Gran Turismo 6 is one game that many fans are waiting for with much anticipation and one of the last exclusive benchmark games for the PlayStation 3. But many fans were shocked by the news that the sequel will not arrive on next-generation consoles because it seemed logical that the game would appear on the PlayStation 4, possibly as a launch title. And Sony Computer Entertainment Europe CEO Jim Ryan explains why on the PlayStation Blog:
"You had GT1 and GT2 on PS one. GT3 and GT4 on PS2, then there's GT5 on PS3 and a space next to it. The difference between Gran Turismo and GT2 is unbelievable, but they're both on the same platform. The difference between GT3 and GT4 is huge. We're absolutely confident when GT6 comes, you'll see a big step change up from GT5 too. There's still a lot of potential on PS3 that a developer like Polyphony can really exploit."
Another reason for Gran Turismo 6 being on the PlayStation 3 and not the PlayStation 4 is the established fan base that the game already has accrued on the PlayStation 3. Instead of risking releasing the game on a new system with a much smaller user base, Sony decided to bring the game to the system with tens of millions of users.
"And the other factor is that on PS3 we have an install base of 70 million units...On PS4 on launch day we'll have an install base of zero units. There will be plenty of games to help drive PS4 - not least Driveclub in the racing genre from Evolution Studios, a studio with a fantastic pedigree."
Despite this news, many still expect Gran Turismo 6 to make it to the PlayStation 4 at some point---something Sony may be planning for. We will have to wait and see how successful Gran Turismo 6 is when it launches later this year.