PlayStation is launching a new community program called The Playerbase, which gives fans the chance to have their likeness scanned and appear inside a PlayStation game. The first game to participate is Gran Turismo 7, with additional PlayStation Studios titles expected to join in the future.
Starting today at 7:00 AM Pacific (10:00 AM Eastern), fans can apply at playstation.com/the-playerbase by signing in with their PlayStation account and answering a few questions about their experiences on the platform. After reviewing applications, PlayStation will select a limited number of finalists for video interviews. From there, one fan will be chosen to appear in Gran Turismo 7 as an in-game character portrait, similar to how characters are already presented throughout the game. The selected fan will also get to help design a custom Fantasy Logo and a one-of-a-kind vehicle livery that will be added permanently to the Showcase menu. They’ll be invited to a visual arts studio in Los Angeles for the scanning and to collaborate with a designer on the logo and livery.
It’s a cool idea that goes beyond typical community engagement efforts, and the fact that it’s starting with Gran Turismo 7 makes sense given how personal the driving simulator already feels with its car collection and livery systems. PlayStation says The Playerbase will expand over time as more studios participate, with fans featured in ways that fit each game’s own style and world. The program is available in select markets across the Americas, Europe, Asia, South Africa, and Australia.
This is essentially PlayStation’s way of saying thank you to the players who have shaped the brand over the past 30 years. It’ll be interesting to see which games join the program next, as the concept could work really well in something with robust character creation or community features.
