Sony Announces Free to Play Gran Turismo Game, But There’s a Catch

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Key Takeaways

  • The new free My First Gran Turismo game offers a nostalgic experience with 18 classic cars.
  • Available on Dec 6, 2024, players can race on classic tracks and enjoy a VR experience on PS5.
  • PlayStation Store will offer My First Gran Turismo for both PS4 and PS5 with a limited car lineup.

As a long-time PlayStation enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of the Gran Turismo series since its humble beginnings, I can’t help but feel a surge of nostalgia at the announcement of My First Gran Turismo. This game seems like a perfect blend of the past and present, offering a taste of the classic racing experience that first drew me into the world of virtual motorsports while updating it with modern graphics and features.

As a thrilled enthusiast, I’m excited to announce that a fresh, free edition of “Gran Turismo” is just around the corner for PlayStation gamers! This new release promises to recapture the timeless charm of the original 1997 racing game, a classic that left an indelible mark on the gaming world. Interestingly, this throwback game is part of the celebrated “Gran Turismo” series, launched in honor of PlayStation’s 30th anniversary. On December 3, 1994, PlayStation debuted its first console, and it seems we’re in for a memorable celebration!

The Gran Turismo series debuted around 27 years back, which is almost as long as the PlayStation brand has existed. Over the years, a total of seven main games have been released, one for each Sony console generation, plus a portable version in 2009 for the PlayStation Portable and five spin-offs. The latest addition to the series, Gran Turismo 7, was exclusively launched on March 4, 2022, for both PlayStation 4 and 5, featuring over 400 cars and 34 tracks at launch.

In contrast to Gran Turismo 7, the upcoming game called My First Gran Turismo is planned to have a much smaller selection of drivable vehicles compared to its counterpart. This title, showcased by PlayStation Studios and Polyphony Digital, offers just 18 cars from the Gran Turismo series, ranging across various types. It preserves the classic vibe of early games in the racing franchise while modernizing its visuals, as suggested in the trailer they’ve released. Although a complete list of playable cars hasn’t been disclosed yet, the trailer reveals some models like the Lamborghini Countach LP400 ’74, Honda NSX Type R ’92, TT Coupe 3.2 quattro ’03, M3 Sport Evolution ’89, Dodge Challenger R/T ’70, and Mazda Roadster S (ND) ’15. Initially, only a limited number of cars will be accessible when players start the game, with more becoming available as they progress.

My First Gran Turismo Release Date

  • December 6, 2024, at midnight local time

Beginners and enthusiasts of the series can grab a complimentary copy of My First Gran Turismo from the PlayStation Store starting at 12:00 am local time on December 6, 2024. The game offers both time trials and three racing events utilizing iconic Gran Turismo tracks, and long-term fans of the series can anticipate revisiting some cherished locations such as Kyoto Driving Park, Deep Forest Raceway, and Trial Mountain Circuit, as outlined in a recent PlayStation Blog post.

For those using PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, they’ll both have access to “My First Gran Turismo.” However, PlayStation 5 users will receive an extra perk: given the success of “Gran Turismo 7” on PS VR2, PlayStation 5 players will also be able to immerse themselves in a virtual reality mode when playing “My First Gran Turismo.

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2024-12-04 20:08