The complexity and unusualness of the racing tracks are encrypted in the emblem’s signs. Cars fly over them so fast that seeing the surrounding objects in detail is unrealistic. The Gran Turismo logo is an ode to fast driving and invites everyone to feel like driving a sports car.
Gran Turismo: Brand overview
Gran Turismo is a sports racing franchise and video game developed by the Japanese studio Polyphony Digital for PlayStation consoles. The simulator is based on a one-hundred percent imitation of famous cars’ appearance and technical characteristics, which are licensed repetitions of real sports cars. The racing series debuted in December 1997. Since then, over 80 million Gran Turismo races have been sold worldwide, making it the most sought-after gaming franchise. The history of the Gran Turismo series began in 1992 when Japanese game designer Kazunori Yamauchi envisioned a realistic racing simulator for the PlayStation console. Yamauchi, dissatisfied with arcade-style racers, formed a small team to develop detailed car physics and authentic driving mechanics. Released in 1997, the original Gran Turismo featured innovative gameplay, including license-based progression and detailed vehicle customization, quickly becoming a commercial and critical success. Subsequent installments significantly expanded content, introducing hundreds of licensed vehicles, realistic tracks, and improved physics, especially notable in hits like Gran Turismo 2 and Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec. Later entries, such as Gran Turismo 5 and Gran Turismo 6, brought dynamic weather, day-night cycles, and deeper simulation modes, further establishing the franchise’s reputation for realism. Gran Turismo Sport shifted focus toward esports and official FIA championships, setting new standards for competitive online racing. In 2022, Gran Turismo 7 combined classic elements with modern graphics and VR capabilities, accompanied by a successful film adaptation based on GT Academy. Today, the franchise remains influential in gaming and automotive culture, continually updated and enjoyed by millions globally.
Meaning and History
The car racing simulator has eight basic editions, including two versions for PlayStation 2, 3, 4, and 5. The set includes many other variants—shortcut releases focused on PlayStation 2 and 3 consoles. Its developer is Kazunori Yamauchi.
Key actions for implementing the video game started in 1992. Then, the main inspiration for the idea gathered a team of seven specialists and, in five years, created a completely original franchise. The simulator’s attractiveness is explained by detailed graphics, which are thought out to the smallest detail, the exact technical properties of car copies, and a large fleet of licensed vehicles.
This also includes customizing and simulating driving based on personal experiences. Moreover, the choice of options is based on physical principles and the recording of the real roar of engines. Although there were several issues, they are united by a common logo—three.
What is Gran Turismo?
Gran Turismo is PlayStation’s top-selling media franchise. This is a series of video games in racing simulators in which you need to consider the real aspects of driving a car. They simulate everything from suspension tuning to tire wear.
1997 – 2009
The debut emblem consists of stylized GT symbols, the abbreviation for the video game’s full name, Gran Turismo. The letters are scattered strokes in various configurations—from wide, straight lines to curved, narrowed ones. On the left, the designers placed an impromptu “G” in blue and, on the right, a “T” in a bright scarlet hue.
The authors painted the franchise’s full name below them in black. Even below, they put the inscription “the real driving simulator” in grotesquely small print. The logo also has an abbreviated version that lacks graphic symbols. Two miniature rectangles replace them.
2009 – 2013
Since 2009, the emblem has received a glossy and three-dimensional appearance. It was first used for the Gran Turismo PSP. The 3D effect is created due to the original design and the correct combination of bright highlights and dark shadows. Moreover, the palette saturation has also changed: red and blue have become deeper, juicier, and more concentrated. The rest of the elements did not undergo adjustments: sans serif letters, uppercase, and slightly tilted to the right.
2013 – today
The developers returned the logo to a flat look and repainted it black. This version was first seen in Gran Turismo 6.
If you need to trace the movement of the identity style from complex forms to simple ones, this can be seen in the GT racing simulator. Starting as a multi-structured composition with colorful graphics and stripped-down additions, it has evolved into a flat monochrome version emphasizing the seriousness of everything in a video game. In addition, the black and white logo does not distract attention from the process and sets up fierce competition.
Font and Colors
The logo is rendered in a bold, italic typeface that is tightly condensed and assertive. The letterforms are reinforced, giving the text a sense of energy and determination that reflects the fast-paced nature of the game series. The type is visually close to Helvetica Neue LT Std 87 Heavy Condensed Oblique and HarvestItal Regular, but with specific differences—most notably, the straight, uncurved leg of the letter “R,” which adds a stricter and more defined quality to the design.
The original color scheme was vivid, combining red, white, and blue on a classic black background. These shades conveyed emotion and high energy, connecting directly to the spirit of motorsport and the game’s focus on speed and realism. In later versions, the designers moved away from bright colors, opting for a monochrome palette based on black and its variations. This shift brought simplicity and refinement, giving the logo a more neutral and contemporary look. The updated style complements the game’s theme while remaining distinctive and recognizable.