Sony explains why Gran Turismo 6 is debuting on PS3, not PS4

May 23, 2013 11:40AM PDT

By Eddie Makuch, News Editor

SCEE CEO Jim Ryan says PlayStation 3 still has "a lot of potential," would rather launch on platform that has 70 million units sold already.

Sony has spoken out to explain why upcoming racing simulator Gran Turismo 6 will debut on the PlayStation 3 and not the company's next-generation PlayStation 4.

 

Speaking with the PlayStation Blog, SCEE CEO Jim Ryan said Sony is confident that the PS3 "has a lot of potential" that developer Polyphony Digital can make use of.

"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," Ryan said. "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."

Sony added that if it were to release Gran Turismo 6 on the PS4, it would be doing so with a day-one install base of zero, compared to the more than 70 million PS3 units already sold.

"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," Ryan said. "There'll be plenty of games to help drive PS4--not least DriveClub in the racing genre from Evolution Studios, a studio with a fantastic pedigree."

Though Gran Turismo 6 has only been announced for the PS3, Polyphony Digital president Kazunori Yamauchi said last week that, "We have a PS4 version in mind for the future."

Makes sense. But I bet PD, and GT fans themselves could come with as many reasons to justify it as a PS4 launch title.

I would much rather see GT6 on the PS4, but Drive club is looking good.

"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."

This is a terrible reason. "We decided to put our biggest IP on our old platform instead of using it to push our new one because we have a crippling obsessive-compulsive disorder."

Nothing strange about that.

But, i can assure you, it will come to the PS4 so everyone that bought it for ps3 can buy the upgraded version for the Ps4 or something similar to that.

*Drumroll*

Now give me a good reason why it's not launching on PS3 and PS4 at launch for the loyal Playstation/GT fans who want to play their favourite sim on their day one system?

So that means we have to wait for a second gt to be released for the psp before we even wait for the vita version.

Because it's not ready?

Haha I said this same exact thing before. Gotta keep the tradition, man.

Maybe it will surprise us and sell more than GT5 with a larger install base although I doubt that. Sony should have launched this game in Nov 2012 or as a launch game for the PS4.