Rockstar; why no GTA 4 for PC? - Page 2

I don’t care if a games on PC or if a games on the console, I have both a very high spec PC and a X360 and will no doubt have a PS3 once I can persuade my love and joy that a Blue Ray set top player will be worth the buy (roughly at the same time MGS4 is released I bet). Really at the quality these days games on both platforms are just as good as each other. But why I have a 360 is because I wanted to play console exclusive games.

Really who should really give a damn what you play a game on, you don’t buy a console or a PC for the unit it’s self if you’re a gamer. You buy the unit to play the games, if you’re a true gamer you won’t even care about platforms you will just care about sinking your teeth in to the latest and greatest games.

I do agree that if I had a choice about which platform a game was to be played on it would 99% of the time be on the PC. But that’s merely because of the control method in place with the PC, you sit right down in front of a monitor and you have (what I think is) the most natural control type in the world at your fingers. Not to mention playing games at more than 1080p resolution and the ultra fast load times of textures and levels.

But that’s not to say that all games are best played on the PC, in fact GTA is a very good example. All the GTA’s since 3 I have had on the PS2 and on the PC, and even though the graphics are far superior on the PC I still prefer to play them all on the console. Simply because it’s pants to drive a car with a keyboard, and swapping to a joypad would just be annoying.

My gosh, that sure is an accurate comparison. The most popular subscription based MMORPG ever, to a new installment of GTA. It's sad, but this entire forum is in denial. Perhaps you didn't see Crytek say they're no longer going to create games exclusively for the PC? If the PC is such a viable platform, why does Epic release their games on the consoles now?

How in the hell is Rockstar going to make more money on the PC version than they do on the 360 and PS3? When GTA IV comes out on the PC, I'd expect it's system requirements to be very similar to Crysis, as the game is extremely taxing on both the Xbox360 and PS3, and the graphics are damn good. If this is the case, how can you expect a small install base like that to create a larger profit for Rockstar than the 30 million Xbox360 and PS3s out there?

Yes it's true that Steam is an awesome setup, and PC games are being distributed digitally quite a lot, which takes away from the retail sales numbers, but if it was really as good as you claim, don't you think Rockstar would have released a PC version the same day as the Xbox360 and PS3? Would Epic even be bothering with Microsoft and the Xbox360 if they could make a much better, more complex Gears of War? It's not like Epic is in love with Microsoft, it's simply that their platform is guaranteed to give them bigger returns.

P.S. I would have purchased GTA IV on the PC had it released the same day...

Noway. GTA 4 pc requirements are going to be around oblivion level, not crysis level. And right now, far more people have access to hardware that could run oblivion, than people that could run crysis. Now with $500 PC upgrades that could make your PC run Crysis at high at a decent frame rate, it is more accessible than ever.

In fact, I think we have reached this sweet spot in console cycles, where buying PC hardware superior to consoles is cheaper than a console. That is not even taking into consideration the price of an HD TV, while any PC can run games at supra HD resolutions.

Dude I made the PS2 lag in GTA3. Had like 30 cars in a pile, jumped on top and threw a few grenades. Needless to say they all blew up at the same time and it took a few seconds for it to calculate all of that kaboominess. I also died in the process but flew to the third island (I was on the second island).

Actually what Rockstar does is quite smart. I played all the GTA3 serries (GTA3, Vice City and San Andreas) all the way through on PS2 before the PC version came out. But guess what. I still bought each one for PC when it hit the market. Why? Better graphics and plus MODS.

Steam has 15 million users and a lot of companies are starting to jump on using it. Its the best one out there (D2D sucks as does EAs version). In fact Rockstar just added the GTA collection which has allll of the GTA series. Thats GTA, GTA: London 1969, GTA2, GTA3, GTA: VC and GTA: SA. This means that Steam might have GTA IV as well when it comes out.

And people will buy the PC version over console versions cuz of better graphics. But instead of just putting it out at the same time Rockstar likes to give us better versions of it. And I love them for that.

But even if not we still have TF2 which will always be better than the console version.

It's not the graphics, it's the gameplay. I was an exclusive PC gamer for years. Then I bought a PS3 for Blu-ray, got a couple games for it, and started having fun again.

Yes the 360 and PS3 aren't "upgradable." That's the point and they're biggest advantage. You buy a 360 or PS3 and you know you're all set for a few YEARS as apposed to MONTHS with a PC.

So...you guys continue to fight that PC games are better, with better controls, and better graphics. Meanwhile, I'll be playing GTA4 with my feet up, with many a beer on my 110" projector.

It's money people. More is to be made off of 360 and PS3 sales period. Is there a market for PC games? Absolutely. Enough to justify "porting" the games to Windows instantly? It appears not. Get over it.

The most annoying thing for me on consoles is your complete dependancy on the game creaters to continue creating content to keep it fresh..with PC theres always something free to download and try for the game.

Plus i only really play FPS, and Pc owns it up pretty much for most games. Even if i have to wait for a couple of games, it usually has its advantages (more content, better graphics etc)

I own the Xbox360, PS3, Wii, and a PC for gaming and am able to enjoy so much more than if I just owned a PC. Most of this forum would argue about the advantages of the PC as a platform until death, regardless of the obvious changes that has been occurring. In a few years when the Xbox360 and PS3 are older, the PC will become a more attractive platform again with developers who wish to get away from the what will be serious hardware limitations, in comparison to what should be available to the PC market.

I dont see the Kudos in owning and completing a game before other people

Im personaly not saying anything bad about ANY platform. I wanted a 360, but couldnt really afford one along with the games. Iv been gaming on the PC the same amount of time as consoles and been enjoying Cs 1.6 (still more enjoyable than most shooters). The only game i would want is Halo 3, but im sure that will appear soon and its not as if the game will disappear. Other than that im realy not seeing any game which isnt on PC which is making me want a console. So far its all been pretty disappointing.

I thought to myself...i want some 360 games but that means buying a whole new console and game. Crysis and other games on the other hand is cheaper and just reuqired a new graphics card (About £100 less than a console). This means that my PC can play all previous games and will more than cope with upcoming games, which will all be cheaper for me.

So bascially the PC isnt a dead gaming machine..i think its all been taken too seriously lol. In terms of hardware, the PC clearly overpowers the consoles and can play with a bad graphical game, or upcoming games that push the limits, which the consoles dont really support and it doesnt seem practical to me. Yes, in afew years, developers will be looking at their consoles and thinking...isnt this just a PC?? I think this is more a case of gettign through a period of slow development waiting for them to catch up .

Sorry if you're getting a little upset at my posts, but yes, I made an assumption. I thought that if your PC only lasted months, it must have been built by Dell. I didn't realise that you built "sh*t". Also, why would I respond to my lack of knowledge? You hit the nail on the head about my lack of education on the subject and informed me of something which I was not previously aware of, although I don't ever recall saying that it couldn't browse the web. Doesn't change the fact that you still choose to use your PC to browse the net as I had assumed and therefore proved my point. If it hasn't become your web browsing machine of choice, then it can't possibly be as good or as convenient as a PC.

Not sure where you're going with that one. Does it matter if it's not top of the line after 6 months if it's still capable of playing the latest games? I built a mid range PC for my friend a year ago and it still plays all the latest games perfectly, including Crysis (sure, not at all high settings, but it still looks awesome!). Are you one of those people who has to always own all the best tech (including all consoles) and replaces something just because there's a better version out? Well, most of us aren't as fortunate as yourself and can't afford such luxury, so it's more cost effective to have 1 system that can do it all and last us several years. Also, out of curiosity, do you consider the PS3 top of the line just because there isn't a PS4 to better it?

Forgive me if I failed to notice that you attempted to say that you prefer gaming on your PC, the wording made it sound like the exact opposite.

Anyway, I think this thread is getting derailed a bit now. Lets leave it at this before there's anymore name calling shall we?

I'm still running a 6800GT(OC'd)

Agreed.

If you have only played them since GTA3 then you're not a die hard fan.

...

The PC is a niche market machine, pure and simple. It always has been. It's a boutique box that draws a different crowd. The reason developers don't do simultaneous releases to the PC is that there isn't any money in it to hit a 4 - 6% market share over the consoles. It's why they don't do direct releases to the Mac since it's an even smaller market. That's not a dis on PC gaming, but it's realizing the facts that it has never been and will never be a mainstream gaming platform. The last PC that was mainstream was the Commodore 64.

The fantastic thing about PC gaming is the modding aspect and the games that suit its strengths as a platform, FPS and MMORPGs. I don't think WoW is a good comparison vs consoles because Blizzard built that game to blanket most systems since it's a DX7 based game. Like the Sims, it can be played on most PC systems, even with s hitty Intel integrated gfx.

As developers jump ship to make money on the consoles there will always be smaller studios to release the next cool groundbreaking game on the PC. I have faith that there will be new studios cropping up creating new and cool content on the PC for years to come. I look forward to the GTA4 port to the PC, but in the meantime I'll enjoy some Team Fortress 2 on my PC and Mario Kart on my Wii.

If its a good game, it'll be good three years from now.

steam rocks. Should be the standard for all pc games

Nope you still have that 5 install pish, god knows why as you need to have steam to play it meaning that you cant install it on everyone’s PC anyways. Why in the hell would Steam let you know if your PC could run it or not, if they did they would loose sales from people buying games they cant run and cant get a refund upon. As I get older I get more cynical and as I get more cynical this world gets easier to figure out.

Goddamn money sucking corporations.

You know what I bet they had a board meeting about this **** and decided just that, they would get more money if they did not have an auto minimum spec finder on Steam so decided to leave it off. I would not be surprised if they never do have one.

I'd download gta4 from steam if it was released on steam.

I'm more than happy to pay for quality games - if a majority of review sites give a game less than 7.5 I just don't waste my time playing it at all!

The last game I pirated was quake 2 :|

I reckon GTA 3 for the PC will be out 6 1/2 years before this christmas.

Sorry, couldn't resist. Anyway, I completely agree. There is no way we'd have to wait any longer than that, if it is coming that is, but I can't see any reason why they wouldn't since we've always had a PC version. Rockstar have also just started using Steam to release their back catalogue of games and can definately see them using it for GTA4. The biggest argument against PC games is piracy and Steam helps eliminate it, which means greater possibilities for profit for Rockstar over previous PC releases.

nope it is actually easier for console, the cracked copies online have gotten much better (i don't own any new consoles because they cost too much + most of the games now for console seem to be more geared to online play and $8 a month is a ripoff for xbox live i already pay for internet, why do i need to pay microsoft every month on top of that to keep track of my score.

in newyork you will see many people on th street selling pirated copies of xbox 360 games that work on un-modded xbox 360's

you can also download a few that will run with out the need to mod your 360 in anyway.

so unlike with a cracked pc game where you download then replace files and do other crap,with more and more 360 games, you just download and burn to cd and you have a game that works fine with xbox live and plays like the real thing

console gaming has much more piracy than pc gaming, the reason why they never really complain is because there still making more money from sales on the console market than with the pc market

pirate console games have at least 10-15 times more seeders and leechers than with even the most popular pc games

I think there's equally as much piracy on the console as on the PC side of things. It's just easier to track on the PC.

Excuse me guys...
Anyone checked out the number of PS2 games on torrent search engines?
Oh check out also the XBOX 360 and PS3...
And don't come to tell me that they are more on PC (ok, bigger variety of cracked release, sure that we talk about quality feedback)

The joke of the century, the only difference is that a kid and a teenager can't play on the PC.

So the PC's versions (crackes one's) aren't sold in locals stores...as for PS2 (notice also that Sony cracked their machine by them self..., we talk about profit, by selling their chips)

Which suggests that GTA IV might be up for a Christmas release, although it'll be a tight schedule for them to make it. I suspect it'll be early 2009.

Age of Conan just took the #1 spot. Anyways I'm one of the few people who actually take some time looking at all factors and then I base my decision off of that. First place you should look for any gaming intelligence is DFC. I also attend local conventions and since I'm near San Diego it makes it easy. Also holding stock in a number of different Tech companies means I get reports and letters which gives me insight.
This is my opinion.
The PC Gaming Market is a more Mature Market. It has been around for ages. It is the oldest single Platform that is in existance at this time. PS2 was it's own Platform, Atari was it's own Platform, and yes the PC is it's own Platform. It is the only platform that is used to create games for the other Platforms. What you really thought GTA4 was created on a Playstation?
So PC Gaming isn't going anywhere. To do so would mean that there would have to be something that could be used to make all those console games that are "just killing" the PC market. Everytime a new Console comes out for the first year we get to hear how PC Gaming is dying then the Console begins to get old and that PC continues to stay fresh. I do back up everything I say with information that some would pay thousands for and do pay thousands for.
Things are different this time around though.
Sony is projecting a 10 year lifespan for the PS3. There isn't a replacement projected for the console anytime soon. Another downer is PS2 is still outselling their PS3.
360 wasn't a huge sucess either. Difference between Microsoft and Sony though is Microsoft could eat some losses and Sony couldn't.
Nintendo is in it's own niche market. One of the last real successful Consoles.

In a Fragmented Market PC Games Lead the Way
February 29, 2008

This month DFC Intelligence announced the acquisition of tools and technology research company M2 Research (press release). This acquisition will help us expand our coverage of the critical issues and challenges the interactive entertainment industry faces cost effectively delivering products across multiple markets and platforms, using multiple business models. The game industry is growing on a global basis, but controlling costs is becoming more critical than ever. Furthermore, the issue of cost control is complicated by the growing number of platforms being used for games. Consider that in 2007 some of the biggest selling games were for the Xbox 360, a platform that came in sixth place worldwide for unit shipments of video game hardware in 2007.

In today’s market the dedicated video game systems are only one piece of the equation. In terms of revenue, the largest single platform worldwide for 2007 was the PC. On a global scale, the PC as a gaming platform has maintained strong growth for some time. DFC estimates there are over 260 million PC gamers worldwide, and that should grow to close to 350 million by 2012. Of course, many games on the PC are available for free and it has always been difficult to generate revenue from the PC game market. However, as mentioned, DFC Intelligence estimates the PC gaming market is the largest single game segment on a revenue basis and it is expected to grow 80% over the next 5 years. On a worldwide basis the PC gaming market (including online game revenue) accounted for nearly 30% of interactive entertainment software revenue in 2007. Of course, that does not include all the PC hardware sales that are generated from gamers.

Of course, a major problem with the PC as an entertainment platform is it is somewhat amorphous in terms of adhering to a strict set of user-defined parameters. However, that downside is also in part what makes it such a distinct platform. The PC, like the TV has become a necessity in the household as a way to communicate and stay connected with others. There are obvious disadvantages of the PC over consoles that are well recognized – the cost of the hardware and the lack of plug-and-play features. However, unlike ten years ago, everyone now needs a PC and it is the video game systems that are the luxury. This is especially true in emerging markets where the PC has become the game platform of choice.

The PC platform is also the driver of much of the industry technology and innovation. The openness and dynamic nature of the PC lends itself well to advancing technology more rapidly than its closed-boxed counterparts. It is updated frequently, so when there are new technology shifts the PC is first to market. Game consoles on the other hand are updated every 5 years, leaving a great deal of time to pass before technology can catch up. It is this openness that allows for endless experimentation of the entertainment itself, as well as new business models distribution and revenue outlets.

Of course there are a growing number of gamers spending big bucks on souped-up, cutting-edge PC systems such as Intel’s Skulltrail or AMD’s Spider that can cost upward of $10,000. While uniquely impressive, these systems do not make up the core of the market. Much of the growth for PC games has come from the growing number of sub-$1,000 systems that have mass appeal to engage both individual and multiplayer gaming.

In 2007, the top selling title was actually an online game, Blizzard’s World of Warcraft. This is a product with over $1 billion in revenue for 2007, its third full year of operation. Of the 10 million World of Warcraft subscribers, 2 million alone were added just in 2007, many of whom are coming from emerging markets such as Asia.

The PC outstrips all the other platforms in emerging global markets. What we are seeing is a demographic shift in the industry whereby the PC is no longer viewed as an advanced piece of consumer electronics relegated to only the upper class. Instead it is becoming viewed as a vital household appliance used as a form of communication and expression in a world that has become borderless.

As such there are many variables needed to properly address the growing and fragmented market that is gaming. As the purchasing habits of consumers change there is a growing necessity to address other purchasing criteria aside from straight retail sales. Retail figures alone do not adequately capture the growing trend of online transactions both for digital distribution and micro-transactions. Additionally, as the tools are becoming more accessible and people start to experience more with the social dynamics of gaming, the PC lends itself well for consumer-defined content.

Whether it is the epic/AAA games, the multiplayer elements of social gaming, or casual gaming, consumers are selecting multiple platforms to best fit their lifestyle and demographics to their entertainment preferences. In the U.S., it is becoming routine for a single consumer to play games on consoles, PCs and portable game systems. With the acquisition of M2 Research, DFC Intelligence will have a growing focus on tracking and analyzing the PC as both a dedicated game platform and a driver of the tools and technology that are necessary for all aspects of video game business.

DFC Intelligence’s research services provide detailed strategic analysis of the interactive entertainment industry.

GTA 4 PC this October

French site Jeuxpo reports that Grand Theft Auto IV will be released on PC in Europe this October. Though they do not offer any specific sources, they do cite retail plans. Neither Rockstar, nor Take Two has confirmed this to be true, but as one can expect, the PC version should be out within six to eight months of the game’s console



just seen this thought you might be intreseted