BotswanaThrustmaster Partners Gran Turismo
Thrustmaster becomes official partner of Gran Turismo World Series and unveils new steering wheel. The company has a long-standing partnership with Polyphony Digital, dating back 16 years.
Global Newsflix 2 min read
Thrustmaster has announced a new chapter in its partnership with Polyphony Digital, becoming an official partner of the Gran Turismo World Series. Kazunori Yamauchi, producer of the Gran Turismo series, said the company has remained faithful to Gran Turismo by offering solutions that enhance the driving experience.
Gilles Raulet, Director of Development and Licensing at Thrustmaster, said meeting Gran Turismo's exacting standards is no small feat. He added that the collaboration continues to inspire Thrustmaster's teams year after year because passion remains at the heart of their discussions.
Thrustmaster has unveiled the T-GT III, a new officially licensed Gran Turismo 7 wheel and pedal bundle for PS4 and PS5. The bundle includes a load-cell pedal set and a leather-wrapped rim with four metal rotary encoders that map directly to Gran Turismo's in-race settings.
The T-GT III will be on sale from December 3, with worldwide availability expected before Christmas. The recommended retail price is $749.99, which undercuts the cost of buying the T598 and the GT Wheel Add-On rim separately.
Thrustmaster has marked the franchise's history with major innovations, including the T500RS GT Edition, which was the first Thrustmaster steering wheel for Gran Turismo 5 to use a dual-belt-and-pulley drive mechanism.
The company will keep updating the wheel through firmware and software to keep pace with Gran Turismo's Spec updates. More details are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Thrustmaster's partnership with Polyphony Digital reflects a shared ambition to continually raise the standard for racing simulation. The company has served as the official hardware partner of the Gran Turismo World Series from 2018 to 2020 and of the Olympic Esports Series in Singapore in 2023.
Key facts
- Thrustmaster becomes official partner of Gran Turismo World Series
- T-GT III unveiled as new officially licensed Gran Turismo 7 wheel and pedal bundle
- Bundle includes load-cell pedal set and leather-wrapped rim
- Recommended retail price is $749.99
Three perspectives
Neutral
The partnership between Thrustmaster and Polyphony Digital is expected to enhance the driving experience for Gran Turismo players. The T-GT III is a new addition to the series, offering improved features and functionality. Further details are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Positive
The partnership is a significant development for the racing simulation industry, reflecting a shared ambition to raise the standard for racing simulation. The T-GT III offers improved features and functionality, including a load-cell pedal set and a leather-wrapped rim.
Negative
The high price point of the T-GT III may be a barrier for some players, with a recommended retail price of $749.99. The company's decision to keep updating the wheel through firmware and software may also be seen as a negative by some players who prefer a more stable product.
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