Sony Computer Entertainment and Polyphony Digital have announced plans for a beta test program to test out an Online PlayStation 2 version of Gran Turismo 4. Polyphony will select 5000 Japan-based gamers to put the so-called "Gran Turismo 4 Online Test Version" through the paces.Gran Turismo 4 Online Test Version is a PlayStation 2 disk featuring Online time attack, versus racing and chat modes. The test is being conducted in order to refine the Online play set to be featured in the PlayStation 3 Gran Turismo HD and all future next generation GT games. Based on the comments from series producer Kazunori Yamauchi, it's unclear if GT4 Online will become an actual PlayStation 2 release.Polyphony will be accepting entries at the GT website from 5/9 to 5/19. The lucky 5000 who are chosen for the program will receive game disks some time towards the end of May. June is being reserve for a startup period where entrants can put their network connection to the test and start playing. The full test will start on 7/1 and last through 8/31.To qualify for the program, Japan-based PS2 owners will need a system with either a PlayStation BB Unit or just a Network Adapter.IGN readers with Japanese addresses can check out this page at the GT website. SCE has not announced a stateside version of this test.
