Okay....so my PC lags ALOT as soon as i start GTA 4. My computer meets all the specs and it is basically unplayable it lags so much. does anyone know why it lags when i surpass the requirements?GameGod224

First , why GTA IV have bad optimization on PC = It ported from consoles. CONSOLE --> PC ,, that's not good. Rockstar should develop their RAGE engine games from PC , and then ported it to consoles. I think they wrong implemented ported method.

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PC --> CONSOLE = BETTER than CONSOLE --> PC
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Will there be a PC port and if so, when? This is the big question on everyone's mind.

The official statement on Rockstargames.com on June 10, 2010 was "As of now, there are no current plans to bring Red Dead Redemption to the PC platform. If that should change, we will let you know."

Which basically means, "we're not sure right now, we're still deciding whether to release it or not and who will be porting it."

This actually fits in with something that I learned from a source about 3-4 weeks before the announcement. I can write about this now that I'm doing the blog-thing. :)

When all of those mass layoffs occured at Rockstar, most of the positions impacted were animators, technical/graphic artists, tool developers, and audio techs. Basically, the grunt workers, content and story creators. Although it wasn't announced, Rockstar Toronto also lost some people in Jan/Feb 2010 (I'm not sure if those were included in the official "40 laid off" figure).

Rockstar Toronto is the team that ported GTA IV from console to PC (with a little help from Rockstar North.) For the GTA expansion packs (e.g. Lost & Damned & Gay Tony), North did the console version and Toronto did the PC version.

What you didn't know is that Rockstar Toronto was actually involved in the development of Red Dead Redemption too. They did a lot of the graphics work and correction of assets and props provided by San Diego (had to be updated from their PS2/XBOX counterparts.) You wouldn't know this, though, because they weren't listed in the game credits. =]

As it stands, Rockstar has let go of the content developers since they already built the game and were no longer needed.. but they still have the PC porting team. Rockstar Toronto is the primary team for PC ports and they have working knowledge of RDR, so it stands to reason that Toronto will be the group doing the Red Dead Redemption PC port.

RDR Sales Figures - Does it makes sense to port?

Red Dead Redemption sold 1.8M on their opening week and approx. 5.2M have been sold as of today. Their return on investment was roughly twice what they put into development (it cost $80-100M to make).

By comparison, GTA IV had $100M development costs (7x return) and MW had $50M development costs (20x return). And then there's WoW. Development costs, server upkeep, staff payroll, hardware support, customer service, etc totaled $100M for the first 4 years of operation. (Kotaku has conflicting sources for this information though, in one article they say it cost $100M and in the other article it says $200M). Either way, the return has been tremendous. =]

So, RDR really hasn't even come close to the success of GTA IV but it did still make an operating profit of 50% which is pretty good. The cost of porting the game from consoles to PC is just a fraction of the original development costs too, so it will be highly profitable even if they only sell 500,000 copies. (Note: PC sales will never even come close to the console sales for various reasons.)

PC ports from Rockstar have had many issues (which have significantly impacted sales), but they're getting better. For example, PC versions are very late on delivery and everyone would have bought a PS3/XBOX360 version by then. The other reason for poor sales was because of buggy ports and bad reviews (GTA IV was called "the worst release" and "worst PC port" by many, but I think Rockstar Toronto has learned from their mistakes. Most bugs have been fixed, and their expansion packs have been successful.) And then there's the piracy scapegoat. But, it's still in Take-Two's best interest to push Rockstar's PC port forwards.

When Will There Be An Announcement?

There was a 8 month gap between the announcement and release dates of the GTA IV console vs. PC port. Unfortunately, there are really no trends to compare to, but there could be an announcement made before November of this year.

The reason I selected November is because there has been something interesting going on the Toronto office over the past couple months. Apparently, there has been a fear of job loss, there has been some "preparation" going on, and some employees have been putting out their resumes. The impression I received was that Rockstar HQ hasn't decided what exactly to do with Rockstar Toronto and they're currently taking a step-back to re-evaluate their offices, projects and expenses. My guess is that there is probably pressure on the other Rockstar offices as well.

(Addendum: Take-Two's fiscal year will be ending on 10/31/2010 and typically their announcements are made a couple months following - meaning the first week of December 2010. If there's bad news, it will probably be made in November, but if it's good news it will be on target for the first week of Dec. I'm hoping for good news. =] Now I suppose the decision could have been made in Q3, meaning an official statement at the end of Aug / start of September but it would depend on the development status of Max Payne 3.)

--> Toronto is currently assisting with the development of Max Payne 3, so I'll learn more once that project is cleaned off of their plates.

If the Rockstar Toronto office gets the axe though, it will result in either the cancellation or severe delay of RDR PC development. We'll probably see something happen before November though, as it never looks good to lay off people right before Christmas. If they don't get shutdown, though, their next (most likely) project after Max Payne 3 will be RDR PC. Guess we'll see..

Another delay in the Max Payne 3 development might push these estimates back though. (Then again, there was a 2 year difference between Bully PS2 and the PC port. So, if nothing happens with Rockstar Toronto this year and they work on a different project after Max 3, I'll have to change my forecast to a date much farther away.) But still, these are a lot of "signs" to work with and it's interesting information to know.

Other than that, if you're a console user and waiting in anticipation for RDR3 (internally, Redemption was actually called RDR2), you're in for a long wait. There's nothing currently planned for a PS3/XBOX360 sequel, but Rockstar does have some intended DLC releases though (worked well for GTAIV), and RDR3 (aka Red Dead Revolution) will be eventually developed for the PS4 and XBOX 720.

Source http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/4254/rdrm.jpg

Yes, the PC version will be released in March 2011. You might think that the source is unreliable but if you look at the profile, it is noted that anyone including Rockstar employees can send them info without revealing themselves.

I would however, advise you to wait for the PC version unless you really cannot bother to wait anymore.
You may ask why if there is a PC version of Red Dead Redemption, why Rockstar did not announce it after 6 - 8 months of the console release like they did with the PC version of GTA?

The reasons are

1. Red Dead Redemption is originated from the console.
2. Red Dead Redemption console sales just exceeded their goal in their Q4 Quarterly Earnings.
3. Rockstar Toronto just got working on the PC version in July 2010.

The reasons why GTA IV PC is released after 6 -8 months of the console release

1. GTA series is originated from the PC.
2. GTA IV console sales exceeded their goal.
3. Some Rockstar Games' studios were free from any major project.

Now here is why Red Dead Revolver is not available on PC.

1.Red Dead Revolver is originated from the console.
2.The sales of Red Dead Revolver failed to meet their goal.
3.All Rockstar Games' studios were completely busy between 2004 - 2007
(The Warriors, Bully, Manhunt 2 etc.)
4.GTA San Andreas PC is released in 2005.

So if I were you, I would wait for the PC version and something I can guarantee you is that Red Dead Redemption PC will definitely be well-optimized than GTA IV and requires the same or even lower system requirements.

the next conclusion , it means = you need core 2 duo @ 2,4 ghz clock for best value playing modern game today with great fps. so if u want build pc rig system core 2 with 2,4ghz = minimum that equal with ps3/xbox 360.

the next conclusion = gta 4 have bad engine optimization , it is not ur hardware / pc rig sytem fault. but the game engne itself + rockstar developer not seriously optimized for this game.

Did u know why crysis 2 level setting on the city??? because crysis 2 also on ps3/360 that have not enough system resource to calculate big complex area like on crysis 1 : ocean & forest. as we know console have triple core processor. it still enough to calulate crysis on high texture, but >high maybe console can't do it , but the main problem on crysis 2 console=ram. so, only pc can got max >high. console limit with their stock hardware.

the next conclusion , it means = you need core 2 duo @ 2,4 ghz clock for best value playing modern game today with great fps. so if u want build pc rig system core 2 with 2,4ghz = minimum that equal with ps3/xbox 360.

the next conclusion = gta 4 have bad engine optimization , it is not ur hardware / pc rig sytem fault. but the game engne itself + rockstar developer not seriously optimized for this game.

Did u know why crysis 2 level setting on the city??? because crysis 2 also on ps3/360 that have not enough system resource to calculate big complex area like on crysis 1 : ocean & forest. as we know console have triple core processor. it still enough to calulate crysis on high texture, but >high maybe console can't do it , but the main problem on crysis 2 console=ram. so, only pc can got max >high. console limit with their stock hardware.

conclussion:

general game will always have run great on minimum requirement system like this..?
- cpu core 2 with minimum clock 1,8ghz
- ram 2 gb on xp (vista/seven= >2,5gb)
- vga 512 GDDR3 minimum 9600gt

why like that..?? coz mostly all pc game is multiplatform project that same with ps3/xbox360. and with that system we can say that enough equal minimum to run generral game..so when we run compleks game like gta 4/crysis on that system, game will lag on high/>high setting, why..because CPU can't handle that complex thing...we can said that:

- cpu core 2 with minimum clock 1,8ghz = have problem with complex game & need more core (>duall core) not just high core clock. coz high clock= not give significant performance. we need paralel calculate process for complex game engine.. so we need more core processor not clock processor.
- ram 2 gb on xp (vista/seven= >2,5gb) =2gb = no problem on xp
- vga 512 GDDR3 minimum 9600gt = no problem on xp , but this is minimum. if u want more have superb visual..u need upgrade ur vga.

conclussion:

general game will always have run great on minimum requirement system like this..?
- cpu core 2 with minimum clock 1,8ghz
- ram 2 gb on xp (vista/seven= >2,5gb)
- vga 512 GDDR3 minimum 9600gt

why like that..?? coz mostly all pc game is multiplatform project that same with ps3/xbox360. and with that system we can say that enough equal minimum to run generral game..so when we run compleks game like gta 4/crysis on that system, game will lag on high/>high setting, why..because CPU can't handle that complex thing...we can said that:

- cpu core 2 with minimum clock 1,8ghz = have problem with complex game & need more core (>duall core) not just high core clock. coz high clock= not give significant performance. we need paralel calculate process for complex game engine.. so we need more core processor not clock processor.
- ram 2 gb on xp (vista/seven= >2,5gb) =2gb = no problem on xp
- vga 512 GDDR3 minimum 9600gt = no problem on xp , but this is minimum. if u want more have superb visual..u need upgrade ur vga.

There are many type game engine with their behaviour...sometime..not pc hardware = bad ,, but sometimes the game engine itself that have a bad optimization engine, because the developer not seriously optimized that engine for pc system, or maybe that's a new engine that still have many bug , or it the first time implemented on the game.let's make sample: Assassin creed series is sandbox game but why it very run great and also still run great on low/mid end pc system: it cause ubisoft have big developer team to work asssassin creed game. it big project & serious. first time they success make engine for assassin creed & the next they implemented it to other ubi game. we can say that big project game from ubisoft almost have great optimized engine. they implemented permanent conection & strange draconian DRM,, they brave market with strange drm protection,, but they also guarantee their product will be great & have at least good optimization. Next...let's talk about game engine behaviour..let's pick sample Engine between : GTA IV versus MAFIA 2. GTA IV vs MAFIA 2 have diferent behaviour engine. why mafia 2 have more good visual,polygon , and better performane than GTA IV,, On mafia 2 all object just rendered like general modern game...it diferent with GTA IV...GTA IV rendered all object with complex behaviour..so all object give dynamically behaviour , physx and it very complex...it's like a real.. let's take other sample: assassin creed 2 engine also rendered all object constantly and stay to run at fps 30..but environment look's more static than GTA IV...mafia 2 also have more static environment rendered object...And let's take other sample : between Unreal/quake engine with assassin creed engine. For example bioshock,dedspace,batman AA..why this game have incredible polygon, effect & atmosphere..?? it cause the environment rendered area is just simple,, maybe just on the room, water..etc with not havr big area....engine like : Unreal/quake just superb on indoor level area..let's pick sample : Splinter cell conviction that use unreal engine when it on level outdoor..it have bad design & texture object like a trees, leaf,etc..it look's bad than on indoor. other sample call of duty series..it look's spectacular on indoor level, but on outdoor..it look's bad without blur & effect. it mean..engine like unreal/quake on the truth it just use effect to look's their game spectacular...without implemented effect,blur,etc..visual will look's bad..especially on outdoor level..

it diferent with big area rendered game like crysis & GTA IV.for example : assassin creed 2, mafia 2 still run great or maybe can still get max fps with core 2 e6320 1,8ghz/4mb cache,2GB DDR2 800 duall chanel + mid end GPU like nv9600GT 512GDDR3. and i can said that : mostly all game now still can run high/very high, and maybe max with that system. but when u want run big area rendered game like crysis/gta IV : the main upgrade problem is = cpu , second gpu , third ram.

Why cpu first..?? because complex game with big area rendeered + big object behaviour + have many character AI is not graphic card or ram for first hard work.

almost cpu is the main problem like : many character AI = need great cpu ..it's like when we working with multitasking, so it need duall/quad/ more to calculate it. complex game also have complex behaviour on object , dynamic environment + variety of sound.

we can said that:

texture,shader,physx calculate --> vga
sound, AI, complex Object behaviour, and other thing --> cpu

so,, cpu have a heavy job for complex game.

You can run call of duty,assassin creed,batman aa, deathspace,and all general game smoothly with duall core processor, but it will diferent with complex game like gta 4 / crysis that have complex & dyinamic environment (not static like other game) behaviour, AI,sound, &etc..it need > duall core processor to callculate it.

There are many type game engine with their behaviour...sometime..not pc hardware = bad ,, but sometimes the game engine itself that have a bad optimization engine, because the developer not seriously optimized that engine for pc system, or maybe that's a new engine that still have many bug , or it the first time implemented on the game.let's make sample: Assassin creed series is sandbox game but why it very run great and also still run great on low/mid end pc system: it cause ubisoft have big developer team to work asssassin creed game. it big project & serious. first time they success make engine for assassin creed & the next they implemented it to other ubi game. we can say that big project game from ubisoft almost have great optimized engine. they implemented permanent conection & strange draconian DRM,, they brave market with strange drm protection,, but they also guarantee their product will be great & have at least good optimization. Next...let's talk about game engine behaviour..let's pick sample Engine between : GTA IV versus MAFIA 2. GTA IV vs MAFIA 2 have diferent behaviour engine. why mafia 2 have more good visual,polygon , and better performane than GTA IV,, On mafia 2 all object just rendered like general modern game...it diferent with GTA IV...GTA IV rendered all object with complex behaviour..so all object give dynamically behaviour , physx and it very complex...it's like a real.. let's take other sample: assassin creed 2 engine also rendered all object constantly and stay to run at fps 30..but environment look's more static than GTA IV...mafia 2 also have more static environment rendered object...And let's take other sample : between Unreal/quake engine with assassin creed engine. For example bioshock,dedspace,batman AA..why this game have incredible polygon, effect & atmosphere..?? it cause the environment rendered area is just simple,, maybe just on the room, water..etc with not havr big area....engine like : Unreal/quake just superb on indoor level area..let's pick sample : Splinter cell conviction that use unreal engine when it on level outdoor..it have bad design & texture object like a trees, leaf,etc..it look's bad than on indoor. other sample call of duty series..it look's spectacular on indoor level, but on outdoor..it look's bad without blur & effect. it mean..engine like unreal/quake on the truth it just use effect to look's their game spectacular...without implemented effect,blur,etc..visual will look's bad..especially on outdoor level..

it diferent with big area rendered game like crysis & GTA IV.for example : assassin creed 2, mafia 2 still run great or maybe can still get max fps with core 2 e6320 1,8ghz/4mb cache,2GB DDR2 800 duall chanel + mid end GPU like nv9600GT 512GDDR3. and i can said that : mostly all game now still can run high/very high, and maybe max with that system. but when u want run big area rendered game like crysis/gta IV : the main upgrade problem is = cpu , second gpu , third ram.

Why cpu first..?? because complex game with big area rendeered + big object behaviour + have many character AI is not graphic card or ram for first hard work.

almost cpu is the main problem like : many character AI = need great cpu ..it's like when we working with multitasking, so it need duall/quad/ more to calculate it. complex game also have complex behaviour on object , dynamic environment + variety of sound.

we can said that:

texture,shader,physx calculate --> vga
sound, AI, complex Object behaviour, and other thing --> cpu

so,, cpu have a heavy job for complex game.

You can run call of duty,assassin creed,batman aa, deathspace,and all general game smoothly with duall core processor, but it will diferent with complex game like gta 4 / crysis that have complex & dyinamic environment (not static like other game) behaviour, AI,sound, &etc..it need > duall core processor to callculate it.