With the start of GT Academy 2013 right around the corner with the upcoming GT6 demo, Nissan’s marketing executives have shared some of the massive numbers which explain the success – and their continued support of – the annual competition.
Nissan’s Director of Global Motorsport, Darren Cox, confirmed that over 2 million people worldwide have participated in GT Academy, logging over half a billion virtual miles behind the wheel of a Nissan car.
More statistics come from this AutoNews.com report, where a Nissan brand manager describes the importance of GT Academy to the company’s marketing strategy, and confirms over 40 million hours of gameplay have been logged in GT Academy mini-games.
“That’s a crazy amount of seat time in a Nissan product,” says Mike Awdish, a senior marketing manager for Nissan involved with the competition, as he re-iterated Nissan’s interest in reaching out to younger car buyers and automotive enthusiasts.
“That’s going to be especially important this year as we reintroduce our Nismo performance brand and bring out more Nismo models. It’s not just a game, it’s a simulated test drive.”
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I just hope GT6 includes the NISMO Juke. My gaming experience wouldn’t be complete without an ugly fwd econobox with a wheezing 1.6 liter.
Anybody remember the Shelby Charger?
Weak sauce Nissan. Very weak.
I’ve actually heard some good things about the little juke. A few automotive jounalists said it was evenly matched with a FRS (and a poorly skilled driver). While thats mostly meaningless they where impressed by its performance on the track.
From C&D: “the nine extra horsepower and the seven bonus lb-ft seem just as likely to come from a margin of error in output measurement as from actual powertrain computer updates”
And this: “Those seats are hands down the Juke NISMO’s best assets.” Seats?
And finally: “But as an ambassador for Nissan’s motorsports division, it feels half-hearted.”
Weak
I think GM will cash iin with the Covette. They already gave PD the first look at the finished prototype. If that car does well in the game and becomes a popular choice other US and International car manufacturers will take note and follow suit.
Having Ferrari on board is a big feather in PD/Kaz and GT series cap.
I think it’s a great marketing strategy. The 370z is a pretty affordable 2 seater performance car. More powerful and far more roomy than an MX-5 for those of use who don’t fit in an MX-5. Plus is much much cheaper than a Zed4. A simulated test drive is a great quote. Hopefully exponentially more important with the new physics. Can’t wait!
Jerome
Please make it possible for Latinoamerica!!!
And Canada. Im American but can respect what the racers north of me have done for AutoSports. Gilles Villenueve was an artist. R.I.P.
Yes Perroloco, lots of good drivers on the leaderboard from South America. We deserve a chance as well the other countries that are out, as Japan for example. Would be really interesting a worldwide event.
The cars don’t have that “presence” in GT, they look unsubstanstial and narrow.
In real life even the 370Z is wide and low and come across much more “meaty”. Every time i see a Ferrari, Lambo, Jag, GT-R etc it blows me away just how different they look in real life. The perspective is wrong somehow in game. Dimensions as well as speed!
I beg to differ.
TH137Z
“the verbal breakdown of thetrack i cant see it working in online rooms, or people would constaintly be skipping it anyway”
The verbal breakdown would onlly be in practice mode. And the PP you are allowed to drive is controlled by your drivers level and license testing he has passed. So international would be 600 PP and above whiich include GP and applicable LeMans prototype cars.
And we forgot about drag racing :)
TH137Z
I agree, sometime we lose track that GT supports different racing types and skills. People love drifting. I love racing and I’m not good at drifting at all. Still others like off road/tarmac and snow events. Still others prefer formula one. Drifting needs work and I think it will improve seeing how popular it is in Japan.
Without making the game too big and bog it down, I just want each type of racing defined with rules and let us as drivers come up through the ranks so we understand and respect racing in general. And if you like crashes then let that be separate from racing. In other words, anything goes in arcade mode. Everyone would have something to love about GT. Few would feel left out.
And Yeah JeremiahTB it would be nice to see in your message bin that Fords wants you to drive its GT3 GT40 car. Or a BMW Z4 GT3 car, Ferrari Formula or Subaru Rally car. But Kaz and PD will have to step up and create car sims that the companies like. And prove to the car companies that their car performs on a realistic level in both stock and racing forms. User modified models would have no bearing.
I hope other companies can jump on the boat. Ford, Fiat (with the newly purchased Chrysler), and BMW could all benefit from this ingenious marketing strategy. Nissan knows what they are doing.
Sometimes I think GT would be well served by introducing a class system for drivers. Drivers would be ranked and be pitted against drivers with similar skills. This should be the basis of on-line racing in GT. Of course once you “leveled up” you would be able to take on the next class of drivers who will again have similar skill sets. Leveling up would consist of number of competitive laps, podium position and the least amount of wrecks involving other cars.
This could be incorporated into a story line which has you starting out (as usual) with a low lever car. The difference would be that instead of racing AI’s you would be racing other people in your skill range. And you would be subjected to racing rules which would include flags and what they mean.
The license tests would be the “final exam” prior to moving to the next class. You would have a sponsor with a predetermined livery and you can change sponsors as you move up the ranks. Or sponsors will contact you if they like your style.
If you wanted to be a “Lone Wolf” you could create your own livery (BRAND) and use the cash you earn to fix up your ride.
If you wanted to just drive, then you could use the ARCADE mode “Which would be a dedicated disk (like GT1 & 2) that lets you run vs. the AI and use most of the cars in the game. And the physics would be the same.
In any case, you could customize your car to any level you like: Street custom, track car or full blown racing car with the interior/exterior visuals that match your level of customization.
Just a thought, but it would keep on-line racing sane and most likely more exciting for everyone. I say this knowing my driving skills are not in the highest percentile. However, I know I would be good competing against those with similar skills. Best of all, this method would teach everyone the rules of the road. Fewer arguments and wrecks equal more fun. Swapping paint is inevitable, but some either do not understand, or take it to the extreme. Racing does not involve moving over to let other drivers pass you. If they are clearly driving a faster machine, of course, move you’re a$$. But if they have a problem getting by you, then that’s racing and they need to figure a clean way around you.
Finally, in the practice section, each track should have a recorded verbal breakdown of how to drive it and where to pass and where not to pass. As well as a recommended setup. I mean the pros have that.
So why not put it into the game that is supposed to emulate real life driving?
I think that would move the game to another level of realism. Educating drivers is way better than yelling at them and wanted to cyber slug them.
i like your idea of thinking, but where it applies to racing, it possibly wont apply to drifting, im hoping the find a better way to differ the racing rooms from the drifting rooms, and possibly use the flags instead of the lap times, or maybe both! the verbal breakdown of thetrack i cant see it working in online rooms, or people would constaintly be skipping it anyway, i believe the diver level wil work, but they need to stretch out the car performance more, so u cant straight away jump into a 600pp race car or lvl 3 for instance
GT had a big influence on my decision to go look at the 370z. But it was the test drive that convinced me to buy it :)
There are a couple GTRs in my town as well, although I don’t know if they are GT fans :P
It’s a Great car even in the 7 speed Auto.. they just need Intake and Exhaust to get the real flavour out.
Nice advert – And that’s what i’ve been saying all along, It’s a Car Driving Show ( but even that idea is getting old these days) more than it’s a Racing Game – But is it any good – Hell ya it is- but it will never be a whole race game that you can race the real worlds championship in – everything is split up in GT- The obvious is missing regarding Tracks and cars to fulfill the child’s dream – but still what we have, is quite amazing :) But thank god for other fine Sim race games And TbH there is quite a few that is on the same level as GT .. But GT is a must, if you are into More real feeling of driving and racing in the PS3/4 platform..
I had a great race experience last night – I drove Project Cars Lol But it”s true, that game will be a massive contester to GT series.
Imagine Kristin Scott Thomas’ face when you tell her you drive a Nissan, hahaha!
That’s actually the pick up line i use for all the posh disco’s i go to.
Yeah I tried it, they just laugh, however I had a 350Z when I met my girlfriend! :-)
Good thing that Nissan is taking over GT more and more, i hope this cooperation leads to more different versions of the GTR and other types of Nissans like the 350Z and the leaf in GT6, who needs european and american cars anyway…
How so? Just because GT helps out GT Academy, doesn’t mean GT is full on GT Academy. Anwser this. Why isn’t the demo only based on GT Academy and only have cars from Nissan, hmm? If you can’t anwser than get over yourself… You and others are just bored and have nothing else better to do, is that it?
Tisk tisk.
I just love nissans whats wrong with that?
Hey, hey, HEY. I was what you did there. >_0
lol
*saw
lol
Dog you are an idiot when if it wasn’t for cadillac putting the pedals where they are currently at and a brittish company copying it and the first car was made in germany.japan wouldn’t have any cars.if u don’t believe me watch top gear
KRAZY SLOW IVAN It ain’t even that serious. It’s obviously a Joke by mister-dog.
@ TokoTurismo.. about time!
I love Nissan as well. Especially GT-R but we are missing way too many cars from Europe, America & Australia… Please PD, diversify the range of cars from around the world.
GT has turned into a Nissan Advert.. sad days ahead, as the real cars sound pretty boring without Intake and exhaust.. especially the 370Z..
Boredom has never felt so good …
Oh Magic just hush, please…
Warning: your mouth is spewing hate.
Yep – that’s what i’ve been saying all along, It’s a Car Show more than it’s a Racing Game- But is it any good – Hell ya it is- but it will never be a whole race game, that you can race the real worlds championship in – everything is split up in GT- The obvious is missing regarding Tracks and cars to fulfill the child’s dream – but still what we have, is quite amazing :) But thank god for other fine Sim race games And TbH there is quite a few that is on the same level as GT ..
No hate spewers here, I am very well qualified to comment, I just hope that we can see more car makers introduced without any bias and with respective engine sound fidelity.
I love GT but can see room for improvement, guess we just get a droplet at a time.
Still looking forward to GT6 despite what any of you think.
Oh? Nismo he says? So this year’s mini game won’t be the usual GT-R and 370Z? We might just get a nismo tuned version. That would be wonderful.
These numbers would be higher if you find a way to get Canadians involved. We can keep pace!
Porsche, are you listening? Why are you in contract with companies that bring nothing but embarrassment while you could be with Gran Turismo, the biggest franchise on PlayStation and the grand-daddy of all racing sims?! I love Porsches and will get a used Cayman or 911 in about 2 years (or sooner, hopefully), but I would love nothing more than to take them around famous racing circuits in GT6.
I think it’s more like PD that don’t want to be associated with Porsche as they are trying to promote and push the whole Nissan thing.. I have owned 2 911’s (997 gen 1 CS and C2) and a gen 2 Cayman S, just beware of the smoke on startup (normal apparently) but quite embarassing on such an expensive car and the RMS rear main seal and bearing issue that plagues earlier Caymans and 911’s. My experience with them was mainly positive though.
I would love to have Porsche in the game.. but it will never happen.
A small quote from a Porsche representative about EA and the Porsche Sub License *Due to our close cooperation with Electronic Arts, we accept their entrepreneurial decisions to give out sublicenses.* Porsche execs really don’t care. Though they did petition EA to continue their collaboration with T10 to allow Porsches in FM4, at the end of the day they stood behind EAs decision not to. I Stand behind Kaz and PD for not paying the ridiculous price EA tossed out there in order for Porsches to be included in GT5.
Nobody wants those overpowered beetles.
Except most car fanatics that know something about cars.
I have just read the AutoNews article and I must be admit, I am one of the textbook examples of how effective Nissan’s campaign with GT has been. Before GT, I had NO IDEA that they knew anything about performance cars. I thought the Japanese were making too much of the GTR thing. For me it was all about BMWs M Division when it came to performance cars. But then I drove the virtual R32, and then R33 and then R34 and now R35 …..and then the Z cars …and then the Silvias …and with each drive my respect and love for this brand has grown. Nissan is now top of my list when it comes to my wish list and it is thanks to these virtual cars.
I am not sure whether to be embarrassed or not but the message from Nissan and PD reached me loud and clear. I hate it when advertising types reach me and affect my buying decisions but there you go …they got me!
“Whoo you don’t want to buy a Japanese car..there hard to get parts for”
that’s why I was a ford cortina “boy”..then a van “man” couldn’t care less about cars…but now I know them all…saw my first Real life GTR the other day..awesome bit of engineering ..and the stingray..I fancy them too…this game as turned me into an unexpected car nut..
“ford cortina boy” too yay. lol. would love the cortinas and escorts, possibly GTHOs aswell if theyre gonna have bathurst! bring the older generation back into this game i think.
Will this be available for Australians’?
After all this time going without, I really hope so.
Hope we get some older nismo models too. Z33 nismo type-e and 380rs!
What about a R34 Skyline GT-R Nismo Z Tune. It’s so sad that it wasn’t included on GT5.
I rekon I put in at least 6, if not 8 of those half billion miles last year… :(
who ever thought of Nissan 3 years ago? not me anyways…but they do have some rather nice cars I’ve found out….like i said this time last year what a brilliant marketing tool…I don’t just see Nissan Academy…special events like why not BMW….or Skoda,…..cough cough…. Porsche……They better pay big bucks too PD and free cars for us…they’ll be begging to get in before long…bift..06 2013..
As a previous owner of several, they are one of my favorite car companies.
“That’s going to be especially important this year as we reintroduce our Nismo performance brand and bring out more Nismo models. It’s not just a game, it’s a simulated test drive.” *snip*
Sounds fun, hope I can do better than 2477th this year.
Woo Hoo first,but seriously i cant wait to see these “nismo models”.
Yeah, I’m hoping that we get the 370Z Nismo & Juke Nismo on GT6. A GT-R Nismo as well once it gets released.