'Gran Turismo Sport' Release Celebrated with a Launch Event in Modena, Italy
On Monday 16 October, guests and media the world over were invited to the launch event of Gran Turismo Sport, celebrating the worldwide release of the game. The stage of the event was the ancient city of Modena in the north of Italy. This is a world heritage city dating back to ancient Rome, but to car enthusiasts it is better known as the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari.
The Piazza Roma in Modena, with domes containing the racing sleds and a display of real cars included in Gran Turismo Sport. The building is the Palazzo Ducale.
Scenes from the event at the Piazza Roma.
Scenes from the event at the Piazza Roma.
Inside of the domes set up for the racing sleds.
The event was hosted in 3 locations: at the Piazza Roma in the city centre, at the Hotel Canalgrande, and at the Modena circuit just outside the city. Banners, posters, and famous cars were displayed all over the city during the days of the event, painting the entire city with Gran Turismo Sport colours.
Visitors trying the VR feature.
Classic Tag Heuer stop watches were displayed by the dome.
On the street signs…
The patio of the Hotel Canalgrande. A car display and racing sleds were also set up here.
While 2017 is the release year of Gran Turismo Sport, it marks also the 20th anniversary for the series. Gran Turismo series Producer Kazunori Yamauchi, who gave a presentation at the event, looked back to reflect upon the titles released in the last 20 years, and spoke about the new Gran Turismo Sport: “This is the standard of the new Gran Turismo. Balancing high performance (frame rate) and high quality expressions, it’s a departure from the chaotic game and UIs of the past to a highly integrated design combining online and offline, providing the best user experience in the series to date.”
The trophy that will be given to the winner of the “FIA GT Online Championships”, starting next year, was also revealed for the first time at this event. The symbol on the pedestal is the “Unique Forms of Continuity in Space”, a sculpture made in 1913 by the Italian artist Umberto Boccioni who headed the futurist movement in Italy. This sculpture, which represents the surprise and fascination for machines and speed first discovered by humankind in the beginning of the 20th century, was selected for the trophy as it symbolises a respect for the automotive culture held dear by Gran Turismo. For its production, the bronze copy displayed at the TATE Modern museum in UK was laser-scanned, and the artists at Polyphony Digital brought it to life as a trophy after months of passionate work.
Unveiling of the trophy that will be given to the winner of the "FIA GT Online Championships" that will be hosted in the game.
The 1913 “Unique Forms of Continuity in Space” by the futurist sculptor Umberto Boccioni was reproduced by Polyphony Digital.
The doors to ‘Gran Turismo Sport’ are about to open. Please see for yourself the incredible evolution of the newest title, which leaps forward with a level of innovation unseen since the very first GT.
Many Polyphony Digital staff, including Kazunori Yamauchi, participated in the event.
A circuit experience was held for the media invited to the Autodromo di Modena just outside the city.
Participants experiencing the content of the Campaign mode in real life.
A scene from the course.
A scene from the course.
A scene from the course.
A scene from the circuit.
A scene from the circuit.
A scene from the circuit.
The Museo Enzo Ferrari was the stage of the dinner event. Here it is possible to follow the history of Enzo Ferrari, and see many famous Ferrari vehicles.
The event progressed alongside historical Ferrari cars.
The reconstructed workshop of Enzo Ferrari’s father, Alfredo. It now serves as a museum of Ferrari engines and cars.
Entrance Hall of the Museo Enzo Ferrari.
The exterior of the workshop of Alfredo, Enzo's father.