Gran Turismo 7 moved to 2022

One of the most anticipated racing games of the new console generation, Gran Turismo 7, will now be releasing in 2022.

GT7 was part of Sony’s big PS5 reveal event back in 2020 and it looked to show actual gameplay as opposed to in-engine target footage. We even caught glimpses of the menus and layout of the home area.

But, according to a Sony statement featured within a GQ interview with SIE CEO Jim Ryan, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has affected development.

“GT7 has been impacted by Covid-related production challenges and therefore will shift from 2021 to 2022. With the ongoing pandemic, it’s a dynamic and changing situation and some critical aspects of game production have been slowed over the past several months. We’ll share more specifics on GT7’s release date when available.”

Polyphony Digital’s racing series features laser-scanned circuits and some of the, if not the most, detailed car modelling seen in a game. In addition to this, while Japan did not have a nationally mandated lockdown, most jobs are being done remotely.

When we included GT7 in our 2021 racing game preview, we said: “Here’s hoping for a 2021 release.”

It appears we jinxed it for everyone. Sorry.

The existing GT Sport will receive an update later this week to help facilitate the upcoming FIA series, so for Gran Turismo fans, there’s still plenty of online action to look forward to this year.