Of all the franchises associated with PlayStation, few have achieved the fame and iconic status of the Gran Turismo series. Created by Kazunori Yamauchi, the series offers one of the most realistic driving experiences available in gaming, and it features an impressively large array of cars from throughout history. Since the first game was released in 1997 on the original PlayStation console, the series has amassed millions of fans, with Gran Turismo 5 on PS3 selling almost 12 million copies.
The next entry in the series, Gran Turismo 7, is set to release in March. A recent State of Play event from Sony revealed a bit more about what gamers can expect from the game. The event revealed that Gran Turismo 7 features a great love of car culture. Although the game appeals to players from all walks of life, it is clear that those who have a passion for vehicles stand to gain much more.
Yamauchi is Crazy for Cars
Kazunori Yamauchi is the head of Polyphony Digital, the studio behind the Gran Turismo series. He is an avid car fan, and this has been displayed in his work in the gaming industry. According to Yamauchi, his love of cars began when he was only three years old, and would look at all the cars on the road. By the time he was four, he could name all the cars he saw. Through Gran Turismo, Yamauchi has become an icon within car culture.
Yamauchi has an impressive collection of cars, and he has owned many beautiful vehicles including the Nissan GT-R, the Porsche 911 GT3, and the Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG. He is also no stranger to racing, and he has had a storied career in the racing industry. He came in first place in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring race in both 2011 and 2012.
Gran Turismo 7 Embraces Car Culture
With Gran Turismo 7, it seems Polyphony Digital is aiming to release its most ambitious project yet. The game will have many features that will appeal to car enthusiasts. Within Gran Turismo 7’s campaign mode is the Gran Turismo Café where players will occasionally be able to hear from the designers of certain cars, allowing players to learn more about car culture and the history of cars.
Players will also be able to learn about the history of cars through the museums present. There will be a museum for each car brand, and by exploring the museums, players will be able to find out more about the history of certain vehicles. The game will also contain the Legendary Car Dealership which will house iconic cars from throughout the history of the car industry. The dealership will let players see cars from over a hundred years ago, allowing them to appreciate how far the industry has come.
Players will be able to enjoy everything Gran Turismo 7 has to offer with top-notch visuals. The ray-tracing implemented will help make vehicles and racetracks look more realistic, allowing players to better appreciate the beauty of all the cars. The game does not just focus its realism on the vehicles, however. It also strives to make the many racetracks look phenomenal and the sky and clouds look as real as possible. Hence, the game will feature simulated weather, and a racetrack wet from rain will affect the way vehicles control.
Gran Turismo games, historically, have been quite good at demonstrating the power of the PlayStation consoles they are released. Gran Turismo 7 continues this trend, and it proves that gaming is inching closer and closer to photorealism with each generation. Whether one is a die-hard car enthusiast or a gamer attracted to the game just because of the pretty graphics, Gran Turismo 7 is offering the perfect way for players to celebrate car culture or take their first steps into the world of roaring engines.
Gran Turismo 7 releases on March 4, 2022, on PS4 and PS5.
