On December 23, 1997, Polyphony Digital released a racing video game called Grand Tourismwriting one of the most important pages in the gaming world.
Today, after 26 years and 7 official titles published (to which are added the various spin-offs) that video game becomes a film that tells the true story of Jann Mardenborougha boy who went from the console to the track, the real one.
But let’s proceed in order. This, dear readers, is it the true story of Gran Turismoa driving simulator that has become a legend, and a legend that today becomes a film.
The first Gran Turismo: the best-selling game ever on PlayStation
Specially developed to fully exploit the potential of the iconic first PlayStation, Gran Turismo arrives in Europe and the United States in May 1998. It will be an incredible success: over 11 million copies sold for what, still today, is the best-selling game ever for the first PlayStation.
But why such a success?
The first element worthy of note is the fleet of cars that the player had available for his races: over 290 cars, all with detailed features. Countless hours are spent choosing the perfect car, searching for the right acceleration but also the right grip, to best optimize race times.
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Not only: the cars could be extensively customized and modified. This was possible above all in one of the two modes available, the one called own Gran Turismo. This game mode put the player in the shoes (or rather in the suit and helmet) of an emerging driver, ready to demonstrate his worth on the track. The progress of the races allowed for accumulate points, special licenses and moneywith which you can customize your car or purchase (and unlock) new ones.
The other game mode was instead called Arcadeand allowed the player to freely engage in the various challenges, including dozens of difficult circuits, particularly skilled opponents and time trials.
The most important innovation, however, came precisely from the fact that the game was specifically designed for PlayStation. With a control system designed for DualShock controllers (complete with vibration when going off track) and a incredibly realistic graphics engine for its timethe game quickly entered the hearts of couch pilots.
Attention to racing physics and the television replaywhich allowed you to relive your own swerves from different shots.
The series follows the technological advancement of home consoles
At the beginning of the new millennium, having overcome the Millennium Bug bugaboo, Sony presents the sequel to GT to the Western world, again on the first PlayStation. If in the first chapter there were 11 circuits, in the second they become as many 27with an assortment of over 600 cars (and not just the racing ones). The game was so large that it was distributed on two different CDs, one for each game mode. The same modes are revised and perfected, making the GT campaign even more realistic and complex, introducing a vaguely strategic component: the management of the driver’s money.
The landing on PlayStation 2 takes place the following year, in 2001, with the tthird game of the franchise, which features a new graphics section and introduces other modifiable features to the cars. Between suspensions and exhaust pipes, the cars can be modified down to the smallest detail. Winning races becomes even more satisfying, given that the game brings the number of unlockable licenses to 6 and, by winning certain competitions, it also allows you to unlock two Formula 1 cars.
After 3 years of relative silence, when many were wondering how it was possible to surpass the success of the first three games, it arrives in 2004 Gran Turismo 4also on PlayStation 2. This is the first great revolution of the franchise which, in addition to expanding the fleet of cars and circuits, decides to introduce numerous other game modes. Not only: comes the first substantial change to the graphics engine and gameplaywhich now also supports the ability to make pit stops.
The result? 11.6 million copies sold worldwide.
The Gran Turismo saga has sold a total of 90 million copies
Between 2010 and 2013 two other games in the saga arrive, this time on PlayStation 3, which allow the player to transfer licenses from one title to another, thus providing continuity to the entire saga, and online multiplayer (already tested on GT 4). 9 years of silence follow, interrupted only by the voice of PlayStation 4 players who, in the meantime, are clamoring for a new chapter for the new consoles. Sony takes its time and releases Gran Turismo Sport. The discussion on whether or not this game is part of the official saga is still open.
Then in 2021 comes the announcement: Gran Turismo 7 will be released on March 4, 2022. And in the meantime, since the PlayStation 5 arrived two years earlier, the new game will support all the advanced features of the new console, including the 4K HDR.
In total the entire franchise (which in addition to the 7 official titles has 6 spin-offs) has sold more than 90 million copies worldwide.
Gran Turismo: story of a video game that has become legend
Today, however, the first film of the series called arrives at the cinema Gran Turismo – The story of an impossible dream. The film, directed by Neill Blomkamptells the true story of the pilot Jann Mardenboroughwho from the eSports world arrives at the real Nissan team, thus becoming a professional driver.