# Gran Turismo

*Game* · `gran-turismo` · status: **sourced**

A PlayStation racing game that paired a tuned handling model and 140 production cars with license tests, prize credits, and parts tuning in a Simulation mode career.

| field | value |
|---|---|
| year | 1997 |
| developer | Polys Entertainment (Polyphony Digital) |
| platforms | Console |
| subgenre | Vehicle sim |
| sim domain | Physical / mechanical, Sports |
| player role | Operator / pilot |
| agency model | Direct avatar |
| time model | Real-time |
| sim scale | Individual |
| fidelity | Stylized |
| perspective | Third-person |
| win structure | Completion |
| failure model | Soft / recoverable |
| narrative mode | None |
| multiplayer | Single-player, Competitive |
| modding | None |
| production tier | AAA |
| agent count order | ~10 |
| emergence | 2 |
| influence | 4 |
| core loop | pass license tests -> enter championships -> win credits and prize cars -> buy cars and performance parts -> tune the car -> enter higher-class events |
| cluster *(computed)* | C11 |
| core count *(computed)* | 3 |
| mechanic count *(computed)* | 6 |

## Summary

A PlayStation racing game that paired a tuned handling model and 140 production cars with license tests, prize credits, and parts tuning in a Simulation mode career.

## Design Notes

Simulation mode made car ownership and driving skill the progression: driver's licenses earned through timed tests gate events, and credits from championships buy cars, parts, and tuning. Reviewers singled out the handling model and the tuning freedom, and criticized license tests that could be harder than the races they unlocked. It was the first game designed for the DualShock's analog control and rumble, and IGN called it the grandfather of modern console racing sims.

## Relations

**uses**

- [Vehicle dynamics](../mechanic/vehicle-dynamics.md) (core): Each of 140 cars has its own handling that responds to parts and tuning; reviewers rated it above any earlier racing game.
- [Career ladder](../mechanic/career-ladder.md) (core): Simulation mode requires earning driver's licenses through timed tests before entering higher events.
- [Collection goals](../mechanic/collection-goals.md) (supporting): Credits and prize cars build a garage drawn from 140 production cars.
- [Embodied skill control](../mechanic/embodied-skill-control.md) (core): The first game designed for DualShock analog control and rumble; license tests and races grade precise braking and cornering.
- [Modular assembly](../mechanic/modular-assembly.md) (supporting): Credits buy performance parts and tuning that tailor a car to the player's driving style.
- [Scenario objectives](../mechanic/scenario-objectives.md) (supporting): Championships award trophies, credits, and prize cars.

## Backlinks (computed)

**influenced:** [Gran Turismo 7](../game/gran-turismo-7.md)

## Sources

- [Gran Turismo (1997 video game)](../source/src-wikipedia-gran-turismo-1997.md)

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Provenance: created in run `2026-10-24-catalog-gf`.