GTPlanet

Let the rush begin: one of the United Kingdom’s largest online retailers, Play.com, has posted the following notice on their site:

“Our initial allocation of stock has now sold through. All orders placed on or after 25th March will be fulfilled week commencing 31st March.”

This represents an absolutely incredible demand for the game - and more importantly, an incredible demand for the hard-copy Blu-Ray disc.  Perhaps less informed fans of the series (i.e. those who don’t come to GTPlanet) are not aware that it will also be available via PSN download?  Or, could it be that everyone likes the secure feeling of owning a physical copy of the game?  Which version will you, yourself, choose to purchase? Head on over to our GT5 Prologue Forum and let us know.

As we learned earlier today, GT5 Prologue takes the series’ physics to a new level by allowing the player to completely disable the anti-lock braking system.  Now, only a few hours later, we’ve got the first video of the “skidding” in action from our own Numer0bis -  grab the video here.  As you can see in this screen grab, the brakes (with more bias correctly in the front) first lock up the two front wheels.  A few seconds later as the vehicle’s speed decreases, the rear wheels stop spinning as well.  It’s a very accurate recreation - thanks for the quick work, Numer0bis!

With a less than one day to go before the official launch of GT5 Prologue in Europe, Sony hits us with another new surprise in the form of a last-minute update to the game’s software.  Going by the official name of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue: Spec II, it’s made a few significant changes to the features we were already anticipating in the PAL and North American releases.  Many thanks, once again, to amar212 for bringing us all up to speed on all the changes!  Here’s a quick summary:

ABS Can Be Completely Disabled

As pointed out by Amar in his latest thread, the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) system can now be completely disabled.  This represents a significant step forward in the physics of the Gran Turismo series, and fulfills a long-time wish of many dedicated players.  By adjusting the ABS settings in the new Quick Tune menu, the tires can become “locked” under heavy braking to make the game considerably more challenging.

35 Online Race Events

Although Spec II does not yet introduce private races (don’t fret - they are still coming), PAL players will now be able to race participate in 35 different online events divided between time trials and live races.  Time trials are now limited only by a car’s “Performance Points”, making for a much more diverse combination of opportunities to set your own fast laps.

See the rest of the updates here in Amar’s latest revision of his PAL Hands-On guide…

Sony has just updated the PlayStation blog with two new videos featuring the most anticipated songs from the official soundtrack.  Even if you don’t like the music, don’t miss the videos!  They are of excellent quality and provide the first high resolution look at some of the new vehicles in the game.

GTPlanet member Numer0bis got his hands on an early copy of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, and has begun posting some of the first footage we’ve seen of the “tuned” cars in the game.  The two clips below show replay and in-car footage of the Amuse/Opera Performance Gran Turismo 350Z RS and the blacked-out Ford GT-LM.  Head on over to our Gran Turismo 5 Prologue forum and be sure to thank Numer0bis for sharing these with us!

Sony has just announced the complete soundtrack for the North American edition of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue.  It’s an interesting (if not typical for the series) mix of indie dance rock, classic rock, and electronica from artists like Weezer, Mars Volta, and DJ Shadow.  The most important track is an exclusive remix of Weezer’s “Automatic”, which headlines the mix.  See the full list after the jump - we’ll be sure to let you know when this goes on sale!

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Take a look as Gran Turismo series creator Kazunori Yamauchi sits down to demonstrate some of the new features in GT5 Prologue!  He begins in the PowerHouse Amuse S2000 on High Speed Ring, then takes us through several options in Quick Tune Screen and uses the real time adjustment feature on the new Logitech wheel.  Finally, we get a quick look at the new Drift Mode in a Ferrari F430.  Despite some odd background music, it’s a great video - see the video after the jump!

When Gran Turismo 5 Prologue was first announced, we learned that the Blu-Ray edition of the game will contain “bonus content” in the form of a high-definition film called “Beyond the Apex”.  Just today, Sony has released a lot more details about this movie, which is essentially a documentary about the GT series with an inside look at how the game is developed.  The trailer looks very promising and is sure to sway many gamers away from the PSN download.  Head over to Amazon and pre-order the Blu-Ray copy now!

Getting the first look at the intro sequence is always something special that comes along with every new Gran Turismo series release.  Since we first got reports of the updated GT5 Prologue PAL intro move sequence, there were no doubts it would be improved over the one featured in the Japanese copy of the game.  Today, we got to see it for ourselves!  I don’t know who originally posted this (it’s been up and down off YouTube, the one below is permanent), but always like to give credit where credit is due.  So, if you know the original poster, please add a comment or shoot me an email.

IGN has just posted the very first video of the new High Speed Ring in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue.  Despite some terrible driving (typically associated with IGN editors), it still provides a great look at the track, along with the first sign of a previously unmentioned new feature.  Watch closely as a “recommended” speed is placed directly over the apex of the corner ahead.