There are a lot of people who scoff at video games. Some of the more common arguments are that they dull people to violence... they're anti-social... they don't translate to real life and are plain-and-simple a waste of time. Boardwalk Nissan isn't here to take a moral stance on video games. However, we would like to point out that the last stereotype - video games don't translate to real life - might not be as true as some argue. Proving this case is none other than Nissan of North America.

Nissan North America has, in fact, teamed up with Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC to create a five-part television series called GT Academy USA. Season One, actually just started airing on the SPEED network on September 20.

The reality-TV series has been produced using documented footage of two distinct phases. First, over 50-thousand Gran Turismo gamers enrolled in the competition, hoping to make it to the three-day national finals. Second, GT Academy's 16 best-performing players were sent to a week-long racing academy at the world-renowned Silverstone Racing Complex, in England.

At Silverstone, gamers were put through a real-life test via a series of mental and physical aptitude eliminations rounds. The goal, of course, was to determine the best of the best.

If you like racing, you'll definitely want to check it out. It's reality TV like you've never seen it before.

The icing on the cake is the GT Academy USA Season One winner's prize: a career as a Nissan-sponsored professional race-car driver. It's true. They'll join a four-person team scheduled to race in the legendary 24-hou event in Dubai, India. To think... that's thanks to some mad gaming skills.

Speaking on the Nissan North America's decision to create GT Academy USA, Jon Brancheau, VP, Marketing, Nissan North America explained, "GT Academy USA will create a life changing experience for gamers, celebrating the authenticity of Gran Turismo 5 for Sony PlayStation, and real life racing and performance, innovation for Nissan."¹

Interested in more Nissan news? Stay tuned. Boardwalk Nissan, located at 1 Bair Island Road in Redwood City, CA 94063, is dedicated to keeping you informed.

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