Gran Turismo™ 3 A-spec Delivers the Most Technologically Advanced Racing Experience Exclusively on Playstation®2
Best-selling Gran Turismo Franchise Adds New Installment to the Racing Dynasty
PRNewswire
FOSTER CITY, Calif.
12/22/2000
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today the Spring 2001 release of Gran Turismo™ 3 A-spec, the latest installment of the greatest racing series in history. Developed exclusively for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system by Polyphony Digital Inc., Gran Turismo 3 A-spec harnesses the technological power of PlayStation 2 bringing the team's creative vision to life through outstanding graphics and special effects, and creating the most technologically advanced racing experience ever.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000510/SFW104-a )
The Gran Turismo franchise revolutionized the racing car genre. In May 1998, the original Gran Turismo was released on the PlayStation game console providing the best graphics and realism to date. Since its launch, 3.7 million units have been sold nationwide and more than 10 million units sold worldwide. Back by popular demand, in December 1999, Gran Turismo 2 was released on the PlayStation game console selling more than one million units in six weeks. As one of the most highly-anticipated titles for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Gran Turismo 3 A-spec's mass market appeal is expected to drive hardware sales for the platform in 2001.
"We are thrilled to bring the Gran Turismo franchise to the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system," said Ami Blaire, director, product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. "Gran Turismo 3 A-spec truly revolutionizes the racing category, bringing a new dimension in physics, graphics and special effects that blurs the line between game and reality. It will appeal to a much broader audience and will drive the formation of the PlayStation 2 platform."
Gran Turismo 3 A-spec immerses players into the most true-to-life environments ever realized, including special effects like blinding sun glare hitting the windshield, shimmering heat rays rising off the tarmac and real-time reflections on the cars, adding to the overall experience. Improved opponent A.I. (artificial intelligence) further adds to the realism, allowing players to experience a true sense of emotion emanating from the opposing cars. As drivers respond to annoying tailgating, they may pass you on the inside or perform sneering cut-offs. In addition, the power of PlayStation 2 allows for each car's characteristics to be accurately designed and calculated to handle according to the "real life" physics of that particular vehicle, taking into account weight, speed, friction, wind and more.
The most realistic interactive racing experience to date, Gran Turismo 3 A-spec delivers speed that players can actually feel. The game takes full advantage of the DUALSHOCK™2 analog controller, so that the harder the driver pushes on the touch-sensitive controller, the faster the car goes, simulating the gas pedal of a real car. Drivers can "feel" the speed as they maneuver through curves and shoot down straight-aways while racing fellow competitors.
The PlayStation 2's superior technology has enabled the development team to evolve the sound effects in Gran Tursimo 3 A Spec to a new level of realism. Tire sounds have been improved so that each tire has its own distinctive skid sound. Players will notice that the friction noise changes throughout the game, depending on the driver's speed, and the type or size of the tires on the car. As players accelerate, the sound of the wind from the car's body will increase, adding to the overall sensation of speed and realism.
In Gran Turismo 3 A-spec, weather conditions, including enhanced fogging effects and rain, have been implemented to improve realism and add challenge to the racing experience. An enhanced Rally Mode adds further variety, allowing players to race through gravel tracks, kicking up dirt to impair their opponent's view. Dirt tracks offer a completely different driving experience with varying topography that changes how well each vehicle's traction handles the gravel tracks.
More than 150 authentic vehicles will be available to the player, including a variety of models from Japanese, European and American car manufacturers. Among the choice of vehicles, there will be 30 new car models, plus the return of European "super cars" and American "muscle cars" as seen in Gran Turismo and Gran Turismo 2. All vehicles will feature individually customized performance, handling, drive train and real engine sounds. The following is a list of automobiles featured in Gran Turismo 3 A-spec:
Manufacturer/Car/Model
Acura CL 3.2 Type S
Acura NSX
Acura NSX
Acura Integra Type R
Alfa Romeo 156 Super Turismo
Alfa Romeo 156 2.5 V6 24V
Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Coupe
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Audi S4
Audi TT 1.8T quattro
BMW 328ci
Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport
Chevrolet Camaro Z28
Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Chevrolet Camaro SS
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Citroen Xsara Rally Car
Daihatsu Storia X4
Daihatsu Mira TR-XX Avanzato R
Dodge Viper GTS-R Team Oreca
Dodge Viper GTS
Fiat Coupe Turbo Plus
Ford Focus Rally Car
Ford Escort Rally Car
Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R
Ford GT40 Race Car
Ford GT40
Gillet Vertigo Race Car
Honda Accord Euro-R
Honda Raybryg NSX
Honda Castrol Mugen Nsx
Honda Arta NSX
Honda NSX Type S Zero
Honda NSX Type R
Honda S2000 Type V
Honda S2000
Honda Integra Type R 98 Spec
Honda Civic Type R(EK)
Honda Civic SiR-II(EG)
Honda Cr-X Del-Sol SiR
Jaguar XJ220 Road Car
Jaguar XKR Coupe
Lister Storm V12 Race Car
Lotus Esprit Sport 350
Lotus Elise 190
Lotus Motor Sport Elise
Mazda RX-7 Type RS
Mazda RX-7 Type RZ
Mazda Savanna RX-7 Infini III(FC)
Mazda Eunos Roadster Normal
Mazda Eunos Roadster Normal
Mazda Roadster 1.8 RS
Mazda Roadster RS
Mazda Demio GL-X
Mercedes-Benz CLK55
Mercedes-Benz CL600
Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 Kompressor
Mitsubishi FTO GP Version R
Mitsubishi GTO Twin Turbo
Mitsubishi GTO Twin Turbo
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V GSR
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI GSR Tommi
Makinen Edition(Stripe)
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI Rally Car
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI GSR
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI GSR Tommi
Makinen Edition
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII GSR
Nissan Silvia Varietta
Nissan Skyline GTS-t Type M(R32)
Nissan Skyline GT-R Vspec II(R32)
Nissan Skyline GT-R Vspec(R33)
Nissan R390 GT1 LM Race Car
Nissan R390 GT1 Road Car
Nissan Skyline GT-R Vspec(R34)
Nissan Skyline GT-R Vspec II(R34)
Nissan Pennzoil Nismo GT-R GT
Nissan Silvia K's 2000cc(S13)
Nissan Silvia K's 1800cc(S13)
Nissan Silvia K's Aero(S14)
Nissan Silvia Spec R(S15)
Nissan 180SX Type X
Nissan Loctite Zexel GT
Nissan Calsonic Skyline GT
Nissan Fairlady Z Version S 2 seater Twin Turbo
Opel Caribra Touring Car
Pagani Zonda C12
Pagani Zonda C12S
Peugeot 206 S16
Peugeot 206 Rally Car
Renault Clio Sport V6 24V
Renault Clio Sport Race Car
RUF RUF 3400S
RUF RUF R-GT
RUF RUF CTR2
Shelby Cobra
Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Subaru Impreza Sports Wagon STi
Subaru Impreza Rally Car
Subaru Impreza Coupe 22B STi Version
Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX STi Ver. VI
Subaru Impreza Wagon WRX STi Ver. VI
Subaru Impreza Rally Car prototype
Subaru Legacy B4 RSK
Subaru Legacy B4 Blitzen
Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon GT-B
Suzuki Alto Works Suzuki Sports Limited
Tommykaira ZZS
Toyota MR2 GT-S
Toyota MR2 G-Limited
Toyota Corolla Rally Car
Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-Apex(AE86 Type I)
Toyota Altezza
Toyota MR-S S Edition
Toyota Autobacs APEX MR-SGT
Toyota Celica SS-II
Toyota Supra RZ
Toyota Supra SZ-R
Toyota Castrol Tom's Supra
Toyota Denso Sard Supra
Toyota Altezza RS200
Toyota Altezza AS200
Toyota GT-One(TS020) Race Car
Toyota GT-One(TS020) Road Car
Toyota Vitz Euro Edition
Toyota Vitz RS 1.5
Toyota Celica GT-Four(ST205)
Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-Apex Shigeno version
TVR Tuscan Speed 6
TVR Griffith 500
TVR Speed 12
Vauxhall Astra
Vauxhall VX220
Vauxhall Caribra
Volkswagen New Beetle 2.0
Volkswagen New Beetle RSi
Volkswagen New Beetle Cup car
Volkswagen Lupo Cup car
Continuing to set the standards for racing games Gran Turismo 3 A-spec will incorporate many enhanced features including:
-- Fifteen tracks including two new tracks -- Monte Carlo and Tokyo
circuits
-- Arcade Racing mode with power slides, burnouts and excessive speed
-- In-depth simulation mode where money is earned to buy and sell vehicles
and upgrade parts
-- License tests and racing championship rounds
-- Fully customizable vehicles
-- Refined Replay mode
-- One-to-six player racing using i-link
The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has not yet rated Gran Turismo 3 A-spec. For more information about the ESRB visit http://www.esrb.org/.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one™ game console and the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. The PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system is set to revolutionize the home entertainment market, offering the most compelling interactive content and the capability to be used as a network terminal in the coming broadband era.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PS one game console and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console and the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Contact: Charlotte Panther, 650-655-3542, or
charlotte_panther@playstation.sony.com, or Ryan Bowling, 650-655-3657, or
ryan_bowling@playstation.sony.com, both of Sony Computer Entertainment
America
Website: http://www.playstation.com/