Tag: GT Racing »

Gameloft is infamous for, err, being "inspired" by mainstream hits, and GT Racing, Gameloft's answer to Gran Turismo, was no exception. With local and online multiplayer, 6-player races, Gameloft's typical slick graphics and over 100 vehicles, GT Racing won plenty of fans. However, there was one thing it lacked...at least by App Store standards. GT Racing wasn't free.

Gameloft is apparently banking on the App Store's love of all things free, as it has recently converted GT Racing: Motor Academy to GT Racing: Motor Academy Free+, a freemium title. The new freemium version doesn't cost a cent to get started, but to unlock all of the content, you’ll need to fork over some cash.

Gameloft's own PR writers are quick to extoll the virtues of the new, freemium model:

Download the game for FREE and take your first steps into the huge and fascinating Career mode. Pass driving tests and win races to progress as you unlock more cars and events with in-game credits and XP. Hours of racing thrills are waiting for you now!
And for those who want to unlock everything lightning fast, you can purchase XP multipliers and credit packs directly from the game.

So, most of the content is unlockable for free...if you're willing to put in the time. Otherwise, you can pay cash to advance more quickly. Additionally, some features such as multiplayer now require an in-app purchase. The original GT Racing: Motor Academy, which was a single paid purchase that unlocked all content, is no longer available for purchase.

GT Racing: Motor Academy Free+, on the other hand, can be download now in the App Store. Just be aware that it's going to take up a lot of space!

Gameloft has a penchant for "recreating" console hits on the iPhone. They've done GTA with Gangstar, Halo with NOVA, Tony Hawk with Skater Nation, Diablo with Dungeon Hunter... the list goes on and on. Their newest recreation is GT Racing, the closest thing that the iPhone has to Gran Turismo.

GT Racing includes "100 fully licensed vehicles spread across 25 actual manufacturers" and has "a career mode, authentic 6-player races, competed locally or online with over 60 events to compete in and numerous customizable options throughout the game." As expected from Gameloft, GT Racing looks very slick, with graphics that look to rival any other racing game on the iPhone. The initial iTunes reviews are quite solid, so I fully expect the game to be pretty solid. Now only if I had an iPad to play it on a big screen...