Gran Turismo 5 Time Trial Challenge

[CyberPitz]

Was released yesterday. I know it is out for US, not sure about anybody else. It features a stock and race trim version of the Nissan 370Z. The car looks GREAT in game, haven't played it to find out how it feels though....here are the details.

he Gran Turismo 5 Time Trial Challenge, first announced December 3, will start this Thursday on December 17, 2009 and run through January 25, 2010. Players will be able to download the demo directly to their PlayStation 3 consoles via the PlayStation Network starting this Thursday.

The demo was specifically designed for this competition to showcase the realism of the brand-new physics engine and to challenge players’ driving skills using professional driving physics and many of the driving assists disabled. The full Gran Turismo 5 will feature multiple driving assists and various settings that can be changed to make the game easier or more challenging and realistic.

The Gran Turismo 5 Time Trial Challenge will allow players to compete in two time trial events with stock and tuned versions of the Nissan 370Z, on a special road course layout of the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The player with the fastest combined lap time for both time trial events will win VIP packages to the 2010 Indianapolis 500® Mile Race next May, with one winner chosen from the US and one from Canada.

Each winner will receive round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations for two (winner and guest) to attend the 2010 Indianapolis 500® Mile Race, a.k.a. the Indy 500®, in May. Each winner will also receive a VIP package that includes two all-access passes for Carb Day® (final Indy 500® practice, pit stop competition, special concert festivities, special event car rides in a 2010 Indy 500® event vehicle), all-access passes to the garage, pit area, and Victory Lane for pre- and post-race celebrations for the race, and two VIP suite tickets to enjoy the race.

Additionally, five runner-ups in the US and five in Canada will receive a voucher code for the PSP version of Gran Turismo.

http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d5147.html

 

[Blackthorn]

I've kept my hopes cautiously low for Gran Turismo, but after playing the demo I'm very excited. I really can't believe how much time I spent with just one lap and one car, obsessively repeating just to shave a milliseconds off. I'm pleased to see my skills haven't degraded too much over time (I was sure I'd barely be able to complete a lap) as I at least managed to push myself into the top 4000. After many, many years away from racing sims I'm quite proud.

The demo feels fantastic to drive, especially with the intimidating decision to disable all the driving aids that will be in the final game. I may even play the same way once that's released, after how fun and challenging I've found the experience. It's refreshing to actually have to think about your driving instead of it being largely a reflex test. Graphically, the lighting is fantastic, though as you can imagine the texture quality's taken a hit as it's a 200mb download. You won't notice this during play though, especially if with the driving seat view. What really impressed me was the near total lack of aliasing and superb frame rate throughout, which to me are essential.

I haven't tried Forza, since I only sink time into one massive racing sim per generation, so I can't compare. But this demo has reassured me that GT5 won't disappoint, which was a concern for me after waiting for so long.