Let's face it: some reality series' prizes suck. For example, you might win a date with Tila Tequila or Flavor Flav. Or, you might end up becoming a video game tester. But, one reality series lets you become a professional race car driver, a career that is probably only bested by "professional ice cream taster" and "mattress comfort test-driver."

To vie for your chance to become a fully sponsored race car driver, you may want to dust off your copy of Gran Turismo 5. Once again, Sony's racing sim is being used in a nationwide competition to make someone's racing ambitions a reality.

Read more: Missions, weapons and more for pre-ordering »

Crysis is returning to New York City--this time, as a literal urban jungle. Check out the first screens and details of Crysis 3, hitting next year. Then, want to become a professional race car driver? With Gran Turismo 5, you'll be able to compete for a chance to join a real life racing team. Finally, what are the new game releases for this week?

Check out today's episode of Shacknews Daily.

Watch: Shacknews Daily: April 16, 2012 »

Ever since the release of Spec 2.0, Gran Turismo 5 has been receiving a number of premium downloadable updates. Today, GT fans can buy two more packs. First up is Car Pack 3. Available for $5.99, the DLC collection includes six cars: the Lamborghini Aventador, Jaguar XJR-9 LM, Ashton Martin V12 Vantage, 66' Volkswagen 1200, Mini Cooper S Countryman, and the Nissan Leaf.

Read more: Speed Test Course Pack DLC detailed »

Eagle-eyed observers spotted Gran Turismo 5 XL late last year. Today, Sony has officially announced the updated re-release.

As expected, XL includes the original game and all the new features added by the sizable Spec 2.0 update, which released late last year. As an added bonus, the XL Edition will also include a voucher for over $20 worth of DLC.

Read more: What's included in the voucher »

When Gran Turismo 5 released at long last, developer Polyphony Digital still wasn't quite done with it, and spent the time since working on tweaks and updates. Now various retailers are listing an "XL Edition" for $39.99, and smart money is on this new version packing the updates in from the start.

Read more: Likely Spec II rerelease »

Sony has revealed details on the second round of DLC for the PlayStation 3-exclusive driving sim Gran Turismo 5 today. Launching next week is the aptly-named "Car Pack 2," which features the 2011 Mini Cooper S, 2010 Volkswagen Golf VI R, 2010 Volkswagen Scirocco R, and the new and improved 2012 Nissan GT-R Black edition R35.

As a special gift to "anyone who purchased anything from the first batch of DLC," Sony is offering a free unlock for the Gran Turismo Racing Kart 125 SP and five New Car Refresh cards. The DLC releases alongside update 2.02, which features a number of tweaks including a new "copy" feature for setting sheets and changes to the game's user interface.

Read more: Full list of additions in Update 2.02 »

"Of course we're working on GT6 already," Polyphony Digital head Kazunori Yamauchi said in a recent interview. In an industry where sequels are inevitable, of course the team would be working on a follow-up to Sony's premiere racing simulator.

But what can we expect from Gran Turismo 6? "What really will be the separating factor is something that we can't update through a DLC is something that obviously has to be saved for GT6."

Read more: Gran Turismo 5 DLC cars and trucks teased »

The slate of downloadable content announced for Gran Turismo 5 last week won't be coming out today in North America after all, Sony has confirmed. Instead, it'll launch next week, with an extra treat thrown in too.

The delay's only in North America, though--Europe and the rest of the world can already be happily racing away with the new content.

Read more: But now will include 'a special bonus' »

Hot on the heels of Gran Turismo 5's Spec 2.0 update, as teased, the first paid downloadable content is coming to Polyphony Digital's PlayStation 3-exclusive racer next week. Priced between $2 and $8, or available together in a discounted bundle, the four packs will add new cars, paint colors, tracks, and more.

Read more: Prices and details on the four packs »

Polyphony Digital's Gran Turismo 5 has been receiving numerous incremental updates since its launch last year. However, series creator Kazunori Yamauchi has been promising a major update for quite some time. Dubbed "Spec 2.0," the free update adds a number of a new features, and attempts to address "the feedback we've received from all our players."

Yamauchi has revealed that the upcoming 2.0 patch--scheduled for release later this month--will include a new opening movie, "improved physics and AI," and a number of new vehicles.

Read more: Lots of DLC to come »

Yet another Sony reality series begins tonight. No, it's not The Tester Season 3. Debuting on Speed Channel tonight is GT Academy, a five-part reality show that has the top 16 Gran Turismo 5 players competing for a chance to become a professional race car driver. The first episode debuts tonight at 10PM Eastern, although Sony notes that you should "check your local listings."

Watch: What to expect »

Video game fans! You manly, manly men, who sprout great bristling men's beards overnight, which you must shave with men's razors held in your man's hands. Yes, all of you reading this with your man's eyes. You, gentlemen, can get free downloadable content for several Playstation 3 games through a promotion with Edge and Schick shaving products. Read more »

Gran Turismo 5 has released a version 1.07 patch, which adds the GT Academy and Friend Ranking features. The EU PlayStation Blog details the latest updates.

The GT Academy 2011 functionality prepares the game for this year's tournament, the goal of which is ultimately to turn a fan into a real race car driver. You need to be aged 18 or older, a European resident, and perhaps a little crazy. This is similar to the US tournament that began in December. Read more »

Even with years of development under its belt before release, Gran Turismo 5 is still a constantly evolving beast. One cut feature was the ability to control B-spec races from PC or mobile devices, known as "Gran Turismo Anywhere." A patch to add the feature is still on the way and due in early February.

The word came from creator Kaz Yamauchi in the form of a tweet (via GT Planet). An exact release date wasn't given, but it seems like this will be the next major update for the game. Yamauchi had previously expressed interest in making monthly updates. The last one came in late December, so an early February release would bring it close enough to his goal.

A massive 608MB patch has hit Polyphony Digital's Gran Turismo 5, bringing the game up to version 1.05. The patch can be snagged by launching the game while connected to the PlayStation Network (via Eurogamer).

Read more »