Upcoming Gran Turismo update has Polyphony Digital Inc. and the Ayrton Senna Institute pairing together to showcase the popular racer’s achievements.
On May 27 2014, a Gran Turismo 6 update will introduce new cars and tracks as well as commemorate the philanthropic goals of Brazilian Formula One racer Ayrton Senna. The update includes the ability to unlock Senna’s signature Lotus 97T from 1985 along with one of Senna’s first go-karts, built by DAP.
Along with the cars come two new tracks, Monza ’85 and Brands Hatch ’85, sporting Senna’s record times. In these new Senna Challenges, players have to get a bronze or better to unlock the new cars although they can be purchased from the Ayrton Senna dealership using in-game currency.
The collaboration between Polyphony Digital, creators of Gran Turismo, and the Ayrton Senna Institute was announced on May 1 2014 in order to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Senna’s legacy. President of Polyphony Digital, Kazunori Yamauchi, stated that he is “honoured to be able to introduce [Senna] to the younger generation of racing fans through Gran Turismo.”
This collaboration isn’t limited to in-game updates, though. On the day of the collaboration’s announcement, the two racing entities created a tribute site dedicated to the memory and achievements of Ayrton Senna, showcasing his desire to give Brazilian children the opportunities to follow their dreams.
The site contains numerous photos, a two-part slideshow and a short film called “Ayrton’s Wish” that highlights the ways in which the Ayrton Senna Institute has made literacy and direct education accessible to over 17 million Brazilian children.
The Playstation exclusive Gran Turismo series has been around since 1998, spanning six main titles and a number of secondary titles. It is a multi-award winning game boasting global sales of over 70 million units.
