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Gran Turismo (video game)
Encyclopedia
is a racing simulator designed by Kazunori Yamauchi
. Gran Turismo was developed by Polyphony Digital
and first published by Sony Computer Entertainment
in 1997
for the PlayStation video game console
. After five years of development time, it was well-received publicly and critically, shipping a total of 10.85 million copies worldwide as of April 30, 2008, and scoring an average of 95% in GameRankings' aggregate. The game has started a series
, and to date has spawned over 10 spin-offs
and sequels.
to compete against artificially intelligent
drivers on various race track
s. 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 car
s and courses.
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 championship
s. Winning one particular championship also unlocks a video and a few additional demonstration tracks. Money earned by winning championships can be used to purchase additional vehicles, and for parts and tuning of all vehicles.
Gran Turismo features 180 cars and 11 race tracks (as well as reversed versions). Two Honda del Sol
cars from 1995 were included in the Japanese version, but were removed from the North American and European versions. They can be found in the North American version's code (and are unlockable via a GameShark
cheat device). In addition to the hidden del Sols, there is also a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette
and a 1998 Mazda Roadster exclusive to Arcade mode. The Corvette and Roadster can also be accessed via GameShark.
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
; this song is used for the opening movie in the Japanese version of every Gran Turismo game to date.
The game itself had a small selection of 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
.
This game is referenced in the Eiffel 65
song "My Console".
When asked about how difficult it was to create, 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".
and Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
respectively. 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. In August 2001, Gran Turismo was voted 21st in the Top 100 Games of All Time poll published by Game Informer
Magazine.
Kazunori Yamauchi
is a Japanese game designer, professional racing driver, and most notably, CEO of Polyphony Digital and producer of the Gran Turismo series. He became the president of Polyphony Digital after designing his first game Motor Toon Grand Prix, a cartoon-inspired racing title similar to Mario Kart...
. Gran Turismo was developed by Polyphony Digital
Polyphony Digital
Polyphony Digital, Inc. is an internal video game developing company of Sony Computer Entertainment and is part of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios...
and first published by Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a major video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products & Services Group of Sony...
in 1997
1997 in video gaming
-Events:*October 4 — Gunpei Yokoi dies after a double car accident.*November – Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association launched.*3rd annual E3...
for the PlayStation video game console
Video game console
A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or customized computer system that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device to display a video game...
. After five years of development time, it was well-received publicly and critically, shipping a total of 10.85 million copies worldwide as of April 30, 2008, and scoring an average of 95% in GameRankings' aggregate. The game has started a series
Gran Turismo (series)
is a popular and critically acclaimed series of racing simulation video games developed by Polyphony Digital.Developed exclusively for PlayStation systems, Gran Turismo games are intended to simulate the appearance and performance of a large selection of vehicles, nearly all of which are licensed...
, and to date has spawned over 10 spin-offs
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
and sequels.
Gameplay
Gran Turismo is fundamentally based on the racing simulator genre. The player must maneuver an automobileAutomobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
to compete against artificially intelligent
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
drivers on various race track
Race track
A race track is a purpose-built facility for racing of animals , automobiles, motorcycles or athletes. A race track may also feature grandstands or concourses. Some motorsport tracks are called speedways.A racetrack is a permanent facility or building...
s. 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 car
Čar
Čar is a village in the municipality of Bujanovac, Serbia. According to the 2002 census, the town has a population of 296 people.-References:...
s and courses.
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
Trophy
A trophy is a reward for a specific achievement, and serves as recognition or evidence of merit. Trophies are most often awarded for sporting events, from youth sports to professional level athletics...
and prize cars by winning race championship
Championship
Championship is a term used in sport to refer to various forms of competition in which the aim is to decide which individual or team is the champion.- Title match system :...
s. Winning one particular championship also unlocks a video and a few additional demonstration tracks. Money earned by winning championships can be used to purchase additional vehicles, and for parts and tuning of all vehicles.
Gran Turismo features 180 cars and 11 race tracks (as well as reversed versions). Two Honda del Sol
Honda CR-X del Sol
The Honda Civic CRX del Sol is a 2-seater front-engined, front wheel drive, targa top convertible manufactured by Honda in the 1990s. Based on the crx platform, the del Sol was the successor to the popular Honda CR-X...
cars from 1995 were included in the Japanese version, but were removed from the North American and European versions. They can be found in the North American version's code (and are unlockable via a GameShark
GameShark
GameShark is the brand name of a line of video game cheat cartridges and other products for a variety of console video game systems and Windows based computers. Currently, the brand name is owned by Mad Catz, who actively markets GameShark products for the PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and Sega game...
cheat device). In addition to the hidden del Sols, there is also a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car by the Chevrolet division of General Motors that has been produced in six generations. The first model, a convertible, was designed by Harley Earl and introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept show car. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after...
and a 1998 Mazda Roadster exclusive to Arcade mode. The Corvette and Roadster can also be accessed via GameShark.
Music
The opening song for the North American
NTSC
NTSC, named for the National Television System Committee, is the analog television system that is used in most of North America, most of South America , Burma, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and some Pacific island nations and territories .Most countries using the NTSC standard, as...
and PAL
PAL
PAL, short for Phase Alternating Line, is an analogue television colour encoding system used in broadcast television systems in many countries. Other common analogue television systems are NTSC and SECAM. This page primarily discusses the PAL colour encoding system...
versions is a Chemical Brothers remix of the Manic Street Preachers
Manic Street Preachers
Manic Street Preachers are a Welsh alternative rock band, formed in 1986. They are James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire, Richey Edwards and Sean Moore. The band are part of the Cardiff music scene, and were at their most prominent during the 1990s...
song "Everything Must Go
Everything Must Go (single)
"Everything Must Go" is a song by Manic Street Preachers, released as a single on July 22, 1996, the second single released from Everything Must Go, released in May of the same year....
". The opening song for the Japanese version is "Moon Over The Castle", composed by Masahiro Andoh
Masahiro Andoh
is a Japanese composer, guitarist and T-Square's leader from Aichi, Japan. He was also One-Third of "Ottottrio", a Superband led by 3 Japanese Guitarists, Himself, Hirokuni Korekata of KORENOS and Issei Noro of Casiopea....
; this song is used for the opening movie in the Japanese version of every Gran Turismo game to date.
The game itself had a small selection of songs, including "Lose Control" by Ash
Ash (band)
Ash are an alternative rock band that formed in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland in 1992. The band has sold 8 million albums worldwide.-Band beginning, Trailer and 1977 :...
; "Chicken On A Bone" (reworked instrumental), "Shade" (instrumental), "Tangerine" (instrumental), and "Sweet 16" by Feeder
Feeder
-Technology:* Feeder , any of several devices used in apiculture to supplement or replace natural food sources* Feeder , another name for a riser, a reservoir built into a metal casting mold to prevent cavities due to shrinkage...
(PAL version); "As Heaven is Wide" by Garbage
Garbage (band)
Garbage are an alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994. The group consists of Scottish singer Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson , Steve Marker and Butch Vig . All four members are involved in songwriting and production...
; and "Oxyacetalene", "Skeletal", "Autonomy", and "Industry" by Cubanate
Cubanate
Cubanate is a crossover band from London, founded in 1992 by Marc Heal and Graham Rayner with Phil Barry and Steve Etheridge. The group became well-known known for its early fusion of distorted metal guitars, and techno percussion .-History:Cubanate played their first UK tour in November 1992...
(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
Gran Turismo 2
is a driving simulator / racing game for the Sony PlayStation. Gran Turismo 2 was developed by Polyphony Digital and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 1999. The games serves as a sequel to Gran Turismo...
and Gran Turismo 4
Gran Turismo 4
is a racing simulator for the Sony PlayStation 2 which was developed by Polyphony Digital. It was released on December 28, 2004 in Japan and Hong Kong , February 22, 2005 in North America , and March 9, 2005 in Europe , and has since been re-issued under Sony's 'Greatest Hits' line...
.
This game is referenced in the Eiffel 65
Eiffel 65
Eiffel 65 is an Italian three-piece group formed in the late 1990s and best known for pioneering in pitch-correction and autotune, and for their international hit "Blue ". Their other hit singles include "Move Your Body" and "Too Much of Heaven", all of which appeared on their album Europop,...
song "My Console".
Development
In an interview with Kazunori Yamauchi, development of Gran Turismo started in the second half of 1992. Yamauchi added that at different times, there were only seven to 15 people that helped to develop Gran Turismo.When asked about how difficult it was to create, 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".
Reception
The game was praised by critics, including IGN (9.5/10), GameSpot (8.6/10) and the Official Playstation Magazine (5/5). As of April 30, 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 4Gran Turismo 4
is a racing simulator for the Sony PlayStation 2 which was developed by Polyphony Digital. It was released on December 28, 2004 in Japan and Hong Kong , February 22, 2005 in North America , and March 9, 2005 in Europe , and has since been re-issued under Sony's 'Greatest Hits' line...
and Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec is considered a critical and commercial success for Sony in Japan, Europe, and North America. The game is highly praised by game reviewers and players as one of the best racing games ever made. GT3 also received a Platinum Award from Electronic Gaming Monthly...
respectively. 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. In August 2001, Gran Turismo was voted 21st in the Top 100 Games of All Time poll published by Game Informer
Game Informer
Game Informer is an American-based monthly magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of popular video games and associated consoles. It was formed in August 1991, when FuncoLand started publishing a six-page magazine, free in all its retail locations...
Magazine.
External links
- Gran Turismo official site
- The Greatest Games of All Time: Gran Turismo, GameSpotGameSpotGameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
- Official soundtrack