Gran Turismo 4: Prologue Confusion Concludes
Crunch time as SCEE opts for pre-order lure.
SCEE will be releasing Gran Turismo 4: Prologue in Europe after all. The company announced this morning that Gran Turismo 4: Prologue Signature Edition will be made available to European gamers next month, following Prologue's hugely successful retail experience in Japan. Gran Turismo 4: Prologue Signature Edition' will be exclusively available in limited numbers, and each copy will come with a message from Kazunori Yamauchi - the creator of the critically acclaimed series - which explains the creative thinking behind the production of Prologue. The SRP is £24.99.
We reported earlier this week that the release of Prologue was far from assured, with Sony insiders claiming that nothing had been put in place for the game's possible launch. One Sony spokesperson pointed out fears that the release of Prologue may well impact negatively on potential sales of the full game. "Everything we have done has been pretty successful this year, and releasing Prologue would be a risk. We doubt it would make any money and there is a suspicion that far from helping game sales, it might have the opposite effect", they said.
However, it would seem that these misgivings have been brushed aside, with the appearance of the official press release from Sony's London offices today, telling of a May 2004 date for European release.
Expect to read more news on a number between 1 and 31 to go with that May release date as soon as we get it.
We reported earlier this week that the release of Prologue was far from assured, with Sony insiders claiming that nothing had been put in place for the game's possible launch. One Sony spokesperson pointed out fears that the release of Prologue may well impact negatively on potential sales of the full game. "Everything we have done has been pretty successful this year, and releasing Prologue would be a risk. We doubt it would make any money and there is a suspicion that far from helping game sales, it might have the opposite effect", they said.
However, it would seem that these misgivings have been brushed aside, with the appearance of the official press release from Sony's London offices today, telling of a May 2004 date for European release.
Expect to read more news on a number between 1 and 31 to go with that May release date as soon as we get it.
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Comments
Toast 29 Apr 2004 13:23
1/4
Seems odd to be releasing it this late, why bother? Surely it would have been better for SCEE to have been more decisive in the first place, if they though it could weaken the brand before surely it's a little too late now? Feels more like a defensive move against the XBox's current dominance of the driving market.
Brown Force 29 Apr 2004 14:35
2/4
I don't know, I agree that this could be far too late to release it, not only is it not finished code and releasing that unfinished cose so close to release may be a mistake. It might also kill of alot of hype surrounding the game for some people.
But on the other hand, I welcome the release, I'm still undecided on whether I'm buying the full version or not. I might just buy this to see what its like.
But on the other hand, I welcome the release, I'm still undecided on whether I'm buying the full version or not. I might just buy this to see what its like.
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Toast 29 Apr 2004 17:24
3/4
Well its an evolution of GT3, its not a new concept. Its just a cynical way of squeezing more money out of consumers. Obvioulsy its gonna work.
I will buy GT4, but then (for some reason) I already know exactly what its gonna be like. In the meantime I'll spend my money on TOCA 2.
I will buy GT4, but then (for some reason) I already know exactly what its gonna be like. In the meantime I'll spend my money on TOCA 2.
SPInGSPOnG 30 Apr 2004 07:26
4/4
The "Limited Release" is a bit cynical.
Limited to ensure interest in it
Limited so that even if it doesn't sell that many, it still sells out
And limited so it doesn't negatively impact the sale of the full product too badly.
Limited to ensure interest in it
Limited so that even if it doesn't sell that many, it still sells out
And limited so it doesn't negatively impact the sale of the full product too badly.