Considering that Sony and Polyphony Digital first announced Gran Turismo 5 for the PlayStation 3 in 2005, it seems almost comical for the publisher to disappoint eager fans with another delay. However, following on from reports in Japan over the weekend, if recent updates to a number of US retailers’ online databases are to be believed, this may have just happened!
As first spotted by Joystiq, retailers including GameStop, Amazon, and Target are now listing either a January 1, 2011, or December 31, 2010 release date for Polyphony Digital’s oft-delayed racing sim. The update came after a tipster sent Joystiq an automated message from Amazon stating that the game’s release date had been “changed by the publisher,” with the post-Christmas date subsequently attached.
Sony had not yet responded to a request for comment on the retailer updates as of press time. However, the update isn’t without a touch of irony, as today is the exact day on which Polyphony had planned on releasing the game, a date that it acquired during the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo. However, in October, Sony bumped the game to “this holiday season” in the US and Japan, with its UK and Europe date schedule for “before Christmas.”
Following last month’s delay, Sony producer Taku Imasaki told the New York Times, “We’re really close, but this was an executive decision that was made yesterday. Realistically, we thought we had a good date. We’re not happy over here.” He reiterated that Sony “is shooting for it to be out by the holidays. You won’t see too much more delay.” In Japan, Polyphony Digital head Kazunori Yamauch commented said, “I believe we won’t keep you waiting until then.”
When it does finally ship, Gran Turismo 5 will feature close to 1,000 vehicles on more than 70 tracks in 20-plus locations. With a massive budget of $60 million, it is also an official licensee of several major racing circuits, such as NASCAR and the World Rally Championship. A sample of the PlayStation 3 exclusive, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, was released in April 2008, garnering decent reviews.
Well I am just assuming at this point the game is not going to come out anymore… What do you think? This whole release seems to be a joke.
Source: Gamespot
