Ormai si avvicina il lancio di GT5 Prologue e pare che il Nord America potrà scaldare le gomme in vista del prossimo 17 Aprile. Il prezzo, come già abbiamo avuto modo di dire qualche giorno fa, sarà di 39.99 dollari statunitensi e sarà disponibile sia sul PSN che in versione Blu-ray. La notizia più interessante, notata scorrendo le righe del comunicato stampa di SCEA, è che vi saranno probabilmente 60 auto invece delle 37 della versione giapponese. Saranno disponibili da subito o via PSN a pagamento? Per ora non è dato saperlo. Di seguito il comunicato ufficiale con in grassetto la frase più significativa.

FOSTER City, Calif., January 29, 2008 – Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) announced today the April 17 North American release date for Gran Turismo™5 Prologue, available exclusively on PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™). Developed by Polyphony Digital Inc., Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will be available for $39.99 SRP on Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) and as a download via P LAYSTATION®Store. The BD version will offer added value with an exclusive behind-the-scenes High Definition (HD) video feature called "Beyond the Apex".

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue , an intense precursor to Gran Turismo™5, features over 60 meticulously detailed vehicles from manufacturers such as Ferrari , Audi and Nissan. Users will experience the vehicle-specific physics technology and intricate graphical rendering that Polyphony Digital is renowned for. Additionally, for the first time in the history of the franchise, users can race online -- at 60 fps (frames per second) in stunning 1080p HD -- with up to 16 vehicles at a time on beautifully rendered tracks from around the globe, including Daytona International Speedway® and a London City track.

“Ten years following the introduction of Gran Turismo™ on PS one®, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue delivers the most realistic and technologically advanced racing experience on any platform,” said Jeff Reese, Director, Software Marketing, SCEA. “With 1080p graphics, revolutionary online features like Gran Turismo™ TV and the new in-cockpit racing view, the world’s best-selling racing franchise will once again set the standard for racing games.”

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will feature various innovative and revolutionary modes to harness PS3 system’s capabilities while further developing an automotive lifestyle and global community . Among them is Gran Turismo™TV, a new dedicated online channel available exclusively from PLAYSTATION®Network that delivers worldwide motorsport programming and manufacturer content. Additionally, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will support online racing events to foster community competition. A new in-cockpit view will provide a unique perspective for racers and features real-time gauges and human animations that accurately represent the true performance and handling of each vehicle . To extend the realistic driving experience, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is also compatible with the new DUALSHOCK®3 controller, which has vibration functionality.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating for Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is “RP” for “Rating Pending.” For more information about the ESRB visit www.esrb.org.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, and the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its online and network services PLAYSTATION®Network and PLAYSTATION®Store.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets, and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PSP system and the PS3 system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.