Perhaps in an effort to undercut Microsoft's fast approaching console reveal, Sony has announced the next installment in one of their most successful franchises. Gran Turismo 6 has been officially unveiled with a target release window of "Holiday 2013."
Kazunori Yamauchi, creator of the series and current CEO of developer Polyphony Digital, confirmed the news during an announcement event held at Silverstone. He added that the game would be arriving on the PlayStation 3 as early as this autumn.
Sony promises that the upcoming game will bring "new levels of authenticity" to the already realistic racing simulator. Additions to the series will include new tracks and cars, an overhauled interface, and an enhanced engine that will "improve operation and increase the flexibility to expand it with downloadable content."
All in all, the game is set to feature 1200 different cars, including high end models from Ferrari, Audi, Bugatti, and Lamborghini. The full roster will include both historic models as well as state of the art new ones. The game will include 33 different tracks, including seven never before seen ones.
Gran Turismo 5's "Course Maker Mode" will also be returning, allowing players to create new tracks using "several kilometres" worth of scenery options. Lastly, Polyphony Digital plans to increase the game's integration with smartphones, tablets, and social media websites.
Interestingly, the announcement did not include information on a next-gen release. As one of Sony's core franchises, it has been generally assumed that the game would be a launch title for the PlayStation 4. Some speculate that the PS4 version could be announced at E3 in June.
Gran Turismo is one of Sony's longest running franchises. The original game debuted on the PlayStation in 1997, and has since garnered a reputation for being one of the most accurate, realistic, and painstakingly detailed car racing simulators on the market.