GT HD Concept Available on PlayStation Network March 23rd

[fitbabits]

Official Press Release...

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) is pleased to announce the return of Gran Turismo™. The latest edition to the best-selling franchise, Gran Turismo™ HD Concept will be available on March 23, to accompany the European launch of PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) and the PLAYSTATION®Network1, the online home of PS3.

PLAYSTATION®Network is the vast network that connects PS3 owners to a world of online gaming and downloadable content, and Gran Turismo HD Concept will be amongst its first offerings. A playable one-track glimpse of the next stage in the iconic motoring title’s evolution, Gran Turismo HD Concept is available as a free download for PS3 owners from PLAYSTATION®Store (PS Store), PLAYSTATION®Network’s download site.
More below...

[fitbabits]

Players start with one car on the Eiger Nordwand track in the Swiss Alps. When the track is completed within the time limit, another car is unlocked. There are nine further cars to unlock in this way, including a Ferrari 599 – the first time a Ferrari has appeared in Gran Turismo. In another first, Gran Turismo HD Concept’s Time Trial will bring into effect the first Gran Turismo online rankings system. For the first time, players will be able to track who the best Gran Turismo driver is – and we expect a lot of dedication to be put in.

Gran Turismo HD Concept is exclusive to PLAYSTATION®Network – it can’t be found anywhere else. If you know and love Gran Turismo’s take on tuning up the world’s finest machines before thrashing them around the world’s most realistic courses, PLAYSTATION®Network will be the place to be once your PS3 is out of the box. It’s simple:

1) Connect your PS3 to Broadband

2) Follow the in pack instructions to sign up your PS3 on PLAYSTATION®Network

3) Go to the PS Store

4) Select Gran Turismo HD Concept and download for free

Key Features:

* Gran Turismo HD Concept is free to download from PS Store
* The first Gran Turismo title to support online rankings
* Stunning 1080p High Definition graphics – only possible with the power of PS3
* Next generation vehicle handling makes Gran Turismo HD Concept the most advanced Gran Turismo title yet
* Players can tackle the course in regular Time Trial and new Drift Trial modes
* Gamers know what they’re getting with Gran Turismo – 47 million Gran Turismo titles have been sold worldwide to date

There’ll be a sneak peek of the Nissan cars in Gran Turismo HD Concept on the Nissan stand at the Geneva Motor Show from March 6th, but the best way to get involved is to hook a PS3 straight up to PLAYSTATION®Network, then hit the download button. We can’t say too much right now, but it’s going to be a big year for this title; Gran Turismo HD Concept is just the beginning. Gran Turismo HD Concept goes online on PLAYSTATION®Network on March 23rd – as soon as PS3 hits stores.
Ferrari-a-go-go!

[phantomhitman]

I will buy a PS3 when GT:The real edition with cars and tracks comes out.

[Gorvi]

Isn't this the same thing that's already out, or did I miss something?

[fitbabits]

Isn't this the same thing that's already out, or did I miss something?
I think it's to tie in with the European launch.

[MasterKwan]

That doesn't get around that fact that it's the same thing we already have over here. I saw that title and was hoping for more... If you're a decent driver, you can unlock the whole thing in one go through. It was fun but, I'm waiting for more.

[lockwoodx]

Gran Turismo HD just will not be the same without force feedback.

[KidCactus]

I hope flOw will be there too, I hate not being able to download what I want.

[JediSanf]

Gran Turismo HD just will not be the same without force feedback.

I thought that myself but it turns out that if you've got a good surround (I'm using Klipsh 4.1's through my X-Fi) then cranking up the sub is AWESOME.

[Franjo]

I'm a big fan of racing games. The only reason I ever bought a ps1 and ps2 before was just for GT. I'll be putting time into Forza 2, then whenever the ps3 price drops drastically and I run out of driving games to play on the xbox, then I'll pick this up.