Why can't Rockstar try and keep their graphics at least slightly up to date?

Dont get me wrong,GTA4 is one of my top anticipated games of 08. It's just that every GTA game R* releases is way before its time in graphics. Especially character models. I think GTA4 would look fine if the character models weren't so poorly animated and lifeless looking.

What really gets me is that the graphics are still passable by todays standards,but R* is most likely going to use the exact same graphics engine for the entire gen,so it'll be san andreas all over again,the graphics will be ancient by the end of the gen.

I don't consider myself a graphics whore,but I would never give a game a free pass for having bad graphics. I know the gameplay will be spectacular,but wether you like it or not,alot of people do care about graphics.

Multiplatform development and lack of memory on consoles.

Thats pretty much it. The PC version of the GTA's always look much better and rarely suffer from the horrible texture pop-ups during high speeds, pretty much solely on the extra memory PC's typically have.

GTA games are pretty large in scope and memory because of it.

Multiplatform development and lack of memory on consoles.

Thats pretty much it. The PC version of the GTA's always look much better and rarely suffer from the horrible texture pop-ups during high speeds, pretty much solely on the extra memory PC's typically have.

GTA games are pretty large in scope and memory because of it.

XaosII

True. I loaded up San Andreas for PC,it looked so much better than the ps2 version I could barely tell they were the same game. It still looked awful,but alot better atleast.

And to the guy who said it will have amazing graphics,we all know thats BS. The graphics will be good,my main complaint is that they wont change them for the next 4-5 years. That's when it'll get real bad.

Why do people make posts like this? its been said before and it will be said again but there are limitations when making a game the size of GTA you ca't make cities the size of that and have really good graphics or expect the framerate to be any bit decent. Another problem is R* north try to create life like cities with lots of stuff going on this takes processing power to compute everything and keep track of it all the engines they create hanlde so much stuff and do it very well if graphics were thef ocal point you would get agame like the getaway fantastic graphics with limited gameplay because the graphics are taking up so much of the processing muscle in the system.

While the graphics probably could be a bit better its not the focus of the game and with such a large world glitches would be rampant and hinder gameplay(we've all experienced glitches in past gta games but most would not affect gameplay) with a more complex graphics engine the glitches would be more frequent or require a rediculous amount of play testing and optimization that it simply doesn't make sense to do so when they can make a good looking enginethat will run relatively smoothly to better immerse the charcter in a much busier world with lots of content. If you want better graphics go play saints row or wait for the sequel the graphics are better but the cities lack the lifelike feel of GTA games not to mention the content is not even close.

[QUOTE="XaosII"]

Multiplatform development and lack of memory on consoles.

Thats pretty much it. The PC version of the GTA's always look much better and rarely suffer from the horrible texture pop-ups during high speeds, pretty much solely on the extra memory PC's typically have.

GTA games are pretty large in scope and memory because of it.

stephant_6

True. I loaded up San Andreas for PC,it looked so much better than the ps2 version I could barely tell they were the same game. It still looked awful,but alot better atleast.

And to the guy who said it will have amazing graphics,we all know thats BS. The graphics will be good,my main complaint is that they wont change them for the next 4-5 years. That's when it'll get real bad.

you do know that there were graphical tweaks to the engine for vice city and san andreas the graphics will improve but not alot. The fact is both sequels last gen were so good because they add so much more content and things to do which is the point of a gta game. iIs getting harder and harder to believe you are not a graphics whore or know what you are talking about.

I dont' think the TC realizes the rewards that are reaped from keeping the graphics at their current level. System power is used for graphics, physics, AI, and running smoothly. This game is using Euphoria and has the most advanced physics seen in a GTA game.

the graphics are going to be the least of your concerns when the cops use advanced AI to defeat you, and cars and bodies react realistically to damage. it's going to be so immersive, you won't care if some object has a sharp edge to it, or a texture looks a little blurry. you're going to be setting off explosions while watching ragdolls get blasted like cannon-fodder in a Hollywood movie. screens will never do this game justice until they can convey the life that has been breathed into this world.

its the 360s fault :P sorry i couldnt resist.

nah seriosuly GTA games have always been behind the times and its understandable to be honest. huge open areas with loads of ppl on the screen at times and all that jazz takes its tole. trying to get gears or uncharted visuals on soemthign of that scale on a current gen console would be unfeasible considering GTAs demands. asking that of a high end PC at the mo would probably be unfeasiible to be honest.

The visuals are actually quite impressive for a sandbox game. I wish some people could grasp that it's not technically possible to have a sandbox game that looks like Uncharted or GeoW on current-gen consoles.fakecliche

I hope my first post helped some of those people understand that concept. Of course those same people also claim not to be graphics whores.

I think GTA4 would look fine if the character models weren't so poorly animated and lifeless looking.stephant_6

I'm sorry but this is completely false. Rockstar have put a lot of effort into character animation - they've even got hold of the new Euphoria technology so that body movements go above simple hand-drawn animations and ragdoll effects. IGN did an excellent write-up about it in their preview.

Why do people make posts like this? its been said before and it will be said again but there are limitations when making a game the size of GTA you ca't make cities the size of that and have really good graphics or expect the framerate to be any bit decent. Another problem is R* north try to create life like cities with lots of stuff going on this takes processing power to compute everything and keep track of it all the engines they create hanlde so much stuff and do it very well if graphics were thef ocal point you would get agame like the getaway fantastic graphics with limited gameplay because the graphics are taking up so much of the processing muscle in the system.

While the graphics probably could be a bit better its not the focus of the game and with such a large world glitches would be rampant and hinder gameplay(we've all experienced glitches in past gta games but most would not affect gameplay) with a more complex graphics engine the glitches would be more frequent or require a rediculous amount of play testing and optimization that it simply doesn't make sense to do so when they can make a good looking enginethat will run relatively smoothly to better immerse the charcter in a much busier world with lots of content. If you want better graphics go play saints row or wait for the sequel the graphics are better but the cities lack the lifelike feel of GTA games not to mention the content is not even close.

Citan_Uzuki

Then I guess the question is...Why can't the PC get graphic upgrades?

It's not a huge deal. I will still love the game.