Ben-DutkaAs much as we'd like to believe that Gran Turismo 5 would receive a worldwide simultaneous launch, there is evidence that Europe will receive this blockbuster first.
Yesterday, we told you that European retailer, Play.com, had GT5 listed with a November 27, 2009 release date. Obviously, this caused a bit of an uproar in the racing enthusiast world because up until that point, few dared believe the game would be ready this year. Some just think it's a placeholder date but today, Euro site PS3Hype supposedly received a confirmation from Play that the November 27 date is official . Now, this got us all interested so we quickly called a few GameStops to see what they had to say, and the news from each wasn't encouraging: first of all, they've got GT5 listed with a May 4, 2010 date, and secondly, they all said that the Euro and US dates could be different. In fact, one store said it's "likely" that the game would release in Europe first. Of course, we don't put a heck of a lot of stock into what GameStop employees have to say concerning such matters, but it's certainly worth noting. As it stands now, November 27 and May 4 are six months apart, and one of these dates may be nailed in place. So where does this leave us?
Thing is, GT has always excelled in Europe. Polyphony Digital is well aware of the success the franchise has had in that region, and it's a well-known fact that a whole lot of Euro citizens love cars. Of course, the American's love affair with cars is well-documented, too, but in this case, perhaps it wouldn't be too surprising to see GT5 in Europe in 2009…
Related Game(s): Gran Turismo 5
Two things:
1) It makes no sense to release it in the U.K. first. None! It will be a simultaneous worldwide release, announced at TGS.
2) If American gamers have to wait six months for GT, I suspect a lot of people will be importing a game for the first time (poping their import cherry!). I know I will import it (though it won't be my first import).
If No. 2 happens, SCEA will canibalize its own GT5 sales.
I find this a little hard to believe, I'm sure Sony and PD would want to release this in one big death swoop. And there's no real apparent reason US should have to wait, it's not like they need to localize it or anything. I wouldn't get too worried yet.
Isn't that just a PAL thing? Don't you guys have your on PS Store and Home?
@ffrulez
You're not kidding! At least we get some things earlier, although more often than not we have to wait (with games like Rock Band etc.)
@mastiffchild
Nope, we share with Europe. That's a good thing though, larger community and means we don't miss out on any of the PSN games. If only the European Store had as much as the US or Asian one though… we lack in things like alot of the PS1 classics you get (like with Metal Gear Solid) although it looks like they're starting to up the anti with this.
Last edited by AntDC on 6/22/2009 5:34:28 AM
Awesome! 🙂
maybe they're only putting nascar in the u.s version..
need something official i guess :X
Iceland here. And I really would love seeing GT5 in Europe in 2009 🙂
I've been waiting for this like… 4ever…
I'm from europe and how I love racing games XD
now that is BS im sick to death of sony published games.
why should i have to wait a extra 1 month or more just because of where i live its pathetic.
im only getting 1 racing game this year so out of NFS shift forza 3 or GT5 which ever ones out first i will get, the others may be next year.
and what the hell hapend there was a interview with ign and PD was asked if it would be out in 2010 and he laughed and said no IT WILL BE OUT IN 2009.
well wouldent be the first time a developer lied to us.