Gran Turismo 8 – Latest News And Release Date

With Gran Turismo 8’s recent announcement igniting speculation, we explore potential release dates, new features, and expanded car and track rosters.

Since its introduction in 1997, the Gran Turismo series has been the ultimate racing title in the PlayStation lineup. Gran Turismo 7, released in March 2022, brought the franchise back to its roots with the return of the GT Simulation mode while also expanding on the online features introduced in GT Sport.

Expectations are running high as we look ahead to Gran Turismo 8, the ninth major release in the series. While details are still scarce, series creator Kazunori “Kaz” Yamauchi confirmed that Gran Turismo 8 (GT8) development is underway. Fans are hoping for even more cars, tracks, and features, along with the cutting-edge graphics, physics, and attention to detail that have become hallmarks of the series.

With growing competition in the racing and drifting sim sector, Polyphony Digital must continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Whether that means maximizing the current PS5 hardware or waiting for the next-gen PS6 remains to be seen, a topic we’ll explore shortly.

In the meantime, despite the team’s focus on GT8, Gran Turismo 7 continues to evolve with regular updates, adding new content and refining the experience. While the game has earned praise from critics and players, it has also faced criticism on various aspects. Fans hope to see these issues addressed in GT8.

Let’s look at the latest news, rumors, and leaks as we discuss everything we know about the upcoming Gran Turismo 8 release.

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Gran Turismo 8 Release Date

Based on past release cycles, we’ll unlikely see Gran Turismo 8 before 2025. For several reasons, a release window between 2026-2028 seems far more likely.

Although series creator Kaz Yamauchi confirmed that the next game in the series is officially in the early stages of development, it seems there’s still a long way to go. There’s also a chance that the newly-announced game is actually another smaller spin-off.

Gran Turismo Release Cycle

Here’s the current cycle from the O.G. PlayStation release up until now. The main games are in bold, alongside the smaller additions to the series:

• 1997: Gran Turismo
• 1999: Gran Turismo 2 [2 years]
• 2001: Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec [2 years]
  • Gran Turismo Concept
  • Gran Turismo 4 Prologue
• 2004: Gran Turismo 4 [3 years]
  • Gran Turismo HD Concept
  • Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
  • Gran Turismo (PSP)
• 2010: Gran Turismo 5 [6 years]
• 2013: Gran Turismo 6 [3 years]
• 2017: Gran Turismo Sport [4 years]
• 2022: Gran Turismo 7 [5 years]

The studio is known for its meticulous approach to game development, often taking several years between major releases. This commitment to quality has been a hallmark of the Gran Turismo series since its inception in 1997.

Each PlayStation generation has historically seen two major Gran Turismo releases, with the second typically pushing the console’s hardware capabilities. However, this pattern may change due to longer development cycles in modern games.

There was nearly a decade between GT6 (2013) and GT7 (2022), though GT Sport (2017) filled the interim. Even counting GT Sport as a mainline entry, there was still a five-year gap to GT7.

Given these trends, we don’t expect to see Gran Turismo 8 anytime soon. While it could be released late in the PS5’s lifecycle, it likely won’t arrive until the PlayStation 6 era (sorry to be the bearers of bad news!) This extended timeline reflects the increasing complexity and cost of AAA game development and Polyphony’s efforts to push the boundaries with each release.

Hardware is crucial in shaping the game’s development and potential launch window. Gran Turismo titles typically showcase the capabilities of the latest PlayStation consoles, and Polyphony may be looking ahead to even more powerful hardware to maximize the potential with GT8. Therefore, they may time the release to coincide with or shortly follow the launch of new PS hardware, as they have done in the past.

As development progresses, it will be interesting to see how Polyphony builds upon the foundation laid by Gran Turismo 7. While Kaz has already delivered some teasers, it hasn’t stopped the media and fans from speculating on what’s yet to come.

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Gran Turismo 8 Confirmed News

When Kaz confirmed that the new GT game is underway, he hinted at a “theme” during an interview with Japanese media outlet Game Watch but remains tight-lipped on specifics. The translation stated, “Actually, there is a theme. I’m starting to run towards the next one, but I can’t talk about it yet. It’s a shame that I can’t talk about it very often.”

These teasers have led to speculation that Gran Turismo 8 could be another spin-off, similar to Gran Turismo Sport, rather than a traditional numbered sequel, which could introduce a new focus or direction for the series.

Given that the hints came while discussing the latest game’s VR capabilities, many felt he was suggesting GT8 may have a significant VR component or focus. Some rumors also indicate that integrating Sophy AI, Polyphony Digital’s advanced racing AI, could be a central feature of GT8.

As expected, the hints stirred up the rumor mill and got Gran Turismo fans talking about what’s potentially coming next.

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What The Fans Want In Gran Turismo 8

Gran Turismo 7 was highly regarded for its impressive gameplay, smooth online racing, and excellent sound and visuals. Despite the game’s initial success and ongoing updates, some fans have been disappointed with its post-launch support.

The main concerns revolve around a lack of truly engaging DLC content and a slowdown in multiplayer activity. The current pace and quality of updates leave some fans questioning the game’s longevity.

Based on feedback and the current state of Gran Turismo 7, here are some anticipated features and improvements that fans are hoping to see in Gran Turismo 8:

Better Content & Updates

Gran Turismo 7’s launch and subsequent update strategy frustrated many fans. They felt the game was launched in an incomplete state, with a limited selection of tracks and cars compared to previous entries in the series. Post-launch updates, while regular, have been perceived as lacking substantial content additions.

For GT8, we hope to see a more robust package right from day one, with a wider variety of tracks and cars available at launch, which we’ll dive into shortly. There’s a strong emphasis on quality over quantity, with fans preferring unique and interesting vehicles rather than an excessive number of similar models or variants.

Post-launch, players want to see regular, substantial updates that add meaningful content, keeping it fresh and engaging over the long term, which is lacking in GT7.

Career/Single Player Mode Improvements

Although racing games have become increasingly focused on the online gaming aspect in recent years, GT8’s single-player experience is a hot topic among fans, with many hoping for a return to the series’ roots.

The criticism of GT7’s Café mode sparked calls for an improved career mode. Players are eager for various engaging race events utilizing the game’s advanced weather, time, and physics systems, creating a more dynamic and immersive racing experience.

A classic league system, offering numerous races with clear progression paths, could be complemented by replayable missions and events that provide worthwhile rewards, encouraging players to revisit and master various challenges. Integrating proper endurance events into the career mode is also high on wishlists.

The comprehensive “licensing mode” was one of the most memorable aspects of the early GT games for old-school gamers. This feature required players to prove their driving skills through increasingly difficult challenges, providing a sense of achievement and progression. Many fans are hopeful that GT8 will bring back this type of structured skill development system.

Building on this nostalgia, there’s a growing interest in seeing a dedicated drifting career mode in GT8. We’re not alone in saying we’d love to see Polyphony take the opportunity to teach drifting and gradually increase complexity as drivers build their skills. The mode could build up to drift battles and tandem runs.

Given that GT is the main sponsor of the D1GP Japanese drift series, it feels like a wasted opportunity not to incorporate drifting better into the game.

Multiplayer & AI Improvements

While GT7’s multiplayer was generally well-received, fans eagerly anticipate significant improvements in GT8, particularly with the implementation of Sophy AI. This advanced AI system, which has already shown impressive capabilities, could provide more challenging and realistic opponents, potentially improving single-player “multiplayer” races.

One of the most requested features is the ability to create custom championships with a mix of friends and AI opponents. This would allow players to craft their racing series, adding a new layer of depth to both single-player and multiplayer modes.

Besides this, fans are calling for better qualifying systems and more comprehensive practice sessions that closely mirror real-world motorsport. The penalty system, a persistent frustration in GT7, is another area where they can improve. There’s also hope for a fairer system that can accurately judge incidents without penalizing the wrong driver unfairly.

Microtransactions & Live Service Model Changes

Gran Turismo 7’s implementation of microtransactions was controversial, and many fans are concerned that GT8 will follow a similar model. It would be nice to see Polyphony be more transparent about their monetization plans upfront rather than surprising players with aggressive microtransactions post-launch.

Focusing on earning cars and credits through gameplay rather than real-money purchases would be much better. If GT8 is designed as a long-term live service game, it should be priced lower at launch to reflect ongoing revenue from updates and microtransactions.

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Gran Turismo 8 Cars

While GT fans certainly can’t complain about the sheer quantity of cars available in GT7, with an insane roster of 508 vehicles to choose from, there’s a valid argument that the focus is more on quantity than quality. While there’s an impressive number of cars on paper, there are several areas where improvements could be made for GT8.

One of the main criticisms of GT7’s car list is the imbalance between niche or quirky vehicles and popular racing categories. While including unique and quirky cars like the Suzuki Jimny or Vision Gran Turismo (VGT) concepts adds character to the game, these seemingly come at the expense of more widely requested vehicles. For GT8, we hope to see a better balance, with more emphasis on popular racing categories.

Despite GT being the main sponsor of Japan’s flagship drift series, D1GP (D1 Grand Prix), for several years, there’s just one single dedicated drift car to choose from in the game – Dai Yoshihara’s Formula Drift car, or “Subaru BRZ Drift Car ’17”. There’s so much potential for improvement here, and with other games such as Assetto Corsa, CarX Drift Racing, and Forza Horizon fully embracing the drift culture, it’s baffling that Gran Turismo continues turning a blind eye.

Drift fans aren’t the only ones feeling disappointed, either. Many fans call for increased representation in modern GT3 racing, WEC (World Endurance Championship) cars, and IMSA legends. Other neglected motorsport disciplines include NASCAR, Formula 1, IndyCar, and V8 Supercars.

Including these categories would provide a more comprehensive motorsport experience without necessarily requiring an overwhelming number of variants for each. A small selection would delight fans and bring more players to the game.

Another consideration is the distribution of vehicles across different events and game modes. In GT7, some players felt that certain car types, like the VGT concepts, were underutilized due to limited event options. For GT8, there’s an opportunity to ensure that each vehicle category has meaningful representation in various modes and events, giving players more reasons to explore the entire car list.

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Gran Turismo 8 Tracks

Alongside the impressive car roster, the track list doesn’t disappoint in GT7 either, providing 38 tracks featuring 116 configurations. Despite this, there’s a significant opportunity to expand the current game’s offerings, particularly in drifting, an area neglected throughout the Gran Turismo series. Even just integrating tracks from Japan’s GT-sponsored D1GP series would be a huge step forward.

Drifting has a rich history and culture, especially in Japan, and incorporating some of the legendary drifting circuits could add a new dimension to the game. “Ebisu Minami,” for instance, is renowned for its challenging layout and iconic drift jump entry. Including this would not only please drift enthusiasts but also provide a unique challenge for racing.

Although unlikely, it would be even more incredible to see the inclusion of touge mountain road circuits for drifters and racers alike.

Looking beyond Japan, the U.S. Formula Drift series calendar brings additional unique tracks. Integrating the legendary “Grand Prix of Long Beach” track would include the “Streets of Long Beach” Formula Drift layout, offering a unique urban setting and potentially providing a taste of street drifting to the game in a track-based environment. Another standout could be Evergreen Speedway, known for its high-speed entry and sweeping turns.

However, balancing these additions with the return of classic Gran Turismo original tracks that fans have been missing is crucial. Circuits like Grand Valley Speedway, Midfield Raceway, and Apricot Hill Raceway have a special place in the hearts of long-time players. Their return would satisfy nostalgia and provide well-designed, balanced tracks for various racing disciplines.

Additionally, expanding the selection of real-world circuits could provide more interest in the game. Tracks like Watkins Glen in New York or Phillip Island in Australia could add variety to the international roster.

The key will be to create a diverse track list that caters to different driving styles and preferences. This means including technical circuits for precision driving, high-speed tracks for ultimate excitement, drift-friendly layouts for sideways action, and a mix of fictional and real-world locations to satisfy all players.

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Gran Turismo 8 vs The Competition

Suppose Polyphony Digital waits too long to release the next Gran Turismo, whether GT8 or another spinoff, possibly holding off until the PlayStation 6 for a major overhaul. In that case, it risks losing ground to the new and old competition.

The sim racing landscape is evolving quickly, and GT needs to adapt to maintain its position as a leading racing franchise. Embracing new technologies and providing a more authentic racing experience will be crucial for the series to remain at the forefront of racing games in the coming years.

With the racing game sector shifting in recent years, titles like Forza Horizon 5 offer a more open-world experience with a huge selection of relevant cars and customization options, appealing to casual and hardcore racing fans alike. The upcoming Forza Horizon 6 is likely to raise the bar even further.

Meanwhile, the newly announced Assetto Corsa EVO represents the next evolution in sim racing. Its expected release on consoles could offer a more realistic and immersive experience than GT7. Assetto Corsa’s reputation for modding support and physics accuracy on PC has already made it a favorite among serious sim racers.

The rise of PC-based sim racing, with its ability to support mods and high-end hardware setups, leaves console-only titles like Gran Turismo at risk of falling behind. Many professional racing drivers, including F1 stars like Max Verstappen, are deeply involved in the sim racing world. However, they tend to gravitate towards PC-based sims offering more realism and customization than console-focused games like GT7.

Gran Turismo needs to evolve rapidly to stay relevant. Polyphony Digital must listen to their requests to keep fans on their side and consider where they’ve not fully delivered with GT7.

With all this in mind, we can’t wait to see what announcements come next from Kazunori “Kaz” Yamauchi. We’ll be sure to keep you updated along the way. It’s an exciting time for the racing game sector, and there’s no shortage of ways for the Gran Turismo series to improve. We sure hope they can meet the ever-increasing expectations of the fans.

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Photography credits

We thank the following entities for the use of their photography in this article:

K putt
SoulRider.222 / Eric Rider

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