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Gran Turismo 4 JP Launch

Posted by Zonk on from the shiny-zoomy-things dept.

The Japanese launch of Gran Turismo 4 has been a roaring success, with Gamespot reporting that the game sold one million copies in two days. From the article: "The game's shipment beats the Gran Turismo series' record of 1 million copies in three days, set by Gran Turismo 3 from April 28 to 30, 2001. Overall, the franchise has sold 36 million cumulative copies worldwide since the title was released in 1997." They also have a piece discussing their impressions while testing the japanese version of the game.

54 comments

  1. Instruction Manual: by numbski · · Score: 3, Funny

    Turn left.
    Turn left.
    Turn left.

    --

    Karma: Chameleon (mostly due to the fact that you come and go).

    1. Re:Instruction Manual: by Squatchman · · Score: 1

      There are right turns TOO!

    2. Re:Instruction Manual: by justforaday · · Score: 1

      Hey, this ain't NASCAR!

      --
      I'll turn into a supernova and burn up everything. Well I'll turn into a black little hole and you'll turn into string.
    3. Re:Instruction Manual: by Phu5ion · · Score: 2, Funny

      no that's the instruction manual for NASCAR Thunder 2005

      --
      Slashdot is kind of like Playboy; we aren't here to read the articles.
    4. Re:Instruction Manual: by mausmalone · · Score: 2, Informative

      no, no, no... That's Nascar and to a lesser extent Indycar.

      One of the coolest things about the original Gran Turismo is that it had to be put in a 2-disc case even though it was only 1 disc so that you can have both instruction booklets. The first was how to play/controls/standard stuff. the second booklet was a manual about driving and racing strategy.

      The 3rd one had the same for half of the booklet, but it's very notable that it was written by instrutors from the Skip Barber School of Racing (though, to be honest, the first game's manual was more correct).

      And if you don't play it, pick up GT3 for $8 at Gamestop. It's far and away worth at least that much.

      --
      -=-=-=-=-=
      I'd rather be flamed than ignored.
    5. Re:Instruction Manual: by Leffe · · Score: 1

      I didn't get any of that :(

      Must be because I got the platinum editions, of both I think.

    6. Re:Instruction Manual: by realdpk · · Score: 1

      I have GT3 and I agree. It's pretty amazing. GT4 ought to be even better as it supports 900 degree (multi-turn) wheels. I'm enjoying that feature in NFSU2, but I'm missing some of the features of GT3 (I actually liked career mode)

  2. Whiny readers complain about GT4=vapourware? by Staplerh · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Hah. This is ironic news, given that the Wired story that was just posted earlier today had Grand Turismo 4 as #6 on the year's vapourware list.

    Gran Turismo 4, the latest installment in Sony's wildly popular racing series, was supposed to allow PlayStation 2 racers to chase each other over the internet.

    Well, I suppose Japan gets it.. and the North American launch won't be long away. Of course, if they had rushed it to make a Christmas release in North America, maybe we would have gotten some faulty Japanese porting.

    All your base...

    --
    "There's no success like failure, and failure's no success at all."
    - Bob Dylan
    1. Re:Whiny readers complain about GT4=vapourware? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      GT4 was vaporware....for 2004. It has now been released, but it's 2005 around here these days.

      A lot of the other entries will eventually be released, and may even be in the development process as we speak, such as the obvious and inevitable 3 GHz Mac. But that doesn't mean that their presence in the 2004 Vaporware Awards list was unwarranted.

    2. Re:Whiny readers complain about GT4=vapourware? by Bios_Hakr · · Score: 1

      No, the vapour is that it won't be online. :)

      --
      I'd rather you do it wrong, than for me to have to do it at all.
  3. Vapor? by Fr05t · · Score: 1

    Wasn't this on Wired's vaporware list?

    1. Re:Vapor? by vasqzr · · Score: 1

      Its not out in the US yet.

      This is the last Gamespot link today. I'm only posting thisGran Turismo because it hits close to home for me as I'm still immensely disappointed, and in a world where all is right and just, and Sony aren't (insert expletive of choice here), I'd be playing this game right now.

      Gran Turismo 4. First the game is delayed several times. Then Sony announce it will ship without online play so they can fleece you down the line for an online version of the exact same title, thus maximizing profits. Then a hard release date is known. December 15th. (Or 14th, depending on where you looked.) Then, with about three weeks to go, the game was pulled, despite being reported as being finished and having gone gold. Japan gets it in about three days time, the US market gets it mid February or March, depending on your source. As for Europe... I don't think any date is known, but you European types, if you know, post it.

      I was greatly looking forward to this game at Christmas, as were many other fans. Expect the cartoon adaptation of "How Sony Stole Christmas" to be on TV next winter...

  4. As long as you are at it... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    as #6 on the year's vapourware list.......faulty Japanese porting.

    While you are adding extraneous U's to words where they do not belong, why not add a U to "porting"? I'd love to hear about Japanese game pourts.

    1. Re:As long as you are at it... by Palshife · · Score: 1

      Whueqre the hqell are my siqlent q's?

      --
      Attention deficit disorder is a complicated issue, spanning several major... HEY LET'S GO RIDE BIKES!
  5. Car List Please by superpulpsicle · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Someone from Japan with the game PLEASE post a Car List somewhere! There are too many hyped-up lists that are fakely floating about the internet. I am dying to see if my favorites made it. I don't want 40 versions of Nissan Skyline!

    1. Re:Car List Please by Attar81 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Is the game still missing Porsche and Ferrari? That always seemed like a big deal to me. I think there are license issues involved, but it seems like they are making enough money with the game to be able to buy the license to use these cars.

    2. Re:Car List Please by Heftklammerdosierer! · · Score: 3, Informative

      GTPlanet.net car list

    3. Re:Car List Please by Andy_R · · Score: 1

      There isn't a complete car list out there, because some of the cars are only revealed as prizes that even the most dedicated players have not been able to get. The best list I've seen is here, since it has screencaps, it's unlikely to be faked.

      So far they have only found 34 Skylines.

      There has been some speculation that the lists will be re-jigged for European and US audiences, since the list is even more Japan-centric than before, and Polophony Digital has been seen scanning many US and European cars that are not in the Japanese version.

      --
      A pizza of radius z and thickness a has a volume of pi z z a
    4. Re:Car List Please by Andy_R · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Porsche is represented by the Ruf tuner as before, but there are no Ferarris, or Lamborghinis (although the Cizesta V16 looks like a even more of a Diabolo rip-off than it does in real life.

      I've read that these companies signed exclusive licencing deals with other games companies before GT1, and are kicking themselves for doing so, although facts are thin on the ground.

      --
      A pizza of radius z and thickness a has a volume of pi z z a
    5. Re:Car List Please by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      *crosses fingers for HiJets and Gremlins*

      Hell, there should be a racing game featuring ONLY HiJets and Gremlins. They could call it "HiJets and Gremlins."

    6. Re:Car List Please by MadChicken · · Score: 1

      I wonder if one of those secret cars would possibly be the Bugatti Veyron? Oh would that be sweet...

      --
      SYS 64738 NO CARRIER
    7. Re:Car List Please by istewart · · Score: 1

      This guy's site has gameplay screenshots of a number of cars. Most interestingly to me, the game features the Plymouth Superbird, as well as a DMC Houston-modified DeLorean (OMGWTF?!).

    8. Re:Car List Please by superpulpsicle · · Score: 1

      Those lists were pretty good. But where the hell is the Dodge Neon and Volkswagon Jetta? They are so common in the U.S.

    9. Re:Car List Please by Dmala · · Score: 1

      There has been some speculation that the lists will be re-jigged for European and US audiences, since the list is even more Japan-centric than before, and Polophony Digital has been seen scanning many US and European cars that are not in the Japanese version.

      I hope so, there seems to be some rather odd omissions. No vintage Mustangs? No vintage Minis? There's a million (mostly old school) cars I'd love to see in the game, but I'd think those two in particular would be mandatory.

    10. Re:Car List Please by PaganRitual · · Score: 1

      the companies signed exclusive deals with other game companies before GT1? yet PGR 1 and 2 has Ferraris and Porsches. although i suppose it's about the only reasoning that makes vague sense, because given the GT series has been an amazing sucess since day 1, you would have thought they would have wanted to be a part of it.

    11. Re:Car List Please by sg3000 · · Score: 1

      > No vintage Mustangs?

      They can't have everything. If you're hungry for a vintage Mustang, they have a Mustang Shelby GT350, which looks the same as a '65 Fastback Mustang

      --
      Insert simplistic political, ideological, or personal proselytization here.
  6. Nice try, troll. by Staplerh · · Score: 1

    Nice try, troll.

    Different versions of English, mate. Wasn't aware that I had to type in 'American English' in order to post on this site.

    Of course, you've simply revealed yourself to be an ignorant boor. Hopefully you've had your fun for the day.

    --
    "There's no success like failure, and failure's no success at all."
    - Bob Dylan
    1. Re:Nice try, troll. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wasn't aware that I had to type in 'American English' in order to post on this site. Well now you know.

    2. Re:Nice try, troll. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      With a reply like that, I'm sure he's having a great time (at your expense, mind you).

    3. Re:Nice try, troll. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Stick to your guns mate, you are the one spelling properly. Americans fear proper English spelling, it goes hand in hand with being unable to properly pronounce the words.

      If you doubt it, just axe someone.

      And don't take offence from the replies. Americans have this odd trait, where they think that whatever they do is right, despite facts to the contrary.

    4. Re:Nice try, troll. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yanks are soo stupid they need to be reminded of the month before the date. So no wonder tey drop letters from proper words.

  7. Re:Nice try, troull. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny
    "Different versions of English, mate. Wasn't aware that I had to type in 'American English' in order to post on this site."

    Yet, why add letters that greatly alter houw the wourd should be prounounced? "Vapor" should not rhyme with "Devour". And didn't you mean tou say "in ourder to poust on this site" ? Lououking for soume rule of consistency for adding bougus "U"'s tou wourds after the letter "O". What dou I know. I'm a bour.

  8. GT4's updated web site by Numeric · · Score: 2, Informative

    The Official GT4 web site. I don't think the car list is very complete. Hopefully, our friends in Japan will have sites with the true car list.

    --
    -- ladies and gentlemen we are floating in space!
  9. /. Is Just getting Round to This? by GTRacer · · Score: 3, Informative
    I got my GT4 + DVD set LAST FRIDAY - after the sales record had fallen.

    So far, I'm pleased, but the lack of day-night cycles and saving progress in the pits for the longer enduros kinda pisses me off. But the control is as tight as Prologue's (especially braking) and is is as pretty as they all say.

    Was it worth importing? Yup, especially if any of the local stores do "fast lap" competitions for a shot at a free copy of the U.S. release.

    GTRacer
    - Earning my nick

    --
    Defending IP by destroying access to it? That makes sense, RIAA/MPAA. Go to the corner until you can play nice!
    1. Re:/. Is Just getting Round to This? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's called an ENDURANCE race for a reason.

    2. Re:/. Is Just getting Round to This? by GTRacer · · Score: 1
      Ahh, but in real enduros, there are driver changes. And it gets dark. Or light. Or both. Depends on when you start and how long you go.

      GTRacer
      - It's still worth the wait

      --
      Defending IP by destroying access to it? That makes sense, RIAA/MPAA. Go to the corner until you can play nice!
    3. Re:/. Is Just getting Round to This? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      www.rfactor.net real racing, not this kiddie console stuff. real night/day cycles with dynamic lighting. driver changes, 20 person online races.

    4. Re:/. Is Just getting Round to This? by thatnerdguy · · Score: 1

      According to the Future Shop Web Site, (where you can preorder GT4), the estimated release date is March 1. Anyone know anything different?
      Also, since I just got my PS2, should I get this game or should I get GT3? I have not played any GT game.

      --
      I saw the Sign, and it opened up my eyes
    5. Re:/. Is Just getting Round to This? by AnriL · · Score: 1

      Definitely get GT3 (someone in the thread wrote you can get it for $8) and practice while you wait for GT4. You'll need the practice ;)

    6. Re:/. Is Just getting Round to This? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Dynamic lighting is boasted all over that site... I guess we're back in the early 90's.
      In fact, the keep talking about how good the graphics are, no mention of physics, etc, I'd think that would be more important for 'real racing', otherwise it's just an arcade.

  10. One million shipped, not sold by EvilDonut · · Score: 4, Informative

    GT4 did not sell a million copies in two days, that's merely the number of copies shipped to retailers. The actual sales figures are around 635.000 copies in the first week, which is still very impressive, and about 15.000 copies more than GT3 sold in its first week.

  11. Re:Nice try, troull. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You're also a fucking retard.

  12. 2 player stats by Lord_Dweomer · · Score: 1
    While I'm as upset as everybody about the lack of online play, what I'm really concerned about is their 2 player competitive play.

    In GT3, when you selected cars, they would give you stock stats, no matter how tuned it was in simulation mode. This was horrible as my friends and I could not race the cars we had spent so much time building as they were meant to be raced.

    The other concern I have is that in GT3, there was no 2 player quarter mile. Why? I have no idea, it would be so simple to do. Hopefully they've included it in GT4.

    --
    Buy Steampunk Clothing Online!
    1. Re:2 player stats by gorim · · Score: 1

      You must not have figured out how to play GT3 then.

      I have always been able to load cars from my Garage, as highly tuned as I could make them, and race them in the 2 player competitive play.

      The trick is, you need to go explicitly go "load" the cars from your garage. The option is right there. You need to exit slashdot right now and go to your game and try it out right now!

    2. Re:2 player stats by Lord_Dweomer · · Score: 2, Informative
      I've loaded the cars from my garage, and am able to use the cars I have won. However, it lowers its power. So in other words, all those parts I bought to increase performance don't do dick.

      Don't believe me? Take a rally car like the escort, soup it up all the way, then try it in a rally race in arcade mode. The car isn't NEARLy as powerful. And I believe the horsepower drops considerably (check the numbers it shows you).

      --
      Buy Steampunk Clothing Online!
  13. Re:Nice try, troull. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    He isn't adding letters, that's how the words are spelled. The letters do not affect the pronounciation, young children are often initially taught to try sounding out the letters of a word but that doesn't mean that's the rule by which all pronounciation works.

    If you are looking for rules on where the letter "U" should be used in a word I refer you to the Oxford English Dictionary which contains a complete listing of English words and where the letter "U" can be found within them. Good luck learning the English language!

  14. Holy fucking shit by British · · Score: 1

    PLease tell me this isn't a faked screenshot.

    my car is in there. Can you get it in yellow?

    Combine that with the new MINI Cooper, both my cars are now in the game.

    I don't care how bad it sucks, I have to buy it now. This marks(I think) the first Triumph Spitfire in a video/computer game. I'm notfying the spitlist.

    1. Re:Holy fucking shit by fitten · · Score: 1

      My car is in there too, but mine is silver and I don't have that bug honkin ugly basket handle of a wing in the back. :)

  15. Driving simulator...? by HeliosTrick · · Score: 1

    I think more Driver's Ed classes should have these.

    Even though I haven't played 4 yet, it looks even more realistic than 3, and combined with the 900 degree wheel, it would be a good learning experience. Now only if they could have real shifters and clutches for us 2 foot drivers. Well, I guess I can always go back to Game Works and play some Racing Jam Chapter 2...

    Anyone need some gmail invites?
    http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-31cdb9dd85-b32daf0 650-92432a3c4a
    http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-31cdb9dd85-7bed07e bae-1f7d346fa0
    http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-31cdb9dd85-a07c0bc ec4-561695928f
    http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-31cdb9dd85-66215ad 54f-4c1f456efb
    http://gmail.google.com/gmail/a-31cdb9dd85-c316fce 73e-ecd255e5e5

    1. Re:Driving simulator...? by Riddlefox · · Score: 1
      ACT Labs used to make a steering wheel, 6 speed shifter, and clutch/brake/gas pedal set. One of my friends has it. I don't know if newer games supports it, but he plays Viper Racing and Colin McRae Rally 3, using the clutch to shift and such. It's pretty fun!

      Unfortunately, I believe the wheel/shifter/pedal set has been discontinued, but perhaps Ebay may come to your rescue.

  16. play GT4 online with xlink by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    i found this .. www.teamxlink.co.uk .. GT4 works online!

    1. Re:play GT4 online with xlink by boarder8925 · · Score: 1
      Quoth XLink Kai:
      Sony PlayStation 2

      PAL - NTSC Bandwidth Headset

      Armored Core: Nexus - High No
      ATV Offroad Fury 2 - High No
      Colin McRae Rally 2005 Yes Low No
      DTM Race Driver 2 - - No
      Gran Turismo 4 - - -
      IndyCar Series 2005 - - -
      Midnight Club 2 - - -
      SOCOM II: US Navy Seals No Low Yes
      Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow - High No
      Star Wars: Battlefront - - -
      TimeSplitters 2 - - -
      Tony Hawk's Underground - - -
      Twisted Metal Black Online - - -

      Total Supported: 13
      LiNK if you want it.
      --
      Keep your eyes to the sky.
    2. Re:play GT4 online with xlink by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      that list is outdated scroll down to see they tried up to 4 people at once and it works...right now I fired up xlink and there are 12 people there and 2 arenas (one of them 4/4 full ^_^)