Gran Turismo HD Concept free PS3 download this holiday season

27 December 2006

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Posted by:Ferry

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) announced that starting Christmas and lasting the entire holiday season North Americans (so not just Japanese GT fans) will be able to enjoy the release of Gran Turismo HD Concept for free! PS3 owners will be able to download it exclusively on the PlayStation Store.

Developed by Polyphony Digital, this driving game features an all-new Eiger Nordwand course for players to be the first to drive a Ferrari on a PS3, as well as having the option to select a car from nine other worldwide manufacturers that include Infiniti, Lotus, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Suzuki.

Available only for a limited time, Gran Turismo HD Concept takes full advantage of the PS3 hardware performance by providing full HD 1080p resolution and next-generation car physics ushering in a new era of racing for the gaming industry. No online multiplayer mode is included, Sony claims if you want that you’ll have to wait for GT5.

Upon downloading Gran Turismo HD Concept, PS3 users have access to the Eiger Nordwand course and can compete in Time Trial races to collect and unlock new cars. Upon unlocking the initial 10 cars, the player has access to 10 more “Tuned Cars,” as well as access to a new driving mode called “Drift Trial.”

In the “Drift Trial” mode: The player can master the art of drifting and achieve ultimate control of their car. Furthermore, when connected to the PlayStation Network (for online access), the player can upload their times and view the Top 10 rankings for each car and mode, as well as play and save replays online.

Featured Automobiles in Gran Turismo HD Concept (Year, Manufacturer, Model) in order of appearance in game (available in stock and “tuned” versions):

1. 1995 Suzuki Cappucino
2. 1989 Mazda Eunos Roadster
3. 2004 Honda Integra TYPE R
4. 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR
5. 2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe
6. 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR
7. 2005 Lotus Elise 111R
8. 1994 Nissan SKYLINE GT-R Vspec II
9. 1995 Toyota Celica GT-FOUR Rally Car
10. 2006 Ferrari 599

Additional Information about the game modes in Gran Turismo HD Concept are:

In “Time Trial” mode, the 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. As stated, upon unlocking all of the cars, the player can access tuned cars, along with the option to race Eiger Nordwand in the opposite direction.

In “Drift Trial” mode, 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.

The following settings are available during gameplay:
1. Transmission — the player can select either Manual or Automatic.
2. 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.
3. Traction Control (TC) Level — the player can set the TCS level, which senses drive-wheel slip and prevents wheel spin.
4. Tires — the player can select front and rear tires from nine types of brands.

“Gran Turismo HD Concept provides PS3 and automotive fans a glimpse into the future of Gran Turismo,” states Kazunori Yamauchi, famed creator of the Gran Turismo franchise. “With the power of the PS3 technology, the world of Gran Turismo is refined by its full HD visual presentation and unique interactive experience, resulting in an even more realistic and true driving simulator.”

The Gran Turismo series sold 45 million copies worldwide, so there definitely are a lot of fans wanting to play this concept demo, despite there only being 1 million PS3’s sold as of last week. For those without PS3, check out the trailer introducing the Ferrari:

And here’s a Gran Turismo HD replay:
Press release via PRnewswire, rest via Sony.

Slashdot gives some first impressions of technical GT HD demo: “Visually, the game is by far one of the best for the PS3. The graphics really are top notch including some extremely visually impressive effects like the sky reflecting off the roof of your car. The crowds are a little static, but look alive enough to be believable. There are no weather effects, but the shine of the sun off the road is realistic as well. All in all, this is arguably the pinnacle of graphics on the console at this moment, and it sets the standard pretty high.”