Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and rip-off games are doing it in spades. Go figure, the PlayStation Store, where slop usually runs wild, is home to some of the most prominent rip off titles around, including an Uncharted rip off, a clone of Nintendo’s popular Animal Crossing series and a Resident Evil knock off, dubbed Ebola Village.
Gran Carismo Copy Of Gran Tursimo
It appears that one such title Gran Carismo has crossed the line that not even PlayStation can allow. Because, the play on Sony’s long-standing Gran Turismo simulation racing franchise, is no more, at least on the PlayStation Store, where it has since been renamed Grand Car Racing.
Where things get interesting, though, is that, everywhere else, the Gran Carismo name still exists, making it seem as if this change was only to remove the game from PlayStation’s eyes. Because the description on Sony’s digital storefront still has every reference to Gran Carismo.
Over on the Nintendo eShop, it’s still called Gran Carismo, and its description still has many references to Gran Carismo. “Gran Carismo immerses players in an intense and competitive racing environment, combining the excitement of illegal underground races with a compelling narrative,” the description on Nintendo’s storefront reads. “Get ready to navigate challenging tracks, outmaneuver rivals, and claim the grand prize the Rosso 50 in this adrenaline-fueled racing game.”
The same can be said for Steam, where it too is still Gran Carismo. In other words, it appears the change is superficial. There’s a non zero chance that if you purchase the game, it probably will run as Gran Carismo.
Sony Has Been Cracking Down On Slop
It has cracked down on the mass amount of slop, AI games and rip-off titles that have been allowed to exist on its digital storefront, going as far as to outright wipe entire publishers from the face of its library. Recently, titles from GOGAME Console Publisher, VRCFORGE Studios, and Welding Byte (previously operating as RandomSpin Games) have all reportedly been removed from PSN. Those titles included the likes of Jesus Simulator and Card Shop Game Store, a rip off of the popular title that is on Steam and Xbox.
That recent sweep came a little over a week after there was a separate sweep that took down Nostra Games, the maker behind titles like Ghostly Whiskers, which, go figure, is an AI rip-off of an actual game that exists. Though the efforts are appreciated, it’s just one big game of whack-a-mole, as there are dozens more publishers still operating freely without any signs of letting up.
Gran Turismo Is Way Different And Realistic
Gran Turismo is a highly realistic “car simulator” rather than just a game, prioritizing accurate vehicle physics, sound engineering, and visual detail. It achieves realism through meticulous modelling of car performance, tire friction, and air resistance, often considered the best console simulator. Gran Turismo offers extreme, simulation-level realism by meticulously reproducing car visuals, engine sounds, and physics including weight transfer and suspension response. It is designed as a “driving simulator” rather than just a game, with accuracy sufficient to train professional drivers, For people looking to transition from gamer to racer.
- Realism Level: While often described as a “simcade” (bridging arcade and simulation), GT7 offers a deeply realistic experience, especially in VR, often considered the most immersive experience.
- Physics and Handling: The game simulates car weight, tire grip, and aerodynamics with high accuracy, often used for competitive eSports and professional training.
- Audio/Visual Fidelity: Gran Turismo meticulously records real engine sounds and renders cars with intense detail.
- Compared to Others: While iRacing or Assetto Corsa might be considered more technical, Gran Turismo 7 is generally considered the best all-around realistic driving experience on consoles, often described as a “love letter to car culture”.
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