GT5 Marketing

If you’ve ever taken a look at photos of Gran Turismo 5’s real-world locations, you were surely impressed by the accuracy of the game’s city environments. When Russian ad agency SmartNewSolutions was tasked by Sony to create a banner ad for GT5, they wisely chose to highlight this trait in a 300×600 banner ad using Google Street View.

A new Chevrolet Camaro SS “Edge Special” is available in Gran Turismo 5, thanks to a promotion by Schick Razors. To download the car, stop by your local store and pick up one of Schick’s specially labeled products, then head over to this website and enter the code found in the packaging. You’ll be provided with another PSN code to enter in the PSN Store on your console.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdRby4frgJA

If you’re in the UK, head to your local HMV electronics store and keep an eye out for their 3D GT5 display. In co-operation with Sony, HMV is launching a nation-wide competition, giving customers in each participating store a chance to post a hot lap on their regional leader-boards between November 27th and December 6th. The top two players from each region will then be invited to HMV Oxford Circus in London, to compete in a national finals event hosted by BBC F1 presenter, Jake Humphrey. Winners receive a full 3D GT5 set up and an all-expense-paid luxury holiday trip to Madrid, Spain (see the official site for more).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v3aCp899F8

Sony has teamed with Swiss watchmaker Tissot to host the official “countdown” timer for the launch of Gran Turismo 5. To promote the relationship, they’re giving away one customized, GT5 edition Tissot PRS 516 (valued at $495), every day between now and the NA/EU November 24th release date. To enter (open to US residents only), just keep filling out this form. Good luck, and let me know if you win!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNVabq0WeVs

Most people have given up on release date news to emerge from Paris Games Week, and with only two weekend days left in October, there’s not much time left for Sony to follow up on their tweet. Regardless, if you’re up in Scandinavia, don’t let that stop you from checking out the Gran Turismo 5 demo on display at the 2010 Oslo Motor Show this weekend.

Schick has just launched a new cross-promotional advertising campaign with Sony, offering up special GT5-themed content if you purchase one of their specially-marked razors. Inside the package, you’ll find a 10-digit code, which you can enter here to receive a free GT5 dynamic theme for your PlayStation 3, a GT5 racing suit for your PlayStation Home avatar, or a PlayStation Network movie rental.

If you’re anywhere near Madrid this weekend, head on over to GameFest 2010 where you’ll find a Gran Turismo 5 demo in the game’s massive booth at the show. Although there doesn’t appear to be anything new revealed or announced, Sony’s holding a “Championship” each day, with a voucher for a free copy of the game presumably up for grabs. Details are scarce – check the full schedule of events here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORbgT44BU2Q

With less than 30 days until the release of Gran Turismo 5, Sony is slowly beginning to ramp up their official marketing push. Our next source of official information is expected to hit on Tuesday, October 5th, when the latest episode of Sony’s Qore video magazine hits the PlayStation Store. As confirmed by the latest edition of the PlayStation Official Magazine (thanks to Alex for the picture above), our favorite racing game takes center stage. Let’s hope for new information – I’ll be sure to let you know what happens either way.

October is starting off with a bang for fans around the world. Here’s a quick overview of where to get your hands on Gran Turismo 5 this month:

Sony’s teaming up with Honda in a cross-promotion of GT5 and the new CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe in New York City’s Times Square this Thursday, September 23rd, from 10am to 6pm. You can read the official announcement for everything Honda has planned at the event, but here’s the most important thing to know: GT5 will be playable in 3D “racing sleds” all day long. The CR-Z will be featured in this demo, obviously, and it will be interesting to see which courses they’ll have available.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI7lnkNf6_U

Those of us here on GTPlanet aren’t the only ones who like the Gran Turismo series – it’s a pretty big deal for Sony, too. While speaking in an interview with MCV UK, Sony Worldwide Studios’ European VP, Michael Denny, confirmed GT’s importance to the company while defending the its lengthy development cycle:

That’s one headline I never thought I’d write, but it’s true! Sony has just announced a special promotion (for U.S. residents only) with SUBWAY, and they’re giving away copies of Gran Turismo 5 before it’s November 2 release date. There’s no details on exactly how early they’ll be shipping out the prizes, but it’s exciting to know the game will be floating out in the wild before you can find it on store shelves.

Mercedes-Benz continues to take full-advantage of its newfound affiliation with the Gran Turismo series with cross-promotions and online games, and this may be the best yet! Visitors to the Mercedes-Benz World in Weybridge, Surrey, UK get a chance to drive the SLS on GT5’s Nurburgring Nordschleife, recording an official time. The three fastest drivers (along with two more contestants randomly selected from the top 100 times) get to drive a real SLS AMG on Mercedes-Benz World’s test track.

Just announced at Sony’s E3 2010 Press Conference! Mark your calendar!

We now have solid confirmation that the game will be playable at Le Mans 2010. Thanks to these new pictures from Sirolf, we can see GT5 takes front and center at Sony’s tent – there’s even a little podium between two racing pods, suggesting a competition of some sort. It should also be noted that a logo for the new PlayStation Move controller is visible in the background, but it will most likely be showcased with games that have already been confirmed to use the new technology.