GTPlanet Community Spotlight: In the Sport of Making History

– GT-R GT3, October 13th, 2015, courtesy of Moon_k.

A calming air immediately followed by not only a sigh a relief but eye-widening glee; these are the sequence of emotional events that fell over the entirety of GTPlanet’s community in one fell swoop with the announcement of Gran Turismo Sport at Paris Games Week, the next title in the illustrious franchise – and it’s coming to the PlayStation 4 early next year beginning with a beta.

Beta testing for a Gran Turismo title has been unprecedented until now, and while it’s far too early to know just how extensive or prolonged this test period will be, it is certainly a welcomed addition to the development stages. The beta is something players will undoubtedly pounce on the second it’s made available providing an unrelenting surge of feedback which, in all likelihood, will make the finished product that much better than whatever is currently envisioned.

The weeks, nay, the months, nay, this entire year has been righteously dominated by racing news from every perceivable channel and just when it looks like things are going to ease up there’s suddenly a jolt of excitement to contend with. Would you believe us if we told you we knew all along?

While you ponder the possibilities I have but one more question: who’s ready for the Spotlight?

GTPlanet Picture of the Week

Here’s another thing you weren’t expecting. That’s right, your eyes aren’t deceiving you, that’s a motorcylce and it’s in Driveclub. You’ll be reading more about this a little later on, so stay tuned. The picture is brought to us by diobel and features the KTM RC8 R.

If you like what you’re seeing and have a suggestion for next week’s featured image, start a conversation with me, entitle it “GTPlanet Picture of the Week” and fill it to your heart’s content with suggestions and they’ll be featured in upcoming Community Spotlight articles. NOTE: You cannot elect your own work.

GTPlanet Gallery of the Week

This week’s featured gallery is VXR – FM6 and is brought to you by none other than VXR. Opened Friday, September 18th in 2015, the gallery approaches Forzatography in a rather unique fashion by providing a series of miniature reviews for the vehicles featured.

You can find VXR’s gallery here in all of its splendor if you want to look through a gallery that approaches things a little differently than normal. The latest update being Friday, October 9th.

– Rio em filme, September 25th, 2015.

If you like what you’re seeing and have a suggestion for next week’s featured gallery, start a conversation with me, entitle it “GTPlanet Gallery of the Week” and fill it to your heart’s content with suggestions and they’ll be featured in upcoming Community Spotlight articles. NOTE: You cannot elect your own gallery.

GTPlanet Thread of the Week – Your Expectations

– Ferrari California, October 31st, 2015, courtesy of Just1nn_.

We’re all excited about Gran Turismo Sport there’s no denying it. The new title opens itself up to a number of new possibilities for the franchise, and with those possibilities, whether intentional or otherwise, come expectations of what the game is going to be.

Gran Turismo Sport is still shrouded in mystery and what little is known has already been shared, but with so much left to be revealed, again, it results in expectations being built upon until confirmed otherwise. Until such a time where an information explosion happens with Gran Turismo Sport there’s no immediate harm in asking what you expect from the title given it will be the first in the franchise to premiere on the PlayStation 4.

The thread, created by GTPlanet newcomer I_Cameron_I, wants to know what you’re expecting while we’re still in the early days of the GT Sport announcement and there’s still so much left to be revealed before next year’s beta testing period begins.

So what exactly are you expecting from the seemingly motorsport-centric standalone title? Let us know in the thread, but remember to temper those expectations!

Driveclub Bikes Expansion Now Available!

The last time motorcycles and automobiles came together in a game the likes of this, it was in Project Gotham Racing 4 (God speed, Bizarre Creations). Announced during Sony’s Press Conference at Paris Games Week, Driveclub Bikes brings new content in the form of an expansion which includes new Tour events, Skill events, and new challenges across all 78 locations featured in the game.

• 12 of the world’s best superbikes: Featuring bikes from top manufacturers including Yamaha, Ducati, Kawasaki, Honda, BMW, and more.
• Full Bikes Tour campaign: We’ve designed a new game mode and loads of events to help you get to grips with bikes and ultimately challenge you to master every superbike in the game.
• Unlimited Challenges: Create and compete in new challenges to show off and test your speed, agility, and skills with bikes.
• Personalized events: Create your own events on any track, in any mode, at any time, and with near limitless weather conditions.
• Multiplayer racing: Take advantage of the extra space on every track with opportunities to overtake on every corner in heated wheel-to-wheel action.
• Customization: Personalize your bikes and your rider, including paint jobs, rider leathers, and custom helmets.
• Clubs: Everything you do in Driveclub Bikes contributes to the success of your Club, unlocking new rewards, accolades, customization and challenges.

– October 29th, 2015, courtesy of torque99.

Driveclub Bikes can be purchased from the PlayStation Store right now at a standalone price of $19.99, or if you’re already an owner of Driveclub the expansion can be had at the discounted price of $14.99.

Euro Truck Simulator 2 Rig is Mighty Impressive

I have no words. I’ve played a little too much of ETS2 I must admit, but I would have never thought of something like this. Granted, I’m no truck driver so I haven’t the faintest clue as to what more than half of these controls are for, but I’m envious all the same.

Thanks to Obelisk for bringing this to my attention.

Raceroom Racing Experience – Free Content Updated

– October 22nd, 2015, courtesy of Ak1504.

Sector3 Studios have updated their suite of free content in R3E with 6 new vehicles from the Prototype & Silhouette Series. The base game now includes 11 cars and 3 tracks in addition to more liveries and physics and audio updates – all free. The content included is as follows:

Cars

• 134 Judd V8
• Aquila CR1 Sports GT
• Canhard R51
• Canhard R52
• Cougar C14-1
• Cougar C14-2
• DMD P20
• DMD P21
• Mistral M530
• Mistral M531
• Saleen S7R

Tracks

• RaceRoom Raceway
• Portimao Circuit
• Lakeview Hillclimb

GTPlanet Vehicle of the Week

Introduced at the 44th Tokyo Motor Show, the WRX STI S207 features exclusive engine and suspension tuning in addition to a unique exterior and interior design. The S207 vies to be the world’s most enjoyable vehicle irrespective of driving conditions, all the while enhancing driver skill.

Engine tuning boosts power output to 328 PS (323 HP), while handling is improved with a quicker steering ratio of 11:1. Original STI components such as the DampMatic II front suspension with adjustable damping – a first for a Japanese automaker – and front-rear Active Torque Vectoring contribute to a flexible ride with sharp cornering capabilities.

Driver enjoyment takes priority as well with special design elements such as the rear-bumper air outlet on the exterior to exclusive STI-spec Recaro front bucket seats and customized sports instruments on the interior.

Limited to 700 units when accounting for the combined total of the ‘base’ S207, NBR Challenge Pack inspired by the Nurburgring 24-Hour race where the WRX continues to fight for victory, and the NBR Challenge Pack Yellow Edition special model clad in Sunrise Yellow.

Forza Motorsport 6 November DLC Clues

– October 18th, 2015, courtesy of homer_hk47.

Clues for the next car pack set to be released for Forza Motorsport 6 next Tuesday, November 3rd have been released into the wild. Can you guess what rides are coming to the game?

• Clue One
  Dominant, pioneering, and in Forza it’s in a class by itself
• Clue Two
  I’m willing to bet it’s silhouette alone will capture your heart.
• Clue Three
  So fast he could pull to the side, reset his systems and still win the race.
• Clue Four
  No worries mate! Pretty sure this will be a hit.
• Clue Five
  A millennial moonshot.
• Clue Six
  I’m not dumb, but I can’t understand why more American cars don’t take advantage of this technology.
• Clue Seven
  Shazbot, Nanu Nanu

Stop by the clue thread in the Forza Motorsport 6 forum and give it a shot!

GTPlanet Tune of the Week

– April 5th, 2015, courtesy of RandomCarGuy17.

This week’s featured tune is all about flexing the GT muscle – Super GT muscle that is – of the 2006 ARTA NSX in a 600PP+ event of your choosing. The performance may be limited to 84.9% resulting in ‘only’ 600 horses at 614PP with the necessary upgrades applied, but rest assured you’ll be taking corners like none other without any threat of certain demise.

Be sure to stop by Yeshi’s tune page and give this one a go. Can you rise to the challenge?

The Last Lap

Wow, what a week. As I said some time ago, “The best news is you haven’t even seen everything there is to be offered. There’s more content and a few more games before year’s end. Color me excited.”

I know there are going to be at least a few of you out there that won’t have a final opinion of GT Sport until the day of its release as I’m such a person myself, and I commend you for that, but at the same time I’m here with the slightest hint of anticipating just wondering what could become of this spin-off of sorts. I would love to know if this a permanent addition to the franchise that’ll be released ever so often, or if it’s merely a launching pad for Gran Turismo 7.

The latter is the likeliest of the two as this is the perfect time to assess what works and what doesn’t, in addition to getting along with the new audio engine (something we’re all looking forward to) in preparation for the full-featured release sometime down the road.

I’m looking forward to all that 2016 has to offer, but I’m fully immersed in everything 2015 is still offering and will continue to until that clock ticks over to 12:01 AM January 1st, 2016.

Until next week, keep racing!

See more articles on GTPlanet Community Spotlight.