Paying for game demos (Gran Turismo 5 - Prologue)

[zenmaster]

'PlayStation 3 exclusive Gran Turismo 5: Prologue sold 116,000 retail copies as it stormed to third place on the Media Create Japanese Software Chart.

It was the only PS3 title that made the top twenty in a chart pretty much dominated by software for Nintendo’s Wii and DS, with Mario Party DS edging out Wii Fit for the top spot.

GT5: Prologue’s numbers are even more impressive when you consider that the title was also availiable as a digital download on the PlayStation Network, which means that the retail numbers are below what they potentially could have been.'
 From PS3 Center

Do you guys think it's fair that people be charged for a demo? I think it's real shit.... Unless games demos that sell well contribute to a reduction of the price of the final product! Wouldn't that be nice?

[TheApprentice]

First off, the game isn't a demo....

Its an actual full entry into the GT series....
With 40 cars and I believe 6 tracks...

Its a taste for the final GT5...

The game (not demo) is sold at a lower price than a standard retail game....

So people are not paying for a demo...
Demos constantly come out on the Playstation Network and are free of charge...
Same goes for Gran Turismo HD, which was free....

[W1nTry]

That is still a pretty raw deal... you paying (even a lower price) JUST to get 40 cars and 6 tracks? what a WASTE. The way I see it, they are either:
1. Desparate to bring SOMETHIGN GREAT to the PS3 so they figured ok put out a 1/4 (if that much) of a product that is highly anticipated to attract more sales

or

2. They are really sticking it to their customers by making them pay TWICE. I say give the customer the demo with 10 cars 3 tracks and go with dat.. this paying for a prolouge is rubbish.

[TheApprentice]

Well there is history behind this....

These was a prologue release in the past...GT4 Prologue
and people bought it...

So its only logical to do the same....
A win-win situation for Sony anywayz..

Because people are buying Prologue...
And people WILL buy prologue when it launches in other territories... (i.e. the die hard GT fan...)

Those that consider it a demo, will skip...
I for one am waiting on the final product...

[zenmaster]

Did you know this 'demo' cost about $40 USD?? I like PS3 and Gran Turismo too but thats crap. Anyone who is a fan of GT should know 40 cars and 6 tracks is a damn demo. "Its a taste for the final GT5" isn't a demo a taste? GT4 had over 600 cars!! Demo is replaced by the word Prologue.

[Arcmanov]

Good ol Sony.....doing what they do best: trying to piss off their existing customer base, and alienating the potentially new one.
PS3 owners so hungry for new titles that they feel almost obligated to pay for this.  Its either a demo or it isn't.
'Prologue' just aint cuttin it.

[TheApprentice]

lol...

well demo or not...
Sony still raking in cash....

Its up to us to decide whether to pay or not...
I for one not paying.... I see it as a game, rather than a demo....

But I won't get it knowing the final GT5 is a few months off...

[TheApprentice]

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue hits stores in North America on April 17 for $40, it will also be sold as a digital download for the same price on the Playstation Store. If you buy the disc version it comes packed with an extra behind-the-scenes high-def video called "Beyond the Apex".



The precursor to GTA5 will include 60 vehicles, 16 car online races at 60 frames per second and 1080p HD support. The game also supports online racing events, an in-cockpit view with real-time gauges and human animation and support of the vibration Dualshock controller.

"Ten years following the introduction of Gran Turismo(TM) on PS one(R), 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(TM) TV and the new in-cockpit racing view, the world'sbest-selling racing franchise will once again set the standard for racing games."

The game will launch with Gran Turismo TV, a dedicated online channel on the Playstation Network that will include worldwide motorsport programming.



Gran Turismo™5 Prologue
FACT SHEET


Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA)
Developer: Polyphony Digital, Inc.
Platform: PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™)
Genre: Racing
Release: Spring 2008
Rating: "RP" for Rating Pending


OVERVIEW
With more than 47 million units shipped worldwide, the award-winning Gran Turismo™ franchise has raced far beyond a driving simulator experience; it is a global lifestyle. Setting the bar to unprecedented heights of realism, quality of design and physics technology with every product release, famed developer Polyphony Digital, Inc. continues to obscure the line between simulation and reality with the newest iteration of its blockbuster franchise, Gran Turismo™ 5 Prologue, exclusively for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™).

Available on Blu-ray Disc and as a download via PLAYSTATION®Network, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue showcases the automotive experience that is imminent with Gran Turismo 5. Featuring over 60 meticulously detailed cars -- including vehicles by Ferrari, Audi and Nissan -- for users to race on five beautifully rendered reversible tracks from around the globe, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue runs in stunning1080p High Definition. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will also introduce to the franchise an in-cockpit view, providing a unique perspective for racers and featuring real-time gauges and human animations that accurately represent the true performance and handling of each vehicle. Additionally, in conjunction with a robust offline experience, for the first time in the history of the franchise Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will support up to 16 players racing head-to-head online, complete with community events and leaderboards, to quell any question of who is the best driver in the "World of GT."

Dedicated to expanding the user's immersion in automotive culture, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will feature access to Gran Turismo™ TV, a dedicated online channel available exclusively from PLAYSTATION Network that delivers some of the greatest motorsport and manufacturer content that television has to offer.

KEY FEATURES
• A first for the franchise, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue supports online racing with up to 16 drivers racing simultaneously on a beautifully rendered race track.
• Race more than 60 high-performance and exhaustively detailed cars, including vehicles from Ferrari, Audi, Nissan and Mitsubishi.
• Race on five stunningly realistic tracks, including the Eiger Nordwand, the London City Track and Suzuka.
• A new physics engine delivers next-generation vehicle handling. True to the heritage of the Gran Turismo franshise, this new physics engine provides unprecedented realism and authentic handling specific to each car.
• A new in-cockpit view provides a unique perspective for racers and features a customized dashboard for each of the cars in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. Real-time gauges and human animations accurately represent the true performance and handling of each vehicle.
• All-new and improved opponent AI for a nail-biting and more strategic race racing experience.
• Access to Gran Turismo TV: a clearinghouse of great motoring TV (video) programming (both HD and SD - all broadcast quality) online through PLAYSTATION Network.
• To extend the realistic driving experience, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is also compatible with the new DUALSHOCK®3 controller, which has vibration functionality.
• Quick Tune facility allows you to adjust power, tires, suspension and more.
• Gran Turismo 5 Prologue runs in stunning High Definition at 1080p (race: 1080p-60fps, replay: 1080p-30fps)

[shivadee]

sweeeeeeet
you know you can get this game on playasia.com.....the japanese version for Blu Ray.....which is region free
if you cant wait.
same place i just ordered my dual shock 3

[TheApprentice]

This thing doesn't seem like paying $40USD for a demo anymore....

"This impressive vehicle lineup and the additional features that cater to North American racing fans are great compliments to Gran Turismo 5 Prologue's stunning 1080p graphics and revolutionary online features," said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA. "Fans are sure to be pleased with the first Gran Turismo product for sale on PLAYSTATION 3."

Press Release:
Modes Drift Mode -- The player's drifting technique is measured based on drift angles, racing lines, and speeds within evaluation zones located at various turns on the course.

In Depth Car Tuning -- Players have the ability to adjust the vehicle's performance, including power, weight, tires and suspension.

Two-player Split Screen Racing -- Allows players to race head-to-head against friends and foes offline.

The tracks included will be Suzuka Circuit, Eiger Nordwand, Fuji Speedway, London City Track, Daytona International Speedway and High Speed Ring.

New Race Events --
New racing events and time trials are available for players to race both offline and online. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue supports up to 16 players racing online simultaneously.



Vehicle Roster:

Acura NSX '91
Alfa Romeo 147 TI 2.0 TWIN SPARK '06
Alfa Romeo Brera Sky Window 3.2 JTS Q4 '06
Amuse S2000 GT1 Turbo
Amuse/Opera Performance Gran Turismo 350Z RS
Art Morrison Corvette'60
Aston Martin DB9 Coupe '06
Audi R8 4.2 FSI R tronic '07
Audi TT Coupe 3.2 quattro '07
Blitz Dunlop ER34 '07
BMW 135i Coupe '07
BMW 135tii '08
BMW M3 Coupe '07
BMW Z4 '03
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C6) Tuned Car
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 '06
Citroen C4 Coupe 2.0VTS '06
Clio Renault Sport V6 24V Tuned Car
Daihatsu Copen Active Top '02
Daihatsu OFC-1 '07
Dodge Viper GTS
Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe
Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Tuned Car
Ferrari 512BB '76
Ferrari 599 '06
Ferrari F40 '92
Ferrari F430 '06
Ford Focus ST '06
Ford GT '05
Ford GT Tuned Car
Ford Mustang V8 GT Coupe Premium '07
Honda Integra TYPE R '04
Honda NSX Type R '02
Jaguar XK Coupe '06
Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione '91
Lexus IS F '07
Lexus IS F Tuned Car
Lotus Elise 111R '04
Lotus Elise 111R Tuned Car
Lotus Elise '96
Lotus Elise Tuned Car
Mazda Atenza Sport (2007 Tokyo Motor Show reference exhibit)
Mazda RX-7 (FD) Special Tuned Car
Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A (FD) '02
Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A (FD) Tuned Car
Mazda RX-8 Type S '03
Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG '02
Mine's BNR34 Skyline GT-R N1 base '06
Mini Cooper-S '06
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR '05
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR Premium Package '07
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR Tuned Car
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR Tuned Car
Nissan Fairlady Z Version S '07
Nissan GT-R '07
Nissan GT-R Proto '05
Nissan Skyline Coupe (V36) Tuned Car
Nissan Skyline Coupe 370GT Type SP '07
Nissan Skyline Coupe Concept '07
Nissan Skyline GT-R V-spec II Nur '02
Nissan Skyline Sedan 350GT Type SP '06
Peugeot 207GTI '07
Peugeot 307cc Premium AVN '04
RE Amemiya FD3S RX-7
Renault Clio Renault Sport V6 24V '00
Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX STI spec C Type RA '05
Subaru Impreza WRX STI (18inch BBS Wheel Option) '07
Suzuki Cappuccino '95
Suzuki Cappuccino Tuned Car
Suzuki Cervo SR '07
Suzuki Swift Sport '07
Suzuki Swift Sport Tuned Car
TVR Tamora '02
TVR Tuscan Speed 6 '00
Volkswagen Golf GTI '01
Volkswagen Golf V GTI '05







>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I think I actually gonna get this now, given that the final GT5 may not be out til next year...

[zenmaster]

sweeeeeeet
you know you can get this game on playasia.com.....the japanese version for Blu Ray.....which is region free
if you cant wait.
same place i just ordered my dual shock 3

I think the Japanese version has less cars. I guess it's the same principle.. you get less now and more later

[rfs]

Ferrari F40 yes, lol. The full GT5 is gonna be da s**t!!! 

[Seiryuki]

What's cool is that Gran Turismo 5 (not Prologue) will have over 10,000 cars! Obviously most of them will be up for download. And, imagine that Polyphony Digital has to create the interiors and everything for all 10,000 because of the new cockpit (dashboard) view, which rocks!

It does feel like GT5 Prologue is a demo, but considering what it offers it's certainly more than what most full-fledged games offer on the market today. Dude, it's the best freaking driving simulator on the planet, not to mention the GT series has always have the best graphics of its time. Who wouldn't want to taste GT5 with Prologue. It's just that there are those (like me) who would rather save their money for the full release considering financial levels.

However, it's a great move taking note of the immense effort of the developers to create perfection. We're in the next generation of gaming and we need to understand that development will take longer at significantly higher costs. They need to rake in some cash for their efforts to keep the company stable, or else we'll be complaining of a fall of GT. We don't want that, and Sony knows that a lot of people (the majority being Japanese and Western Europeans) will purchase the 'taste' out of desperation and hence bide time.

So, it really doesn't matter what you guys think about the costs of the Prologue. The majority will buy because it was aimed for them, not for you. They need incoming support for their efforts so far and they're getting just that. No need to get all hyped over prices or 'demo'. They've already won their strategy.

[TheApprentice]

Sony knows that a lot of people (the majority being Japanese and Western Europeans) will purchase the 'taste' out of desperation and hence bide time.

I like your post alot Seiryuki...
Good Points...



Also GT5: Prologue, it was announced yesterday that the title has gone Platinum in Europe...A month before its released...
So this demo game is riding on a huge hype engine...

[rfs]

Sony knows that a lot of people (the majority being Japanese and Western Europeans) will purchase the 'taste' out of desperation and hence bide time.

I like your post alot Seiryuki...
Good Points...



Also GT5: Prologue, it was announced yesterday that the title has gone Platinum in Europe...A month before its released...
So this demo game is riding on a huge hype engine...

And much of the hype's been built on just 2 cars:

Ferrari F40

 
Ferrari F2007 

[zenmaster]

damage coming to GT prologue

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/864/864142p1.html