Ben-DutkaIt has always been one of the most popular video game franchises in history, and with the aid of the most recent installment, Gran Turismo has hit another plateau.
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) has revealed that the cumulative worldwide sales for the long-running and critically acclaimed series has topped 60 million units as of December 6, 2010. That 60 million is the sell-in number, in case you're wondering. GT managed to reach the impressive mark in just under 13 years; the first title hit the Japanese market in late December of 1997. From the press release:
"The Gran Turismo franchise, from the original Gran Turismo to the latest Gran Turismo®5, has continued to evolve alongside the PlayStation platforms. With its outstanding gameplay, beautiful graphics and true-to-life driving simulation, the franchise is recognized as the world's number one automotive game title on the PlayStation format, receiving high regard not just from game fans, but from professional racing drivers and enthusiasts in the automotive industry."
As for GT5, which is technically the 9th entry in the franchise, it offers a "completely new physics engine" along with a lineup of over 1,000 licensed cars. It also boasts 3D, real-time car damage, dynamic weather effects, kart racing, a Course Maker, and a deep online and community feature…but you already knew that, right? So far, the game has sold over 5.5 million units worldwide, and that number has been reached in less than 2 weeks.
Yes indeed, the world continues to reward Kazunori Yamauchi and Co. And that, of course, is the right thing to do.
Related Game(s): Gran Turismo 5