Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. today announced Gran Turismo®6 (GT6™), the latest version of PlayStation®’s best-selling franchise, will be released in Holiday, 2013. The news was revealed today by legendary Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi at an event held to celebrate 15 years of the 70-million-selling series.

GT6 for PlayStation®3 will bring new levels of authenticity to ‘the Real Driving Simulator’ as well as introducing stunning new tracks and cars and a revised user interface. A new compact game engine will improve operation and increase the flexibility to expand it with downloadable content. Meanwhile, the game is also set for expanded connectivity with other devices such as smart phones and tablets and increased social and community functions.

All of the cars and tracks from Gran Turismo®5, which has sold over 10 million copies since launching in 2010, will be retained in GT6. But notable new additions to the already impressive line-up of historic cars, road cars and the latest race cars, brings the total car list to 1,200 at launch, with new cars set to be continually added online. Several thousand aerodynamic parts and custom wheels will be available for almost all cars, and players can personalize their own custom cars in game to the greatest ever level possible.

The UK’s famous Silverstone Circuit will be just one of seven new locations in Gran Turismo 6, taking the total to 33, with 71 different layouts available, 19 of them brand new. There will also be regular additions of new tracks set to be made available online. The improved course maker function will provide gorgeous scenery spanning several tens of square kilometers including the magnificent backdrop of Andalucía.

The theme of Gran Turismo’s innovative collaborations with partner companies will increase with the inception of GT6. A number of exciting new projects that blur the line between the virtual and real will be announced in the run up to the game’s launch. Not least of these is GT Academy, a collaboration with Nissan to unearth real racing driver talent that first ran in 2008. It was announced during the event that the competition returns for its biggest ever year in 2013, with the entry mechanic set to take place on an exclusive GT6 demo in July.

Other notable partnerships in the development of GT6 have been with tire manufacturer Yokohama Rubber and suspension company KW Automotive. Both companies are active in the commercial car industry and in racing, and they have acted as technical development partners for the game’s new physics engine, for its tire and suspension kinematic modeling, creating an even more realistic experience for GT fans.

“It is amazing to think that it is 15 years since we first released Gran Turismo,” explained Kazunori Yamauchi, during the announcement at Silverstone Circuit. “Things have changed a lot since then and now Gran Turismo 6 is a further evolution of my dream.  We’re pleased to deliver GT6 to PlayStation 3 as we have a very loyal community on that platform. However, we have refactored the game to make it very flexible and expandable, with a view to making many future developments. I am very pleased with everything about the new game and the new additions, but the launch will be only the beginning for GT6. The game will continue to develop throughout its life. I already have many ideas for things I want to achieve in the next 15 years of Gran Turismo!”

The celebration of 15 years of Gran Turismo event at Silverstone included a demo of GT6 featuring the famous circuit. Guests were able to play the game in the familiar circular Gran Turismo race pods before having a chance to take to the real track in cars provided by Audi, Ford, Jaguar, KTM, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and Toyota.

Further news about Gran Turismo 6 will be revealed at the forthcoming E3 and Gamescom events.

Cars featured on the GT6 Silverstone demo (* denotes new to Gran Turismo):

Acura NSX ’91, *Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale ’11, *Alpine A110 1600S ’68, *Audi Sport quattro S1 Rally Car ’86, Ferrari 458 Italia ’09, *Ferrari Dino 246 GT ’71, Ford GT ’06, *KTM X-BOW R ’12, Lamborghini Countach LP400 ’74, *Light Car Company Rocket ’07, McLaren MP4-12C ’10, *Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 ’11, Nissan 370Z (Z34) (GT Academy Version) ’08, Nissan 370Z Tuned Car (GT Academy , Version) ’08, Nissan GT-R Black edition (GT Academy Version) ’12, *Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 N24 Schulze Motorsport, Nissan Leaf G (GT Academy Version), *Tesla Motors Model S Signature Performance ’12, Toyota 86 GT ‘12

Sony has confirmed that its 24-inch Playstation-branded 3D TV/ monitor will be arriving in the UK and Europe this autumn. First unveiled at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2011 back in June, the tri-dimensional display is meant to provide an accessible entry point (read: a cheaper alternative to a full-fledged 3D-capable HDTV) for 3D gaming.

Equipped with edge LED backlight and active-shutter 3D technologies, the Playstation 3D LCD monitor/ TV features the company’s proprietary “SimulView” functionality which allows two players to view two different full-screen pictures on the same screen, which is likely to contribute to a more exciting multiplayer gaming experience. To enjoy this feature both players will have to wear compatible 3D eyewear, but fret not, because Sony has thoughtfully included two pairs of 3D glasses with sets sold in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Can’t say I’m surprised by the fact that Sony is getting back into making smaller displays after being gone for a while from that market and of course their return will be with a PlayStation themed 3D monitor.

The 24-inch PlayStation 3D Monitor (CECH-ZED1) is expected to be released sometime in the Autumn this year with a price of $499.99 USD with a pair of 3D glasses bundled and a separate pair of active shutter glasses for it will cost you $69.99 extra (if you live in USA, probably the same amount but in Euro for Europe).

The monitor is a Full HD 3D active shutter glasses based solution intended to bring more affordable options for PS3 gamers willing to play in 3D mode as well, but not ready to go for a big and more expensive 3D HDTV.

The PlayStation 3D Monitor is going to be using HDMI 1.4 (or 1.4a more likely), but aside from support for the frame packaging method, it will also support Side by Side and Top/Bottom (Above/Below) input methods for 3D content, making it more flexible. And thanks to this extra support you may be even able to connect your Xbox 360 console to the 3D display and play in 3D with the games that support stereoscopic 3D output natively, or use another 3D-capable consumer device.

The display may be able to work with PC in 3D mode as well, but due to the limitations of the HDMI standard you will not be able to play in 1080p 3D mode with 60Hz per eye. The new active shutter 3D glasses CECH-ZEG1 are going to be rechargeable over USB, weight about 45 grams, and offer about 30 hours of gameplay on a single charge.

The PlayStation 3D Monitor (CECH-ZED1) Specifications:

Screen size: 23.5 inch
Panel type: VA
Native Resolution 1920×1080
Colors: 16.7 Million
Viewing Angle: 176 degrees / 176 degrees (Contrast over 10:1)
Color Gamut (CIE1931): 72%
Contrast Ratio: 5000:1
Response time: 4ms (GTG)
Backlight Type: Edge type, white LED
Sound output: Stereo 2ch (full range, 3W x 2, 28mm), Sub Woofer (5W, 50mm), headphones jack
Video inputs: 2x HDMI 1.4, Component Video
Other: Support IR remote control with BD remote control (CECH-ZRC1)
Power consumption: 45W (2D viewing mode), Standby mode – less than 0.2W
Weight: 5.7 kg with stand, 4.6 kg without stand
Dimensions: 650x391x207 mm WxHxD (stand included), 650x346x35 mm WxHxD (stand excluded)