Monthly Archives: September 2013

Debate about GTA 5 expenses proves all platforms are coming.

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There are a million recent blog posts and news articles over the internet about the amount of money that Rockstar put into development and creating Grand Theft Auto V. Okay, we can debate the validity of those figures and whether it really is as high as speculation suggests. Consider the game has been worked on for more than 5 years and is on a scale that has never been seen before in video games. I think it’s safe to say this is at the top for video game budgets. Does it compare to Hollywood blockbuster type films? Who really knows. Let’s just say they spent a TON on developing GTA V. But here’s the thing.

One thing is certain. Given the expense of creating the game, make no mistake about it. GTA V is coming for all platforms. It has to. If you spend all the money to create the game, you need it to be relevant and popular for as long as possible. Having a last generation only makes ZERO sense. Further, consider PC gaming and handheld gaming like Android, iPhone and iPad. Expect to see a version for those platforms also. Return on investment is key and it’s the reason you can be certain of releases on all platforms. Don’t take my word for it, get it for the PS3 or Xbox 360 anyways. I’m sure there would be an update deal in the works and a way to bring your assets with you to the next gen consoles.

Of course Rockstar wants to keep these other platforms out of the discussion for now. Why ruin what should be the biggest week in revenues that the video game industry has ever seen? If the PS4 and Xbox One versions are announced or heavily rumored, there will be a good percentage of people cancelling their pre orders and or simply not buying the PS3 or Xbox 360 versions. That would happen guaranteed.

My prediction is for an announcement around October 1st when the launch of GTA Online happens. That gives the PS3 and Xbox 360 version times to sell and establish the game in the minds of gamers.

GTA 5 Map – Key Location Names

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Here are some of the key locations in Grand Theft Auto V which should provide many many hours of entertainment.

  • Los Santos International Airport
  • Port of South Los Santos
  • East Los Santos
  • South Los Santos
  • Vespucci
  • Little Seoul
  • Downtown
  • Del Perro
  • East Vinewood
  • Morningwood
  • Rockford Hills
  • Vinewood
  • Vinewood hills
  • Richman
  • Pacific Bluffs
  • Banham Canyon
  • Chumash
  • Tongva Hills
  • Tongva Valley
  • Great Chaparral
  • Harmony
  • Sandy Shores
  • Fort Zancudo
  • North Chumash
  • Paleto Bay
  • Grapeseed

If Rockstar announces GTA 5 on Xbox One or PS4, what will your reaction be?

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[polldaddy poll=7378564]

 

Here’s an interesting and somewhat obvious question. Obviously there hasn’t been any announcement regarding GTA V on PS4 or Xbox One. Given that October 1st is the day for GTA Online, perhaps that when some type of announcement regarding next generation and PC might come. That gives a couple weeks of intense sales on the current gen systems and will also lead to continued hype in the gaming community. So although not official, it’s anticipated though and that’s sort of the dilemma. Let’s just say shortly after September 17th, Rockstar announces that the next gen consoles will get Grand Theft Auto 5. If it’s by the end of the year, does this cause you to buy the next generation console just to play the updated version? Do you stick with the original game and console? Do you get mad? What the heck happens?

I think it would be save to say that the PS4 and Xbox One version upgrade would have some type of deal such as what we’ve seen announced for COD Ghosts for example. That takes some of the sting away. As for character development and time you invested in the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions? I see Rockstar doing what EA is doing with Battlefield 4. You can bring your stats along with you to the next generation console. No loss then in that regard which would be HUGE when it comes to GTA V because of the money and customization that’s available.

The only question might be whether you’ve played the pants off the game by the time you get a next generation console and if there is a next generation GTA game to buy. I suppose if the GTA Online is worthy, then upgrading your copy might make a lot of sense. That will be a key for the longevity for GTA 5. If players are compelled to upgrade their copy when moving to the next generation systems or not. I would imagine that after you’ve developed a custom character and tons of loot, there would be a compelling reason to keep it going as long as possible.

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Rockstar’s Dan Houser interview reveals GTA 5 secrets and challenges

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There is a very impressive and in-depth interview on TheGuardian.com with Rockstar’s co-founder and vice president Dan Houser. There are some secrets and challenges that they encountered during the development process. Here is a quick rundown on some key information:

  • Grand Theft Auto is the fifth biggest-selling videogame franchise of all time
  • four years of development on GTA V
  • 1,000-page script, months of motion and voice capture
  • eight international studios involved in creating GTA 5
  • Los Santos map is bigger than those of GTA IV, GTA: San Andreas and Red Dead Redemption combined
  • spent a minimum of 100 days in Los Angeles on research trips
  • spoke to FBI agents that have been undercover, experts in the Mafia, street gangsters who know the slang
  • transcript runs to more than 10,000 words
  • Rockstar has been approached many times by film studios about a film licence but Rockstar says “it’s never appealed”
  • Grand Theft Auto IV alone made $310m on release day

See the full interview here.

Update 3: Official Grand Theft Auto 5 Travelogue

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los-santos-travelogue

The last three sections of the Los Santos Travelogue have been unveiled by Rockstar officially. Here is a quick rundown:

Security & Peace of Mind
The Los Santos Police Department is famous for tackling crime in the most aggressive and unhinged way possible, while private security firms like Gruppe 6 and Merryweather Security have a financial interest in saving your assets. Sponsored by Ammu-Nation – Protecting Your Rights.

Fitness & Relaxation
Vanity is at an all-time high and we’re an athlete and fitness buff’s paradise. Fancy a bit of tennis? We’ve got world class courts and stiff competition. Into cycling? Grab a bike for a lovely ride along the Los Santos beachfront or a punishing path through the mountains and hillsides of Blaine County. Or take part in a challenging triathlon of swimming, running and biking designed to pit egomaniacs against each other in a test of who exercises professionally the best. Sponsored by EGO CHASER Energy Bars – an energy bar that’s all about you. Watch the commercial!

Exciting Music & Entertainment
For those stuck in traffic, tune in to the Los Santos radio dial for a wide range of music styles to choose from – check out radio station previews of Radio Los Santos and Channel X plus Rebel Radio, East Los FM, West Coast Classics, Fly Lo FM and Vinewood Boulevard Radio. Stay tuned for more radio station previews to come.
In the Home Entertainment section, you can watch a special preview of CNT’s Fall TV Line Up, with clips from The Underbelly of Paradise, Impotent Rage and Moorehead Rides Again as well as a sneak preview of Kung Fu Rainbow Lazer Force, the upper-middle class super hero team coming to Weazel TV’s family values entertainment programming this fall.

[source: Rockstar]

New information released about Grand Theft Auto V

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The website PCGames.de has just posted some interesting tidbits and details about GTA 5 from a hands-on gameplay experience. Here is a summary:

  • they played the Xbox Version
  • it looks like in the Trailers only with more aliasing
  • no stuttering at all during the 3 hour playthrough
  • every Officer and Police Car has its own search circle. In GTA4 there was only 1 big circles
  • sprinting is like in IV
  • normal walk is very slow which helps moving in buildings
  • a car had a petrol track and when they did shoot at it, the car exploded
  • checkpoints are set very well
  • SUV handles way harder than a Sportscar
  • Lamar works with Franklin Repo
  • in one Mission they drove a Train themselfes ( hopefully in Free Roam too)
  • Sniper can be upgraded with Thermo Scope which can be activated on the run
  • they did fly under a bridge and a “1 out of 50? bridges prompt did appear
  • Health regens 50% only, you have to look for Health packs or eat something
  • cutscenes work fluid. like when going in a marker there is no short balckscreen, instead the camera goes cinematic. same goes for the end of the cutscenes.