransactions and free content.

 

[Avalanche]

I find it funny how Zenien hypes games she doesn't like because they're PS exclusive.

She didn't hype it. She posted an article.

Zenien posts stuff generally related to Sony consoles, which as a Sony fan, I appreciate. I see nothing wrong with it. She's hardly running around professing how great the game is.

 

[Avalanche]

Media
Latest trailer @ 720p (.WMV , .MOV)

The most realistic looking racer out there by an absolute mile. The shots looked good enough. The replays in motion look nothing short of absolutely stunning. At the very least it shows what a jump GT5 will be over GT4, graphically at least.

 

[Mentok]

Replay and gameplay are vastly different.

Thats why the game runs at 60fps but the more detailed replay is 30fps.

 

[Avalanche]

Replay and gameplay are vastly different.

Thats why the game runs at 60fps but the more detailed replay is 30fps.

True.

That said, the replays look better than the replays of any other game, and I expect the in game graphics to similarly be more realistic than any other in game graphics yet seen.

 

[Mentok]

Graphics have come a long way in a few years though

 

[Zenien]

Replay and gameplay are vastly different.

Thats why the game runs at 60fps but the more detailed replay is 30fps.

That dude who drives the cars in replays must be a part of it.

 

[Avalanche]

http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/752/752330p1.html

IGN's thoughts on the demo. They seem impressed, a few niggles aside.

Videos:

http://streamingmovies.ign.com/ps3/article/752/752331/gt4_101505_wmvlowwide.wmv
http://streamingmovies.ign.com/ps3/article/752/752331/gt3_101505_wmvlowwide.wmv
http://streamingmovies.ign.com/ps3/article/752/752331/gt2_101505_wmvlowwide.wmv
http://streamingmovies.ign.com/ps3/article/752/752331/gt1_101505_wmvlowwide.wmv

 

[Avalanche]

The new GT5 trailer.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/21591.html

I could do with seeing more.

 

[Avalanche]

Stupid IGN aren't allowing hotlinking. Removed big old red crosses.

 

[Zenien]

Looking awesome though posting a direct link to the IGN page might be a good idea since they've disabled hot linking.

 

[JTStarkiller]

I got a little teary-eyed. Looking forward to MGS4 the most, but the GT5 trailer was just beautiful.