What good is free online if it doesn't work?

So I'm trying to play GTA IV today. I started on PS3, since my friends bought it on PS3 and I'd like to unlock stuff for MP against them. Anyway, I'm trying to play, and my game hangs at the loading screen. The fix? Disable your Internet connection. I haven't heard a peep from Sony or Rockstar on this issue. When you combine Sony's lack of a multiplayer infrastructure for developers to use, coupled with Rockstar's failure to properly test the results of excessive network load, the end result is that multiplayer is unavailable, and even single player requires a workaround to function.

Just to confirm, I threw in the 360 version - fired right up. (And looks better - I hadn't tried the 360 version yet, but wow, that's quite a difference in clarity. I need to turn it off before I'm spoiled.)

So, the next time you want to know what we're getting for our $5 a month, here it is: we're getting something that we know is being done right instead of being farmed out to Gamespy, and when it does go down due to excessive load (which I've only seen once in 5 years as a subscriber), we get MS working to make things right because they know that their revenue stream, and not just their reputation, is at risk.

Sony fans: how can you possibly defend this?

Your title is a bit misleading since I just played an hour of CoD4 without having any problems.

This is interesting news though. The only problem I heard about GTAIV on the PS3 are freezes.

So because one person has a problem, suddenly PSN is terrible? Flamebait confirmed.Taalon

A little more than one, buddy.

http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/grandtheftauto4/show_msgs.php?topic_id=m-1-42888720&pid=933036

http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=gta&thread.id=408321

Edit: found the main thread over at official PS boards.

[QUOTE="Taalon"]So because one person has a problem, suddenly PSN is terrible? Flamebait confirmed.lowe0

A little more than one, buddy.

http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/grandtheftauto4/show_msgs.php?topic_id=m-1-42888720&pid=933036

http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=gta&thread.id=409141

disable psn when starting the game.. when you want to play multiplayer, choose multiplayer. it works great online... you only have to disable PSN for single player.

by the way lemming.... Sony has nothing to do with this. and use the sticky. maybe if you read some posts there you wouldn't be so badly informed.

disable psn when starting the game.. when you want to play multiplayer, choose multiplayer. it works great online... you only have to disable PSN for single player.

by the way lemming.... Sony has nothing to do with this. and use the sticky. maybe if you read some posts there you wouldn't be so badly informed.

Always-Honest

What do you mean you haven't heard a peep from Rockstar or Sony. Everyone knows that the online for PS3 has been running into some problems and Rockstar said that the problem is happening on Sony's end and that they are working on a solution.

The reason they are having problems is simply just to many people on the servers.

I've had absolutely NO problems with either of my copies of GTAIV, online or off, nor have any of my PS3/360 friends had any issues.

I've heard problems with both version's (360/PS3)on the NET, but so far, both are fine.

As far as GTA is, the ONLINE IS NOT ROBUST, it's the same experience exactly on both platforms, save for the PS3 loads up faster.

Buy a 360, buy XBL, buy GTAIV, and shut your mouth. If money is a problem, then don't complain. Good things aren't free.kingkui

And as I said, it's not about GTA - it's about what happens when a platform vendor fails to deliver a comprehensive online solution, and instead forces developers to farm it out to someone who (clearly, in this case) isn't up to snuff.

[QUOTE="kingkui"]Buy a 360, buy XBL, buy GTAIV, and shut your mouth. If money is a problem, then don't complain. Good things aren't free.lowe0

And as I said, it's not about GTA - it's about what happens when a platform vendor fails to deliver a comprehensive online solution, and instead forces developers to farm it out to someone who (clearly, in this case) isn't up to snuff.

It's about the solution to the game freezing. The game freezing is RockStar's fault, and this is their suggested solution. Nothing to do with the quality of the online service.

[QUOTE="Always-Honest"]

disable psn when starting the game.. when you want to play multiplayer, choose multiplayer. it works great online... you only have to disable PSN for single player.

by the way lemming.... Sony has nothing to do with this. and use the sticky. maybe if you read some posts there you wouldn't be so badly informed.

lowe0

I don't see how the game freezing is PSN's fault. What I've heard from you is that the game freezes, and then the internet is disabled. What does that have to do with "bad" infrastructure?
Taalon

My point is: I pay MS, and they provide servers that are up and running, despite higher sales of GTA IV (and higher load as a result) in my region for the 360. I don't pay Sony, they don't provide crap, and Rockstar pawns off server maintenance on Gamespy, who cock it up royally. It's a clear example of what I'm getting for my $50 a year - a service that works, or at least some attempt to fix it when it doesn't (which, as I pointed out, I've seen a whole once in 5 years).

No, what you've heard from me is that the game hangs at the loading screen, and that disabling the Internet connection fixes it. It's because the servers that handle multiplayer aren't capable of handling the load, and the game queries these servers (without a timeout, apparently) prior to loading a game. Those servers, by the way, are the infrastructure I'm referring to. It's not the same issue as the freezing bugs that have affected the game on both platforms, regardless of connection status.

lowe0

Where did you get that from? You know the X360 version can also suffer from freezing.

Xbox Live has problems as well and you pay for it. They were off and on for weeks during Christmas. So just because you pay for something that doesn't mean it's going to be flawless.

PSN is a terrific service and I'm very happy that it's free.

Hey have you realised that its just rockstars GTAIV servers they could just shut them down and reboot the system that will cure the problem

but seriously why do you have the right to call the whole network crappy the PSN is like a family tree just because these servers dont work or is a bad seed does not mean the whole family is bad

Where did you get that from? You know the X360 version can also suffer from freezing.

Pietrooper

And as someone who writes code that works with network services for a living, given the information available, that's my assessment of what's wrong. If you don't like it, prove me wrong.

[QUOTE="Pietrooper"]

Where did you get that from? You know the X360 version can also suffer from freezing.

lowe0

And as someone who writes code that works with network services for a living, given the information available, that's my assessment of what's wrong. If you don't like it, prove me wrong.

Err....it does happen on both versions, check out the random articles online. The one that the fix is suggested for with the entire 'shut off internet thing' affects both Versions of GTA.

If that puts PSN into question, shouldn't it also put XBL into question?

Though, there hasn't been any fix presented for the X360's problems mind you,.

my online is working :question:

[QUOTE="Always-Honest"]

disable psn when starting the game.. when you want to play multiplayer, choose multiplayer. it works great online... you only have to disable PSN for single player.

by the way lemming.... Sony has nothing to do with this. and use the sticky. maybe if you read some posts there you wouldn't be so badly informed.

lowe0

it has nothing to do with psn.. again: inorm yourself.

[QUOTE="Taalon"]So because one person has a problem, suddenly PSN is terrible? Flamebait confirmed.lowe0

A little more than one, buddy.

http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/grandtheftauto4/show_msgs.php?topic_id=m-1-42888720&pid=933036

http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=gta&thread.id=408321

Edit: found the main thread over at official PS boards.

Ok since were using forum post and threads as fact then this link right here should also be considered a fact as well....

http://www.gamespot.com/pages/forums/show_msgs.php?topic_id=26151320

I understand your point, and I also understand your frustration. I would like to point out though that my 360 has froze twice while playing the game and I havent been able to get online at all for the past two days, I keep getting lost connection messages.

Now whats better, having free online that has bugs, or like me paying £40 a year and not having it work.

The fact is this kind of thing happens from time to time and if there really is an issue Rock* will work to fix it, it just takes a bit of patience.

Buy a 360, buy XBL, buy GTAIV, and shut your mouth. If money is a problem, then don't complain. Good things aren't free.kingkui

Pc's get free online and ten times better than good.

The one that the fix is suggested for with the entire 'shut off internet thing' affects both Versions of GTA.Pietrooper

The third issue is what I'm describing - it's a hang during initial save loading, is 100% reproducible by enabling PSN, goes away the instant I disable the PS3's Internet connection, and doesn't happen on my 360. If you have proof that this exact issue (not the random freezing issue) happens on the 360, then by all means, let's see it.

it has nothing to do with psn.. again: inorm yourself.Always-Honest

Really. Then why does it go away the instant I disable PSN, come back the instant I reenable it, and not happen on my 360? That sounds pretty nailed-down to me.

Seems like it's more on R*'s end than Sony's end.Tiefster

It is on Sony for not having a universal online system.

Really. Then why does it go away the instant I disable PSN, come back the instant I reenable it, and not happen on my 360? That sounds pretty nailed-down to me.

lowe0

PSN works, next topicthegoldenpoo

So do disabled children in salt mines... Poorly.

So I'm trying to play GTA IV today. I started on PS3, since my friends bought it on PS3 and I'd like to unlock stuff for MP against them. Anyway, I'm trying to play, and my game hangs at the loading screen. The fix?Disable your Internet connection. I haven't heard a peep from Sony or Rockstar on this issue. When you combine Sony's lack of a multiplayer infrastructure for developers to use, coupled with Rockstar's failure to properly test the results of excessive network load, the end result is that multiplayer is unavailable, and even single player requires a workaround to function.

Just to confirm, I threw in the 360 version - fired right up. (And looks better - I hadn't tried the 360 version yet, but wow, that's quite a difference in clarity. I need to turn it off before I'm spoiled.)

So, the next time you want to know what we're getting for our $5 a month, here it is: we're getting something that we know is being done right instead of being farmed out to Gamespy, and when it does go down due to excessive load (which I've only seen once in 5 years as a subscriber), we get MS working to make things right because they know that their revenue stream, and not just their reputation, is at risk.

Sony fans: how can you possibly defend this?

lowe0

Uhmmm...you only disable the PSN to prevent the single player mode from freezing. If you plan on playing multiplayer, you leave PSN enabled. And this has nothing to do with SOny or PSN and instead is a problem with Rockstar's game itself. A game that also has issues with freezing for the 360 (just like BUlly). At least there is a FIX for the PS3 version. What about all the 360 fans who bought the game and have freezing issues?

Second, you ask what good is free online if it doesn't work? Yet you seem to be ignoring that people pay $50 for XBL and it has been down a number of times, and even crashed during the past Christmas. So if you hate it when free online doesn't work, what is your position on PAYING for online that doesn't work?

[QUOTE="lowe0"]

So I'm trying to play GTA IV today. I started on PS3, since my friends bought it on PS3 and I'd like to unlock stuff for MP against them. Anyway, I'm trying to play, and my game hangs at the loading screen. The fix?Disable your Internet connection. I haven't heard a peep from Sony or Rockstar on this issue. When you combine Sony's lack of a multiplayer infrastructure for developers to use, coupled with Rockstar's failure to properly test the results of excessive network load, the end result is that multiplayer is unavailable, and even single player requires a workaround to function.

Just to confirm, I threw in the 360 version - fired right up. (And looks better - I hadn't tried the 360 version yet, but wow, that's quite a difference in clarity. I need to turn it off before I'm spoiled.)

So, the next time you want to know what we're getting for our $5 a month, here it is: we're getting something that we know is being done right instead of being farmed out to Gamespy, and when it does go down due to excessive load (which I've only seen once in 5 years as a subscriber), we get MS working to make things right because they know that their revenue stream, and not just their reputation, is at risk.

Sony fans: how can you possibly defend this?

ZIMdoom

Uhmmm...you only disable the PSN to prevent the single player mode from freezing. If you plan on playing multiplayer, you leave PSN enabled. And this has nothing to do with SOny or PSN and instead is a problem with Rockstar's game itself. A game that also has issues with freezing for the 360 (just like BUlly). At least there is a FIX for the PS3 version. What about all the 360 fans who bought the game and have freezing issues?

Second, you ask what good is free online if it doesn't work? Yet you seem to be ignoring that people pay $50 for XBL and it has been down a number of times, and even crashed during the past Christmas. So if you hate it when free online doesn't work, what is your position on PAYING for online that doesn't work?

You're taking one extreme case on MS's part and they compensated every Gold member. Sorry but XBL is way far and above better then PSN. Any unobjective person can see it.

Using the logic PSN supporters use:

• Eating Ramen noodles is better then a steak dinner because its cheaoer
• Riding a bike from New York to California is better then flying because its cheaper
• Public access golf is better then playing on a pro level course because its free

Just give it up, PSN is a joke and its lame to justify every PSN problem by trying to make it look like its just as bad on XBL...

[QUOTE="ZIMdoom"][QUOTE="lowe0"]

So I'm trying to play GTA IV today. I started on PS3, since my friends bought it on PS3 and I'd like to unlock stuff for MP against them. Anyway, I'm trying to play, and my game hangs at the loading screen. The fix?Disable your Internet connection. I haven't heard a peep from Sony or Rockstar on this issue. When you combine Sony's lack of a multiplayer infrastructure for developers to use, coupled with Rockstar's failure to properly test the results of excessive network load, the end result is that multiplayer is unavailable, and even single player requires a workaround to function.

Just to confirm, I threw in the 360 version - fired right up. (And looks better - I hadn't tried the 360 version yet, but wow, that's quite a difference in clarity. I need to turn it off before I'm spoiled.)

So, the next time you want to know what we're getting for our $5 a month, here it is: we're getting something that we know is being done right instead of being farmed out to Gamespy, and when it does go down due to excessive load (which I've only seen once in 5 years as a subscriber), we get MS working to make things right because they know that their revenue stream, and not just their reputation, is at risk.

Sony fans: how can you possibly defend this?

DXGreat1_HGL

Uhmmm...you only disable the PSN to prevent the single player mode from freezing. If you plan on playing multiplayer, you leave PSN enabled. And this has nothing to do with SOny or PSN and instead is a problem with Rockstar's game itself. A game that also has issues with freezing for the 360 (just like BUlly). At least there is a FIX for the PS3 version. What about all the 360 fans who bought the game and have freezing issues?

Second, you ask what good is free online if it doesn't work? Yet you seem to be ignoring that people pay $50 for XBL and it has been down a number of times, and even crashed during the past Christmas. So if you hate it when free online doesn't work, what is your position on PAYING for online that doesn't work?

You're taking one extreme case on MS's part and they compensated every Gold member. Sorry but XBL is way far and above better then PSN. Any unobjective person can see it.

Using the logic PSN supporters use:

• Eating Ramen noodles is better then a steak dinner because its cheaoer
• Riding a bike from New York to California is better then flying because its cheaper
• Public access golf is better then playing on a pro level course because its free

Just give it up, PSN is a joke and its lame to justify every PSN problem by trying to make it look like its just as bad on XBL...

paying $50/year just to play online is a joke.

dont even get me started cuz i'd rather use that $50 for gas

[QUOTE="DXGreat1_HGL"][QUOTE="ZIMdoom"][QUOTE="lowe0"]

So I'm trying to play GTA IV today. I started on PS3, since my friends bought it on PS3 and I'd like to unlock stuff for MP against them. Anyway, I'm trying to play, and my game hangs at the loading screen. The fix?Disable your Internet connection. I haven't heard a peep from Sony or Rockstar on this issue. When you combine Sony's lack of a multiplayer infrastructure for developers to use, coupled with Rockstar's failure to properly test the results of excessive network load, the end result is that multiplayer is unavailable, and even single player requires a workaround to function.

Just to confirm, I threw in the 360 version - fired right up. (And looks better - I hadn't tried the 360 version yet, but wow, that's quite a difference in clarity. I need to turn it off before I'm spoiled.)

So, the next time you want to know what we're getting for our $5 a month, here it is: we're getting something that we know is being done right instead of being farmed out to Gamespy, and when it does go down due to excessive load (which I've only seen once in 5 years as a subscriber), we get MS working to make things right because they know that their revenue stream, and not just their reputation, is at risk.

Sony fans: how can you possibly defend this?

SHuN_G0Ku

Uhmmm...you only disable the PSN to prevent the single player mode from freezing. If you plan on playing multiplayer, you leave PSN enabled. And this has nothing to do with SOny or PSN and instead is a problem with Rockstar's game itself. A game that also has issues with freezing for the 360 (just like BUlly). At least there is a FIX for the PS3 version. What about all the 360 fans who bought the game and have freezing issues?

Second, you ask what good is free online if it doesn't work? Yet you seem to be ignoring that people pay $50 for XBL and it has been down a number of times, and even crashed during the past Christmas. So if you hate it when free online doesn't work, what is your position on PAYING for online that doesn't work?

You're taking one extreme case on MS's part and they compensated every Gold member. Sorry but XBL is way far and above better then PSN. Any unobjective person can see it.

Using the logic PSN supporters use:

• Eating Ramen noodles is better then a steak dinner because its cheaoer
• Riding a bike from New York to California is better then flying because its cheaper
• Public access golf is better then playing on a pro level course because its free

Just give it up, PSN is a joke and its lame to justify every PSN problem by trying to make it look like its just as bad on XBL...

paying $50/year just to play online is a joke.

dont even get me started cuz i'd rather use that $50 for gas

Don't get you started because you can't come up with a concise argument as to why it;s worse because of the price.

Don't get you started because you can't come up with a concise argument as to why it;s worse because of the price.

DXGreat1_HGL

siigh... oh please...

just tell me how is paying $50/YR better than FREE just to play online; i mean, you're already getting charged for your internet and still you're getting charged for playing online...? ygtbfkm..

since i've been here, no lemms have come up with a justified reasonable answer on why people should catch every drop of milk that MS splashes and still come here to defend it.

Live should be free. I can understand that Freedom isn't..., but LIVE??

btw fyi, i maybe poor but i'm smart at $$$