02.10.99
Sony Computer Entertainment America announced today that Gran Turismo 2 will launch worldwide this summer. It's predecessor, Gran Turismo, has the distinction of being the best-selling racing game of all time. As of December 1998, 6.2 milion Gran Turismos have been shipped, and it's still selling well. Heck, even GI is on the Turismo bandwagon, calling it the best racing game of 1998 and the 4th best PlayStation game of all time.

What will the second in the series do to measure up? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Sony is having Gran Turismo 2 developed and produced by Polyphony Digital, the creators of the original. The plan is to build upon the original, adding around 250 more cars and 9 more tracks. That's going to bring the grand total to almost 400 vehicles (with more European and American models getting in there) and 20 racing courses. Automotive authenticity will be aided by recorded audio of actual cars and Dual Shock compatibility.

Ready for some industry hype? Andrew House, vice president of marketing for SCEA, says, "This announcement comes with Gran Turismo still at the height of its popularity and demonstrates that the PlayStation gaming experience continuously evolves through new and more advanced games. Gran Turismo 2 builds on the ground-breaking immersive gameplay of the original by giving gamers more car choices, different courses to race, and new modifications to fine tune their cars."

In other words, Gran Turismo 2 will be so real that cops show up at your door if you have a beer while playing.