From Mario Kart to Forza, the racing game genre has brought all the speed of real-life races to the digital world. However, one of the most prominent franchises is PlayStation’s Gran Turismo. For the console’s 30th anniversary, they’ve paid homage to one of their flagship franchises by releasing a free-to-play version called My First Gran Turismo. This new project gives many gifts to longtime fans and newcomers. Here is a breakdown of why fans and newcomers should check out Polyphony Digital’s My First Gran Turismo.

My First Gran Turismo Launches

According to PlayStation’s website, the company has released My First Gran Turismo as part of the many events celebrating the console’s 30th anniversary. Polyphony Digital developed the game as a beginner-friendly introduction to the sprawling world of Gran Turismo racing. While many would find a racing game like this simple, many tips and tricks are necessary to succeed. Therefore, a proper “tutorial” game is a great way to reintroduce the series to new players.

These introductory courses will show players how to use braking, acceleration, and various game modes like Music Rally and Time Trials. The series creator, Kazunori Yamauchi, personally announced the project and why he had so much faith in it. He said the game “held a special place in his heart” as it allowed players to experience the joys of driving and the series’ early games.

Furthermore, he and his team ensured the game was accessible to longtime fans and eager newcomers. The game will also include the same car customization features offered by previous games, many of which are real-world car brands. Finally, it will be VR-compatible, immersing players in the thrill of the race. The game launched on December 6th for the PlayStation 4 and 5.

The Legendary Racing Series

Before the release of My First Gran Turismo, the series was PlayStation’s definitive racing game franchise. Starting in 1997 on the PSX, Polyphony Digital’s series strived to be the most realistic racing simulator on the market. After nearly a dozen hit games, it became one of the many mascots for the PlayStation’s capabilities. It has partnerships with many real-life racing companies, including the Olympics esports.

The series was so popular that it inspired a live-action film celebrating its legacy directed by District 9’s Niel Blomkamp. Furthermore, the developers also created Vision Gran Turismo, a car simulator used by actual manufacturers like Ferrari to design and theorize their products, showcasing the impressive physics engines used in these games. With the reach and scale of this series, there are even more benefits to unveiling My First Gran Turismo.

Celebrating the PlayStation Legacy

Beyond My First Gran Turismo, PlayStation has long established itself as a pillar of modern gaming. From the days of the PSX and classics like Final Fantasy VII and Crash Bandicoot, they continued to push the boundaries with thousands of hits. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of their impressive career, they’ve created many tributes and events and even paid homage to the classic startup screen.

Because Gran Turismo has been with PlayStation since the console’s early days, it makes sense that Sony would celebrate it as a vital part of their lineup. The games showcased the console’s technical capabilities and bridged gaming to real-life sports. Once again, creating a VR-friendly, state-of-the-art introduction game for newcomers is an excellent way to pass on the game to the next generation of fans.

Conclusion

As its name implies, My First Gran Turismo is the perfect way to introduce the series to newcomers. Not only is the game user-friendly and easy to pick up, but it showcases all of its graphical capabilities, extensive customization options, and game modes. While there are many other racing games, few have the same accolades as Gran Turismo. This series is a triumph for gaming’s ability to bring real-life sports into the medium, both as a simulation and as a collaboration with actual organizations. Hopefully, the franchise will continue to be strong in the foreseeable future.