The much-anticipated update 1.40 for Gran Turismo 7 has been officially introduced as ‘Spec II,’ and it promises to deliver a plethora of highly requested features and fresh gaming content.
Table of Contents
- A Significant Leap: ‘Spec II’ Transforms Gran Turismo 7
- Countdown to ‘Spec II’: Release Date and Server Maintenance
- The Evolution of GT Sophy: An Advanced AI for Gamers
- GT Sophy 2.0: Driving Into the Future on PlayStation 5
- Weekly Challenges Unveiled: A Motivation for Single-Player Adventure
- Expanding the Event Horizon: Seven New Racing Challenges
- 50 More License Tests: A Test of Skill and Precision
- A Winter Wonderland: Lake Louise Venue
- Fresh Additions: New Cars for the Garage
- Enhanced Multiplayer: Four-Player Split-Screen
- An Exciting Introduction: ‘Spec II’ Intro Cinematic
- Expanding the Horizon: New Scapes and Cafe Menus
A Significant Leap: ‘Spec II’ Transforms Gran Turismo 7
In an exciting development, the ‘Spec II’ update for Gran Turismo 7 is set to usher in a wave of innovation, featuring Sony-AI-powered rival vehicles, a brand-new racecourse, seven additional cars, a revamped game introduction, and a surprising transformation of the single-player gaming structure.
Countdown to ‘Spec II’: Release Date and Server Maintenance
Mark your calendars as the major update for Gran Turismo 7, known as ‘Spec II,’ is scheduled for release on Thursday, November 2, 2023.
As part of the standard procedure, players should be aware that online gameplay will be temporarily unavailable from 6 am BST to 8 am BST on the release date due to server maintenance.
However, the update will be accessible for both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 once the maintenance is concluded.
The Evolution of GT Sophy: An Advanced AI for Gamers
In the upcoming November update for Gran Turismo 7, the groundbreaking AI agency, GT Sophy, will make a triumphant return, exhibiting enhanced capabilities.
This AI not only learns your driving style but is also poised to be more intelligent than previous single-player rivals seen in GT7 or earlier GT titles.
GT Sophy 2.0: Driving Into the Future on PlayStation 5
Exclusive to PlayStation 5, the upgraded GT Sophy is expected to take gaming to a new level. It boasts the ability to command 340 cars across nine tracks, including Gr.3 cars and iconic locations like Grand Valley Highway 1, Road Atlanta, Tsukuba, and Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans.
Sophy has now seamlessly integrated into the World Circuits single-player events, providing players with the option to choose between ‘regular AI’ and ‘Sophy’ pre-event.
Reinventing Single-Player: A Fresh Approach to World Circuits
While the Cafe Menu books, Missions, and License tests provided engaging content, the World Circuits single-player races started to lose their appeal over time.
The ‘Spec II’ update aims to breathe new life into this aspect of the game, introducing Weekly Challenges and enticing rewards.
Weekly Challenges Unveiled: A Motivation for Single-Player Adventure
Upon reaching the end credits (achieved by completing Cafe Menu Book No. 39), players will gain access to Weekly Challenges.
These challenges blend various World Circuits events into championship-style gameplay, eliminating the need for points standings. For instance, instead of separate events scattered across the map, players might take on a weekly challenge to complete all events within seven days.
Each race in these challenges unlocks roulette tickets, offering the opportunity to win cars, cash, and parts.
Expanding the Event Horizon: Seven New Racing Challenges
The ‘Spec II’ update introduces seven new events to the existing roster, providing fresh and exciting gameplay experiences.
Additional details about these events will be shared as the update approaches. Minor enhancements include the transformation of ‘Arcade Race’ into a ‘Quick Race’ option and the introduction of a new event directory menu.
50 More License Tests: A Test of Skill and Precision
License tests, a hallmark of the Gran Turismo series since its inception in 1997, offer quick and challenging trials with online leaderboards, pushing players to test their skills further.
Surprisingly, ‘Spec II’ introduces an additional 50 of these challenges known as ‘Master License Tests,’ categorized into National B, National A, International B, International A, and Super License groups.
Achieving all bronze or all gold results in these tests brings rewards, with all-bronze results earning roulette tickets and all-gold results granting new cars.
A Winter Wonderland: Lake Louise Venue
Gran Turismo 7 introduces a novel racecourse: Lake Louise, set in a fictional snowy landscape in Canada. This venue offers three unique layouts, including Short, Long, and Tri-Oval.
Notably, the entire track is perpetually covered in snow, reminiscent of Gran Turismo 4’s Chamonix venue. Additionally, night races feature captivating blue and red lighting.
Drivers will need snow tires to participate in events at this location, making it a must-visit in the Tuning Shop.
Fresh Additions: New Cars for the Garage
In line with previous speculation, the ‘Spec II’ update confirms the addition of seven new cars. Each car features specific trim levels, evolutions, and model years.
Noteworthy vehicles include the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon and the 2023 Tesla Motors Model 3 Performance. These additions offer exciting choices for players to enhance their collections.
Enhanced Multiplayer: Four-Player Split-Screen
The update provides a welcome enhancement for PlayStation 5 players, elevating the split-screen multiplayer experience from supporting two players to accommodating four.
This upgrade is anticipated to make multiplayer gameplay even more enjoyable.
An Exciting Introduction: ‘Spec II’ Intro Cinematic
In keeping with the tradition of previous significant updates in the Gran Turismo series, ‘Spec II’ includes a fresh game cinematic that greets players upon launching the game, setting the stage for an exciting gaming experience.
Expanding the Horizon: New Scapes and Cafe Menus
The update expands the Scapes locations by introducing the Polyphony team’s Tokyo offices. Additionally, players will have access to three new Extra Cafe Menus, including road-going racers, Lexus, and Red Bull.
These menus offer car collecting challenges, where players unlock rewards by owning specified vehicles. The update also includes slower shutter speeds in the post-race replay photo mode (ranging from 1/1 to 1/30) and transforms the largely underutilized meeting places into paddocks, allowing players to use emojis to express admiration for each other’s cars. The player profile is also revamped into a dashboard, displaying additional statistics related to car collections.
