Gran Turismo 4 "Prologue" (グランツーリスモ4 プロローグ, Guran Tsūrisumo Fō Purorōgu) is a racing video game of the Gran Turismo series for Sony PlayStation 2 which is developed by Polyphony Digital. It was released on December 4, 2003, in Japan and South-east Asia and May 26, 2004, in Europe. For undisclosed reasons, the game was not released in the North American market. This short version title preceded the release of the full-length version Gran Turismo 4 in 2004 and was followed by Gran Turismo 5 Prologue in 2007.
In Japan, a limited "Signature Edition" featuring the signature of the series producer Kazunori Yamauchi on the front cover package preceded the release of the regular edition. The regular edition was also bundled with a white ceramic PlayStation 2 console in a Christmas limited SKU called "PlayStation Racing Pack" released in Japan on October 13, 2002.
In Europe, the game was bundled with a promotional "Making Of" DVD-Video. While intended to be a limited content, the DVD-Video was also included in the Platinum re-release. The DVD was later included in the limited Gran Turismo 4 "Special DVD Set" released in Japan on June 28, 2004. The regular edition was discontinued and the game was re-issued under Sony's 'Greatest Hits' line in Japan ("PlayStation 2 the Best") on August 5, 2004, and Europe ("Platinum"). As Gran Turismo 4 was intended to be released in time for the worldwide 2002/2003 Christmas release but was delayed, in consolation, Polyphony brought out Gran Turismo 4 "Prologue" as a sneak preview (including a documentary bonus disc in Europe) to the full experience of Gran Turismo 4.
Though it was necessary to limit the number of cars and courses included, this product still included some of the main features of the Gran Turismo franchise such as races, time attack and license tests. The sneak preview also expressed the latest technology Polyphony Digital had accumulated over the past two years. Featuring 50 of Gran Turismo 4's then-planned 500 cars as well as five courses, this expanded demo was designed as a stop-gap until the complete version was released.
The game includes a Driving School (License Tests), Free Run and Time Attack as well as early version of some circuits, like the New York track which was modified in the full version. A new Gran Turismo official steering wheel, the Driving Force Pro known as GT Force Pro in Japan and supporting force feedback, was released by Logitech (Logicool in Japan) to coincide with the Gran Turismo 4 "Prologue" launch date.[1] The European version came with an extra car not included in the Japanese version; the BMW Concept M5.
Gran Turismo 4 "Prologue" has sold 1.4 million copies since its release.
References
- ↑ "GT Force Pro" product page. Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved on 2013-11-29