F1 Monza Ferrari star in Gran Turismo 5 video game

F1 Monza - Ferrari star in Gran Turismo 5 video game

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, a prequel of Gran Turismo 5 for PlayStation 3 (PS3) – on Blu-ray and download from PlayStation Network (PSN) winter 2008. Gran Turismo and PlayStation are partners in one of the most successful world game series in ten years – known for its realism, design and physics – now, with the power of PlayStation 3 it’s going to be amazing.
Featuring over 40 cars Gran Turismo 5 Prologue includes Mitsubishi, Lotus, Nissan and Ferrari race on realistic, real-life tracks: including Eiger Nordwand, London City Track and Suzuka – in High Definition graphics. With all-new driving physics offering the most lifelike driving experience ever. Opponent artificial intelligence has been upgraded for the toughest race challenge yet.


Now in Gran Turismo 5, you’ll now be able to race against others online. Play with another 15 players head-to-head on PlayStation Network on your PlayStation 3 - PS3. Global Rankings plus My Garage home page lets other compare their ranking to your Gran Turismo 5 standings.


Add an Online Dealership, with a wealth of facts on cars, manufacturers and Gran Turismo TV – the dedicated online television channel exclusively from PlayStation Network packed with great contents.


Key Features:

• Gran Turismo online racing: online driving against up to 15 other Gran Turismo players
  
• Over 40 stunning, high-performance cars
  
• Real life race tracks including Eiger Nordwand, London City Track and Suzuka – race in reverse or use alternative routes
  
• New physics engine with true next-generation vehicle handling
  
• New, improved opponent Ai
  
• Online Gran Turismo TV : great motoring TV programs
  
• Online Dealership - Access to car manufacturers online
  
• My Garage - personalised homepage feature with friends, chat and personal records
  
• Quick Tune - adjust power, tyres, suspension and more
  
• High Definition at 1080p (race: 1080p-60fps, replay: 1080p-30fps)
  
• Gran Turismo 5 – the full title – launches in 2008.

Until then, there’s enough ultra-realistic, high-speed racing in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue on PlayStation 3.

Gran Turimo Academy Goes Live on PlayStation

Log onto http://www.gtacademy.eu to start your journey in the ultimate driving competition courtesy of PlayStation, Nissan and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue.


Drivers of the world, start your engines - the GT Academy has arrived. The ultimate competitive driving test will begin on June 2nd when GT Academy goes live in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. The pan-European competition will be open to residents of the UK & Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Germany & Austria, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark and sees PlayStation and Nissan unite the worlds of virtual and real-life racing to make the dreams of aspiring race drivers a reality. The competition will run as follows:

Stage One: www.gtacademy.eu – 2nd June 2008 for seven weeks

The first phase of GT Academy will take place online with a giant Gran Turismo 5 Prologue tournament on PLAYSTATION Network. The competition will run for seven weeks and to enter, players must register their PLAYSTATION Network sign in ID on www.gtacademy.eu. The next time they play GT5 Prologue online they will be able to race in the GT Academy Time Trial where they will compete to be the fastest around the Eiger Nordwand track in a Nissan Fairlady 350Z.

Stage Two: National Final - July 2008

The fastest 20 drivers in each country will be invited to a national final to compete head to head on Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. The three fastest drivers from the final will win a seat at the…

Stage Three: GT Academy at Silverstone - 25 August 2008

The virtual gives way to tarmac as the fastest three drivers from each country travel to Silverstone, the home of British motor racing, to take part in the GT Academy - a real-life driving competition on the track itself. Competitors will not only have to prove their driving skills in a Nissan GT-R but will also be tested for their mental and physical skills in a series of tests.

The two fastest drivers from Silverstone then have the chance to enter a four month training programme to earn their racing licenses and take part in a real life race in a fully race prepared Nissan 350Z at the 24 Hour endurance event in Dubai in January 2009.

Speaking at Nurburgring 24H race, Kazunori Yamauchi, President of Polyphony Digital producers of Gran Turismo said: “This is a very exciting day for Gran Turismo. The Gran Turismo story started 10 years ago with the ambition to make a racing game that gives players the ultimate driving simulation experience. The GT Academy is the ultimate realisation of this ambition taking the Gran Turismo experience to the next level.

Stephane Cottin, Vice President, Marketing and Strategy, for Nissan in Europe continued: “GT Academy is a first for the motoring industry. Never before has a competition of this scale been undertaken to unite the worlds of virtual and real-life racing. GT Academy sets the challenge to see if gamers can recreate their performance behind of wheel of a real racing car and on their journey be amongst the first in Europe to drive the GT-R on track.”

GRAN TURISMO SERIES SHIPMENT EXCEEDS 50 MILLION

Remarkable Sales Achieved In Only 10 Years And 4 MonthsSince The Original Gran Turismo Launched In 1997

Sony Computer Entertainment announced today that the cumulative worldwide shipment of the Gran Turismo™ franchise, a genre-defining racing and car-life simulator available on PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) 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™ 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 in Japan in December, 2007, followed by North America and Europe 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 Japan

Gran Turismo December 23, 1997

Gran Turismo 2 December 11, 1999

Gran Turismo 3 A-spec April 28, 2001

Gran Turismo Concept 2001 TOKYO January 1, 2002

Gran Turismo 4 Prologue December 4, 2003

Gran Turismo 4 December 28, 2004

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue December 13, 2007

GTR Evolution on PC Screenshots

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Gran Turismo 5 Prologue races on to Sony PlayStation 3 in the US

Ten years after Gran Turismo launched on the PlayStation, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue makes its way exclusively on to Sony’s new High Definition games console the PlayStation 3.

GT5 comes on the latest Blu-Ray disk and offers 1080p High Definition (HD) graphics integrated into a precision racing simulator game and a stunning original soundtrack.

With seventy cars up for grabs, from all the world’s top manufacturers, you’ll have plenty to spend you hard earned credits on. From a Ford to a Ferrari all the latest models are available to race round the six fabulous circuits. The courses include street racing round London, the Daytona oval experience plus twisting mountain top racing. Gran Turismo game sales have already topped 48 million since launch and this fifth instalment is set to build on that figure.



The game is available on Blu-Ray for $39.99 and includes extra HD footage of car development and exclusive GT ‘Behind the scenes’ specials. Those with a high speed internet connection can choose to download the game from Sony although the extra HD video will only be downloaded ‘on demand’.

Up to 16 players can race head-to-head both offline and online, with online race players ‘matched’ against each other. You can earn credits both on and offline to gain better vehicles.

The North America game sports an exclusive sound track mixing dance, electronic and ambient HD sounds. Artists include Justice, DJ Shadow, Weezer and The Mars Volta.

The online user homepage carries ‘real time’ weather forecast and live news and updates. The game can update over the internet and new content can be downloaded. Gran Turismo 5 vehicles can be customised and tuned to suit any driving conditions and the game is compatible with Sony’s DualShock 3 wireless controllers.

On a downside the cars never get damaged, no matter how many times you crash and online other users can barge you off the courses without penalty.

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue - review drive you wild?

On the PlayStation (long before it became the PSone) Gran Turismo was a revelation. Rather than approximating a driving experience a la arcade centric games like Ridge Racer or even TOCA, it unblinkingly stared into the face of the motorsport industry and delivered an authentic experience. Where other game had long been marketed a life-like driving experience, Gran Turismo was the first that could truly say it was a real Driving Simulator.

As such it became a game more about relationships than about horsepower and traction control (stay with us here). Picking up a gamepad to play, the player slowly developed detailed interactions with both cars and circuits. Here they would spend hours fine tuning their skills on certain cars, and memorising every twist, camber and turn of each track. Apart from the real life renderings of other games (Laguna Seca for example) there are no tracks that come anywhere close in my memory to the heady delights of Grindwald.



Since the original release, and the franchise's establishment at the top of the driving game scene, it has seen numerous iterations. Such is the obsessive attention to detail of Polyphony Digital that they are often forced to release early samples of their games to keep fans happy. These entries usually go by the name of Prologue, and although should be quickly followed by the full game, history teaches that they often precede it by a good year. Today is just one of those moments - where publisher and fan pressure has squeezed an early release form the developers, and where we likely have another year to go before the full release.

More from: Play

Get Your Motor Running - Gran Turismo 5 Prologue

Additional special features included in the European release
16-player online racing on PLAYSTATION Network – a Gran Turismo first!
71 dream cars, High Definition graphics, new physics engine… and a TV channel

Attention all driving fans!! One of the games industry’s most legendary titles is about to make its PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) debut! That’s right - the real driving simulator that’s already sold almost 50 million units is back. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe and Polyphony Digital are pleased to announce Gran Turismo 5 Prologue™, a prequel title showcasing the forthcoming Gran Turismo 5 for PS3, will be available both on Blu-ray Disc (BD) on Wednesday 26 March for £24.99 (RRP), and as a download from PLAYSTATION Network on Thursday 27 March. Launching on the same day as the standalone BD version, a PS3 bundle will be available including a PS3 40GB model, a SIXAXIS wireless controller and a Gran Turismo 5 Prologue game, all for just £299.99 (RRP).

Gran Turismo on PlayStation is one of the most successful global gaming franchises of the last decade – renowned for its realism, quality of design and in-car physics technology. Now, with the power of PS3 behind it, it’s going to be unstoppable. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue features 71 stunning cars – including vehicles by Lotus, Aston Martin, Subaru and, making another striking appearance, Ferrari - for you to race on six seriously realistic tracks: the Eiger Nordwand; the Daytona International Speedway; the London City Track; the Fuji Speedway, Suzuka and the High Speed Ring – all drivable in two layouts and all rendered in incredible High Definition graphics. There’s also all-new driving physics for the most lifelike driving experience ever and new, improved, opponent artificial intelligence for the toughest race challenge yet.

But that’s not all – for the first time in the history of Gran Turismo, you’ll be able to race online. Thanks to PLAYSTATION Network, up to 16 players will be able to go head-to-head on some of the world’s best racetracks – all you need to get racing is a broadband connection and a PS3. Once you’re up and revving, Global Online Rankings will leave the world in no doubt as to just who is the best at Gran Turismo.

And then there’s Gran Turismo™ TV – a dedicated online channel available exclusively from PLAYSTATION Network and packed with some of the greatest content that motorsport has to offer.

And, when you’re done watching live coverage, you can take a more sedate browse through the Gran Turismo museum, where you’ll find virtual exhibits on the history of many of the world-class car marques that have starred in Gran Turismo.

Key Features:

• The first ever Gran Turismo title with online racing: drive online against up to 16 other Gran Turismo aces
  
• Race a total of 71 stunning, high-performance cars
  
• Race the Eiger Nordwand, the Daytona International Speedway, the London City Track , the Fuji Speedway, Suzuka and the High Speed Ring - and then race them in alternative layouts
  
• All-new physics engine means true next-generation vehicle handling
  
• All-new and improved opponent AI opponents for a nail-biting race experience
  
• Access to Gran Turismo TV : a world of great motoring TV programming online
  
• In-game museum featuring the history and heritage of the top car manufacturers
  
• My Garage - a personalised homepage feature with calendar, clock and map & weather of major race circuits worldwide
  
• Quick Tune facility allows you to adjust power, tyres, suspension and more
  
• All in stunning High Definition at 1080p
  

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Additional Features for Europe:

• 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, tyres, suspension and the ability for quick tuning whilst racing.
  
• Two-player Split Screen Racing – Allows players to race head-to-head offline.
  
• New Race Events – Online racing fans can join in on a new set of scheduled events and time trials.
  

The complete Gran Turismo 5 launches in 2009. Until then, there’s enough ultra-realistic, high-speed racing in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue on PS3 and it’s out now! To find out more, visit www.granturismoworld.com.

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue line-up now confirmed on Sony PlayStation 3

Gran Turismo 5 PrologueTM line-up now confirmed

71 of the hottest vehicles make the PLAYSTATION 3 starting grid

• Ferrari returns this March with four stunning cars
• Features cars from US, Japan, Germany, France, Italy and Great Britain
• Online racing, Hi-Def graphics, new physics engine and even a TV channel
  

Love Ferrari, Nissan, Honda, Dodge, BMW, Aston Martin, Subaru and Lotus? You’ll love Gran Turismo 5 Prologue™ – the prequel title showcasing the forthcoming Gran Turismo 5 for PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3). Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is the latest instalment of one of the most successful global gaming franchises of the last ten years – renowned for its realism, quality of design and in-car physics technology – now, with the power of PS3 behind it, it’s going from strength to strength. The 71-car-strong vehicle list is now confirmed – here are a few highlights of what you’ll be able to race this March:

• Audi R8 4.2 FSI R Tronic
  
• BMW M3
  
• Dodge VIPER GTS
• Ferrari 599
• Honda INTEGRA TYPE R (DC5)
• Lotus Elise 111R
• Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG '02
  
• Nissan GT-R
• Aston Martin DB9 Coupe
• Subaru IMPREZA WRX STI
  

And there’s more – much more. We’re talking a grand total of 71 of the hottest vehicles from the world’s most iconic manufacturers – all officially licensed and all rendered in High Definition. The game features six seriously realistic, tracks all drivable in two layouts. There’s also all-new driving physics for the most lifelike driving experience ever and new, improved opponent artificial intelligence for the toughest race challenge yet. And, for the first ever time in the franchise, there’s online multiplayer - up to 16 players will be able to go head-to-head on PLAYSTATION Network (PSN). Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is available both on Blu-ray disc and as a download from PSN this March.

Here’s a quick overview of the key features you’ll get with Gran Turismo 5 Prologue:

Key Features:

• The first ever Gran Turismo title with online racing: drive online against up to 16 other Gran Turismo aces
  
• Race a total of 71 stunning cars:
  
• Race the Eiger Nordwand, Daytona International Speedway, the London City Track, Fuji Speedway, Suzuka and the High Speed Ring - then race them all in alternative layouts
  
• All-new physics engine means true next-generation vehicle handling
  
• All-new and improved opponent AI for a nail-biting race experience
  
• Access to Gran Turismo TV : a world of great motoring TV programming online including the BBCs Top Gear
  
• In-game museum featuring the history and heritage of the top car manufacturers
  
• My Garage - a personalised homepage feature with calendar, clock and map & weather of major race circuits worldwide
  
• Quick Tune facility allows you to adjust power, tyres, suspension and more
  
• All in stunning High Definition at 1080p
  

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Additional Features for Europe:

• 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, tyres, suspension and the ability for quick tuning whilst racing.
  
• Two-player Split Screen Racing – Allows players to race head-to-head offline.
  
• New Race Events – Online racing fans can join in on a new set of scheduled events and time trials.
  

To find out more, visit www.granturismoworld.com.

Kazunori Yamauchi Creator of Gran Turismo talks

Kazunori Yamauchi

Corporate Executive, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., President of Polyphony Digital and Creator of Gran Turismo Franchise

Hometown – Kashiwa, Japan

Personal Cars – 2005 Ford GT, Honda S2000, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V, Porsche GT3, Nissan 350Z, Mercedes AMG SL55.

Since he was three years old, Kazunori Yamauchi has had a fascination with cars. It was not until he was 15 years old, when he began building the original concept for Gran Turismo. When reflecting back, Yamauchi states, “I feel very lucky to be able to create a driving game that can capture the emotion and true-feel of automobiles from around the world in unique and well-known locales.”

Since the inception of the Gran Turismo franchise, Yamauchi and Polyphony Digital have revolutionized the racing category as we know it today. His offerings provide the gamer with the most true-to-life driving simulation within the industry and a unique medium for automobile manufacturers to showcase their products. In Motor Trend Magazine’s February 2005, 2006 and 2007 issue, Yamauchi was selected among the top 50 most powerful people in the automotive industry. In the January 2006 issue of the UK’s popular Car Magazine, Yamauchi was selected as the most powerful man in the industry. Details Magazine included him in its “Top 40 under 40” feature. When commenting on Gran Turismo, Newsweek stated in its March 10, 2003 issue, “Games like GT3 are turning millions of couch potatoes into living-room racers…becoming the new virtual showroom and design studio for automakers.”

Through the Gran Turismo franchise, one can clearly see that Yamauchi is a great fan of cars and motorsports. Currently, Yamauchi owns a 2005 Ford GT, Honda S2000, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V, Porsche GT3, Nissan 350Z and a Mercedes AMG SL55. Often, one may find Yamauchi racing leisurely at the Twin Ring Motegi race track outside of Tokyo. The track at Motegi was also the testing ground for many of the cars featured in the Gran Turismo offerings.

In 1993, Yamauchi began his career in the game industry, the same year Sony Computer Entertainment was established. At that time, Yamauchi’s role was to create games for the new PlayStation® game console, to be released in Japan the following year. Since 1993, Yamauchi has created Motortoon Grand Prix (one of the Japanese PlayStation launch titles in 1994), Motortoon Grand Prix 2 (1996), Gran Turismo (1997), Omega Boost (1999), Gran Turismo 2 (1999), Gran Turismo 3 (2001) Gran Turismo Concept (Japanese/European release), Gran Turismo 4 Prologue (Japanese/European release), Gran Turismo 4 (2005), Tourist Trophy (2006), Gran Turismo HD Concept (2006).

Growing up in the city of Kashiwa, Japan in Chiba prefecture, Yamauchi was a role model school boy who dreamed of becoming an astronaut. At the time, he was interested in the motion picture industry and in Junior High School, he established a movie production group, making one film a year. At one point, he wished he could create a movie like Star Wars. Yamauchi adds that Japan’s gaming industry is similar to Hollywood in the film industry.

As Yamauchi proceeded to High School, he explains that he was no longer the “cream of the crop”. In his years at University School, Yamauchi built his skills in graphic design, participating in part time jobs in preparing presentation materials for car manufacturers.

Nearly 10 years ago, Yamauchi began the Gran Turismo franchise with four people. Today, he is President of Polyphony Digital, which is comprised of more than 70 members, encompassing programmers, designers, artists and more. Yamauchi’s main responsibility is for the core game design and balancing of concepts, however, he has an ongoing open forum for suggestions from his team members that often can result in game design plans. The name ‘Polyphony’ is meant to suggest a place for polyphonic people and for their voices to mix with one another. Currently, Yamauchi and team are now preparing for the upcoming release of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue for PLAYSTATION 3.

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue game trailer

Watch the trailer here : http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/146996.html

Video games boost America's love for Japanese sportcars

America's love for Japanese sportscars is getting a boost from video games that allow driver-players to "virtually" experience new models before they get behind the actual wheel.

No fewer than three "supercars" this week made their North American debut at a car show in Los Angeles that opened to the public Friday after two days of media-only access.

The unveiling of the GT-R coupe on Wednesday sent a crush of onlookers to the Nissan stand, where the brand's president Carlos Ghosn came to boast about the latest heir to the "Skyline" dynasty, synonymous with high performance in Japan since 1969.

The sharply defined car has until now only been manufactured with its steering wheel on the right side, making it suitable for countries where cars drive on the left and therefore preventing its export to the United States and continental Europe.

But Americans have been driving virtual "Skyline" cars for years.

They feature in the wildly popular Gran Turismo video game, originating from Japan, which for the past decade has been sold worldwide for Sony Playstation.

A demonstration for the next version, Gran Turismo 5, already features the new GT-R.

Sold for around $70,000 before tax, the GT-R is "no longer an out-of-reach desire in a video game or movie," said Ghosn of the Japanese sportscars that also features in the third installment of the movie "Fast and Furious," released in 2006.

Under the hood of the GT-R lies a 480 horsepower engine that can make it go from 0 to 60 miles per hour (0 to 100 kilometers per hour) in 3.5 seconds, and reach a top speed of 193 miles per hour (311 kilometers per hour).

In a nod to the video game, it also has an on-deck computer that lets the driver analyze his or her dexterity at the wheel.

Another example of a car which owes a great deal to virutal drivers is the Subaru Impeza, whose amped-up version the WRX STI made its US debut in 2004 even though it had been a regular on the gamers' circuit since 1992.

"The video game phenomenon, with Gran Turismo, I think drew lot of demand," said Tim Colbeck, vice president of sales for Subaru of America, who was showing a new 305-horsepower version of the sportscar in Los Angeles.

"It got to a point when it made absolute sense to bring this car in, and when we did, it's been a great car for us, very popular."

Subaru's main competitor is the Mitsubishi Evolution, an agile four-door saloon car that metamorphoses into a rally car. The newest Evolution, its 10th incarnation since 1992, also made an appearance in Los Angeles, this time with a 291-horsepower engine.

"We didn't bring it in till number eight," said Janis Little, director of product and brand communications for Mitsubishi Motors North America.

"So those people who played videogames, and of course the ones who were aware of Gran Turismo, helped to build the base for Evolution. They became acquainted with us in video games and so Mitsubishi has enjoyed a nice relationship with the people of Gran Turismo."

Sony's largest advertising campaign launched

Sony Computer Entertainment America is due to launch one of its biggest advertising campaigns this weekend as it introduces the new 40GB PlayStation 3 to the US market.

For the first time the PlayStation Network service is to be one of the key messages behind the marketing push, along with the console's Blu-ray capabilities, the new price point and the line-up of available software.

"The games are here, the price point is now USD 399 and we wanted to make the news loud and clear," said Peter Dille, VP of marketing for SCEA.

"Beyond the brilliant HD games that the PS3 delivers, you'll also see a big focus behind the PS3's Blu-ray movie capability and, for the first time, you'll see a major focus behind the PlayStation Network and the exclusive gaming content available on the PlayStation Store, as well as break through services like Home," he added.

Sony has lined-up a number of 60 second commercials showing off first-party exclusives including Heavenly Sword, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue.

The company is also pushing third-party software Haze, Burnout Paradise and Assassin's Creed, with Dille describing Konami's delayed Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots as "the mother of all exclusives."

"We have the 40GB PS3 'officially' launching tomorrow at a price point that will appeal to a wider audience and the 80GB PS3 which is demonstrating phenomenal sales growth since we announced the USD 499 price point," continued Dille.

"Add to that the inflow of great games and a PS3 brand campaign – our largest ever behind a hardware platform – and we think it's going to be a great holiday season for PS3."

Source: Games Industry

Is it a game, or is it real?

"Shall we play a game?"

For those of us who grew up playing videogames in arcades, hearing that computerized voice in WarGames was the moment when gaming became more than a frantic quest for quarters. That voice — tempting Matthew Broderick into nearly setting off a global thermonuclear war — signaled a new epoch: Reaching the next level in Donkey Kong wasn't enough anymore. Games could be serious.

Two decades on, that revelation is now conventional wisdom. From the military's use of America's Army for recruiting to quarterbacks researching tactics via Madden NFL, we've gone from games representing life to becoming life. Ask yourself: Do you believe that your club moves have improved from playing Dance Dance Revolution? Have your driving skills matured because of Gran Turismo? Does cleaning out your RSS reader remind you of playing Pac-Man? Does the action of the iPhone's bouncing icons recall Mario Bros.? Have you tried to convince your friends that the invasion of Sudoku and Tetris into your dreams is proof of high-level brain activity? Welcome to the arcade called you.

Of course, the basics of gameplay — competing against opponents, setting records, winning prizes — are as old as human civilization. But the gaming mindset has now become pervasive. We use game models to motivate ourselves, to answer questions, to find creative solutions. For many, life itself has turned into a game. Our online lives are just twists on the videogame leaderboards, where we jockey to get our blog a higher rank on Technorati and compete to acquire more friend-adds on MySpace than the next guy.

More from: WIRED