Gran Turismo 2 to Drive PlayStation Holiday Sales With December 16 Release
14 December 1999
Gran Turismo 2 to Drive PlayStation Holiday Sales With December 16 Release
FOSTER CITY, Calif.--Dec. 14, 1999--Shelves In Time for the Biggest Shopping Weekend of the Year
The most anticipated videogame title this holiday season, Gran Turismo(TM) 2, the sequel to the best-selling racing videogame of all time, will be released nationwide on December 16, Sony Computer Entertainment America announced today.
Delivering the ultimate interactive racing experience for fans of all ages, Gran Turismo 2 is available exclusively for the PlayStation(R) game console.
Building upon the winning formula that made Gran Turismo(TM) the best-selling racing videogame of all time, Gran Turismo 2 is developed by the same team at Polyphony Digital Inc. (a satellite company of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.). Gran Turismo 2 presents gamers with an incredible selection of more than 500 cars from world-class manufacturers, including American muscle cars and European super cars.
Offering unprecedented auto racing realism, extraordinary graphics and gameplay, virtual drivers can choose from 20 different racing courses -- and 40 different track combinations -- to push their vehicles and driving skills to the edge.
Gamers face varied track styles including street courses, world-renowned racetracks and an all-new two-player Rally Racing Mode that allows racers to test their vehicles on dirt tracks. Gran Turismo 2 tracks include the Roma Circuit, Tahiti Road, Laguna Seca Raceway, Seattle Circuit and Pike's Peak International Hill Climb Race.
Fans of the original Gran Turismo won't be disappointed, though, as favorites like Grand Valley Speedway and Trial Mountain Circuit are back to test racers' skills.
"Gran Turismo 2 is the sequel everyone has been waiting for this holiday season, and we know gamers of all ages will be happy to see it in stores for the biggest shopping weekend of the year," said Jack Tretton, vice president, sales, Sony Computer Entertainment America.
"The original Gran Turismo has sold more than two million units in the U.S. and completely redefined the PlayStation experience. We are expecting Gran Turismo 2 to fly off the shelves faster than the original, continuing the momentum of this incredible franchise."
In Gran Turismo 2 racers fine-tune their cars in real-life garages as they shave precious seconds off their times. Authentic automotive and racing brands are woven into gameplay to add to Gran Turismo 2's realism. As they increase their racing skills, gamers can go for 52 different license tests, 36 more than in the original game.
Incorporating handling, maneuverability and throttle response that mirror true car physics, the incredibly genuine driving experience of Gran Turismo 2 is further fueled by seamless 3D graphics. Highly detailed, updated car models show off the television-quality visuals and revolutionary environment mapping that maximize the PlayStation game console's graphic capabilities.
Authenticity is enhanced by recorded audio of actual cars and compatibility with the DUALSHOCK(TM) analog controller, allowing gamers to feel every curve and crevice on each course. Dozens of modifications and customizations can be made to any car, tuning them to conditions and tracks.
An extensive marketing campaign accompanies Gran Turismo 2's launch, including a multi-million dollar television and print advertising campaign, as well as a promotional partnership with Pizza Hut(R) that will see the distribution of five million PlayStation demo discs through Dec. 19, inclusive of a Gran Turismo 2 demo.
Gran Turismo 2 will also be supported by dedicated point-of-purchase displays including in-store PlayStation interactive demo kiosks, in-store merchandising videos and a merchandiser display program.
A national promotion to support the launch of Gran Turismo 2 will kick off Feb. 1, 2000 and will run through March 31, 2000. One grand prize winner from the Gran Turismo 2 "Got Wheels?" Sweepstakes will drive off in a brand-new Ford Mustang GT. Consumers will have the chance to enter at their participating local videogame retailer.
Sony Computer Entertainment America, a division of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., markets the PlayStation game console for distribution in North America, develops and publishes software for the PlayStation game console, and manages the U.S. third party licensing program. Based in Foster City, Sony Computer Entertainment America is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Visit the Company on the Web at http://www.playstation.com.
