Fake “Gran Turismo” Android App Gets 100,000 Downloads [UPDATE]

Other July 19th, 2012 by Jordan

A Chinese software company known as “Sailfish Games” has published a car-driving app on Google Play (formerly known as the Android Marketplace) titled “Gran Turismo”.

Although it should be obvious to GTPlanet’s readers that this is not an official title by Polyphony Digital or Sony Computer Entertainment, this fact may have been lost on the general public. Incredibly, within the first 24 hours of availability, the free app received over 100,000 downloads.

The app does not appear to contain advertisements, so the developer’s motivations for publishing such curiously titled software must be drawn into question. The developer’s website, which should be avoided, has also been flagged for distributing malware by WebOfTrust (thanks for the tip, cbabb).

It may even be a source of malware which has increasingly plagued the Android platform. Earlier this month, other apps with titles of popular video game franchises such as “Grand Theft Auto” and “Super Mario Bros.” were used to distribute a Trojan horse.

I strongly urge all readers to avoid the app, and will not be providing a direct link to see or install it. Surprisingly, as of writing, Google is still offering the app available to download, despite its obvious infringement on Sony Computer Entertainment’s trademark of the “Gran Turismo” name.

UPDATE: After eventually receiving over 500,000 downloads, Google appears to have finally removed this app from their Play marketplace.

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112 Comments

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  1. September 3rd, 2012 at 3:10 pm - #
    Rotard12a

    …China is the national equivalent of a kleptomaniac. Sad considering that for thousands of years they came up with the coolest **** the world had ever seen. Now it’s just a convenient place to rip off software and product designs without going to jail.

  2. August 5th, 2012 at 12:55 pm - #
    Djtim

    What the f..k.filthy copycats

  3. July 30th, 2012 at 6:02 am - #
    crazy206

    i still have it lol

    • August 4th, 2012 at 10:21 am - #
      gamerdog6482

      Why? It’s obviously malware, and even if it’s not it’s illegal.

  4. July 26th, 2012 at 3:55 pm - #
    DANfourTWENTY

    They removed it from the marketplace because they released one with the DLC included, It’s now found under “Gran Turismo Academy version”

  5. July 24th, 2012 at 12:17 pm - #
    QuikSlvr223

    Poly-Phony.

  6. July 23rd, 2012 at 12:56 pm - #
    Felipe Jardim

    Seems legit.

    • July 23rd, 2012 at 6:54 pm - #
      e30 freek

      Lmao

  7. July 23rd, 2012 at 12:47 am - #
    scarslasher

    You can’t trademark “Gran Turismo” can you?
    It’s like trademarking “Grand Tour”.

    If it was removed, it wasn’t on trademark grounds, I’m sure.

    • July 23rd, 2012 at 1:08 pm - #
      Jordan

      Yes, almost any word or phrase can be trademarked if you’re using it in commerce.

  8. July 23rd, 2012 at 12:08 am - #
    Human-D

    You’re a phony!

  9. July 23rd, 2012 at 12:02 am - #
    Amac500

    Atleast those scamers could give a but if effort. The cover car should be a GT-R and you should be able to choose from about 12 different versions of it…. and one other car. Then I might believe it!

    • July 23rd, 2012 at 11:02 pm - #
      daics69

      LOLOLOL good call, in addition, if it was only released to select country’s and eveyone else left hanging, would also be more like the real Gran Turismo

  10. July 22nd, 2012 at 9:19 pm - #
    gamerdog6482

    They advertised a Bugatti on the splash screen? Wow. If they were trying harder it would have been either an R35 or an SLS AMG.

  11. July 22nd, 2012 at 6:07 pm - #
    Richhard1

    We all knew it wasn’t a polyphony title, it was released on time

    • July 23rd, 2012 at 8:36 pm - #
      QuikSlvr223

      Aha!

  12. July 22nd, 2012 at 11:14 am - #
    COLOSAL TOSSLE

    DLC out for app

  13. July 22nd, 2012 at 11:14 am - #
    COLOSAL TOSSLE

    have a look at the feedback from google play apps…dispicable,and worse

  14. July 21st, 2012 at 12:48 pm - #
    KilzoneStrife

    So you downloaded an app that most probably contains a Trojan or Spybot after reading this?
    Then the “LOL” would be on you, mate.

  15. July 21st, 2012 at 12:06 pm - #
    DANfourTWENTY

    Well I downloaded it and i must say… Its much better then polyphonys efforts LOL

  16. July 21st, 2012 at 5:14 am - #
    Mubble

    Does it have a livery editor?

    • July 22nd, 2012 at 9:20 pm - #
      gamerdog6482

      Yes, are you not satisfied with GT5′s?

    • July 23rd, 2012 at 12:51 am - #
      scarslasher

      gamerdog, GT5′s “livery editor” is nonexistant. I’m not sure if you recognize what a livery is.

      Mind you, I love GT, but its flaws do need pointing out.

    • July 24th, 2012 at 4:28 pm - #
      BoosterKiller

      scarslasher, you sense of humor is nonexistant..

  17. July 21st, 2012 at 3:23 am - #
    Osr20_L

    ………lol

  18. July 20th, 2012 at 9:10 pm - #
    RB26 2jz

    JUST like the Geely GT, rip off Rolls Royce

    • July 20th, 2012 at 9:11 pm - #
      RB26 2jz

      Geeley GE not GT*

  19. July 20th, 2012 at 3:59 pm - #
    KilzoneStrife

    Chinese governent at work, maybe planning the first mobile DDOS attacks.. they’ve been busted for this in the past.. setting up phony companies to make free software that infects and takes control of your pc.

    • July 20th, 2012 at 5:59 pm - #
      jagenigma

      I have something similar, its called speed car

    • July 22nd, 2012 at 4:59 am - #
      PorkyTheRacer

      Wouldn’t doubt it

  20. July 20th, 2012 at 3:18 pm - #
    ocd1920

    I see that Google has learned one thing during its foray into the Chinese marketplace…Chinese ethics.