Developer Info

President of Polyphony Digital and Gran Turismo Franchise Creator Kazunori Yamauchi

Polyphony Digital Inc. is one of the most successful and influential software development companies in the world, and a paramount internal asset to Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI). Polyphony's famed Gran Turismo franchise continues to redefine the automotive genre in the gaming marketplace - over 53 million units shipped worldwide - and has become a premier platform for auto manufacturers to showcase their cars in an interactive and engaging way. President Kazunori Yamauchi leads the creative and talented minds at Polyphony Digital. Yamauchi also serves as a senior vice president at SCEI and his acclaim reaches beyond the gaming industry. Yamauchi has been listed in Motor Trend Magazine's annual "Power List" of most influential automotive persons since its inception in 2005, has served as one of the Honorary Judges at the "Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance" since 2008, and was selected for "Fast Company" magazine's "100 Most Creative People in Business" for 2009.

Polyphony Digital rocketed to software development stardom following the launch of Gran Turismo in 1997 on PlayStation®. The driving simulation not only looked fantastic, consumers marveled at the game's depth and realism. Aside from gamers' excitement about the new racing experience Gran Turismo offered, car enthusiasts also took notice. Thus, Gran Turismo is credited as a pivotal game in the history of the industry, helping to bridge the gap between the gaming subculture and the mainstream.

After the monumental success of Gran Turismo, the development team, formerly known as Polys Entertainment, changed its name to Polyphony Digital - the word Polyphony suggests a place where independent parts mix together in harmony - and was granted a greater degree of autonomy by SCEI. The team went on to develop Omega Boost and Gran Turismo 2 for the PlayStation console before creating some of the most successful offerings for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, including Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec in 2001 and Gran Turismo 4 in 2005, a game which included an astounding collection of over 700 cars and 50 courses, all rendered to maximize the PS2’s processing power. Widening the breadth of their automotive line-up in 2006, Polyphony Digital launched the motorcycle racing game Tourist Trophy, The Real Riding Simulator, also on PlayStation 2 to the thrill of motorcycle fans worldwide.

In December 2006, Polyphony Digital delivered its famed Gran Turismo franchise to racing fans worldwide in striking high definition on PlayStation 3. Showcasing the immense processing power of PS3 as only Polyphony Digital is capable, with sleek car models and a detailed and interactive track, Gran Turismo HD is an entirely online project, available exclusively as a download on PlayStation Network. Polyphony Digital followed that with the release of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue for PlayStation 3 in April 2008. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue pushed Gran Turismo HD's graphics and physics even further, delivering over 70 cars and 6 tracks with 12 layouts, plus online multiplayer racing, to provide an intense pre-cursor to the highly-anticipated Gran Turismo 5.

On October 1, 2009, Polyphony Digital delivered to fans the very first Gran Turismo game for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) system, boasting more than 800 cars, 35 tracks, four-player ad hoc racing and the innovative Share/Trade feature to allow players to trade and share cars they have unlocked.

Polyphony Digital constantly strives to deliver the most realistic, cutting-edge racing games, and Gran Turismo 5, the first fully-featured Gran Turismo game for the PlayStation 3, will deliver on that promise. With more cars than any other racing game, and a more diverse variety of tracks and racing styles than ever before, Gran Turismo 5 is set to deliver a revolution in racing games.

LIST OF POLYPHONY DIGITAL ENDEAVORS

POLYS ENTERTAINMENT

PlayStation

Motor Toon Grand Prix

Gran Turismo

 

POLYPHONY DIGITAL

PlayStation

Gran Turismo 2

Omega Boost

 

PlayStation 2

Gran Turismo 3 A-spec

Gran Turismo 4

Gran Turismo 4 Prologue

Gran Turismo 4 Toyota MTRC Version

Gran Turismo 4 Toyota Prius Edition

Gran Turismo 4: Nissan 350Z Limited Edition

Gran Turismo Concept 2001 Tokyo

Gran Turismo Concept 2002 Tokyo-Seoul

Gran Turismo Concept: 2002 Tokyo-Geneva

Tourist Trophy: The Real Riding Simulator

 

PlayStation Portable (PSP)

Gran Turismo

 

PlayStation 3

Gran Turismo HD Concept

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue