In the year 1997, the world was in the midst of a digital transition. Cell Phones were in their infancy, Google was still being developed and video games were beginning to portray a sense of realism like never before.
Well, this year will be Gran Turismo’s 25th anniversary and we can expect the 7th edition very soon.
In exactly a month’s time, Gran Turismo 7 will be released for purchase exclusively through Sony’s gaming platform; PlayStation. Available in either the PS4 or the new PlayStation 5 platform, we can expect alluring visuals, particularly from the latter which is newer and superior. Sony Interactive Entertainment released a 30-minute video showcasing the new racing simulator in its recent State of Play event, delving into its features and systems. The YouTube video has already surpassed half a million views.
There are a few things to note with the latest instalment of the series after a five year wait. While the game includes a mind boggling 400+ cars, 34 locations and 90 different track layouts; aspects of the game have gravitated towards other parts of car culture and Gen Z media consumption. That doesn’t mean it is no longer a pure racing game that can’t simulate the real thing, it just caters for the youth who may fall in love with the culture in a different way that we can remember of ourselves.
So what does this all mean? Gran Turismo includes two new modes; Music Rally and Music Replay. The former edits snippets of your racing videos into new cuts based on the music, using switching camera angles and flow based on the beat. The latter is a format that requires the player to drive according to the music’s beat.
If that doesn’t sound like it is for you then the aspect of tuning an arsenal of vehicles might be. Performance upgrades, aero bits, widebody kits and big wings are part of the culture aspect that will have players modifying a purchased model to their taste. Speaking of, new cars from over 50 manufacturers will be offered while thrifty players have the opportunity to shop for bargains in a used car dealership and get a kick out of getting a virtual discount.
While a 30 minute video can only briefly illustrate the realism that this game has to offer, Sony are confident gamers will experience a vast amount of what Gran Turismo 7 has in store within the first few hours. Games may not be for everyone but platforms like Playstation and games like Gran Turismo enable petrolheads to access unique cars in detail within the virtual space, now why does a PlayStation 5 cost over R10 000?!
