Kaz Talks About GT6 & PS Vita

Kazunori Yamauchi is attending ChinaJoy 2012, one of Asia’s largest video game shows, in Shanghai this week.
While speaking with the press during a question-and-answer session, he made some interesting remarks about Gran Turismo 6 and Gran Turismo Vita, though stopped short of confirming the existence of a new mobile title.

Originally reported by Impress Watch and translated by AndriaSang, Kazunori stated that work on GT6 began immediately after GT5 was finished.
He also mentioned that “we’re always aiming for the latest technology and the latest expression,” further complicating speculation regarding which platform (PS3 or PS4) Gran Turismo 6 will appear on.

Regarding a Vita title, he chose his words very carefully while answering a question about the hypothetical game; ”If we were to make it, we’d like to make use of the ability to play anywhere and the ability to use 3G at any time.”

Kazunori also stated that he will be visiting the local Shanghai International Circuit, which has hosted China’s Formula 1 Grand Prix since 2004, to consider what “elements” could be integrated in a future Gran Turismo title.
 http://www.gtplanet.net/kazunori-discusses-gran-turismo-6-gt-vita-shanghai-circuit/

New Seasonal Events

New Time and Drift Trials are now available in GT5‘s latest round of Seasonal Events, one of which features the G Trail rally circuit at Eiger Nordwand. Here’s a complete overview of the new challenges:

Time Trial No. 41

• 600PP 4WD: Nürburgring GP/D Time Trial
  Period of Availability: 2012/07/25 23:00 – 2012/08/08 23:00
  Gold: Cr.250,000  Silver: Cr.150,000  Bronze: Cr.100,000
• 400PP Eiger Nordwand G Trail/Reverse Time Trial
  Period of Availability: 2012/07/25 23:00 – 2012/08/08 23:00
  Gold: Cr.250,000  Silver: Cr.150,000  Bronze: Cr.100,000

Drift Trial No. 41

• 4WD Non-Racecars: Grand Valley Speedway Drift Trial
  Period of Availability: 2012/07/25 23:00 – 2012/08/08 23:00
  Gold: Cr.250,000  Silver: Cr.150,000  Bronze: Cr.100,000
• Fuji Speedway GT Drift Trial
  Period of Availability: 2012/07/25 23:00 – 2012/08/08 23:00
  Gold: Cr.250,000  Silver: Cr.150,000  Bronze: Cr.100,000

http://www.gtplanet.net/get-dirty-in-gt5s-new-seasonal-event-at-eiger-nordwand/

GT6 Track Rumors

While helping out with the Polish GT Academy 2012 finals, Lucas Ordoñez made an interesting comment about Gran Turismo 6‘s development, which he’s reportedly involved in.
According to a reporter on hand at the event, Lucas suggested the series’ next flagship title would include a very large number of tracks. Though the Polish source article is not clearly translated by Google, but Amar212 offers a better interpretation of what was said:

“The amount of (tracks) will be such that will make a hat fall off your head.”
“Hat falling off your head” is common way to say how you will be amazed by something.

Representatives from Polyphony Digital have, of course, already been spotted at the Bathurst circuit, scanning and photographing it for Gran Turismo 6.

Over 25 different circuit logos also remain on GT5‘s “Remote B-Spec Racing” website, though they are not currently available in the game.
http://www.gtplanet.net/gran-turismo-6-rumored-to-include-large-number-of-tracks/

GT5 Academy Edition Packshot

Gran Turismo 5: Academy Edition Blu-Ray (game) release will contain GT5 game (probably with all the latest updates already on the disc, as it was the case with NTSC US/JP release of "GT5 Spec II/XL Edition) and majority of* DLC packs released so far for €29.99/£19.99, including:

1. Complete Pack (Car Pack, Course Pack, Special Paint Pack, Racing Gear Pack)
2. Car Pack 2
3. Car Pack 3 and Course Pack 2
4. The Nissan GTR driven in this year’s Nurburgring 24 hour race by series creator Kazunori Yamauchi

 * DLC missing on this list is Motegi Pack (Speed Test Pack is included under the name "Course Pack 2")
 coming 26th September 2012.

GT5 Academy Edition for Europe

A new bundle version of GT5 has been announced this lunchtime for Europeans – the Academy Edition, to celebrate the fourth year of the Sony/Nissan tie-in of GT Academy.
Coming after the US-only Gran Turismo 5 XL, Academy Edition gives Europeans their first chance to buy a disc version of the Spec 2 upgraded game with a free DLC bundle – and it’s quite the bundle, featuring:

• Complete Pack (Car Pack, Course Pack, Special Paint Pack, Racing Gear Pack)
• Car Pack 2
• Car Pack 3 and Course Pack 2
• The Nissan GTR driven in this year’s Nurburgring 24 hour race by series creator Kazunori Yamauchi.

If that wasn’t enough, the announcement also contains a cryptic additional note that “there is more news yet to come on this title”.
The Academy Edition is due for release on September 26th 2012 for €29.99/£19.99 – less than the value of the DLC it contains.

http://www.gtplanet.net/sony-announces-gran-turismo-5-academy-edition-for-europe/

New Seasonal Events

Powerful, classic cars take center stage in Gran Turismo 5‘s latest Seasonal Events, which feature pre-1969 cars on Comfort/Soft tires with no more than 500pp.

• Madrid City Course Mini / 5 Laps
  1st: Cr.154,000  2nd: Cr.84,700  3rd: Cr.61,600
• Eiger Nordwand Short Course / 5 Laps
  1st: Cr.172,000  2nd: Cr.94,600  3rd: Cr.68,800
• Côte d’Azur / 5 Laps
  1st: Cr.228,500  2nd: Cr.125,675  3rd: Cr.91,400
• Rome City Course Reverse / 5 Laps
  1st: Cr.187,500  2nd: Cr.103,125  3rd: Cr.75,000
• Eifel (Kart) 104A / 5 Laps
  1st: Cr.200,000  2nd: Cr.110,000  3rd: Cr.80,000

http://www.gtplanet.net/classic-cars-featured-in-latest-gt5-a-spec-seasonal-events/

New Time & Drift Trials

Japan’s fun little Kei cars are featured in some of Gran Turismo 5‘s latest Time & Drift Trial Seasonal Events. Here’s a closer look at the new challenges:
 
Time Trial No. 40

• 350PP K-Cars: Eiger Nordwand Short Course
  Period of Availability: 2012/07/11 23:00 – 2012/07/25 23:00
  Gold: Cr.250,000  Silver: Cr.150,000  Bronze: Cr.100,000
• 500PP Trial Mountain Circuit
  Period of Availability: 2012/07/11 23:00 – 2012/07/25 23:00
  Gold: Cr.250,000  Silver: Cr.150,000  Bronze: Cr.100,000

Drift Trial No. 40

• K Cars: Autumn Ring Mini
  Period of Availability: 2012/07/11 23:00 – 2012/07/25 23:00
  Gold: Cr.250,000  Silver: Cr.150,000  Bronze: Cr.100,000
• Sarthe Circuit 2005 (No Chicane)
  Period of Availability: 2012/07/11 23:00 – 2012/07/25 23:00
  Gold: Cr.250,000  Silver: Cr.150,000  Bronze: Cr.100,000

 http://www.gtplanet.net/japanese-k-cars-featured-in-new-gt5-time-drift-trials/

GT Academy 2012 Prize Distribution Schedule Released

Earlier today, Polyphony Digital cleared up the confusion by releasing the following schedule which outlines the exact dates the other prizes will be distributed, once per week at approximately 07:00 GMT.

• July 4 / All Golds in Round 1 / Leaf G (GT Academy) ’11
• July 11 / All Golds in Round 2 / SILVIA spec-R AERO (GT Academy) ’02
• July 18 / All Golds in Round 3 / SKYLINE GT-R V・spec II (GT Academy) ’94
• July 25 / All Golds in Round 4 / 370Z (GT Academy) ’08
• August 1 / All Golds in Round 5 / SKYLINE GT-R V・spec II Nür (GT Academy) ’02
• August 8 / All Golds in Round 6 / GT-R Black edition (GT Academy) ’12
• August 15 / All Golds in Round 7 / GT-R Black edition Tuned (GT Academy) ’12
• August 22 / All Golds in Round 8 / 370Z Tuned Car (GT Academy) ’08
• August 29 / Bronze or Better in All Rounds / GT Academy 2012 Racing Suit

As noted in the announcement, once available, the prizes can be redeemed at any time between their initial release date and January 25, 2013.
 http://www.gtplanet.net/gt5s-gt-academy-2012-prize-distribution-schedule-released/

New GT5 Seasonal Events

Five new “Expert Level” A-Spec races are now available in Gran Turismo 5‘s Seasonal Events, featuring Ferrari’s formula cars. Here’s a closer look at the races.

• Rome City / 10 Laps
  1st: Cr.347,500  2nd: Cr.191,125  3rd: Cr.139,000
• Indy Road Course / 10 Laps
  1st: Cr.384,000  2nd: Cr.211,200  3rd: Cr.153,600
• Tokyo Route 246 Reverse / 10 Laps
  1st: Cr.403,000  2nd: Cr.221,650  3rd: Cr.161,200
• Nürburgring 24h / 2 Laps
  1st: Cr.452,700  2nd: Cr.248,985  3rd: Cr.181,080
• Eifel (Circuit) 110A / 10 Laps
  1st: Cr.425,000  2nd: Cr.233,750  3rd: Cr.170,000 

 http://www.gtplanet.net/ferrari-f1-cars-featured-in-new-expert-gt5-seasonal-events/

GT Academy 2012 Prizes Now Available

If you achieved “Gold” times in the GT Academy 2012 mini-game, your efforts are about to be rewarded!
Here’s an overview of the cars that are being awarded; just start up GT5 and sign in to the PlayStation Network to claim them from the “Gift” screen in the game as they become available.

• All Golds in Round 1: Nissan Leaf G (GT Academy) ’11
• All Golds in Round 2: Nissan SILVIA spec-R AERO (GT Academy) ’02
• All Golds in Round 3: Nissan SKYLINE GT-R V・spec II (GT Academy) ’94
• All Golds in Round 4: Nissan 370Z (GT Academy) ’08
• All Golds in Round 5: Nissan SKYLINE GT-R V・spec II Nür (GT Academy) ’02
• All Golds in Round 6: Nissan GT-R Black edition (GT Academy) ’12
• All Golds in Round 7: Nissan GT-R Black edition Tuned Car (GT Academy) ’12
• All Golds in Round 8: Nissan 370Z Tuned Car (GT Academy) ’08
• Bronze or Better in All Rounds: GT Academy 2012 Racing Suit

 
As of writing, only the Nissan Leaf from the first round is available. The exact schedule of availability for the other prizes has not been published.
 http://www.gtplanet.net/gt-academy-2012-prizes-now-appearing-in-gran-turismo-5/

More GT5 DLC Confirmed In Interview

The full interview, composed of user-submitted questions

TopoClandestino: What does a community of gamers/drivers, like the Spanish, continually supporting Gran Turismo, mean to you?
Yamauchi-san: Spain is the country I’m most fond of, above all for its land, for its people, for its food, etc. It’s a place where I can relax and feel very much at ease. And the most important thing is, as we’ve seen in the presentation, the fact that I’m surrounded by so many people, allows me to absorb all of that energy which they emit and that, to me, is very important.

GAMELAB: Will it be a while until we see GT Vita?
Yamauchi-san: Well, this type of information is confidential and I still cannot talk to you guys about that.

CJ_vzla: Do you believe that GT Academy could extend itself to regions like South America?
Yamauchi-san: I have a feeling; yes. Really, I believe that a South American GT Academy could become a reality since GT Academy started out being a very small project, but little by little, it’s expanding.

lorddevil6969696: Will we have new DLC for GT5?
Yamauchi-san: Yes, we are preparing new DLC content for GT5. Despite it being a long time since GT5′s release, we have received a lot of fan messages asking about new DLC content. And that display of continued interest is something very important to us.

ozvaldini: Could a story mode be implemented to better the gaming experience?
Yamauchi-san: Of course that’s possible. On a daily basis, new ideas and future visions come to mind to include in future Gran Turismo titles. So, responding to your question, yes, we are thinking of new ways to ensure that users will have the most fun.

THUNDERbreaks: Will there be some sort of event editor in the future?
Yamauchi-san: Of course, this is something we’ve been thinking about and I’m keeping it in mind for future improvements.

AK_KOV: Will we someday see the Porsche license in GT?
Yamauchi-san: Well, we can’t say no; it’s something that many users ask me.

Guitis77: How come, while in a race, the time gaps (differences) don’t show up for the car in front of you and behind you?
Yamauchi-san: If the public demands it, it can be implemented. The problem we have is that in the same screen (the racing display, as we call it), we have to put in a lot of information, too much information. That’s why at the beginning, we only saw it necessary to insert the times of the leading car, but hey, it’s something we’re always giving a go.

PS.Blog: On the PlayStation blog, we know that Kazunori Yamauchi is a huge motor enthusiast. We would like to know your opinion about GT Academy and Lucas Ordoñez.
Yamauchi-san: Well, first, I consider it a miracle that a video game could be the gateway to something as real as driving race cars. That a program like GT Academy could be able to do this brings me great satisfaction. And the idea of looking back at people like Lucas Ordoñez being capable of adapting to the change of risking his life on circuits is something that makes me very happy. What Lucas does is impressive and I really hope that you are filled with his spirit because he is someone that has opened the pathway for all of you.
 http://www.gtplanet.net/more-gran-turismo-5-dlc-confirmed-by-kazunori-yamauchi/comment-page-1/#comments