PS3 Informer

That's Desperate: Superstars V8 Giving Away Copies of Gran Turismo 5

Publisher O-Games doesn't have any pretensions when it comes to the company's newest title, Superstars V8 Racing, available on PlayStation Network in North America for $19.99. The budget-priced game was never going to set the world on fire. In fact, the publisher has so little confidence in its ability to sell the game that it is planning to give away 10 copies of Polyphony Digital's highly anticipated Gran Turismo 5 to players of its own game as an incentive. We have no idea if this contest is sanctioned by Sony or Polyphony Digital. In fact, it sounds to us like a form of virtual ambush marketing, in which a company attempts to 'capitalize on the goodwill, reputation, and popularity of a particular event by creating an association with it, without the authorization or consent of the necessary parties.'

Here's how O-Games spokespeople justified the move:

"Critics say that Superstars V8 Racing is a worthy investment and does more than just fill the void for all the racing fans waiting for the launch of Grand Turismo 5," said Greg Lanz, General Manager of O-Games, Inc. "Beginning next week and for the next ten weeks, we'll be challenging players of Superstars V8 Racing on PlayStation Network to various leaderboard competitions, and award winners a brand new copy of Gran Turismo 5. Superstars V8 Racing is the perfect game for racing fans to sharpen their skills as they wait for Gran Turismo 5, and what better way than to reward fans with a brand new copy of the game. Exactly when we can ship GT5 is anybody's guess, but rest assured, we will send out prizes whenever it hits retail shelves."

Weekly competitions will begin Friday, November 12, 2010, and all rules and regulations will be detailed on the Superstars V8 Racing Facebook page. Players will need to stay tuned each week for updates on new weeklong in-game challenges that will pit players against racers across the globe for a chance to win brand new, full retail copies of Gran Turismo 5. An online connection will be required to compete, and players must also have a Facebook account and opted to 'Like' Superstars V8 Racing on Facebook.

So umm, buy our game, please?

Not shown in this screenshot: actual Gran Turismo 5 gameplay.