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Gran Turismo(TM) Series Shipment Exceeds 50 Million Units Worldwide
Gran Turismo(TM) Series Shipment Exceeds 50 Million Units Worldwide
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 inJapan in
December, 2007, followed byNorth America andEurope 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 inTokyo, 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.
Copyright © 2008, PRNewswire
Copyright © 2008, NewsBlaze,
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