Gran Turismo™ 5 Prologue Races to North America on April 17 Exclusively on PLAYSTATION®3

Billion Dollar Selling Franchise Sets Date and Price for the Racing...Print

FOSTER City, Calif. – Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) announced today the April 17 North American release date for Gran Turismo™5 Prologue, available exclusively on PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™). Developed by Polyphony Digital Inc., Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will be available for $39.99 SRP on Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) and as a download via P LAYSTATION®Store. The BD version will offer added value with an exclusive behind-the-scenes High Definition (HD) video feature called “Beyond the Apex”.

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue , an intense precursor to Gran Turismo™5, features over 60 meticulously detailed vehicles from manufacturers such as Ferrari , Audi and Nissan. Users will experience the vehicle-specific physics technology and intricate graphical rendering that Polyphony Digital is renowned for. Additionally, for the first time in the history of the franchise, users can race online -- at 60 fps (frames per second) in stunning 1080p HD -- with up to 16 vehicles at a time on beautifully rendered tracks from around the globe, including Daytona International Speedway® and a London City track.

“Ten years following the introduction of Gran Turismo™ on PS one®, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue delivers the most realistic and technologically advanced racing experience on any platform,” said Jeff Reese, Director, Software Marketing, SCEA. “With 1080p graphics, revolutionary online features like Gran Turismo™ TV and the new in-cockpit racing view, the world’s best-selling racing franchise will once again set the standard for racing games.”

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will feature various innovative and revolutionary modes to harness PS3 system’s capabilities while further developing an automotive lifestyle and global community . Among them is Gran Turismo™TV, a new dedicated online channel available exclusively from PLAYSTATION®Network that delivers worldwide motorsport programming and manufacturer content. Additionally, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will support online racing events to foster community competition. A new in-cockpit view will provide a unique perspective for racers and features real-time gauges and human animations that accurately represent the true performance and handling of each vehicle . To extend the realistic driving experience, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is also compatible with the new DUALSHOCK®3 controller, which has vibration functionality.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating for Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is “RP” for “Rating Pending.” For more information about the ESRB visit www.esrb.org.