As new versions of familiar Nissan vehicles come to American lots, the company is taking a new and different approach to promotion of their brand with a new reality show slated to premiere later this month. The show, called “GT Academy USA,” will take sixteen experienced video gamers and see if their skills translate to the actual track, giving them a chance to enter the world of professional racecar driving. The show, produced in combination with Sony and Polyphony Digital, brings an already existing English show stateside, and will air on SPEED beginning September 20. Billed as “a race from virtual to reality,” GT Academy USA asks the question: do video games prepare players for actual driving? Through a tournament and other segments, the show will examine the competitive efforts of those more accustomed to the joystick than the gear shift.
A look at some of the most common racing games on modern consoles shows that fans can at least use them to gain some level of practical knowledge about driving dynamics, as well as how to put a car together. Some of these games involve some pretty detailed specs for race car models, which can add to a younger player’s lexicon. But one thing that these games definitely don’t teach is how to buy: auto enthusiasts who grow up seeing their favorite cars on screen may have very little knowledge about negotiating pricing and financing for vehicles. That’s where the Internet is a handy resource. The consumer advocate and consumer reporting sites that provide current information on the auto industry can really help novice car customers to look out for their own best interests, whether they are considering buying an actual high-performance car, or just a lower priced ride to get them from one place to another.
Look for the new show on your cable guide this fall, and if you are in the market for one of Nissan’s new or late-model offers, be sure to check out the range of quality information you can find easily on the web to help you when you arrive at the dealer’s lot. Learning about how to use blue book values to evaluate model pricing, and how to arrange for the lowest interest on auto loans, can help consumers of all ages save a bundle and get further on the road ahead.
