On the tail of a mixed Tokyo Game Show, Sony has officially released details of Gran Turismo HD, the latest in Polyphony Digital's cerebral driving series. Like other GT specials before it, this is not quite a full-on GT sequel. The game will consist of two separate sections: GT HD Premium and GT HD Classic...
The former is a sort of no compromises HD showcase featuring 30 cars two tracks and visuals so lip-smackingly high-def you really will believe you are driving an Evo IV through a winding mountain pass. It says here. (To be fair, enthusiastic reports from the show floor would seem to back up Sony's hype.)
Meanwhile, HD Classic is a more graphically-modest, online-tailored experience apparently using HD-enhanced car models and circuits from previous titles - and plenty of them. As the press release explains:
"GT HD Classic features unique online gameplay that not only provides head-to-head racing, but allows for the long awaited feature of additional cars (ranging up to 770 car models) and tracks (up to 51) available through ongoing downloads. During gameplay in Gran Turismo HD, players have the ability to manage race regulations, online competition and communities, as well as organize race events."
It's not clear yet, how many - if any - of these hundreds of vehicles will be available from the outset, and how many will be downloadable. Before TGS it was assumed that GT Classic would be a separate retail release from GT premium and that the game would ship with no vehicles, forcing gamers to download everything. A report on 1up.com, based on a previous feature in Japan's Famitsu magazine, worked out that users may have to pay up to USD975 for a full game with all cars and circuits.
Naturally, this prompted plenty of 'rip-off Sony' accusations, although perhaps the fact that the two GT HD versions will ship together will allay some of those concerns. Also, it should be remembered that GT Classic is conceived as an online title - it's likely gamers are going to prove more selective, purchasing only the cars they'll actually use in multiplayer competition. Sure, this scenario goes against the gotta have 'em all philosophy of previous GT titles, but it is very much in line with current online gaming business models - especially those in Korea. There, dedicated online titles like the massively successful Kart Rider are often given away for free, but players need to buy cars, upgrades and decals.
Rest-assured, Sony won't be alone in following this microtransactional model - in some ways it's a microcosm of the "bait and hook" business plan used to shift videogame hardware. The initial game release becomes the bait to tie gamers into purchasing endless high margin "consumables" - i.e. in-game downloads. Horse armour was the opening shot in an industry-wide salvo...
