There's no denying the power of the Grand Theft Auto series. Rockstar's controversial franchise is one of the most recognizable and well-known brands in modern gaming, and its next installment is going to be unquestionably huge. For Microsoft, Grand Theft Auto IV is not just being treated as an important game, it's clearly being treated as one of the most crucial of 2008.
Microsoft's Shane Kim has recently commented on the impact GTA's had on Sony hardware in the past -- most notably the revelation that was GTA III on the PS2 -- and how Microsoft is looking to harness that impact for itself by making sure that the Xbox 360 is seen as the definitive home of Liberty City. Kim is confident that Microsoft already "owns" GTA IV, but that gamers need to realize it.
"We already own it, I believe, from a content standpoint, because we have the exclusive episodes ... but we have to make sure the customers know that ... if you look back, again, to the role of GTA III and what that played in terms of PS2's development - in Europe as well, because it was huge in Europe. That's a great opportunity for us. We need to take advantage of it."
Kim admits that Microsoft's job isn't going to be a cakewalk, and recognized Sony's potential to steal some of the glory for itself, especially in Europe, where Sony products have always been successful. Kim realizes that if MS becomes complacent, the potential is there for gamers to simply associate
GTA with Sony based on past experiences and not buy it for the less traditional Xbox. Kim is determined, however, to let the people know his opinion that the 360 is where the "greater experience" can be had. What say you, the people themselves? Are you getting this for the 360 or PS3, and do you think downloadable episodic content is key to the "ownership" of
Grand Theft Auto?
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They missed the p in owns.
Downloadable content is very important, for a fan or even a casual player, they will be cheap, and everybody has some points to spend...
To be honest the DLC for this games worries me a little bit. All the GTA games have felt great without the need for DLC. If this one feels trimmed i'm going to be pissed.
If it feels like a full game i'm going to be buying it on whichever system it performs better.
I'm getting it for the 360. I don't really have a choice since I don't have a PS3 but I'd probably still get it for the 360 so I could get the downloadable content.
DLC in da LBC yo.
It would've been great for Microsfot to not conspire and build up this pissing match using "exclusive" DLC as a weapon.
It's total bullshit. From the get go we're basically given the middle finger with pre-planned DLC that, if it's so important and great, should've been slapped onto the disc and not used to rape our wallets.
Oh snap, the gloves have just been thrown down.
I guess it kind of depends on what the DLC is and how much it costs. Oh and I guess it also depends on how long it will take for me to get my 360 back from Microsoft. I've read nothing but horror stories after people sent them in.
I guess it kind of depends on what the DLC is and how much it costs. Oh and I guess it also depends on how long it will take for me to get my 360 back from Microsoft. I've read nothing but horror stories after people sent them in.
I don't have a 360 (yet) but I'm not going to wait until I do just have the shot at buying new missions. Because, seriously, who plays GTA for the missions and package-finding? Sure, you do that stuff, but you don't want to, you want to unlock the goddamn flamethrower and go torch anything that passes you on the highway or lob molotov cocktails at packed sidewalks. Missions are for squares.
And Fire is good.
Its my understanding the DLC is just missions, and that's not the time-killing sandbox gameplay I want from GTA.
Then again, considering the way Rockstar has sucked money out of me with the previous games, I'm not gnawing on the edge of my desk in anticipation of this one either. I'm actually going to wait for a review.
BLU-RAYZ?!
I'm getting it for 360 because I know there will be online play of some sort and I love x box live..as for DLC goes..it better have NOTHING to do with the completion of the game itself..It better just be some fun bonus missions from a quy who just moves in to lbc or something.
uhh Detry, LBC mean Long Beach Cali
GTA IV is based in NYC.
Unless your implying that you live in the LBC. Then totally different story.
well dlc isn't such a big deal to some of the casual gamers, even myself that plays a lot of games and tries to keep up with everything going on with video games I don't think I've ever paid for 'extra' dlc. I have downloaded them once they are free a l halo 2. I'll probably get it for 360 just in case the extra content does become free but i won't pay for it. I haven't paid for halo 3 maps and I can wait.
If the game is a s good as it looks - being able to say "Have you seen the bit where.." to a PS3 owner will surely sell a LOT of 360s. This all depends on the downloads not being "collect all the cigarette packs" or some other lame shit.
Double post up there, sorry.
GTA IV is meh. I don't see what the fuss is all about I can only get so much enjoyment from beating up hookers and taking their money. Honestly it was a lot of fun when it was GTA I or GTA II. 3 completely lost my interest in the franchise, which is ironic because it was the only one that was interesting to everyone else.
Miike: Actually, it's based in Liberty City, not New York. Liberty City is just a parody of NYC.
It's a valid point that PS once "owned" the GTA franchise. Literally OWNED it, for it was on PS1 that GTA was born. It wasn't until almost 2 years after GTAIII came out that the series appeared on the Xbox platform.
MS has to be extremely excited that they got dibs on DLC. That means more sales in the US, where GTA sells WAY BETTER than in Europe, since just about every country there bans the freakin' game.
Unless the DLC is going to make my virtual sandbox significantly bigger, I'm not terribly interested. A couple extra missions, vehicles, weapons... meh. If they want me open my digital wallet (and prove why the 360 version is the one to own) MS and Rockstar are going to have to wow me.
It doesn't matter what DLC Microsoft has. Most people STILL associate The Grand Theft Auto series with the Playstation whether right or wrong. And you can bet there are going to be alot of people that buy the game on the PS3 because of that familiarity they had with prior iterations.
Microsoft IMHO is making a mistake by trumpeting their DLC as the first thing that comes to mind is..Is that really neccesary? Aren't thses games huge enough? I already paid 60 bucks..how much more do you expect me to pay for some episodes? Now if the DLC was offered free to paying LIVE customers..NOW THAT would be an interseting proposition. And one they can shove in Sony's Face.
I think having DLC is important for almost any game released in this console generation. As long as Microsoft gets the word out properly, they'll probably convince a few people to get it for 360 as opposed to the PS3. I've never been big on GTA, but if I do buy it, it'll most likely be for 360. It's really gonna have to wow me, though.
I think the achievements are as much, if not more, of a selling point than the forthcoming DLC...especially when said DLC is vaguely spoken of and really means nothing to any of us so far.
Sadly, I don't think MS will do a great job of getting this news out to the public, anyway. I mean, they sat and watched while Sony advertised such games as Assassin's Creed as if they were PS3-exclusive.
360, if i'm spending 60 bucks on i game i want all the missions i can get, even if i have to spend points to get DLC
I'm getting it on PC.. who wants to bet it will come out on PC??
huh anybody? :P
@ Trev
I totally agree, I usually play like 1/2 of the missions and go nuts. I have yet to date, beaten a GTA.
I'd be shocked if it didn't pretty much win overall. First is the downloadable content, and second is that most of your gamer types who play GTA IV (typically same as your FPSers) own a 360 and aren't as likely to own a PS3.
I've pre-ordered the PS3 GTA IV CE, but solely because I don't like the noise my 360's disc drive puts out and this is the type of game that I'd rather spend listening to the soundtrack while I play. I can live w/o the extra content.
360 for the following reasons...
-DLC
-Xbox Live is where my friends are, and it will have multiplayer
-Achievements
-I like to chat between games and the sandbox style of play will be perfect for that... I could even get into the game just to dick around while I wait for an invite on another game
-Rumble
-It won't look or play any better on the PS3
-I don't own a PS3 and won't own one until I can get one for $400 with a dualshock3 in the box
-I like the 360 controller better (except on games that heavily use the D pad)
D has a really good point; if they know there's going to be DLC at this early a point, it should really be on the disc. Otherwise, I'd say "yay for exclusive DLC," but honestly, now I feel like I'm getting ripped off.
I've played all the GTA games, and I've never really finished all of the missions on any of them. For me the sandbox aspect is the most fun part so I'm not really bothered about the episodic content. The 360 will get 2 exclusive content packs, which is great for those that want them, but I hardly thing they 'own' the launch. That just sounds annoyingly arrogant to me.
I'm sure those 2 packs won't be the only content, so we'll probably see content that both consoles share.
DLC for games has a shit sandwich so far, so I wouldnt brag just yet. And like Mxy said, new areas or gtfo.
Will be getting it on the 360, Achievements + better controller. The Sixaxis is fucking painful to use for more than a half hour.
I'm getting it for 360, since I haven't nabbed a PS3 yet anyways, but I'd choose the 360 version regardless... Not for the DLC though.
I seriously doubt I'll buy the extra "episodes" or whatever unless there's something mindblowing in there, or maybe some extra turf. I've never really "finished" a GTA game. I play the shit out of 'em, and spend hours screwing around, but by the time I feel done with one and move on I've only completed a portion of what the game wants you to. I play this particular "sandbox" series strictly for the sandbox, the actual objectives take a back seat...
I'm ultimately planning on getting it for 360. Definitely 360.
I'm getting this for the ps3. I'm starting to see a trend of co-developed(burnout and DMC4 for example) multiplatform games looking and playing slightly better on the ps3. Having the DS3 probably helps out the with the playing better part though. DS3>360 pad>SIXAXIS IMHO.
Besides, I've grown to really hate my 360 and I want to use what little time it has before breaking again to play any decent 360 exclusives which mostly seem to be xbla games like RES HD and castle crashers if that one ever comes out.
The idea of DLC sounds good, but it needs to be seen if its substantial content or just some new scripted missions. If you've played enough GTA you know that there are some basic mission types and GTA has some kind of scripting engine that players them. I would hate for new episodes just to be a handful of them because that would suck. It needs new geographic content, new cutscenes, new characters, new cars etc.
I'd also like to add "better custom soundtrack" to my list of choosing the 360 version.
Also, its possible that the PS3 version may get delayed...
So I assume this means a rape-fest of GTA 4 ads with the 360 logo slapped on the back. It may mention exclusive DLC on it, too. That's all they can do, really. And I guess it might get people thinking that it's the system to get it on, but I agree with Y0j1mb0 :O
The majority of people have played on PS2 (excluding me) and that's what they remember. Who knows, though. If Microsoft pushes they may be able to steal some of Sony's fans who haven't made the current-gen jump.
sorry, not paying 20 bucks for an extra 15 min side mission. LOL, sheep.
From a european perspective, MS are going to have to do a SHIT LOAD to break the association between playstation and GTA that already exists. GTA is to europe what halo is to the US or dragon quest is to japan, the biggest of the big guns. The DLC will not be much of an incentive for the enormous majority of europe's target audience of the game, I'm not even sure 80% people who'll purchase the game over here would even know what that stands for. If they want to own GTA in this region, they're going to have to do more than all their previous european efforts combined.
Dear Rockstar, if you guys can make the 360 version ten quid cheaper than the PS3 version I'll happily pay up to say...ten pounds for a load of extra downloadable content in the near future.
BuckF1tches pretty much covered all the points I would make. Except one, have any of you all considered the power of the DLC coming with an extra 250 achievement points? I'd be willing to be thats reason enough for a lot of gamers to dl it.
Me? I've never beaten a GTA game, like most people here I play enough to unlock the good weapons and vehicles then I just cruise around town.
I also agree with Necros and Jim that if they are planning DLC this early, they should just put it on the disc. That would make the 360 version better by leaps and bounds.
PS3 FTW ATW.
360
PS3 for me. -D- pretty much pointed out all the obvious reasons.
I have games that have DLC and I have never been convinced to get them. There is no reason why I should spend 60$ to get the game, then $5, $10, $20, $30 for additional content to get "More experience" out of the game.
If you support DLC your only opening the gates to games coming out unfinished and then purchase the missing parts which makes you end up paying way too much money. and honestly, the gates of hell are already opened and wont close.
DLC = MMO like charging. It is never ending, over charging, and continuous way to milk the gamers wallet. It is to evily brilliant... Hmmm, May be I should get on the gaming business and do DLC games and charge $10 per chapter so I can be rich quick. I already have the avatar to do it!
I'm getting it for the PS3 just to irritate Micro$hit. They are way to arrogant with this, they say they "own" it? Who the fuck are they kidding? They didn't make the game, they just paid bribe money so that they get exclusive bling. To everyone who has both consoles, get the PS3 version just to rub it in their faces.
Wouldn't the PS3 get non-exclusive DLC as well later on? For MS's sake, those exclusive episodes better be great. There's enough people that still play GTA:SA to this day, so those kinds of people will surely eat up the DLC. The question is: will they care about the exclusive DLC by the time they are done with GTA4?
If MS wants to really profit from it, they should release the exclusive DLC around 2-3 months after the GTA4 release, and they should have added a clause in the deal that would make any PS3 DLC come out at least 3 months after any MS DLC. That way the people that own the game and crave more, will see that one console has that DLC and one doesn't have it (yet).
But MS will probably fuck it up for themselves anyway, yay!
I'm ashamed to admit the only deciding factor for me in any multi-platform release is Achievements. I am an Achievement whore. I don't even have a decent score really, I just like getting Achievements for stuff.
"Achievement Unlocked: Fly Plane into Skyscraper"
Doubtful, yes. Me = Hopeful.
Strange...for some reason, the blog software isn’t letting me comment on this post.
360, no question. That's the only console I own, but even if I did own a PS3, I'd still get it for 360 for a number of reasons:
- Custom soundtracks: Liberty City in GTA III had pretty good radio stations, but after a while I just wanted some Biggie, Jigga, Nas, G-Unit, etc.
- Achievements
- No lengthy installs. Now that DMC4 has set the precedent, I'm willing to bet that a lot of big upcoming PS3 games will also mandate a huge, multi-gigabyte install process before you can play. And I wouldn't be surprise if GTAIV is one of those games. Blu-ray FTL.
And then there are the usual reasons like Xbox Live, the 360 controller being super-comfortable, etc.
getting this on ps3. missing out on exclusive dlc wont keep me up at night tossing and turning. ill play this game but im not really super excited for it. id much rather play mgs4 resident evil 5 or a new ico game.
Great. The mysterious length issue appears again. Let’s try this in parts...
@Midknight: Actually, there will be no planes in GTA IV. Helicopters, yes, but no airplanes.
I’ll be getting this game for the PS3, because I don’t own a 360.
I really don't care about DLC, but will still be getting it for the 360 anyways.
As a kind of side comment, I don't see the point in the "what about blu-ray" text on the graphic considering it's all about DLC and not about capacity of the discs being used... Blu-ray was never touted as a bonus to gamers, only as a bonus to the PS3 system itself for being able to play BD movies.
To be honest, I'm tired of DLC, at least of the pre-planned variety. I want the entire game you made when I buy it, not most of it. If I'm only getting most of the game, don't charge me the whole $60.
@loki d20: Actually, it was rumored that the delay of GTA IV was partially due to issues with fitting the game on a DVD for the 360.
I guess, but still not seeing how you can compare being able to hold more content at release when both versions are contractually obligated to hold the exact same amount of content at release with one platform getting exclusive DLC... I mean, both games are going to be the exact same, so the blu-ray isn't even being used to its full potential if they had to back it down to fit on the DVD and make them look the same.
@unndunn
"I'm willing to bet that a lot of big upcoming PS3 games will also mandate a huge, multi-gigabyte install process before you can play. And I wouldn't be surprise if GTAIV is one of those games. Blu-ray FTL."
Really? The reason the PS3 does that is to dramatically reduce load times if not toally eliminate them because it actually has a large enough hard drive standard on all skus to do it. It might not sound like a big deal now, but having to wait 20 more seconds to load a new section of Liberty City every time you cross over to a new section of it on the 360 would make me get it for the PS3 if nothing else was different.
As for the DLC, meh. I'm not salty at all. The only way I would be somewhat miffed was if the DLC added a lot of stuff, like extended the storyline, added a new part of the city, stuff like that. If its just a few missions, maybe a weapon, car or 2 then you can keep that shit. I'm not giving MS more cash for a game that should have had that content to begin with. DLC sheep FTL. For games like this you are supporting developers to short the initial game in favor of milking your wallet later on.
@Corak: I’m pretty sure they’ve already confirmed that there will be no loading while driving through the city at all, nor while going in and out of buildings.
I'm with bipolar beers, Y0j1mb0, -D- & decoyb.
1. The games will play pretty much the same.
2. PS is the home of GTA.
3. I only own a PS3.
4. I've never been a HUGE fan of it.
5. The PS's controller is exactly the same!
( More familiar experience from it's debut. )
6. "Sandbox" = DLC?
I think the definitive experience for GTAIV will be on 360. The DLC will have a huge impact on people's purchases if they are intelligent (it is the masses, so you never know). If MS can follow through and make sure people know what's up, I think they'll do fine.
I'm getting it for 360, granted I only own a 360, I'd still buy it for 360 'cause of the content.
Considering that the 360 has a scaler built into the console and it's going to also have achievements and DLC, it adds up for me to the point that I'm gravitating to the 360 version.
Honestly, it doesn't matter to me what format it's on so long as I enjoy it, but the full HD support is going to be the biggest factor for me, and the 360 will absolutely play this game for me at 1080i whether it's native or upscaled.
The only way the 'episodic content' will make a big difference is if it's free. If we can d/l new missions that extend the life of the game at no cost, then the 360 version will be the definitive version.
Regardless, given the 360s install base I think they're going to do better with this game than Sony.
Already bought and paid for on the PS3 collectors edition.
Reason being I just prefer my PS3 out of all my consoles at the moment.
Wow Undunn fails big time, like Corak said, the install to the HD is to lower load times so PS3 = win.
What is the upside of getting in on the PS3? I'll most likely pick it up on the 360, for the Achievements.
GTAIV
360 - More content you pay for (with no quality guarantee), plus the possibility of being forced to buy unlocks and cheats ala Godfather, plus paying for Live. Does Live Silver allow access to DLC?
PS3 - Possibility of DLC in the future (no one said there would never be any, just that some exclusive DLC would be on the 360).
For one thing, DLC doesn't make or break a game, A GAME makes or breaks a game. If it's crap to start with DLC won't magically fix it, and if both games are (as claimed) identical, then the question is whether you want to pay MORE money for what is likely to be a minimal expansion.
360, because PS3 is a shitty loser system. It's overpriced, none of its franchises are interesting, and Sony really doesn't give a frig about its customers.
Microsoft may not either, but 360 has a lot of fun games, the controller is great, I don't know how I enjoyed games before Achievements, and... um... it's better. :D
The PS3 version of this game DOES!!!! have downloadable content the only thing exclusive are 2 chapters that are only for the 360. All other downloadable content will appear on both
http://www.n4g.com/News-104633.aspx
i dont really care about extra side missions.chances are the missions rockstar put in the game are already outstanding. by the time i finish the game and people start getting DLC i will have been enjoying all my free time running around causing havoc not really caring about extra fetch quests. ps3 version for me please.
Wait... I thought the only people who played GTA were the same guys who buy Madden every year. Guess I was wrong; game doesn't appeal to me at all, don't care who owns it!
lol, MS payed 50mil for those 2 episode DLC. I wonder what the price tag will be on it.
$50,000,000 / $20 DLC = 2,500,000 DLC buyers to break even
$50,000,000 / $10 DLC = 5,000,000 DLC buyers to break even
M$ bribes publisher $50,000,000 to mess up the game. DVD double disc = 9gigs space BRD = 25gigs of space, yet supposedly both are equal in graphics and game play which = 17gigs wasted space?
GTA Publisher doesn't give a fuk, they making money off the PS3 + 360 + M$ 50mil bribe.
Priceless
I dont actually like GTA never have won't be pickin up this one either. How many hookers can you really kill before it gets boring anyway?
The only issue I have with the PS3 version is the fact you don't have an option to just load straight from the disc. Sure, it's great having no load times, but how many games are going to require you to have huge chunks of your HD dedicated to data, just so you don't have to wait 5 seconds as it's loading? It'd be better if you could choose whether you wanted it or not.
I'm going with the PS3 version since I can care less about achievements and the such. DLC has never been something I liked, hell I'm still playing Oblivion (50+ hours) just messing around with side missions, and have yet touched the main story.
@XivGNP
whats a few gigs of space over no load times?
thank god you can replace the ps3 hard drive with any bigger laptop drive.