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Sony’s The Playerbase gives a selected PlayStation fan the chance to have their likeness scanned for a limited-time appearance in Gran Turismo 7, then collaborate on a custom in-game logo and vehicle livery. The initial application phase is closed: Sony’s campaign page says successful applicants will be contacted soon and a next phase is coming, but it does not give a date or new entry rules. The first contest’s official rules planned a winner announcement on or around November 2026.
What is The Playerbase?
Sony Interactive Entertainment announced The Playerbase on April 7, 2026, as a program for bringing selected PlayStation fans into PlayStation Studios games. Gran Turismo 7 was the first named game. Sony said it hoped other PlayStation Studios would participate over time, but has not confirmed additional titles in the materials available.
For the first contest, the selected fan’s in-game character portrait was planned as a special limited-time appearance. The custom Fantasy Logo and one-of-a-kind vehicle livery created with the winner are intended to remain in GT7’s Showcase menu. [Sony’s announcement]
Are applications open now?
No. As of October 8, 2026, the live Playerbase campaign page says applications for this phase are complete and successful players will be contacted soon. It also says the next phase is launching soon, without specifying when or what its requirements will be. The official rules for the initial contest give an entry period of April 7 through April 26, 2026 (PDT), and say the confirmed winner would be announced on the contest website on or around November 2026. These are different milestones: the application window has closed, while the rules set a planned announcement period.
#1 Best Overall
- Model Number CFI-2000
- Includes DualSense Wireless Controller, 1TB SSD, 2 Horizontal Stand Feet, HDMI Cable, AC power cord, USB cable, printed materials, ASTRO’s PLAYROOM (Pre-installed game)
- Vertical Stand sold seperately
Who could enter the first contest?
Eligibility depended on residence, age, and having a PlayStation account. The initial rules listed participating countries and territories; entrants had to live in one of them and be at least 18 or the age of majority where they lived. Availability was not worldwide, and the rules say local law may affect eligibility.
An entry required the entrant’s full name, PlayStation Online ID, the email address associated with their PlayStation account, and a written response of no more than 1,000 characters describing how PlayStation had affected their life. The rules allowed one entry per individual and account. No purchase was necessary to enter, win, or claim the prize. [Official contest rules]
Rank #2
- CPU: x86-64-AMD Ryzen Zen 8 Cores / 16 Threads at 3.5GHz.GPU: AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based graphics engine.
- 16GB GDDR6/256-bit Memory; 825GB SSD Storage Capacity
- Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T), IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1
- HDR technology, 8K output, 4K TV gaming, Up to 120 fps with 120Hz output, Tempest 3D AudioTech
- What's Included: Sony PlayStation 5 Disc Version; Wireless controller; USB cable, HDMI cable, AC power cord. Nogtox PVT HDMI_cable
How was the winner selected?
The first contest was judged, not described as a random draw. Sony’s stated criteria included the originality of the written submission and its fit with passionate PlayStation fandom, the entrant’s personal connection to PlayStation, and their engagement with PlayStation and Polyphony Digital.
- Written entry review: Judges assessed the submission and the entrant’s connection and engagement as set out in the rules.
- Recorded interviews: Approximately 50–150 entries were expected to advance to this round. That is the planned interview-stage group, not the total number of applicants or an estimate of anyone’s odds.
- Final checks: Three candidates were expected to reach final verification and background checks, followed by selection of one grand-prize winner.
The stated criteria include account history and engagement. Sony does not say that buying GT7 or additional PlayStation hardware improves a person’s chances; neither purchase was an entry requirement.
Rank #3
- 🚀 CPU: 3.5GHz, 8-core AMD Zen 2
- 🚀 Storage: Custom 825GB SSD
- 🚀 RAM: 16GB GDDR6
- 🚀 GPU: 10.3 teraflop RDNA 2 GPU
What does the selected fan receive?
The winner is to have their facial geometry and likeness scanned for use or adaptation by Polyphony Digital in a limited-time GT7 appearance. They also get the opportunity to help create the Fantasy Logo and vehicle livery intended to remain in the game’s Showcase menu.
The prize also includes travel for the winner and one guest to the PlayStation Studios Visual Arts studio in Los Angeles. The rules specify two round-trip air tickets, two hotel nights, and a $200 meal per diem. Sony estimated the travel, lodging, and meals at $4,000, with the actual value depending on the winner’s residence; that estimate is not cash compensation. The rules assign a $0 value to the scan and game inclusion. A winner residing in Japan would be responsible for travel and attendance costs.
Rank #4
- Enjoy smooth and fluid high frame rate gameplay at up to 120 fps for compatible games, with support for 120Hz output on 4K displays.
- PS5 consoles support an 8K output, so you can play games on your 4320p resolution display.
- Maximize your play sessions with near-instant load times for installed PS5 games.
- 825GB SSD allows ultra-fast load times, while 3-D audio output produces crisp acoustics.
- Explore uncharted virtual territories and slay dragons with this sleek Sony PlayStation 5 gaming console.
How does Sony say it will use the face scan?
The campaign FAQ says the selected person’s likeness will be used only for The Playerbase experience in GT7 and related Playerbase promotional materials, and that their data will not be used for purposes outside The Playerbase. The rules add that a provisional winner must review and consent to processing facial-geometry data for likeness capture; they note that this information may be considered biometric data in some jurisdictions. Contest data is handled under Sony’s privacy policy, and the formal terms and applicable law govern the processing.
Sony’s public description does not establish that the scan is anonymous, that it is not biometric data, or that it will be used for AI training. Those claims should not be inferred from the campaign FAQ.
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- Slim Design, players get powerful gaming technology packed inside a sleek and compact console design.
- 825GB of storage, keep your favorite games raeady and waiting for you to jump in and play
- Ultra-High Speed SSD, maximize yoru play sessions with near instant load times for installed PS5 games
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- Ray Tracing, immerse yourself in owrlds with a new level of realism as rays of light are individually simulated, creating true-to-life shadows and reflections in supported PS5 games
What is confirmed about future games?
Gran Turismo 7 is the only participating game named in the announcement and first contest materials described here. Sony expressed the hope that more PlayStation Studios would take part over time, but no other title or timetable has been confirmed. Anyone considering a future entry should check the live campaign page for the next phase’s dates, participating regions, eligibility, and terms rather than assuming the first contest’s rules will carry over.
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