On December 2, Rockstar Games released the much anticipated PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV to both retail and digital distribution outlets. Since then, there have been numerous reports of poor performance on current systems and even some cases of textures failing to load.
Forum users at Steam have reported that users of systems which meet or exceed the recommended requirements are treated to results that are lower in quality than the PS3 or Xbox 360 versions. Most of these complaints have been isolated to forum posts and online discussions; however, IGN was able to interview Rockstar Games for an official response to these technical issues.
According to Rockstar, digitally distributed versions of the game purchased through Valve’s Steam service were not downloading properly to user’s systems. Refunds are being issued as per instructions on Voodoo Extreme’s website; however, it’s noted that this is on an exception basis and is not normal practice.
Rockstar’s own support website has been updated to reflect the latest drivers available for download for users of both Nvidia and ATI graphics cards and is encouraging users to update for the best performance. Rockstar maintains that these technical issues are due to “out of date drivers or we don’t support that type of card or you’re under-specced or whatever, it’s always a combination of one of those things.”
Rockstar Games insists that the problems experienced by users are extremely low; in the 1 percent region for complaints received through their customer support line. The developers have gone on record to state that the game has been designed to be “future-proof” and that current hardware will run the game; however, as hardware improves, so will the game’s performance.
In the mean time, Rockstar is urging players to update their drivers, update their Games for Windows Live software, and to update their operating system patches. Nvidia drivers for their current cards are already available but ATI drivers will be delayed until December 10. Grand Theft Auto IV was released for the Xbox 360 and PS3 on April 29, 2008 and sold over 3.6 million units on its first day for release.
I cracked the game, BAM, solid 30-40fps on 100% and very high render quality...
My system is hardly out of date? 3,6ghz core2duo, 4gb 1066ddr2, 88gts512(777/1008)
Runs very well, while using up a little more than 500mb video memory according to options, but only when securom has been defeated.
Am I really supposed to be punished for actually going out and buying this game?
P5Q-Deluxe
Q9450 @ 3.85GHZ
4870 1GB @ 850/925 = 8.11 ATI CCC & Drivers
4GB= 2x 2GB G-SKill DDR2 1066 @ 1156
3x WD Sata2 160GB 16MB Cache RAID 0
SilverStone Decatholon 750W Modular
Vista Ultimate 64 Bit Service Pack 1 , all updates Direct X and all other misc. stuff..
The game has an obvious memory leak in it nd eventually my graphics start disapearing and game will lock up my system.. I would like for them to say upgrade this or that to me because I have everything done already.
I find this interesting... Do I smell another law suit?? I think I do it smells like a law suit, it must be a law suit.. I am so fing tired of this god damn secur rom crap. Just fing trash it.. I swear I do not want some crap installed on my Computer that is going to trash all my hard work and all my precious time I have spent on getting my system up to date with all patches exc because now I have a god damn root kit on my PC that has just fing messed everything up.. :endrant:
i cant see any texture but the road, no buildings, no people, nothing!
my system is way beyonf the recomanded!
it's a very lame port, not at all.
and i think they meant 1% is not having this problems.
These false promises must be punished by not purchasing the game. That is the only way to send the message.
I will give it a go and report back thank you.
my youtube channel is www.youtube.com/vagmonster666 if you would like to check out my videos (i made 2 gta 4 vids so far )
As much as I hate SecuROM I don't think its the cause of all the problems. This is by far one of the worst ports I have ever seen and I don't think that any simple patches will be able to repair it.
Here is just a short list of problems that I get.
Sometimes get a never ending loading screen.
Shadows are horrible.
Game crashes quite often.
Low FPS no matter how low I set the detail levels.
Major Graphical glitches
And remember that's just a short list.. I think its clear that Rockstar doesn't care about the PC gamers. Maybe they figured they could release one more GTA on the PC and make a quick buck and more profits by making it such a half assed port. I won't be surprised if we don't get the next one...
Anyone remember a particular company that released a certain game that was also "Future-proof" and that would run better and look better as PC hardware advanced?
To be honest, i don't think this is a good strategy since most PC gamers will always try cranking up their games at the maximum details and then complain about poor performance. And since a majority of these PC gamers (Or at least the ones we hear the most) have a problem playing whit "Medium" details they'll complain about poorly written code and whatever.
Rockstar may be lazy and doesn't want to improve their code and they're using the "Future-proof" strategy as an excuse.
So if your game runs slow on a mainstream computer then so it may be...but don't bring up any stupid "Future-proof" comment to cover that...one company did that and it backfired back at them.
- Tywald