N'Gai Croal On GTA Delay: Don't Blame PS3

N'Gai Croal chimes in on Level Up this evening with "informed speculation" on the Grand Theft Auto IV delay. Although Take Two's vague comments about "technical challenges" make it tempting to lay the blame on the newer hardware, Croal makes a good case for why it probably isn't a PlayStation 3 issue:

If Rockstar could have completed the 360 version in time for its previously scheduled October release, it would have done so. Why? Because Take-Two definitely needs the revenue from what is by far its biggest franchise, and Microsoft desperately wanted to convert PlayStation 2 fans to Xbox 360 aficionados.

In fact, it wouldn't surprise us if Rockstar and Take-Two had already all-but-delayed the PS3 version to triage the Xbox 360 version for this holiday, only to have their hands forced when, at yesterday's product review, it became clear to both sides that even the 360 version could not be completed this year to Rockstar's exacting standards.

Link

Your right, its not the ps3 fault. In fact, its microsoft. Heres the post I made about this earlier incase anyone missed it.

Microsoft payed and pressured rockstar to delay gta4. Why you may ask? Simple, Microsoft knew, even though its coming out for the ps3 and 360 at the same time, this game would eat some halo3 sells, and possible lose some 360 sells to the ps3 for whatever reason. Now Microsoft has the big halo3 coming out this year, which will make lots of money and help sell more 360s. And since more people will buy the 360 for halo3, theirs a lesser chance for them to buy a ps3. Another thing, since gta4 is coming out next year, it would give the 360 another nice boost with sells, since now most people who don't have a next gen system will buy a 360, or already got one when halo3 cameout.

Note the "informed speculation", Anyone can make a speculation. I can make a speculation that Bill Gates did Jessica Alba, twice, again, it's only a speculation.
andyb1205

Dan Houser specifically mentioned lack of disc space and universal HDD as problems associated with developing the 360 version. Of course, he said they're confronting challenges with the PS3 version too. It's not all blind speculation.

Note the "informed speculation", Anyone can make a speculation. I can make a speculation that Bill Gates did Jessica Alba, twice, again, it's only a speculation.
andyb1205

lol the TC isn't acting like these are set in stone facts. N'gai croal is a very respected figure in videogame journalism.Even though he does call himself a sony supporter, he won't shy away from tellingit as itis.He'd criticizesony and has done before very harshly.It's very very easy fora lot of people to assume the ps3 version was the sole reason for thedelay.

Imo (yes i know its speculation) i think that Rockstar are having major issues with fitting everything on the dvd 9's. I think for even the stand-alone package without the episodes 360 users are going to need a HDDrive. we've heard rumoursof microsoft putting labels on future games saying "willrequire hddrive".They've probably decided 08 is the best year to start this, with a swathe of games that also need it.

Microsoft probably had them making the 360 GTA IV's lead platform. Like Croal says if the 360 version was going along so smoothly they could've delayed the ps3 version and released the 360 version. 360 users would've had "the best holiday season ever"

I really hope the next one is made on PS3 first and then ported to 360 like last gen. Not because I think 360 is the sole reason for the delay, but because it's obviously easier making one version at a time. I think R* are having trouble with both versions.

I'm still annoyed over the 6 month delay. It's not like a week, or a month. It's 6 months.

Note the "informed speculation", Anyone can make a speculation. I can make a speculation that Bill Gates did Jessica Alba, twice, again, it's only a speculation.
andyb1205

I don't see how the hardware can be blamed. Rockstar knew what they had to work with on both platforms.Sir_Graham

i just find it funny how they had a firm release date for this game every since it was first announced.. it really doesn't surprise me that they are not going to make that date they announced way back...

[QUOTE="andyb1205"]Note the "informed speculation", Anyone can make a speculation. I can make a speculation that Bill Gates did Jessica Alba, twice, again, it's only a speculation.
Natural_Mystic

sorry man it wasnt bill gates. i didnt mean to but she came to me then one thing led to another....

I dont know why people want to blame 1 console for the delay.Games get delayed all the time becasue they need extra dev time to get polished up.

IMO, its neither consoles fault, R* just needed more time to finish the game, and for a game with the scope and depth of GTA, I can understand that.

If anything it's R* just fixing the game up, if any of you read the previews the game had horrible framerate issues, pop in and the sort. To be honest I would prefer they did delay it to get a better game.

Blaming consoles. :/

Your right, its not the ps3 fault. In fact, its microsoft. Heres the post I made about this earlier incase anyone missed it.

Microsoft payed and pressured rockstar to delay gta4. Why you may ask? Simple, Microsoft knew, even though its coming out for the ps3 and 360 at the same time, this game would eat some halo3 sells, and possible lose some 360 sells to the ps3 for whatever reason. Now Microsoft has the big halo3 coming out this year, which will make lots of money and help sell more 360s. And since more people will buy the 360 for halo3, theirs a lesser chance for them to buy a ps3. Another thing, since gta4 is coming out next year, it would give the 360 another nice boost with sells, since now most people who don't have a next gen system will buy a 360, or already got one when halo3 cameout.

AndrewStar101

Or it could be that Rockstar didn't want its X360 sales to suffer when competing with Halo, either way I don't think Rockstar would have delayed it by such a significant margin as to beyond next February. I also don't think they would relegate such a big named title to an early year sales boast either, especially since it would be released on the PS3 at the same time thus becoming a stale mate as neither company (MS or SCE) would have an advantage.

I dont know why people want to blame 1 console for the delay.Games get delayed all the time becasue they need extra dev time to get polished up.

IMO, its neither consoles fault, R* just needed more time to finish the game, and for a game with the scope and depth of GTA, I can understand that.

whocares4peace

Agreed. It's just wishful thinking by the Cows. If it was any thing to do with disc space they'd just put it on 2 DVD9's.

I wonder if the PS3 version will have pop-up due to its lack of RAM.

[QUOTE="whocares4peace"]

I dont know why people want to blame 1 console for the delay.Games get delayed all the time becasue they need extra dev time to get polished up.

IMO, its neither consoles fault, R* just needed more time to finish the game, and for a game with the scope and depth of GTA, I can understand that.

SgtWhiskeyjack

Agreed. It's just wishful thinking by the Cows. If it was any thing to do with disc space they'd just put it on 2 DVD9's.

I wonder if the PS3 version will have pop-up due to its lack of RAM.

lol yeah cause loads of 2nd generation ps3 titlessuffer from pop up. Lair suffers from pop up...wait no it doesnt. Heavenly sword suffers from pop up...wait no it doesnt.

both consoles have their weaknesses and strengths, but the lack ofa built in hDDrive is the biggest weakness. practically every heavyweight ps3 2nd generation title is clocking in over 11 gig.

[QUOTE="whocares4peace"]

I dont know why people want to blame 1 console for the delay.Games get delayed all the time becasue they need extra dev time to get polished up.

IMO, its neither consoles fault, R* just needed more time to finish the game, and for a game with the scope and depth of GTA, I can understand that.

SgtWhiskeyjack

Agreed. It's just wishful thinking by the Cows. If it was any thing to do with disc space they'd just put it on 2 DVD9's.

I wonder if the PS3 version will have pop-up due to its lack of RAM.

Stop spreading FUD.

The 360 version demoed had framerate problems and pop-in, I wonder if that was due to it's lack of ram? Hmmm.

N'Gai Croal chimes in on Level Up this evening with "informed speculation" on the Grand Theft Auto IV delay. Although Take Two's vague comments about "technical challenges" make it tempting to lay the blame on the newer hardware, Croal makes a good case for why it probably isn't a PlayStation 3 issue:

If Rockstar could have completed the 360 version in time for its previously scheduled October release, it would have done so. Why? Because Take-Two definitely needs the revenue from what is by far its biggest franchise, and Microsoft desperately wanted to convert PlayStation 2 fans to Xbox 360 aficionados.

In fact, it wouldn't surprise us if Rockstar and Take-Two had already all-but-delayed the PS3 version to triage the Xbox 360 version for this holiday, only to have their hands forced when, at yesterday's product review, it became clear to both sides that even the 360 version could not be completed this year to Rockstar's exacting standards.

Link

-Renegade

I have another Link for you

http://www.ukrebellion.com/2007/08/x...ay-gta-iv.html

[QUOTE=site"]

GTA IV was due for release on 17th October. Rockstar have been using the Playstation 3 as the lead platform. An Xbox 360 team have been working besides the core team adapting code. Whilst the PS3 Blu-ray disc will easily accommodate the game, there have been problems fitting the game on to a single 360 DVD disc. Microsoft will not allow the game to be released on 2 disc as they are concerned the 360 will be compared unfavourably to the PS3. The situation has led to tension between Dan Houser and the Microsoft Empire as there is currently no way the game can fit on a single dvd.

Microsoft are currently working on a new compression technology for DVD9 discs, however this wont be available until next year. In a politically worded statement Sam Houser said "The game is huge and is pushing the hardware platforms to their absolute limits. The top engineers from Sony and Microsoft are working closely with the team in Edinburgh right now, helping us to fully leverage the power of both platforms."

Whilst the PlayStation 3 version is all set for completion at the end of this month, Microsoft have tied Take Two into an iron-clad legal agreement that forbids them from releasing the game on any format unless the Xbox 360 is ready. This has meant that whilst the PS3 version will be ready for October, Microsoft have directly prevented its release. That's what happens when the Houser brothers sell their arse for the Microsoft dollar. Stupid limey gimp-bags.

[QUOTE="-Renegade"]

N'Gai Croal chimes in on Level Up this evening with "informed speculation" on the Grand Theft Auto IV delay. Although Take Two's vague comments about "technical challenges" make it tempting to lay the blame on the newer hardware, Croal makes a good case for why it probably isn't a PlayStation 3 issue:

If Rockstar could have completed the 360 version in time for its previously scheduled October release, it would have done so. Why? Because Take-Two definitely needs the revenue from what is by far its biggest franchise, and Microsoft desperately wanted to convert PlayStation 2 fans to Xbox 360 aficionados.

In fact, it wouldn't surprise us if Rockstar and Take-Two had already all-but-delayed the PS3 version to triage the Xbox 360 version for this holiday, only to have their hands forced when, at yesterday's product review, it became clear to both sides that even the 360 version could not be completed this year to Rockstar's exacting standards.

Link

naughtydog360

I have another Link for you

http://www.ukrebellion.com/2007/08/x...ay-gta-iv.html

[QUOTE=site"]

GTA IV was due for release on 17th October. Rockstar have been using the Playstation 3 as the lead platform. An Xbox 360 team have been working besides the core team adapting code. Whilst the PS3 Blu-ray disc will easily accommodate the game, there have been problems fitting the game on to a single 360 DVD disc. Microsoft will not allow the game to be released on 2 disc as they are concerned the 360 will be compared unfavourably to the PS3. The situation has led to tension between Dan Houser and the Microsoft Empire as there is currently no way the game can fit on a single dvd.

Microsoft are currently working on a new compression technology for DVD9 discs, however this wont be available until next year. In a politically worded statement Sam Houser said "The game is huge and is pushing the hardware platforms to their absolute limits. The top engineers from Sony and Microsoft are working closely with the team in Edinburgh right now, helping us to fully leverage the power of both platforms."

Whilst the PlayStation 3 version is all set for completion at the end of this month, Microsoft have tied Take Two into an iron-clad legal agreement that forbids them from releasing the game on any format unless the Xbox 360 is ready. This has meant that whilst the PS3 version will be ready for October, Microsoft have directly prevented its release. That's what happens when the Houser brothers sell their arse for the Microsoft dollar. Stupid limey gimp-bags.