The Spirit Of Racing Returns: Gran Turismo® 6 Launches Exclusively On PlayStation®3

SAN MATEO, Calif., Dec. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America, LLC  announced today the release of Gran Turismo® 6 (GT6), the newest iteration of the best-selling PlayStation®  franchise available exclusively for the PlayStation®3 system. Polyphony Digital Inc., developer of 'the real driving simulator' that has inspired millions around the world, has delivered the most authentic experience on any console to date to celebrate the franchise's 15th Anniversary. Complete with the most realistic physics engine and massive online functionality, GT6 offers a staggering collection of more than 1,200 of the world's best cars and 37 tracks, featuring seven new venues that include the iconic Silverstone Circuit, Australia's Mount Panorama and Spain's Ascari Race Resort.

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Gran Turismo 6 delivers the most complete and expansive racing game on any console. Gameplay features include:

• Expansive Roster of Cars – More than 1,200 cars, with 120 new cars being added to the line-up in GT6. Fans can expect an even greater selection of cars now included in the game, including historic cars, road cars and the latest race cars from popular series such as the FIA GT3, Le Mans Series, World Rally Championship and Nascar. For an out-of-this-world experience, players will also be able to unlock a special event featuring the unique Lunar Rover vehicle.
• World Famous Circuits – From the Nurburgring to the beautiful scenery of Andalucia, to a neon-lit original Kart course, Gran Turismo continues to recreate wonderful tracks, adding brand-new, real-world tracks such as Silverstone Circuit, Ascari Race Resort, Goodwood Hillclimb, Willow Springs International Raceway, Brands Hatch and Australia's Bathurst Mount Panorama circuit as well as original circuits including Gran Turismo Arena, Matterhorn and a revised Apricot Hill Raceway.
• Riveting Online Gameplay – Players of Gran Turismo 6 will be able to participate in online races and communicate with players from all over the world in the network rooms. A forthcoming update will also add a community feature that is compatible with mobile devices.
• Regular Updates Enhance and Expand GT6 – While the day one experience of Gran Turismo 6 will be stunning, the game is set to evolve and develop with regular updates adding new features, functions, cars, tracks and other content.

"2013 has been a banner year for PlayStation 3 with Sony Worldwide Studios delivering some of the highest regarded games on any console," said Asad Qizilbash, senior director of first party games marketing at Sony Computer Entertainment America. "We are excited to continue that legacy with the launch of the legendary Gran Turismo 6. Polyphony Digital Inc. continues to challenge the boundaries of the racing genre, firmly establishing Gran Turismo as an automotive brand in itself."

To celebrate the launch of GT6, Polyphony Digital Inc. has worked with some of the world's most cutting edge brands to launch programs such as GT Academy and Vision Gran Turismo. GT Academy, first developed as an unprecedented program with Nissan to unearth real racing talent from Gran Turismo gamers and turn them into professional racers, has spawned a slew of successful champions. The 2013 season is airing now.

Vision Gran Turismo is another ground-breaking partnership announced earlier this year with 28 global automotive and other brands to create new car projects, underlining Gran Turismo's unique standing in the automotive world. Mercedes-Benz revealed a full-scale model of its AMG Vision Gran Turismo car at the LA Auto Show, and new teaser sketches from Red Bull's X2014 series have also been revealed. The program celebrates 15 years of Gran Turismo and owners of GT6 can look forward to being the first to try cars that represent the future of driving. Participating companies includes: Alfa Romeo, Alpine, Aston Martin, Audi, Bertone, BMW, Daihatsu, Ford, GM, Hyundai, Honda, Infiniti, Italdesign, Jordan, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nike, Nissan, Peugeot, Subaru, SRT(Chrysler), Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, Zagato.

Gran Turismo 6 continues to be at the forefront of delivering stunning new cars first to its fans before they arrive at showrooms. At the GT6 launch event at the Ascari Race Resort in Spain, BMW unveiled the M4 Coupe which will go on sale in 2014. The camouflaged version of the yet-to-be-launched BMW M4 Coupe will come to life in Gran Turismo 6 after a free update shortly after launch. Thanks to an innovative collaboration with BMW M GmbH, Polyphony Digital enjoyed unprecedented early access to the car during its development phase in order to meticulously recreate the M4 Coupe.

The highly anticipated Acura NSX concept car will also make its debut in GT6 at launch. The NSX is expected to go on sale in 2015 and boasts a twin-turbocharged engine and innovative three-motor, torque vectoring Sport Hybrid powertrain. Led by engineers at Honda R&D Americas, Inc., the twin-turbocharged V-6 engine mated to Acura's Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) system will give GT6 players the first drive in the Acura NSX before it goes into production.

"It's incredible to see what we have accomplished in the last 15 years, but we're not done innovating yet," said Kazunori Yamauchi, creator of Gran Turismo and President of Polyphony Digital Inc. "Gran Turismo began with an idea that we could carve a new type of racing game that pushes the boundaries of realism while inspiring the devotion of car enthusiasts around the world. To see how the franchise has evolved since then into a true automotive brand fuels Polyphony to continue defining and transforming the genre with games like Gran Turismo 6."

Gran Turismo 6 is available at retailers starting Dec. 6, 2013 for $59.99 USD.

Compatible Steering Controllers for Gran Turismo 6:
Guillemot Thrustmaster T500 RS, Logitech Driving Force GT, GT Force Pro, G27 Racing Wheel, G25 Racing Wheel, GT Force RX, GT Force, Driving Force

About the Gran Turismo® Franchise
Gran Turismo® celebrates its 15^th anniversary in 2013, having first appeared internationally in 1998. The multi-award-winning franchise has been the most successful ever for PlayStation®, and in 2013 it also surpassed worldwide sales of 70 million units. Various iterations of Gran Turismo have  been created for PlayStation® , PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®3 and PSP (PlayStation® Portable), and have always been regarded as the best and most authentic driving simulators ever created due to true-to-life graphics, authentic physics technology and design. Since the inception of Gran Turismo, famed creator Kazunori Yamauchi and Polyphony Digital Inc. in Japan have revolutionized the racing category as we know it today. His offerings provide the most realistic driving simulation in the industry and a unique medium for automotive manufacturers to showcase their products. Gran Turismo®5, the latest iteration of the game, was released in 2010 and has sold 10 million units worldwide. The forthcoming Gran Turismo®6 releases on December 6, 2013.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) has revolutionized home entertainment since the first PlayStation® console launched in 1995 in the United States, followed by the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system launch in 2000. SCEA continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system, PSN℠, PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita) handheld entertainment system, and the recently launched PlayStation®4 (PS4™) computer entertainment system. SCEA also launched PlayStation®Mobile, a cross device mobile platform using Android-based PlayStation® certified devices in October 2012. Recognized as an undisputed industry leader, SCEA markets the PlayStation® family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for PSP, PS3, PS Vita, and PS4 systems in North and South America. Based in San Mateo, California, SCEA serves as headquarters for all North and South American operations.

"Gran Turismo", "Gran Turismo 6," "PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION" and "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment, LLC

SOURCE Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC