Sony’s Latest Gran Turismo Launch: Free and Perfect for Kids

Polyphony Digital, the minds behind the acclaimed Gran Turismo series, are steering the franchise in a new direction with the release of My First Gran Turismo. Scheduled to go live this Friday, this free-to-play version is essentially a demo of Gran Turismo 7, but it’s more than just a sneak peek. Its mission is to attract not only the seasoned racing enthusiasts but also a broad audience, from the young to the young-at-heart, ages “7 to 77,” as highlighted on the official site.

What’s fascinating is how My First Gran Turismo seems to draw inspiration from Sony’s kid-centric product range from the 1980s. But instead of simply being a watered-down demo, it offers a refined, beginner-friendly experience. Players can jump into collecting up to 18 different cars, take part in three exciting races and time trials, and earn driving licenses designed to teach them specialized skills. And for those eager to delve deeper, the game doesn’t disappoint, offering intriguing snippets of car history and trivia to bolster one’s automotive knowledge. The user-friendly menu ensures that players leap straight into the heart of the game.

Kazunori Yamauchi, president of Polyphony Digital, expressed his affection for this initiative on the PlayStation Blog. He reminisced about the origins of the Gran Turismo series and how it introduced generations to the thrill of driving. My First Gran Turismo, Yamauchi believes, has been crafted to welcome everyone, igniting a new interest in youngsters or perhaps rekindling that lost spark in older fans, all without discriminating by age or skill level.

Yamauchi envisions this latest offering as more than just a game; it’s about embarking on your unique driving voyage. With each lap, players will steadily grow their confidence, embracing fresh challenges that hone their driving prowess.

The name My First Gran Turismo is an echo of Sony’s nostalgic line of products aimed at kids in the late ’80s. Back then, Sony launched kid-friendly iterations of gadgets like the Walkman and walkie talkies, characterized by their smaller size, vibrant plasticky designs, notably in bright red. Emulating this, My First Gran Turismo introduces a striking red main screen, showcasing a Lamborghini Countach as the player’s initial ride. The simplistic, vibrant interface, complete with a prominent yellow “Start” button, offers a stark contrast to the complexity found in the full version of Gran Turismo 7.

Players can expect to dive into My First Gran Turismo on December 6th, available without charge for both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Any cars earned in this version will be transferable to Gran Turismo 7, providing a seamless experience for those eager to explore the full game.