OP lost all credibility for me when he/she compared GT5:P to Crackdown... Seriously, you're getting a full game and a online multiplayer beta test VS a slightly cheaper "50% of the real thing" game. Also, I'm quite sure any sports game has infinite replay value, so please don't compare mileage of a sports game (car racing is a sport) to a game with a story because it's pointless as a reason for the cost.

People hate GT5:P because of GT4. GT3 was shown so much love (it's my favourite game in the series) because we didn't get screwed over by the obvious attempt at trying to make as much money as possible by releasing a not complete version of the game, that's why GT3 sales > GT4 Sales even though by the time GT4 rolled around there were more PS2's around. It's like why Nintendo releases 2 versions of Pokemon, earn as much money as possible because there are people that literally want to catch em all and will buy both versions of the game. I lost a tonne of respect for the developer, why not spend time finishing the game then giving me this half baked effort (slightly exaggerated I know).

I do agree with you that Gran Turismo has always had Forza's number in terms of real world driving. But then again you are getting a team that actually tests each and every car, compared to one that focuses mostly on physics and maths calculations.

Congratulations Stockstar1138, you've managed to stave off buyers remorse for a few hours by posting on a forum to try and legitmise your purchase, kudos to you!

To be exploited you have to be coerced or conned.

GT5:P isn't a con and it there isn't anything wrong with the approach. The choice sits with the consumer. Value on everything is relative depending upon the individual. Consider rabid Halo fans. Would they have paid a couple of hunred dollars to get the game a week early? I bet they would. If people want to pay the cost of the prologue version then that's there business.

For the record I won't be - as it doesn't hold enough value for me, but I don't see why I should assume those who do see enough value are 'stupid' or being 'exploited' and I'm not sure others should be making that assumption either.

Of course everyone should be free to express their view on the value or lack of it represents - but way too often IMHO internet forums cross the line into projecting opionions as standards others should adhere to.

Opinions are just what it says on the tin - and are rarely in the same ballpark for accuracy as facts.

cal41ty, i clearly stated in the OP that I knew it wasn't the same thing. The fact is, is that there are big fans of Halo that purchase Crackdown solely to play the Halo 3 beta and never touched the actual game or maybe just kind of tooled around with it for an hour or so. For some people it was worth the 60 bucks to be able to get into the beta, I got nothing against that and for a lot of people its worth the 40 bucks to play a bit of GT5 a year early.

GT has no more replay value than a shooter would. You got a series of races to complete (campaign) and then an online mode. At one point you will win all the races and then after that, there really is no more point in playing the offline mode IMO.

I really don't think you can call GT4 a half baked game. It had 100s of hours of gameplay, 700+ cars, 50 different tracks, and more. Overall playing through GT4 is much more enjoyable than playing through GT3. I revisited both of them before GT5:P and I can tell you GT4 is significantly a better game. GT3 just had that huge Wow! factor because it was the first installment on the PS2 and the graphics and physics blew a lot of people out of the water, depsite seriously less content than GT4 had. GT4 got delayed numerous times and fans were putting pressure on Polyphony Digital to just release the game. The one thing fans were disappointed by was the lack of online play, the PS2 did not have a good online base at the time GT4 came out and it would have probably taken a lot longer time to add online into the game. Other than the online play issue, GT4 was a great game that had a lot of added features vs. GT3.

Trust me, there is no buyers remorse with importing GT5:P, it was worth every penny. If you look through some of my previous posts, I have stated I have played GT5:P more than COD4 since Xmas. I have had a few friends come over and they have loved every minute of the game and while they won't import it, they are defintely going to pick it up when it comes stateside. The reason I'm posting is far from buyer's remorse, but because I have fallen in love with just the Prologue of this game and I am tired of seeing people criticize a game that 99% of them have never even read a review for, much less played. I would hate for people who know nothing about this game to deter somebody else from picking this game up and having the same great experience I have had.

I look at it like this, I really like Gran Turismo, But I don't have the time to commit to a full game nor do I care about downloadable cars. I would probably buy prologue but not the main game and save 20 bucks (plus dlc)

I don't really understand the marketing for this game. A prologue to a game? An extended demo?

I don't know why they're releasing it like this.

Will the prologue content be available on the whole release?

I'm not a fan of the GT games, so haven't being paying attention to this, but from a marketing point of view, surely this lack of clarity is a bad thing.

Off topic: I thought the purpose of 2 versions of Pokemon was there for force people to trade with each other.  I'm not into Pokemon so I'm not sure if that's true.  Just what I've always thought.

On topic: I agree that it's pretty lame to make comments about people who are big enough fans to purchase both.  I do however think it's sad that they market it this way, which in my eyes hurts the consumer. 

I bought Crackdown and I've preordered GT5P.

Though I bought Crackdown FOR Crackdown, and Its to this day my favourite game on the system.

I also bought GT4 Prologue.

GT4 Prologue and GT4 were completely different games, and I expect GT5 & GT5P are going to be as different.

 i think what he is trying to say is if you don't even have a ps3, you shouldn't be bashing the game, because its not like it really could effect you.  I understand where people are coming from saying that PD and Sony are trying to exploit people, but I believe they are wrong.  

IMO if somebody gets good use out of a game and enjoys it, they aren't being taken advantage of.  Being taken advantage of is when EA charges $60 for the same Madden every year with a different guy on the box.  I'm going to get a solid year of fun, enjoybale gameplay out of GT5:P that I wouldn't have gotten if I had simply waited out for the full game.  Playing the Prolouge will take nothing away from the actual game when it does come out, so its not like I am being charged double for the same experience.   

Personally, I think it's a ripoff and I won't buy it. If it was less money or if I got money back when I bought GT5 and returned Prologue, I might buy it.

I'm not telling anyone else not to buy it, just that Sony won't be getting my money for 1/3rd the game and then be expected to buy the full GT5 game in a year or so.

It's called an opinion and everyone is allowed to have one.