SCEA Sets April Date For Gran Turismo 5: Prologue

Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced that anticipated PlayStation 3-exclusive racing title Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will release in North America on April 17th. Developed by Polyphony Digital (Tourist Trophy), the latest installment in the GT franchise will be available both on Blu-ray disc and as a PlayStation Store download. The Blu-ray disc version of the game will additionally feature a high-definition video feature called "Beyond the Apex." Gran Turismo 5: Prologue will feature more than 60 vehicles from manufacturers including Ferrari, Audi and Nissan, and SCEA promises vehicle-specific physics technology. It also marks the first time in the franchise's history that users can race online, with up to 16 vehicles at a time on renderings of real-world tracks, including Daytona International Speedway and a London City track. With the game also comes Gran Turismo TV, a dedicated PlayStation Network online channel that delivers worldwide motorsport programming and manufacturer content, as announced by Polyphony Digital at the end of 2007. Lazard Capital Markets analyst Colin Sebastian recently named Gran Turismo 5 as one of the titles comprising a "more compelling software lineup" he expects will drive an improvement in PlayStation 3 sales trends. SCEA software marketing director Jeff Reese said, "Ten years following the introduction of Gran Turismo on PSone, Gran Turismo 5: Prologue delivers the most realistic and technologically advanced racing experience on any platform. With 1080p graphics, revolutionary online features like Gran Turismo TV and the new in-cockpit racing view, the world’s best-selling racing franchise will once again set the standard for racing games.”