Bad News for Xbox 360 owners!

[x240xdrifter]

http://planetgrandtheftauto.gamespy.com/

Rockstar Going PS3 Exclusive After IV?

Monday, 25 February, 2008 at 6:41 PST | Adriaan | Print NewsJordan and I here at Planet GTA are always out to getting you the full story when it comes to rumors, or even when major gaming websites misinterpret things - as our long time readers would know.

The latest is that apparently Rockstar Games will exclusively cross over to PlayStation 3 development after the release of GTA IV, well, at least for the GTA titles. After backtracking about three sources (and having to rewrite this article after Firefox crashed!), I ended up at a forum topic over at Cheap *** Gamer, where a 4-year-long member posted a quote from the February issue of Play magazine:

"The game [GTA IV] is both PS3 and 360, but Rockstar has suggested that all further game development is going to be PS3 exclusive."While the PlayStation 3 install base has stepped out of a poor figure, and still growing, that of the Xbox 360 is even bigger - and still growing strong. GTA IV is proving that a big game, with a big story, and probably the best detailed city in a game ever, can fit onto the limited amount of disk space offered - of course compared to that of the PS3.

I don't see why they would just suddenly want stop with a 360 version of the series, especially given the PS3 somewhat contributed to the delay of GTA IV, in addition to the fact that it almost looks like they support the 360 MORE than they do PlayStation 3 (exclusive episodic content for 360 ONLY). Rockstar Games are not flip floppers. Leave that to politicians.

Incidentally, for your interest, Rockstar Games is developing a new franchise that is exclusive to the PlayStation 3, reason given that the system allows for a game that could not be achieved otherwise on the 360.

It's also worth noting that only a few weeks ago there were talks over Rockstar's contract with Take-Two expiring in 2009, and that negotiations are still going on. It's a possibility that, just like Halo maker Bungie, Rockstar can pull out from their parent company and go independent. That would come at a price, as Take-Two owns the GTA brand. It might be the end of GTA as we know it, and a new franchise is started independently by Rockstar. You're probably going "d'oh, Adriaan!" right now...

Jordan's Thoughts: GTA will not "end" anytime soon. That's my take on this.

penny for your thoughts?

[MinisterofDOOM]

By the time the next GTA comes out, I imagine I'll have a PS3. And if I don't, I certainly hope there will be a large enough library of other desirable games to make the purchase of a PS3 worthwhile.

No loss for me. It was always my intention to own both systems at some point.

There is actually a bonus hidden in there:PS GTA controls are far superior to Xbox GTA controls. Triggers as throttles in a non-racing game FTL. As much as I prefer the ergonomics of the 360 controller, the PS2 controller has a much better control LAYOUT for GTA games, due to proper shoulder buttons and excellent analog face buttons.

Actually...Does the 360 controller have analog face buttons? I know the PS2 and even controller S for Xbox did. PS3 does as well. If the 360 doesn't then MS gets an F.

[xekushnr]

I don't know why they would do that since they had difficulties developing on the system in the first place. They must be getting a big paycheck from Sony for this. They will probably reconsider once they see the sales figures for IV.

[xekushnr]

Oh, just found this info on the DLC, near the bottom of the page: http://www.thebitbag.com/2008/...llets/

Quote »GTAIV DLC

* When MS says exclusive, they mean that no other system can have DLC content for GTAIV

* It will be bigger than a lot of people think. GTA3 Vice City and San Andreas were basically expansions of GTA3. Think of the DLC that way. We are talking major expansion for GTAIV * No price has been discussed yet. It’s up to Rockstar on whether or not they will charge for it * If successful, DLC may be the new way to deliver GTA expansions[/quote]No DLC at all for the PS3.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Hmmm...Oh well.

Wonder how they'll handle PC DLC-equivalent content. I mean...MS wouldn't really be loosing out with that. Slap a "Games for Windows" label on it and there you go.

Also, consider how truly "exclusive" GTA exclusives really are. 3, VC, and SA were all PS2 exclusives. Which later came out for the Xbox (with enhancements to boot).

The news about the massive scope of the DLC is definitely very very very good news!

[x240xdrifter]

Oh, just found this info on the DLC, near the bottom of the page: http://www.thebitbag.com/2008/...llets/

No DLC at all for the PS3.

not entirely true, a reputiable magazine, I forget what one, I'll have to find it, said that both systems will get DLC, such as upgraded cars, clothes, pedestrians, weapons, weather, maybe even seasons and so forth. However 360 will get an exclusive huge episodes and the PS3 wont. But I also read an interview with one of Rockstars developers saying they are not entirely sure what they are doing for the DLC cause they are concerned about not alot of people having internet connections. thats another article I have to find. I understand MS payed up to 50 million for exclusive content. but I really believe it when they say both systems get DLC and 360 just gets two exclusive episodes. I mean the PS3 is fully capable of getting and installig content, I think its fair to have downloads that are the same for both. I really dont care about the exclusive content. and I hate how they are doing this, cause it only fuels the 360 vs. PS3 wars

[xekushnr]

Well my link is straight from Microsoft's mouth, not a magazine, and its from less than a week ago. I'm more inclined to take word from MS.

[redtop91]

How is this bad news? GTA is the biggest POS of a game I've ever played in my life. It might be entertaining to stomp hookers and do drive by's for like 20 minutes to a 13 year old but I have higher expectations out of video games. Now. Where is my penny?

Bear in mind the above in IMHO. But my opinion pretty much rules.

[MinisterofDOOM]

How is this bad news? GTA is the biggest POS of a game I've ever played in my life. It might be entertaining to stomp hookers and do drive by's for like 20 minutes to a 13 year old but I have higher expectations out of video games. Now. Where is my penny?

Bear in mind the above in IMHO. But my opinion pretty much rules.

I realize that's your opinion, but you've obviously never played GTA for more than 30 seconds. I think "stomping hookers and drivebys" were fun for about 5 minutes after I bought GTAIII. That's not what GTA gameplay consists of. It's fine that it's not your style, but reducing GTA to "stomping hookers and drivebys" is like reducing COD4 to "shooting people in the left knee." Not only is it not the entire scope of the game, but it simply isn't accurate.

Most long-time, hardcore GTA fans like myself don't play the game for the hookers and guns aspect anyway. We play it for the wide-open free world aspect. It's something when you can go for a relaxing drive in a game and just enjoy the scenery and the radio. THAT is what GTA is about. Being a part of a thriving world. Not stomping hookers and driveby shootings.

It's like Garry's Mod. It's a world that's been built for you. The fun is in seeing what can be done with that world. And I don't just mean the actual game setting, but the game engine and mechanics. Pushing the limits and predictability of GTA's game engines has always been a lot of fun. Seeing what you can do that you're not "supposed" to do, what you can "break" and have some fun with. It's like a personal Matrix Lite for you to play around in. Escape from the mundane real world into one where you're free to do whatever you want, just to see what will happen.

[redtop91]

I have Liberty City and played through all of GTA SA. I realize that it is fun to some, but I don't find the world particularly lifelike though. Seems set, programmed and robotic. You never find a random bum or something like that. I found SA's rpg type system of controlling your player's physique through their actions really awesome though. I continued playing SA just to get him buff and then I stopped. I pop in Liberty City every once and awhile to play with cheats on but that's pretty much the sum of my flirtation with GTA. I've played it enough to not want to play it anymore LOL. It might just be that I'm weird though.

[xekushnr]

You are weird. And their main concern this time around making GTA on a next gen system was to make the city more lifelike. People walk around smoking, eating, talking on the phone, whatever. People react realistically. They have a physics engine called Euphoria that powers it. There are no preset animations, its all done procedurally.

[C-Kwik]

Frankly, GTA games never held my interest for very long. I'd play for a while, but then find something else I'd rather play. In fact, I've never finished any GTA games. It's not terrible for random fun, but not a high priority on my list of games to get. I think I'll wait until it becomes a platinum hit and save myself some money on it...

[alms24sebring]

GTA is going to be great no matter what, but they should just ......NOT make it for the XBOX to make it easier on eveyone. I think Playstation should show some loyalty with their games, especially a big game

[redtop91]

I think Playstation should show some loyalty with their games, especially a big game

M-M-M-Monster Fail. Rockstar Games has nothing to do with the Playstation brand. Completely different entities.

[xekushnr]

GTA is going to be great no matter what, but they should just ......NOT make it for the XBOX to make it easier on eveyone. I think Playstation should show some loyalty with their games, especially a big game

Yeah, limiting the game to one console would definitely make it easier for everyone.

[MinisterofDOOM]

GTA is going to be great no matter what, but they should just ......NOT make it for the XBOX to make it easier on eveyone. I think Playstation should show some loyalty with their games, especially a big game

I'm really genuinely sorry, and there's nothing personal in this, but that has to be one of the stupidest things I've ever heard. It doesn't even begin to echo the faintest trace of sense.

M-M-M-Monster Fail. Rockstar Games has nothing to do with the Playstation brand. Completely different entities.

Indeed. GTA started out as PC titles. There's no console loyalty to uphold. Just because the GTAIII that the general public associates with grand theft auto's beginning was originally a PS2 title doesn't mean the games should be PS only. Especially not when I'd love to see a great developer like Rockstar sell a ton of copies and that's not going to happen if they make it exclusive to a poorly-selling console.There's no "loyalty" to be had to Playstation. ALL Grand Theft Auto games have been released on multiple platforms. And, just to help make a point point, the PS versions have always been inferior (although this time around there's no reason to believe that trend will continue).

Also, let's get one thing straight:CONSOLE EXCLUSIVES DO NOT BENEFIT THE CONSUMER!

Console exclusives serve ONLY two entities in the best of situations: the console manufacturer, and (given the right conditions) the game developer. That's it.

There is NOTHING to be gained on the consumer end from console exclusives or limitations to individual consoles.

There is, however, something to be gained from having CHOICE. What if, for some unimaginable reason, someone just doesn't want to own both consoles? (I know, gasp, right?) Why shouldn't they have access to the same number of good games?How exactly is it "easier" for anyone to have a game only available for one system? Where are we as consumers well served, or even not screwed over, by being restricted to one console for certain games?

[R240sx]

How is this bad news? GTA is the biggest POS of a game I've ever played in my life. It might be entertaining to stomp hookers and do drive by's for like 20 minutes to a 13 year old but I have higher expectations out of video games. Now. Where is my penny?

Bear in mind the above in IMHO. But my opinion pretty much rules.

Yea too bad about 12+ million people disagree with you, gta3 (not including vice city and san andreas) is one of the 9th best selling game in the us iirc, so you can see why a game like this could have a major impact on console sales.

buut in regards to the article its completely false, what rockstar has stated though is that they are working on a ps3 exclusive project, but that doesnt mean much now adays with people declaring timed-exclusives as exclusives. also incase you guys didnt know t2 is currently in the process of potentially being bought by EA, if that happens than you can expect GTAIV for ps3/360/wii/DS/PSP/GBA/Cell phone, and anything inbetween.

[redtop91]

Yea too bad about 12+ million people disagree with you, gta3 (not including vice city and san andreas) is one of the 9th best selling game in the us iirc, so you can see why a game like this could have a major impact on console sales.

ROFL. Monster fail of an example. 12 million + people agreed with Hitler and that didn't make him any better of an individual. But thanks for trying to tell me what my opinion is. GTA isn't a console mover.

[xekushnr]

buut in regards to the article its completely false, what rockstar has stated though is that they are working on a ps3 exclusive project, but that doesnt mean much now adays with people declaring timed-exclusives as exclusives. also incase you guys didnt know t2 is currently in the process of potentially being bought by EA, if that happens than you can expect GTAIV for ps3/360/wii/DS/PSP/GBA/Cell phone, and anything inbetween.

T2 rejected EA's offer. They will return to talks AFTER GTAIV launches, but they will have to bring more money to the table and I dont see that happening (luckily). I try not to buy EA products unless its one of those "must buy" games. Luckily most of them arent, because they rush everything out to make a buck when they need it.

ROFL. Monster fail of an example. 12 million + people agreed with Hitler and that didn't make him any better of an individual. But thanks for trying to tell me what my opinion is. GTA isn't a console mover.

You can hate GTA all you want, but I would consider it a console mover. I would say most people agree that Halo 3 was a console mover, right? Although that's an exclusive and GTA isn't, it will have the same effect for sales on both systems. On a few other forums I have visited there are plenty of people who never bought a next gen system until now so they can play GTA. Most are getting it on the 360 because of the DLC, so yes it is having that effect. In Europe there is rumor of MS lowering the price on 360s to coincide with the GTA release.

[redtop91]

It's only a console mover because it'll be coming out at a time where no real console movers will be coming out. Put it up against something like Gears of War or Halo 3 or some other game, you'll see how it pales in comparison. GTA IMO is a game that is bought and played because there is nothing else to play or everything else is played out. I will never view GTA as a game I'll come home and turn on my Xbox specifically to play. You play it after you are tired of playing other games. It's a time filler more than anything IMO.

[xekushnr]

It's only a console mover because it'll be coming out at a time where no real console movers will be coming out. Put it up against something like Gears of War or Halo 3 or some other game, you'll see how it pales in comparison. GTA IMO is a game that is bought and played because there is nothing else to play or everything else is played out. I will never view GTA as a game I'll come home and turn on my Xbox specifically to play. You play it after you are tired of playing other games. It's a time filler more than anything IMO.

Well, like I said, it may be that way for you but its the opposite for many other console gamers. If I had to pick between GTA4 and any new Halo or Gears I would pick GTA hands down. I would much rather play a game with limitless possibilities than a linear shooter. I dont know if GTA would specifically outsell a GoW or Halo game if they launched on the same day, but I would think it would. I would actually bet money on it if it were to happen one day.

[redtop91]

Not a chance. If GTA was limited to a specific console it wouldn't out sell any blockbusters for that console.

[C-Kwik]

It doesn't have to outsell them. But it will move a good portion of consoles. Typically, anytime a game can capture a large volume of sales, it will likely carry with it asignificant amount of console sales. Both the PS3 and the 360 still have a hugh audience of console gamers that haven't bought either system yet. I would bet that a significant portion of those are fans of GTA. Hell, the hype alone will probably sell a few consoles as well.

[redtop91]

Hmmmm it certainly won't sway me and pretty much every gamer I know shows my apathy towards GTA. I don't think the game is as popular as you guys believe.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I'm still trying to figure out where sales enter into any of this in the first place. Who cares how many copies sell? SALES HAVE NO REFLECTION ON GAME QUALITY. They reflect marketing. That's it. There are a lot of crummy games that sell in massive numbers. And there are a lot of absolutely amazing games that sell poorly. Why should any of us ("us" meaning people who didn't make the game and don't stand to profit from it) care about sales numbers? Usually my first concern with a games is whether I enjoy playing it or not.

No one's trying to sway you anywhere. You're the one who chimed in saying "eh, GTA sucks." No loss for us if you don't play it.

[redtop91]

No one would sway me anyways. I've played my fill of GTA. I was just addressing R240sx trying to tell me what my opinion should be. He's the one who brought up sales as regards to being a console mover or not. Sales do have a good bit to do with game quality, well at least they are direct functions of one another.

[R240sx]

ROFL. Monster fail of an example. 12 million + people agreed with Hitler and that didn't make him any better of an individual. But thanks for trying to tell me what my opinion is. GTA isn't a console mover.

the point wasnt about your opinion, its you trying to descredit the large effect that GTA:IV will have. GTA isnt a console mover??? if you take just the GTA 3 series, thats 3, vice city, and liberty city, it has OUTSOLD halo 1, 2, and 3. and that was with 3 and vice being exclusive for ps2. this game was important enough for Microsoft to give T2 $50 MILLION dollars for just exclusive downloadable content, thats more than most game companies spend in making a video game! heck even peter moore knows how important it was.



thats not a chop. this game will move consoles, just like it did on the ps2.

[R240sx]

T2 rejected EA's offer. They will return to talks AFTER GTAIV launches, but they will have to bring more money to the table and I dont see that happening (luckily). I try not to buy EA products unless its one of those "must buy" games. Luckily most of them arent, because they rush everything out to make a buck when they need it.

i had understood that EA would try a hostile take over.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02...6.htm

[redtop91]

if you take just the GTA 3 series, thats 3, vice city, and liberty city, it has OUTSOLD halo 1, 2, and 3. and that was with 3 and vice being exclusive for ps2.

ROFL. Multiplatform sales compared to 1 platform's flagship.

its you trying to descredit the large effect that GTA:IV will have.

It's not as huge a game as you believe although I'll admit it has had a huge effect on gaming... Drawing the attention of Hilary Clinton and Jack Thompson and the like, and tightening gaming legislation and making the game business as a whole that much more difficult to be successful in and develop in.

[R240sx]

ROFL. Multiplatform sales compared to 1 platform's flagship.

It's not as huge a game as you believe although I'll admit it has had a huge effect on gaming... Drawing the attention of Hilary Clinton and Jack Thompson and the like, and tightening gaming legislation and making the game business as a whole that much more difficult to be successful in and develop in.

Ok, then please name one that is bigger...? please... cause the only one i can think of off hand is mario and tetris....

it seems that your personal dislike of the game is the only source you have that makes you think its not going to be a huge game. i cant think of another sand-box style game that tops GTA.