Sony clarifies GT5 install rumours

Just two hours after parts of the internet went into meltdown amid claims of a colossal, time-consuming mandatory installation for next week’s racer Gran Turismo 5, Sony has already extinguished the fire.

At lunchtime today reports emerged claiming that the game would require a compulsory installation of 6.4GB. More so, it was also being claimed that the installation took a massive 50 minutes to complete.

The truth, fortunately, is far more palatable.

Eurogamer has confirmed that the 6.4GB install remains optional, with a far smaller 256MB install the only minimum requirement.

Furthermore, users can choose between either doing the whole thing at once – which takes around 40 minutes – or instead allowing the game to install the data in stages as the user plays the game.

GT5 gives users the option of an install,” a statement reads. This makes loading times throughout much faster but is not a requirement when first playing. If users choose not to install the data straight away it will do it in stages as news areas, tracks, etc. are accessed during normal gameplay.”

Gran Turismo 5 finally lands in the UK next Wednesday. Retailer ShopTo.net reckons the game will be the best selling PS3 title of 2010. A number of retailers will also be running aggressive price promotions.