PlayStation playerbase initiative lets fans sign up to be scanned into games
Summary
Sony Interactive Entertainment launched The Playerbase, a new program scanning real players into PlayStation Studios games
The initiative combines photogrammetry, performance capture, and player data to integrate real-world likenesses into game worlds
First activation: one selected fan will appear as an in-game character portrait in Gran Turismo 7
The selected fan also co-designs a custom Fantasy Logo and a permanent vehicle livery added to the Showcase menu
"One PlayStation fan will be selected to be featured in Gran Turismo 7 as part of The Playerbase, where they will have a special limited-time appearance as an in-game character portrait"
01
How the playerbase scanning process works
Players are captured using multi-camera photogrammetry rigs photographing them from all angles
Images are processed into high-resolution 3D models covering facial detail, body proportions, and textures
Additional scans record facial movement data, which is mapped onto animation rigs for dialogue and expression
In some cases, motion data is also captured to inform in-game animations or background performances
02
How to sign up for the PlayStation playerbase program
Players can submit an application directly on the official PlayStation Playerbase sign-up page
PlayStation reviews all applications and selects a limited number of finalists for video interviews
One final winner is chosen from the finalist pool to be featured in Gran Turismo 7
The selected participant is flown to a visual arts studio in Los Angeles for their scanning day
They collaborate with a designer on-site to create their custom Fantasy Logo and unique vehicle livery
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What the Gran Turismo 7 winner actually receives
A special limited-time appearance as an in-game character portrait inside Gran Turismo 7
A co-designed Fantasy Logo and a one-of-a-kind vehicle livery added permanently to the Showcase menu
A real-world trip to PlayStation's Los Angeles visual arts studio for the scanning session
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Playerbase scope - background roles, not main characters
The program is designed for scalable integration, not starring roles
Expected use cases include crowd characters, background NPCs, live-service cameos, and environmental population
This approach allows PlayStation Studios to populate game worlds with real-world diversity at scale
The initiative leverages AAA production tech already embedded in PlayStation's existing pipeline
05
Future plans - program expected to grow beyond Gran Turismo 7
The Gran Turismo 7 activation is positioned explicitly as a launch pilot for a broader ongoing initiative
Sony intends to expand Playerbase across multiple PlayStation Studios titles over time
The program signals a longer-term strategy to deepen player identity and community investment in first-party games
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