Gran Turismo (series)

Gran Turismo
Genre(s)	Sim racing[1][2]
Developer(s)	Sony Computer Entertainment Japan Polyphony Digital
Publisher(s)	Sony Interactive Entertainment
Creator(s)	Kazunori Yamauchi
Platform(s)	PlayStation PlayStation 2 PlayStation 3 PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 PlayStation Portable
First release	Gran Turismo 23 December 1997
Latest release	My First Gran Turismo[3] 6 December 2024

Gran Turismo^[a][b] (GT) is a series of sim racing video games developed by Polyphony Digital.^[7] Released for PlayStation systems, Gran Turismo games are intended to emulate the appearance and performance of a large selection of vehicles, most of which are licensed reproductions of real-world automobiles. Since the franchise's debut in 1997, over 90 million units have been sold worldwide, making it the highest selling video game franchise under the PlayStation brand.^[8][9][10]

Handling of the vehicles in Gran Turismo games is based on the principles of real-world physics, requiring the player to understand real race driving techniques to be competitive, although various assists are available for less experienced drivers.^[11][12][13] The series features a wide variety of vehicles, ranging from everyday cars to exotic sports cars and purpose-built racing cars, and from classics to modern cars.^[14][15] Various modifications can usually be made to the cars to alter their performance and appearance.^[16] The games often include numerous tracks to drive on, with both laser scanned replicas of real-world venues and fictional tracks appearing throughout the series.^[17][18] The series also performed as technical support for cars in the LMP1 class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Nürburgring 24-hour race.^[19]

Gran Turismo games typically feature a single-player campaign with numerous races, championships, license tests and other challenges.^[20][21][22] Completing these events rewards the player with prizes such as in-game money, which can be used to purchase new vehicles or upgrade existing ones.^[23][24] Players generally start with slower and cheaper cars and build up a garage featuring faster and more expensive cars as they progress through the game.^[25][26][27] Newer instalments in the series have also included an online multiplayer element, which features both competitive and casual play.^[28][29] Notable competitions held on Gran Turismo include the Gran Turismo World Series and the former GT Academy.^[30][31][32]

Gran Turismo is one of PlayStation's most successful franchises, having garnered both commercial success and critical acclaim. The first title in the series was the highest selling game for the original PlayStation, while four subsequent instalments have been among the top-three best-selling games for their respective consoles. Multiple entries in the series have been ranked among the greatest video games of all time. In 2023, the series received a film adaptation, and it became a sport for the Olympic Esports with the backing of the FIA.^[33] Many car manufacturers have designed concept cars specifically for the series,^[34] and it has partnerships with Brembo, Michelin, Mazda, Toyota Gazoo Racing, Genesis and Fanatec.^[35] In 2024 Mercedes-AMG recognized Gran Turismo 7 as part of sim racing.^[36][37]

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