Sony has finally announced a North American release date for Gran Turismo 5: Prologue on April 17th. The game will be available at either retail stores or available for purchase and download at the PlayStation Store for a price of $39.99.
The Blue Ray disc version however will give gamers some extra incentives including a behind-the-scenes High Definition video feature called “Beyond the Apex”.
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, an the precursor to Gran Turismo 5 and features over 60 meticulously detailed vehicles from manufacturers such as Ferrari, Audi and Nissan. Users will experience the vehicle-specific physics technology and intricate graphical rendering that Polyphony Digital is renowned for. Additionally, for the first time in the history of the franchise, users can race online — at 60 fps (frames per second) in stunning 1080p HD with up to 16 vehicles at a time on beautifully rendered tracks from around the globe, including Daytona International Speedway and a London City track.
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will also feature various innovative and revolutionary modes to harness PS3 system’s capabilities while further developing an automotive lifestyle and global community. Among them is Gran Turismo TV, a new dedicated online channel available exclusively from the Playstation Network that delivers worldwide motorsport programming and manufacturer content. Additionally, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will support online racing events to foster community competition. A new in-cockpit view
will provide a unique perspective for racers and features real-time gauges and human animations that accurately represent the true performance and handling of each vehicle. To extend the realistic driving experience, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is also compatible with the new DualShock 3 controller, which has vibration functionality.