Remarkable Sales Achieved In Only 10 Years And 4 Months Since The Original
Gran Turismo Launched In 1997
TOKYO, May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI)
announced today that the cumulative worldwide shipment of the Gran
Turismo(TM) franchise, a genre-defining racing and car-life simulator
available on PlayStation(R), PlayStation(R)2, and PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(R))
computer entertainment systems, has exceeded 50 million units as of April
30, 2008. This remarkable sales figure was achieved in just 10 years and 4
months since the launch of the first title in the franchise - Gran Turismo,
in December 1997.
The Gran Turismo franchise, from the original Gran Turismo to the
latest Gran Turismo(TM) 5 Prologue, has continued to evolve alongside the
PlayStation platforms. With its outstanding game play, beautiful graphics
and the true to life driving feel, the franchise is recognized as the
world's number one automotive game title on the PlayStation format,
receiving high regard not just from game fans, but also from professional
racing drivers and people in the automobile industry.
The seventh installment of the world's best-selling racing franchise,
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue introduces entirely new entertainment modes by
taking advantage of the broadband network, such as online head-to-head
racing for up to 16 players, "GRAN TURISMO-TV"; a new in-game online
channel that delivers automotive video contents from around the globe, and
downloadable additional contents including new cars and courses, only
possible on PS3. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue has recorded strong sales since
the first launch in Japan in December, 2007, followed by North America and
Europe in Spring of 2008, with more than 2 million units of cumulative
shipment worldwide and contributing to the further expansion of the PS3
platform.
For all Gran Turismo fans around the world, SCEI and the developer of
the Gran Turismo series -- Polyphony Digital Inc., will continue hereon to
vigorously promote development of the Gran Turismo series, which can be
expected to evolve even further through the PS3 platform and broadband
network environment.
"Initially, Gran Turismo was an 'alternative' racing game, kind of an
outsider in the genre," said Kazunori Yamauchi, Producer of Gran Turismo.
"And we made it thinking that it would be okay as long as it reached out to
'the select few who would agree with us.' So this figure -- 50 million
units -- is simply astounding. If you go to a game store and look for a
particular package, and pay for it at the cash register, though the time
may be very brief, it still takes at least 3 minutes or so. It's simply
mind boggling and hard to believe that this has been repeated 50 million
times all around the world in the last 10 years. I would really like to
thank all the fans who have supported the Gran Turismo series over the
years, for all their passion and love of the game. We'd like to continue
making every effort to create cutting edge, high quality games, so that we
don't disappoint anyone's expectations."
Title Release Dates in North America
Gran Turismo May 12, 1998
Gran Turismo 2 December 23, 1999
Gran Turismo 3 A-spec July 10, 2001
Gran Turismo 4 February 22, 2005
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue April 15, 2008
About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Recognized as the global leader and the company responsible for the
progression of consumer-based computer entertainment, Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) manufacturers, distributes and markets the
PlayStation(R) game console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment
system, the PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) handheld entertainment system
and the PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(R)) system. PlayStation has revolutionized
home entertainment by introducing advanced 3D graphic processing, and
PlayStation 2 further enhances the PlayStation legacy as the core of home
networked entertainment. PSP is a new handheld entertainment system that
allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality full-motion video, and
high-fidelity stereo audio. PS3 is an advanced computer system,
incorporating the state-of- the-art Cell processor with super computer
level processing power. SCEI, along with its subsidiary divisions Sony
Computer Entertainment America Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
Ltd., and Sony Computer Entertainment Korea Inc. develops, publishes,
markets and distributes software, and manages third party licensing
programs for these platforms in the respective markets worldwide.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. is an
independent business unit of the Sony Group.
PlayStation, PLAYSTATION, PS3 and the PlayStation logo are registered
trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Gran Turismo is a registered
trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are
property of their respective owners.
All manufacturers, cars, names, brands and associated imagery featured
in this game are trademarks and/or copyrighted materials of their
respective owners. All rights reserved.
SOURCE Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.playstation.com
CONTACT:
Scott Goryl of Sony Computer Entertainment
America, +1-858-824-5792, Scott_Goryl@PlayStation.Sony.com
|
