Well, finally!
GTA IV is coming out
in April. This is, as you should be well aware, a significant delay from its original planned release. What was responsible for the delay? Well, it looks like
Michael Pachter was right: porting the code to PS3 held up development. "It's really no surprise to anybody that the PS3 was definitely a contributing factor to [the delay]," Rockstar's Jeronimo Barrera tells
MTV. Thankfully, Rockstar did the wise thing and delayed both the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, instead of pulling an
Orange Box ... or even worse, a
Frontlines.
Rockstar was fairly quiet about the issue until recently. But now that this is "not an issue anymore" and both versions are "identical," they feel a bit more loose-lipped about the situation. Of course, we're hoping that any problems the team faced with the PS3 version of
GTA is a learning experience for the next big Rockstar game. You know ... the one that's
exclusive to PS3?
[Via
Joystiq]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
hplcman @ Jan 24th 2008 1:09PM
The programming issues are similar to what happened with the release of the PS2, and look where that wound up. A lot of the games that are getting delayed are from publishers that are learning how to code for the PS3. I seriously doubt that RockStar will be delaying PS3 in the future games now that they have this experience with it.
The 360 will be either not be getting games or getting dummied down games in the very near future due to the limited space available on 360 discs, while the PS3 will have 50gb of AWESOME game experience to play through.
Chris Rah Osiris @ Jan 24th 2008 12:44PM
Hmm, not terribly shocking considering that this was their first experience with the PS3. Glad everything was worked out
Deviand @ Jan 25th 2008 5:35AM
Luckily there isn't something called compression. And luckily it hasn't been proved that even if you stuff a blu-ray full with 50GBs that it delivers dozens of hours of gameplay *cough* Heavenly Sword *cough*!
russell @ Jan 24th 2008 1:04PM
I'm glad they held this up for us ps3 fanbois. now the 360 guys cant say "oooo we got it before you" and we can laugh at them for having to wait on us, hahaha!
LeChuck @ Jan 24th 2008 2:12PM
They can still say "oooo we got DLC before you" though.
lawrence @ Jan 24th 2008 2:51PM
we can also say burnout dmc4 (with no load time) and gt prologue also.+mgs4 in that time fram...so all 360 fans will have thats not even exclusive is gta4..haha 360 fanboys you have multiplat games though...haha
Robert @ Jan 24th 2008 4:26PM
Having no load times doesn't give that game a vantage point, Lawrence. I mean, we've only dealt with them since what, the days of the Dreamcast? Maybe before that? The fact is that all these "multiplat games though...haha" were once Playstation 3 exclusives; Devil May Cry 4, Grand Theft Auto IV (360 gets exclusive DLC), to name a few.
And all these "multiplat games though...haha" sell more on the 360.
For example:
Call of Duty 4 (November/December 2007 NPD Data for 360): 3+ million copies sold
Call of Duty 4 (November 2007 - December wasn't available as it didn't place top 10 in software sales): 444k
If you're going to make a comment like you did, please research it or, at the very least, spell it right.
By the way, I own a Playstation 3 :P
lawrence @ Jan 24th 2008 7:07PM
call of duty 4 is not the type of game im looking for on ps3 and as for sales go ...i dont give a shit ...you should join michael pachter if you wanna talk about sales robert...by the way i own two ps3 and a wii ...so wii sells alot but playing dmc 4 with better load times is important to be just because its a better dont be jealous .."robert" get a life...
lawrence @ Jan 24th 2008 7:08PM
call of duty 4 is not the type of game im looking for on ps3 and as for sales go ...i dont give a shiit ...you should join michael pachter if you wanna talk about sales robert...by the way i own two ps3 and a wii ...so wii sells alot but playing dmc 4 with better load times is important to be just because its a better dont be jealous .."robert" get a life...
russell @ Jan 24th 2008 1:05PM
silly boy just wants to talk smack, but doesn't know what he's talking about.
Aaron @ Jan 24th 2008 1:08PM
Now if Rockstar would have kept GTA a PS3 exclusive we wouldnt be having this problem right now.
russell @ Jan 24th 2008 1:18PM
its fine they didn't keep it as an exclusive. you saw the video about them teaming up with Take Two for a NEW exclusive franchise, right? it was also an exchange for cross-platform gta4. i imagine it'll be worth it ;)
Involver @ Jan 24th 2008 1:09PM
... in the same sence that making games for the Gameboy is easier then making them for the PSP... right... STOP WHINING and get over the fact that your XBOX is allready last gen...
Involver @ Jan 24th 2008 1:23PM
... oh and another thing... Doesn't anybody think the graphics are just mediocre? I mean, compare them to drake's or MGS4 and... well... I'm just not that enthiousiastic anymore 'bout GTA4...
Carlton @ Jan 24th 2008 1:53PM
What have the graphics got to do with anything? It's the gameplay that makes GTA wipe the floor with everything else.
Besides, you know for damn sure that GTA4 is gonna be a helluva lot bigger than U:DF and MGS4 combined (I'm talking about the game itself, not just it's sales), so it's excusable that the graphics aren't up to the standards of the best that's out there. The last gen GTA's didn't have the best graphics but they were still (among) the most awesome games ever made. That said, the recent IGN preview suggests that GTA4 has some pretty impressive graphical flourishes anyway, so get enthusiastic!!!!
ryan @ Jan 24th 2008 2:00PM
the two games you just mentioned are more condensed environments. and before you go and mention Oblivion, realize that GTA4 is much, much more content heavy than the world of Oblivion.
The graphics are "acceptable" for this sort of game, not mediocre.
finelicker @ Jan 24th 2008 1:31PM
Lets hope the two versions are in fact 'identical', and not identical like Assassins Creed was supposed to be according to Miss Raymond.
Ranus Studios @ Jan 24th 2008 2:05PM
I hope the new PS3 exclusive, whatever it may be, is at least good.
'Cause Rockstar is kinda sorta hit or miss.
KingMe @ Jan 24th 2008 2:49PM
Not to sound fanboyish, but like I always tell 360 fans:
If M$ would stop trying to make the 360 a PS2.5, and instead get it's own games, nothing like this would have happened. R* could have put all their resources into the PS3 version, like they SHOULD have, but instead of M$ making their own market, have their own consumers, have their own games, etc, they had to try and jump into the Sony market. Now, games that were SUPPOSED to be PS3 exclusive either get massively delayed, or get the shaft end of development.
If the 360 went the Wii route, and tried to tap into a different audience, maybe they wouldn't be getting outsold by the more expensive "no games" PS3 right now. But no, they want to just be a knock Playstation. I mean, how else would you expect a system that's called the "shooter box" to get DMC, GTA, and DESPERATELY wants FFXIII?
Darko @ Jan 24th 2008 5:16PM
KingMe... One word. Troll. Oh and a second word. Ignorant. Do you not understand the concept of competition? Do you not understand that it is not up to Sony to rule a specific market. It is the decision of the people producing the games. And yea its about profitability, which is much larger on the 360. And the ps3 is not and has not outsold the 360 not by a long shot. The 360 still has double the install base. Save some money and buy a 360 so you can stop trolling and have the best of both worlds.
deaftly @ Jan 24th 2008 5:19PM
wanna cry about it? here let me get you a tissue
kentuckyfried @ Jan 24th 2008 2:51PM
I'm glad Take-Two waited.
Anyhow, this game is finally coming out. Yah!
Eddie @ Jan 24th 2008 3:18PM
Stop delaying my games! Rockstar, give them an exclusive already... The PS3's motto is already "Better late than never", what's one more?
Signed,
Xbox 360 Owner
Eddie @ Jan 24th 2008 3:19PM
Since when did the term "outsold" stop referring to facts and reality? You guys really need to cc us on those memos.
Eddie @ Jan 24th 2008 3:20PM
@KingMe
msmithnz @ Jan 24th 2008 3:53PM
If KingMe is from anywhere outside the US then he is "referring to facts and reality."
Darko @ Jan 24th 2008 9:32PM
Lets face it though the US is really the only place that matters... ;)
acm4dino @ Jan 24th 2008 3:23PM
Yeah, well I'm glad we are getting it finally, but I agree about the graphics being only a bit of a step forward compared to the cut-scenes from previous GTAs...I'm not sure if its Rockstar's fault or just the design...I remember while playing the previous games that the women are portrayed pretty damn ugly and the that the sunsets were pretty awesome compared to some games at that time....so I guess if they have to fit it on a DVD9 it should be worth the lack of graphical content. I just hope it doesn't get all f*$#(ed like Assassin's Creed did.
Efeez1986 @ Jan 24th 2008 3:37PM
Blah, blah, blah. A few months ago Rockstar said they were having trouble with the storage space for 360, they keep going back and fourth. Stop blaming PS3, Rockstar is responsible for the delay of Grand Theft Auto 4.
x silence x @ Jan 24th 2008 3:57PM
If you think games in this generation reach more then 10gb you sir are metally retarded....
Unless you add 100+ CG cut scenes, in which case you can keep your Japanese RPG.
Kruegmeister @ Jan 24th 2008 4:29PM
Not just Cutscenes.
Audio Clips are Limited by DVD-9, Maps, etc.
With the Extra Storage Space they can make the Characters have Larger Variance in Dialogue, Instead of Hearing the Same Thing Over and Over again like in Call of Duty 2.
DVD-9 is too small. Period.
I'm not saying it will kill the 360 later in the Next Gen Race.
It is merely a inconvenience that will cause Future Disc Swapping.
Unreal Tournament 3 is already been stated by Epic to have Less Content on the Disc when it releases for the 360. It will be Downloadable Content instead.
You Xbots Need to Finally just come to grips with this.
DVD-9 is too small, and HD-DVD is the New "Beta-Max"
Matt @ Jan 24th 2008 4:13PM
I was expecting the first line in the article to say "wanna fight about it?" ala family guy.
bamf @ Jan 24th 2008 4:49PM
They should have made the game for the PS3 and then port the code to 360, that way the game could have gone gold sooner and they could have released it on PS3 as a timed exclusive while they port it to 360. I mean GTA is known on the Playstation platforms. When GTA IV first has a October '07 release date, the game stores in my area had pre-orders available and the PS3 section for GTA IV pre-orders was about 3 times bigger that for the 360 version. Its like DMC4 and the people in Japan in 80 queues to play the demo on PS3 while around the corner there was no one on the 360 version, either they had no interest in touching the 360 for some reason or they was unaware there is to be a 360 version of DMC4?
Musouka @ Jan 24th 2008 5:33PM
Nah, it's all in the controllers. The xbox controller is made by and for big fat kids with FPS-only fetish. You can't play DMC4 with that .. thing. The dualshock is made for short skinny Japanese and any type of game.
:P
By the way, why are there so many xbots trolling here? Did their forums RROD or did the XBL outage reach the boards?
stirlo @ Jan 24th 2008 7:14PM
they're everywhere - ps3forums, ps3 irc channels... xbots have nothing better to do than troll our stuff.. ( if your console is broken, what else can you do? ) :-)
Eddie @ Jan 25th 2008 11:16AM
Well we just figured we'd come on and engage you while our console is broken, since you're waiting for actual games to play...
Eddie @ Jan 25th 2008 11:21AM
But seriously, we're here because you little bitches are the whiniest game console fans in all of history. Case in point? Xbox360Fanboy never has any news about the PS3 or Blu Ray, but here you whiners cover the 360 and HD DVD as if they owed you money. Stop posting 360 related news and we'll stop commenting. Do you really think we care if the PS3 gets a home update? I'd expect the same if we posted a PS3 related article on X3F, so... stop whining!
ayarti @ Jan 24th 2008 6:36PM
i really really hope this game is "identical", or i will be sorely disappointed
Musouka @ Jan 24th 2008 9:56PM
From what I heard, the x360 version of the demo was smaller. Can only mean lower-detail textures :P
But hey the PS3 demo did have a "loading" screen, for one second at one place in the first mode.
Anyway, the game looks marvelous. I waste those 10 minutes in gazing at the level :)). There's a pretty nice mixture of oldschool realistic lightmap-shadows (and quite detailed, on top of it) plus the shadowmapping. Most games nowadays concentrate on shadowmapping only, and it's all "in shadow" or "no shadow", no real-world gradients at all. Except for Resistance:FoM, that is.
ayarti @ Jan 24th 2008 10:33PM
umm, are you talking about gta4 or devil may cry 4? by the sounds of it, you're talking about the latter.
lawrence @ Jan 24th 2008 7:10PM
by the time gta 4 comes out mgs4 will dominate sales
deaftly @ Jan 25th 2008 10:06AM
hahahah..... no
Alex @ Jan 24th 2008 10:27PM
While we like to hope and wish that the PS3 version will be equal to the 360 version, let's face facts folks and not set our expectations too high. It was made for the 360 and these troubles spell nothing but an inferior game on the PS3. Kind of disappointing... for those that only own a PS3. Like me. At least until tomorrow when I finally give in and buy a 360. Yes, I said it.
Titty Pink @ Jan 24th 2008 11:26PM
Hell I needed the delay. Between UC, Ass Creed, Rock Band, COD 4, and the new Warhawk content who the fuck has time to start a GTA marathon? I just hope its good, no matter WHAT it is on the 360. Its GTA. In regards to DLC how much could I possibly be missing that MGS won't make up for? Just don't pull an Ass Creed and put out some buggy shit and need a patch later to fix it. Thanks for the delay, and lets ride! Hell I haven't even touched R&C yet!
lawrence @ Jan 25th 2008 12:49AM
buying a 360 is pointless...what are you gonna get besides gta 4 and other multiplat games....bioshock ...thats it pointless get a wii at lease you have better exclusive selection and no ""o's"" on that box
SonyPS3Sucks @ Jan 25th 2008 1:01AM
Don't feel sorry about buying the best console (x360).. I feel sorry for buying a PS3.. just to watch Blu-Rays :(
Aozora @ Jan 25th 2008 12:04PM
XBOX fanatics seems to be full of hatred. It's not wonder why XBOX doesn't appeal to people outside of North America. A lot of the gamers that Microsoft sells to are the people that casual gamers will try to avoid like the plague.
dr_zoidberg1 on PSN @ Mar 21st 2008 2:55PM
Why the hell have we got X360 owners on this site :(
Its called 'ps3fanboy'.
And if these delays are because of the ps3. Remember that good things are worth waiting for :P
Krazy1 @ Apr 1st 2008 3:58AM
lol i see a lot of XBox freaks on here, almost as many as PS3 fanboys damn don't get me wrong i love 360 more then PS3 at the moment but only for Gears of War i will have to see Which one i prefer after playing Gears2 and MGS4 but anyway whoever is hating on the PS3 at the moment needs to just quit cuz i'm pretty sure every single one of you at a point in time was a Playstation Fan because it was the best gaming console since 1994 i know you remember playing Driver, or Syphon Filter,just thanking Sony for making a console like this. to do what now diss their product because you couldnt wait an extra year for their Next Gen console to appear thats really lame everyone needs to think before they speak and try to diss a console they are an actual fan of...