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When we found out that Project Gotham Racing had been used to promote the PS3 for a third time, it took every ounce of strength we could muster to avoid making a 300 "This is madness!" joke. The truth is though, this is madness. First, PGR3 was used by Sony to promote a trailer for Gran Turismo HD, then it was used again by Kia for a PS3 promotion. This time the offending publication is from Media Markt, one of Europe's largest electronics store chains, which overlays a PS3 on top of this image from PGR3. In an ironic twist, the article in question is apparently about the Playstation 3's future.
At this rate, we'll be seeing PGR3 images in the next ad for Ratchet & Clank.
Back in January Xbox 360 Fanboys everywhere erupted with laughter when Sony accidentally used an image from Project Gotham Racing 3 to promote Gran Turismo HD. Well, it's happened again, though Sony likely isn't at fault. A KIA website ad used an image of a car from PGR3 which alternated with the real version the same car. Making this even funnier is the Playstation 3 branding all over the screen. As CVG notes, it was more likely someone at KIA who made the mistake, not Sony. Still, the irony of using an Xbox 360 game to promote the graphical realism of the PS3 is just too good. The ad has since been changed, but you can see the offending image (including the telltale license plate) above.
In the market for a 1988 Ford Granada Ghia? No, well that's not the point. Earlier this year developer Bizarre Creations prettified a Granada (called the "Granzilla") to race in Europe's Scumball 3000 rally to earn cash for the NSPCC charity. They placed 10th in the rally and earned some cash, but they want more. So, they decided to eBay their Granzilla in hopes of earning more cash for the NSPCC. According to Bizarre, the Granzilla has "2 cup holders, an engine, and a steering wheel" and is pimped out with rally stickers galore. What more could a fanboy want other than an advanced copy of PGR 4? If you live in Europe, have some extra cash, and want to help out charity head on over to the eBay auction and bid, bid, bid away. We know you love the pumpkin car.
Remember that spiffy racing wheel that Microsoft announced a while back? You know, the one that comes with the special force feedback version of PGR 3. Yes ... that racing wheel! Over at Xbox Canadian Live they got their hands on one to demo, and the short and sweet version is that they absolutely love it. The force feedback option sounds extremely fun especially with Forza 2 when it drops. Though, I'm not a huge race fan, I could see this little accessory adding to the enjoyment of a game. Are you willing to drop some cash on this bad boy so you can experience what real racing feels like? Seriously, why wouldn't you purchase this wheel? (I guess you probably wouldn't purchase this if you're totally broke and hate racing games or despise wheels in general ... then I can cope with your decision.)
Microsoft has officially announced the first batch of Platinum Hits for the Xbox 360. The games are:
Perfect Dark Zero Project Gotham Racing 3 Kameo: Elements of Power Need for Speed Most Wanted
Conspicuously missing from the list is Call of Duty 2, the 360's first million seller. The first four Platinum Hits will be available for the bargain price of $29.99 starting October 15th -- the second set should be announced in the spring of 2007. It's a far cry from what we considered a bargain last gen, but it's definitely better than nothing. So, for those of you that haven't picked these up yet, will a $29.99 price tag make you reconsider?
The much speculated PGRbundle, including (you guessed it) Project Gotham Racing 3, a premium 360, and Marketplace points, is a reality. Like, a totally real reality. There is, however, one little caveat, it's for Canada only. What's more, there is currently no plan to offer the package anywhere else. Just to make it absolutely clear: "This is a Canadian-only bundle, so speculation about a US version will not be realized."
Ouch. Kind of harsh for a PR release. Still, if you're a hoser with CAD $499 to spare, you can expect to start seeing the bundle on August 9th.
Like driving spiffy cars? Fancy yourself to be a talented photographer? Then put those talents to use in Project Gotham 3's new photo upload feature! All you need is Xbox Live, PGR3 and a Passport account. The overall process is simple, just take a picture in the game, upload it, head over to the PGR3 website, sign in, and share your photos. Hit the read link for more detailed instructions.
Now somebody post some kuh-razy photos in the comments section.
Xbox Live Programming Director Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb has ordered a redesign of his must read blog in preparation for E3. Right now it's in sort of a
transitional mode, but the Major promises a host of new features once things get rolling (no need to change your RSS
feed by the way). While you're admiring the new look, take a minute to get on XBL and download the PGR3 Global
Tournament gamer picture he was pointing out before his site went all 2.0.
Speaking of the
PGR3tournament,
competition kicked off on Monday. How'd you do?
The recent PGR3 auto-update features a bunch of great improvements to the
game, but reader Pixelantes points out a couple of problems: 1. The rotating car class hoppers has been
implemented so that the car classes rotate according to the players' local time. This means that around midnight people
in different timezones see different car classes in the online races and they can't race each other. This combined with
the rotating schedule itself is causing severe wait times in pre-race lobbies. People are reporting wait times in
excess of 45 minutes.
2. Bizarre Creations didn't include a new garage with the auto-update, so while the
total number of cars available in the game is 94 (?), there're only 84 garage spots available. This means you can no
longer own all the cars in the game.
The lack of garage space sounds like a minor annoyance, but the timezone thing could be bad, especially heading
into next week's global tournament. Can we get an auto-update for our auto-update?
Globalists, start you engines. Verizon and
Lamborghini are sponsoring a world-wide
PGR3 tournament on Xbox Live beginning April 17. The top four gamers in each
region (Europe, Asia and the Americas) will be hot wheeled all the way to the Lamborghini factory
in Sant' Agata Bolognese, Italy to compete in the finals on automotive holy ground. Qualfiying action takes place on
the Tokyo Nishigushi Short route track, so start practicing. Here's the full list of prizes for the European
region:
(4) Regional Tournament Grand Prize Winners
An invitation to compete in the PGR3 Xbox Live Final taking place at the Lamborghini factory in
Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy
A trip for winner and a guest to
Sant’ Agata, Italy departing on Sunday June 11, 2006 and returning on Thursday June 15, 2006
A limited edition PGR 100 Xbox 360 console
An
official Xbox Live PGR3 Lamborghini Jacket
(10) 2nd Place Prize Packages (places
5-14)
Limited Edition PGR 100 Xbox 360 console
Official Xbox Live PGR3
Lamborghini Leather Miura Racing Gloves
(10) 3rd Place Prize
Packages (places 15-24)
Limited Edition PGR3 Faceplate
Official Xbox Live PGR3 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder T-Shirt
(10) 4th Place Prize Packages (places 25-34)
Official Xbox Live PGR3 Lamborghini Cap
For some reason, American grand prize
winners don't get the console. There's also no special prize specified for the overall winner. That sucks because if I
beat the entire world, I'd expect a late model Diablo at the very least. Sign up early because registering
doesn't guarantee a spot in the qualifying round.
Fulfilling Microsoft's promise to
turn obsessed basement dwellers in to global celebrities, the finals will be viewable on Gotham TV.
Those sick days seem so worth it now.
Marketing for morons
tip #360: When all else fails, bring out the babes! Sensing that sex sells consoles, Xbox Japan sponsored an apparently
successful promotional event subtly christened "Xbox Live Fun
Time" where three popular Gravia (pin-up) girls cooed over the 360 and showed off their modest PGR3
skills online.
It's going to take more than a few cute chicks in headsets to turn things around for
Microsoft in Sony and Nintendo's backyard. But in a country where sniffable panties are only a vending machine away, this latest ploy seems like a pretty
obvious move. Now how about some killer apps to go with those killer bods.
Bytesector has posted interviews
with two artists whose work appeared in the "Art of Xbox
360" event held at the Blue Dot Gallery in Toronto last month. The show featured pre-production artwork and
screenshots from Microsoft-published 360 titles Perfect Dark Zero, Kameo, and Project Gotham
Racing 3. Bytesector spoke with Chris Davie, a modeler Bizarre Creations' PGR3,
and Wil Overton, the Lead Art Director on Rare's Perfect Dark Zero. The interviews present an interesting point
of view from artists, who're often unsung members of the development cycle.
Read - Chris Davie interview Read - Wil Overton interview
The ELSPA lead
chart is up for this week, and Call of Duty 2 has managed to swing the #1 spot, up from 4th last week. Behind
it is PGR3 which has remained pretty consistent. Dead or Alive 4 has fallen to third place followed
by Perfect Dark Zero and Full Auto. There hasn't been a huge amount of change from the other end of
the chart. NBA Live 06 and Tony Hawk's American Wasteland bring up the rear with no change.
Check out the full board to see how the rest fared.
Microsoft is sending German gamers on a scavenger hunt for 13 digital pieces of the extremely cool Lamborghini
Murciélago as a marketing gimmick for Project Gotham Racing 3. The PGR Garage site explaining the hunt is in Deutsch only, but you can get the
English details, including a list of participating sites, here. Unfortunately for the
marketing department, it looks like at least one German auto enthusiast isn't impressed.
So how does Project Gotham
Racing 3 compare to real life? When a gaming fan recently got back from a holiday trip to Japan, he set up some
very impressive comparison screens. For each in-game urban scene that's pictured, there is real life counterpart to
view.
The immaculate details show just how close the team tried to emulate the locale and succeeded in doing
so.
Microsoft has officially announced the first batch of Platinum Hits for the Xbox 360. The games are:
