Many fans are concerned that An appearance at PlayStation Showcase 2021 has given players a closer look at the racing game, which will take full advantage of the PlayStation 5's hardware.
As the latest installment in the iconic racing franchise, Gran Turismo 7 will focus on realism and player immersion. The title will feature dynamic time and weather effects, meaning racers can experience the age of time as they cruise around a large open world. Ray tracing technology will create realistic reflections and lighting throughout the title, and the PlayStation 5's DualSense controller will immerse players through the haptic feature. While Gran Turismo 7 will also release on PlayStation 4, Sony's current-gen PS5 will offer a truly breathtaking experience.
According to coverage by Polygon, fans have spoken out in anger about Gran Turismo 7's always-online requirement. The game's single-player campaign mode requires that players be connected to the internet, with a developer explaining that this is meant to prevent cheating. Save data, even for a purely single-player experience, is saved online so that players cannot hack and tamper with save files. The Gran Turismo forums and subreddit were subsequently filled with angry fans bemoaning the fact that Gran Turismo 7 will be rendered completely unplayable for any fan unlucky enough to lose internet connection.
While the game was originally slated for a 2021 release, challenges related to COVID-19 have pushed Gran Turismo's release date back into 2022. The next installment in the beloved racing simulation series was meant to release shortly after the launch of the PlayStation 5, drawing gamers toward the new console with a visually stunning exclusive racing title. Gran Turismo 7's release date has now been set as March 4, 2022, so PlayStation players will not have to wait long into next year before they finally get their hands on the game.
Always-online requirements are difficult to justify, particularly within a single-player game or mode. Gran Turismo 7 is far from the first game to include such a feature, and previous games have faced criticism for doing the same. Gran Turismo 7's campaign mode does not contain multiplayer elements, so an internet connection should not be required to play it. Should players lose internet, or if Gran Turismo 7's servers are deactivated at some point in the future, the single-player campaign will be rendered unplayable, and the entire game will be completely inoperable.
Gran Turismo 7 will release on March 4, 2022 for PS4 and PS5.
Source: Polygon
