DailyTech - Gran Turismo HD Retail Release Cancelled

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Blog: Software Gran Turismo HD Retail Release Cancelled
Marcus Yam (Blog) - December 1, 2006 11:34 AM

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5 comment(s) - last by ultimatebob.. on Dec 3 at 11:50 AM

Ready for Download on Dec. 24, 2006

Instead, it transforms into a free download on Dec. 24, leaving Polyphony Digital to concentrate on a true sequel

It appears at that Gran Turismo HD has been axed, which I’m sure by itself is completely disappointing news to those who were looking for something else to play on their shiny PS3s other than just Resistance. What turns this frown upside down is word that Gran Turismo HD will be released as free download on December 24, making it Polyphony Digital’s Christmas present to gamers.

The announcement comes from the Japanese PlayStation site, which does apply only to the Land of the Rising Sun, but we have our fingers crossed that the same freebie will apply to the North American market.

According to an open letter from Gran Turismo father Kazunori Yamauchi, the pending free release of Gran Turismo HD Concept, as it is now called, is a sign of the work-in-progress for the entire GT team who are now focused on developing Gran Turismo 5.

Sony and Polyphony Digital have released “Concept” games previously on the PlayStation 2, though those titles were special editions used to showcase special cars, some of them concept designs, that were on display at auto shows around the world.

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not bad

By One43637 on 12/1/2006 3:02:48 PM , Rating: 3

i can't be upset at them for releasing something they were working as a free download. i wasn't exactly thrilled with having to buy different cars and tracks when i heard about HD. i'm not going to expect this to be a finished and polished product, but at least there's something new to grab on the marketplace.

maybe they'll refocus their time and energy on a GT5?

RE: not bad

By Furen on 12/1/2006 6:24:16 PM , Rating: 2

Personally, I've never been a fan of GT but from what I hear this concept release is more a demo than anything else. As I understand there will be 10 cars, and two layouts of a single track. So basically people will get a demo of sorts of a game that will never be released. Of course, GT5 will be released eventually but that should be a completely different animal.

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RE: not bad

By Mazzer on 12/2/2006 6:09:29 PM , Rating: 2

I expect that they want to put all their energy into GT5. It just makes sense. I know that they tend to miss their launch dates with the GT series and maybe this will help get them on track. My own thought of this is that with Forza 2 around the corner maybe they are afraid if they cant finish GT5 as soon as possible they will lose some of their fan base to the Forza series and to Xbox360.

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RE: not bad

By ultimatebob on 12/3/2006 11:50:01 AM , Rating: 2

I wonder if they're still planning on charging for the extra cars and tracks. If they are, they still might make some money on this game.

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Wow

By OAKside24 on 12/2/2006 4:05:05 AM , Rating: 2

That's crazy news, GT being one of the PS's top (+ exclusive) games, probably THE racing game. And remember, they charged a nice price for GT: Concept in Japan a few years back so I cannot believe Polyphony would release a free GT, no matter how small or crippled. What a Christmas present, indeed.

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