Gran Turismo 6 at Gamescom: More Cars, Tracks, Features and Release Date Revealed [w/ Video]
When Sony and Polyphony Digital unveiled Gran Turismo 6 back in May, there were two sizable surprises: One, it’s arriving on the PlayStation 3 rather than the PlayStation 4, and two, it’s coming out in 2013. Initially, we were more than a little skeptical about that second surprise, but when Polyphony revealed even more content at E3 a month later, we figured maybe there’s a chance GT6 will come out this year.
Now, based on additional info, screenshots and video that has come out at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, we’re even more convinced that GT6 will, in fact, hit store shelves before the year – this year – is out. However, a lot of that has to do with the fact that an actual release date was also announced: December 6, 2013.
But back to the actual content that was revealed. As far as cars are concerned, a whole heap of new vehicles were confirmed, in addition to (near as we can tell) every on-disc and DLC vehicle from Gran Turismo 5. The totally new cars for GT6 include the BMW 507 (and its spiritual/stylistic successor, the Z8, seen above), the Pagani Huayra, the new Ford Focus ST, the 2012 Audi R18 Ultra LMP1 (the non-hybrid one, alas) and, erm, the Fisker Karma, whose inclusion was undoubtedly locked in well before the company went tango uniform. Also, there will be at least a few more cars that were “Standards” in GT5 that have been upgraded to “Premium” models for GT6; these include the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Coupe (with the iconic one-year-only split rear window) and the 1994 Cizeta V16T (below).
Additionally, as you’ll see in the first part of the trailer below, Polyphony Digital approached numerous design studios for both automobiles and non-automotive products, and challenged each to create their own two-door grand tourer (which is the English translation of gran turismo, of course) concept for inclusion in the game. Apparently, we’ll see these styling exercises – which come from the likes of SRT, Zagato, Bertone, BMW, Volkswagen, Aston Martin and Nike – added to GT6 one by one, and each will be available to drive and ogle.
And there will be plenty of venues for driving and ogling in Gran Turismo 6. In addition to confirming that every course (or course location, anyway) from GT5 will be returning, Gamescom saw confirmation of one world-famous circuit that’s new to the GT series, and the return of an old favorite that was absent from GT5. The former is England’s legendary Brands Hatch course (above) near Kent (meaning there will be at least four British venues in GT6 with the additions of Silverstone and the Goodwood Hill Climb and the return of GT5’s fictional London street circuit); the latter is Apricot Hill Raceway, a beloved fantasy track that premiered in Gran Turismo 2, but for GT6 will feature revised trackside scenery and changeable weather and time of day settings (below). Sweet!
Was there any other notable news announced? Well, we happen to think a more in-depth and robust online lobby component (which will allow for the creation and sharing of time trial, drift trial and race events, as well as – praise Yasmauchi-san – qualifying now being an option for race events) and confirmation of 15th anniversary bonus content for people who pre-order from retailers like Amazon and Game Stop qualify as notable news nuggets. But that’s just us. Anyway, feast your peepers on the latest trailer and some scrumptious screenshots below. No, they won’t last you until December 6, but it’s worth noting that next month’s Tokyo Game Show should yield a few more new tidbits…
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcKt5gm1C44[/youtube]
Source: Sony