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This is either the stupidest idea ever or the most brilliant co-promotion for two brands in the history of mankind. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, the distributor of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue across the pond, and Nissan are joining forces to host a competition that could place a really good gamer behind the seat of a real Nissan 350Z at a very real 24-hour endurance race in Dubai. The competition is called GT Academy, and the first round will be an online GT5 Prologue tournament hosted on the PLAYSTATION Network (for Europeans only, we presume). Based on the picture provided, it appears that entrants will be racing a Nissan GT-R in a special livery when the competition begins later this month. The rest of the competition will span some eight months, at the end of which the winner will receive a four-month training program to earn actual racing licenses. With his or her newfound knowledge of real physics and how actual damage occurs, the winner will then be given a stint behind the wheel of a Nissan 350Z in the 24-hour endurance race in Dubai.

Based on the press release after the jump, we're a little unclear exactly how GT Academy will whittle down all of these entrants over eight months or how much driving the winner will actually be doing in Dubai. Having raced GT5 Prologue online using the PLAYSTATION Network, we can't imagine qualifying is going to be a pretty sight. There are always plenty of jerks willing to brake late in a corner and buddy bump you into the wall regardless of the game's imposed penalties, especially if they know that seat time in a real 350Z is beyond their own reach.

[Source: Nissan, SCEE]

With things like cheap gas and the value of a dollar slowly being taken from us, it's good to see that somebody wants to give us something. For the US release of the Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, Polyphony has thrown in features the Japanese version didn't get.

There's a drift mode that judges drivers on three parameters, there's two-player, split-screen racing and there are new events and challenges for racers online and offline that can support up to 16 racers simultaneously. Plus, there's a new track, bringing the total to six. And for us, that means there's a new list of excuses we're going to need to come up with when people start asking "Where have you been?" and "You look tired -- were you up late last night?"

In case the cars, tracks and gameplay aren't enough, Winding Road has a new trailer video of the GT5 Prologue featuring a fair bit of Ferrari action -- and that's never a bad way to start the week. Follow the jump to see the complete list of tracks, and check out our updated hi-res photo gallery of the prologue below.


[Source: PS3 Fanboy]

click above for more high-res screen shots from GT 5 Prologue

I got a PlayStation 3 this Christmas from Santa who must've mistaken me on his list for a much more deserving child. Yippy for me, though. The PS3 is the most powerful game console in the world, yet it sits idle in my entertainment center as the loud hum of my XBox 360 (I know, two consoles, I'm truly blessed) drones on. All that will change on April 17, which is the confirmed date that Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will go on sale for the PS3.

GT 5 Prologue, unfortunately, is just a preview of what we'll get when the full version of this fifth installment is released sometime in the future. But what a preview it is with 60 cars and five full tracks on which to race in high-def glory. You'll be able to buy GT 5 Prologue on April 17th either as a downloadable game from the PlayStation Network on your console or on disc at any games retailer, both for $40. Gran Turismo games were always my favorite on both the PlayStation 1 and 2, and I'm hoping GT5 Prologue will finally get me interested in the PS3 that's been suffering some serious neglect (no, you can't have it) since Christmas.

[Source: Joystiq]

click above image to view video

If you watched last night's Video Game Awards on Spike then you saw were among the first to see Digital Polyphony's new Gran Turismo 5 Prologue trailer. If you missed it, however, we've got the vid for you right here. Once again, the graphics are simply stunning. Whether watching the new Nissan GT-R whiz by or staring at a race-prepped BMW Z4 in the pit garage, there's nary a pixel out of place. Though we all know the Playstation 3 is a graphical powerhouse, few games have really shown off the console's potential. This one will, if it ever gets released. And this is just the prologue! We're still a good era away from the full game's actual release.

Click here to watch the video after the jump.

[Source: Joystiq]

If it were a dessert, it would be Death By Chocolate. Since it's Gran Turismo 5, we're going to call it Death By Motorized Magnitude. Word is the full game will come with 900 cars -- or as The Count would say on Sesame Street, "Count dem, 900 cars, ha ha ha!" And one of those cars will be the Ford GT LM edition. Which could really count as five or six cars by itself, it's so bloody tasty.

The GT Prologue Demo will come with a mere 30 cars, but there are some tarmac toasters in there, one of them being the GT LM, as well as a smattering of other really fast but non-race cars. There's also a BMW 135i Coupe, convenient in case you wish to test it out on CG twisties before spending a heap of your very real money on the genuine article. As for tracks, word is that the Prologue could also add either Laguna Seca, Infineon, or (mouth ... watering ... must ... concentrate) the 'Ring. We sign up where?

[Source: GT Channel]

As previously reported, the demo of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will be available to download October 20th through November 11th for those of you lucky enough to be PS3-equipped. Now, we've got the details about what vehicles you'll be able to virtually flog while battling out with 16 other contenders around Suzuka.

Seven vehicles are available, including the BMW 135i, Daihatsu OFC-1 (?), Lexus IS-F, Mazda Atenza (Mazda6), Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR, Nissan GT-R and the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI. As mentioned, only one track will be available: Suzuka.

Also of note, Sony has plans to unveil a new car between the 23rd and 25th, but it's anyone's guess what that could be. The maker of our favorite electronic crack will also be showing off its new free news service geared towards auto coverage and motorsports.

[Source: GTChannel]

For those of you who worship at the alter of Playstation, life is about to get more bearable. Its name is Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (demo), and it will be available to download for free on October 20th. The move is an effort to keep thumbs from atrophying after the long hiatus between GT4 and the new prologue installment, due out in stores December 13th (at least in Japan).

The launch is coinciding with the Tokyo Motor Show, where a number of vehicles that have parts in the game will be revealed in the really-real-world the day before. Among the models already confirmed: the new Nissan GT-R and Mitsubishi Evolution X, plus 16 other manufacturers, including Ferrari and Alfa Romeo. Three new tracks are also set to make their debut in GT5, including Fuji, Daytona and Suzuka.

More is expected from Sony on the 23rd, so we'll try to keep you abreast between sake shooters and toro binges.

[Source: GTChannel]

UPDATED: Trailer with no soundtrack added so you can hear the engines!


One of the biggest complaints about the Gran Turismo series may be corrected when a mini version of the next game, called Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, hits store shelves later this year. GT Channel is reporting that the game will include Ferraris for the first time in its history. This is based on a recent trailer of GT 5 Prologue that shows a Ferrari F430 on track. We would imagine if the F430 is included, other of Modena's finest are, as well.

E3 is also going on as we speak, and news from the trade show today is that the full version of GT 5 won't be coming until at least the spring of 2008, Sony is releasing the smaller Gran Turismo 5 Prologue this year to keep us interested. Though likely featuring a small stable of cars, Prologue will reportedly allow online racing, which is another feature the GT series has gone without for too long.

Check out the newly released Gran Turismo 5 Prologue trailer featuring Ferraris on track after the jump.

[Source: GT Channel, YouTube]