Posted Jun 12, 2006 at 08:14AM by Christopher C. Listed in: Grand Theft Auto 4, Opinions & Analysis Tags: Microsoft, Sony
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Grand Theft Auto


On May 9th, at approximately 3:30pm millions of Sony fans the world over let out a gut wrenching scream as the Vice President of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft, Peter Moore, slowly raised his left sleeve to reveal the big guns, a tattoo proudly proclaiming that Grand Theft Auto IV would be arriving on the same day and date on the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3.

But does Microsoft getting GTA on the same day really matter all that much? Yes, and No, here's why.

Some would argue that the Grand Theft Auto franchise has been kind of tired for a while now, the formula has changed very little since Grand Theft Auto III first rocked the world five years ago... perhaps it's time for something new. Very few third party franchises are able to sustain such high sales momentum and widespread popularity across a generational hardware leap. GTA III was the darling of the last generation and its popularity was partially due to the fact that it showed the potential of the 128 bit era, it was fresh, new and innovative. It did what Tomb Raider and Final Fantasy VII did for the PlayStation before it, demonstrated the potential and power of the console, it sold systems.

That's why at the beginning of a new hardware cycle we get so many fresh new IP's, everyone's scrambling to hit on that hot new killer app, the next big system seller. Tomb Raider and Final Fantasy were that for the PS1, and while Final Fantasy has been able to keep the momentum going Tomb Raider hasn't had such luck. The shelves are littered with generational has beens, the Streetfighter's, the Mortal Kombat's, the aforementioned Tomb Raider's. Don't misunderstand me, these titles still sell pretty well (otherwise why still make them?) but they're sheen has worn off, they no longer represent the pinnacle of achievement for whatever console they first graced.

It's almost certain that before E3 Microsoft, Sony and Take 2, (publishers of the Grand Theft Auto series of games) were engaged in a complex dance of offer and counter offer. Microsoft likely offered Rockstar a tasty sum for day and date arrival of GTA on the the Xbox 360, and Sony, either unable to raise the stakes or simply realising that GTA had probably had its day in the sun, passed.

It's important to note at this point that Sony gamers haven't really lost anything for all Microsoft's boasting, if anything gamers everywhere have gained from the  new arrangement. Not only will Xbox gamers get GTA at the same time, but PlayStation gamers still get Grand Theft Auto 4 right when they were supposed to. The good thing is that this situation forces Sony to come up with another killer app to take the space left void by GTA.

As mentioned earlier it's questionable whether GTA really has anything to offer the next generation. At the time of its arrival Rockstar's formula was ambitious, innovative and fresh, but now every studio is either making a GTA clone or incorporating free roaming GTA style elements in their titles. Not to knock Rockstar's creativity, but they've really got to come up with something truly special (again) to stand out of the pack. This doesn't disregard the fact that GTA will sell copies like hot cakes on name alone, of course it will, but its brand strength might have been diluted by the simple fact that it's more available now. That's why exclusives are so special... because they're exclusive.

I leave you with some telling words from Sony Computer Entertainment's Vice President of Game Development, Phil Harrison:

"GTA has been incredibly important to the PlayStation 2 in the PlayStation 2 era, perhaps in the same way that Tomb Raider had an impact in the PlayStation 1 era and maybe there's something else in the PlayStation 3 era."

So what do you guys think, will going multiplatform dilute GTA's brand strength, and is the loss of such a massive system seller as damaging to the PS3 as it seems at first?


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45 Comments


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   by E2K (Unregistered) - 2006-06-12
 » Stupid anti sony news gets boring!!

GTA SA after part III and VC was innovative still i think, although almost all added functions were thought of by anyone who played the previous games: flying, swimming, on PSP LSS we have multiplayer, etc.

But it is bull***** that GTA was PS exclusive. GTA3 was also on PC, same as every other GTA. The PC even has more GTA, part2 was never released on playstation1.

So i do not care wether the xbox gets it the same day or not. The game will still be fun.
But if PS3 is their 'dev' platform, then the xbox360 will look pale in comparison. They will have to leave features.
Also the xbox will have downloadable content, because GTA4 will not fit on a regular dvd.
GTA san andreas used 5 GB: low quality textures, audio, everything. With the GTA4 the 5GB will easily double.

   by Ruben W. (QJ. NET Staff) - 2006-06-12
 » Uhm

It's not exclusive, the game is launching on the same day for both systems...

   by Chris C - 2006-06-12
 » Going to guess

That no one bothered read the article.

   by Nerd - 2006-06-12
 » very diluted

i think that GTA IV may be restricted in areas on the 360 where it wouldnt on the ps3. with ps3's greater media storage i think more detail could be included in the game, and maybe rockstar will attempt to use the excess space, or 9GB will be enough - but i highly doubt it.

If GTA IV for PS3 was to be delayed a month or two, after the release of the 360 version, to improve the game for ps3 specs this would be great

   by kura (Unregistered) - 2006-06-12
 » looking at LCS for PS2, I wouldn't bet on it, Nerd

they had this comparison review at GameTrailers.com and shows that they don't bother doing things to enhance for the other platform.

The only reason Rockstar is doing this is because if they develop for 360, it will be easier to port it on PC in the very near time.

Let's see if they downgrade it FROM PS3 or just release a highly similiar detail with same loading times.

What I'm interested in is, Microsoft is digging a grave because this might possibly be the WINGS to shed light to the motion sensor assisted gaming of PS3....

No DOUBT GTA4 will utilise MSTechnology, and damn well.

   by KeepAlive (Unregistered) - 2006-06-12
 » Who gives a flying rat's ass.

Who gives a flying rat's ass what day it is released on. This snobbish attitudes has got to stop now.

   by lansingone - 2006-06-12
 » hmm

i wonder, what thay would do with the motion sensor? it better not be just little mini games. it would be cool to add it to fighting where you can tilt to throw somone on the ground or get behind somone grab hold and tilt to break somones neck or somthing

   by Big_M (Unregistered) - 2006-06-12
 » Or flying

Imagine being able to tilt it forward to fly a heli forward, or to make a plane's nose drop down. The tilt would be great for people who just aren't good at flying with the joysticks.

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   by Ragarnok (Unregistered) - 2006-06-12
 » .

Odds are with Sony's crazy developpement plans that the game will still come out first on the 360 tho

" this situation forces Sony to come up with another killer app to take the space left void by GTA" now that is just wishful thinking isn't it? ;)

As for @5 and @6 the BD drive is a joke so far no game will use 50GB of data that is just waaaaaaaay crazy and as for technical specs GTA IV at release will most likely look better on the 360, Sony is known for it's bad dev-kits and Rockstar already made a 360 game...

@8 for the sake of being playable on the 360 the motion sensitive controller will probably only be given as an option(like most first generation ps3 games anyway)

   by Dan (Unregistered) - 2006-06-12
 » some thoughts

Yes, releases like GTA: Liberty City Stories and I'm assuming Vice City Stories will feel a little tired but take them for what they are. They are handheld developed titles and for that they are full-featured. The PS2 port of GTA:LCS is still fun but it lacks the console-developed shine of San Andreas.

However, a re-invented engine and next-gen graphics will probably be a new beginning for the GTA game. It's long been known that games like Vice City and San Andreas were just slightly modified versions of GTA3 even though they were fun.

This will hurt Sony a little but I don't see this as the defining factor in the next-gen war. My bet: Microsoft wins online, Sony wins selection, and Nintendo wins innovation. Now it's your choice.

   by Figboy (Unregistered) - 2006-06-12
 » i have two words...

Assassini's Creed.

for the time being, it is PS3 exclusive, and may just end up being a PS3 exclusive in general. i think that this title will do for the PS3 what GTA 3 did for the PS2.

as for GTA 4 releasing on the 360 at the same time as the PS3? i think it's awesome. maybe PS3 and 360 users will be able to compete online and take out their fanboy aggressions.

honestly, it's not a big deal. GTA has always shined on Playstation consoles, but it's time is over, really. the 360 and PS3 will have their fare share of killer exclusive apps (Too Human, Mass Effect for the 360, Metal Gear Solid 4, Final Fantasy XIII for the PS3). so what if Rockstar decided to share the wealth on multiple platforms? why shouldn't 360 users who maybe don't want a PS3 be denied a fun gaming experience? we're all gamers, despite our particular choice in platforms (i, for example, am a die hard Playstation guy, though i own Microsoft and Nintendo systems also, the one i play the most is my PS2). the elitist, snobby attitude of gamers need to stop. we have enough of that BS in the real world (especially here in Los Angeles), the last thing i need is my gaming time proliferated with high and mighty asscracks (it's the main reason why i don't really play MMO's).

anyway, i'm not greedy, and my mom taught me to share, so let the 360 owners have a good time with GTA 4. i know i will with my PS3. it's a nonissue.

oh yeah, and while the GTA series isn't as fresh and new as it used to be, i blame the limits of the technology that has hampered Rockstar's ambition thus far. they could do planes and motorcycles in GTA3, they did with GTA: Vice City. they couldn't do a massive, seamless world in Vice City, they did in GTA: San Andreas, and then some. i'm sure they'll blow us away at E3 next year with the first look at GTA4, and what it will offer 360 and PS3 gamers. Rockstar is a very creative and talented developer (The Warriors was a lot of fun), they just can't seem to stay out of trouble due to stupid soccer mom's and dad's suing them every week because of some GTA inspired debacle. i think this new technology will really let them breathe and reach their ambitions.

   by ( unregistered ) - 2006-06-12
 » 3 words

EXCLUSIVE DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT, has every1 forgotten the dealMS struck up with rockstar, they get the downloadable content

   by spud6754 (Unregistered) - 2006-06-12
 » GTA will be great

GTA will be great and thats that.

With each new major GTA release the game got better.

GTA3 > VC > SA.

GTA4 will take things to the next level.

We can only guess now but I think they are going to do something huge like you can go to cities around the world. The whole of USA etc.

The could make the online so great. Ive been thinking that they could have Gang warfare.

You get like 100 people on each team, MASSIVE GANG WARS. You're free to fight how you want.



   by zorax - 2006-06-12
 » gta2 + london

They was released on ps1 as they where on pc...

   by Chris C - 2006-06-12
 » has every1 forgotten the dealMS struck up with rockstar

1UP debunked that, Luke apparently asked a Rockstar rep about it and they said they'd never made such a deal with MS.

   by TheProfessor - 2006-06-12
 » Agree

GTA Vice city was the biggest seller and it seems that sales have been slowing as of late. Tons of games are now using the same GTA style and are pretty much diluting that game's unique style.

I think it's important to see how many new IPs are coming out for this next generation. Gamers tire quickly. On previous generations fighting games ruled now they are a nice bonus. We need new experiences to keep us entertained. GTA games need a radical change in order to get us raving once again. Game developers need to constantly innovate and create the next big thing.

Another title that might run be running too long is Halo. After this third installment will gamers continue to rave about it? Unlike Final Fantasy games, these games tend to follow the exact same gameplay mechanics with a changed story and some improvements.

   by hush404 - 2006-06-12
 » Assassin's Creed baby!

I'm thinking Assassin's Creed has great potential of being a playstation killer app! The still hasn't officially been announced for any system except the PS3 and even it's official website only has playstation logos in the legal content areas.

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   by ( unregistered ) - 2006-06-12
 » exclusive content

??? so y the hell did ms say it then?

   by MGSROCKS (Unregistered) - 2006-06-12
 » To Chris C

That's strange. Didn't Peter Moore said they have a deal with Rockstar at this year's E3? Why would he say something like that if it isn't true? By the way, GTA4 will probably look better on PS3. When GTA:SA came out for the PS2, it had worser graphics then the later released xbox version. They had time to improve character models and such, so perhaps the would do the same for the PS3. On the PS2 they had limited space for graphics, but now with blu-ray, they have virtually unlimited space. My bet is the PS3 version will have more content like what they did with the xbox version, and the graphics look better then the 360 even if its by a small margin.

   by lolkekeke (Unregistered) - 2006-06-12
 » Or...

PS3 owners can just buy the PC version, to lessen the pain of spending so much money on a ***** stain of a console.

   by TheProfessor - 2006-06-12
 » I think Moore was just exaggerating or plainly just lying.

Moore was exaggerating or plainly just lying.

You say why would Moore lie? Well why would he make it sound like they were getting exclusive rights to GTA? Because it makes them sound good even though they are bending the truth (Of course Sony might be quilty of this as well). I think MS is just running out of ideas to get people to stop waiting for the PS3. Meanwhile they can't even compete with the 6 year old PS2, at least they are beating the Cube and Xbox.

I bought 360 and love playing on live but neither the XBOX which I also owned nor the 360 have proven themselves to me unlike the PS1/2. Actually the 360 has been a big disappointment as it really hasn't done anything that my XBOX couldn't do to justify buying it and still provides the same types of games. Hopefully PS3 keeps on that playstation tradition with new gaming experiences and less cheap clones.

In either case, Gears of War and Halo 3 will still kick major ass, but then again so will FF13, Unreal, God of War 3 and anything from the insomniac boys. Let's all just drink to Next Gen of gaming which will push gaming yet again to an even bigger audience as the last generations have.

   by ArX08 (Unregistered) - 2006-06-12
 » #23

Yeah, getting it on the PC wouldnt exactly be the cheapest route to go.

   by Chris C - 2006-06-12
 » I don't think Moore was lying

But I think there must have been some misunderstanding or miscommunication, or perhaps Moore simply dressed the statement so that we inferred the wrong thing, either way Luke Smith said he was told categorically by a R* representative that no such deal had been reached.

Perhaps Microsoft are counting their eggs before they're hatched?

   by lolkekeke (Unregistered) - 2006-06-12
 » #25

Or maybe you just don't know how to replace your awful graphics card?

   by chief (Unregistered) - 2006-06-12
 » well (my thoughts)

if a dvd can hold all rockstar has to offer for there next installment in the GTA franchise then there should be nothing to worry about for 360 owners, but in my opinion its not going to be enough. that might be what Moore was referring to when he said exclusive downloads, meaning all those stuff that couldnt fit that they will add it through live downloads. (just my thoughts)

   by Chris C - 2006-06-12
 » Getting GTA on DVD9

Even if the game doesn't fit on one DVD, it'll fit on 2, or 3, as has been mentioned many times in the past, games used to come on multiple discs, and still do in the case of PC games.

   by MGSROCKS1 (Unregistered) - 2006-06-12
 » #25

I agree with with ya. I'm sure it cost way more than a console to play with next gen graphics on a PC.

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   by Vecha - 2006-06-12
 » wow...

One game causes so many people to post negative thoughts..lol

   by CSFFlame - 2006-06-12
 » Exclusivity==Monopoly

If you don't have it, the system offering the better experience for a reasonable price wins.

   by bob dole (Unregistered) - 2006-06-12
 » to #2

I agree, lol



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