Rockstar Announces GTA San Andreas

I can't wait for GTA: Boise by sweeney37 · 2004-03-01 05:30 · Score: 3, Interesting

Is this is going to be something new or just the GTA engine with some minimal improvements and a new locale? My guess is that it's the later, from what I remember GTA 4 was supposed to be an all-together new game.

Mike

Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by MaxQuordlepleen · 2004-03-01 05:33 · Score: 5, Informative

If you download your free copy of GTA 1 from the Rockstar web site ( here ) , you'll find that "Liberty City", "Vice City" and "San Andreas" are the names of the three playable cities from that game.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by dave420 · 2004-03-01 05:37 · Score: 5, Insightful

You're talking as if GTA4 was a bad game... it's clearly one of their most successful games ever, and the series has one of the largest followings around.
I think we'd be lucky if it was the GTA engine with minimal improvements in a new locale :) we'd be guaranteed a great game.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:39 · Score: -1, Flamebait

They've already announced many of the new features. In addition to killing and raping hookers, you'll be able to rape and kill children. Also, there are weapons now that are more or less effective against different races - for example, you may have an uzi that works well against blacks but not Haitians, and a shot gun that is the inverse. There will be downloadable content but only if you kill enough cops.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:42 · Score: 1, Interesting

Because murder (in 50% of all video games) is ok, but rape isn't?
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by leifm · 2004-03-01 05:45 · Score: 1

I'd guess you're right, although maybe this one will be a bit more of an update to the engine than GTA3 to GTA:VC was, since they've had 2 years between releases this time. Regardless I'd expect it to have the low technical standards that the rest of Rockstar's stuff has

--

"Windows Me offers tremendous reliability and stability improvements..." -- Paul Thurott
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by drunkentiger · 2004-03-01 05:47 · Score: 5, Informative

My guess is that it's the later, from what I remember GTA 4 was supposed to be an all-together new game.

Yes, rumors are that the real sequel to GTA3 (e.g. not just an "expansion pack" like vice city/san andreas) will be developed for next-gen consoles (xbox2, ps3). Always remember to take your grain of salt.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by zero-one · 2004-03-01 05:48 · Score: 5, Insightful

"The same GTA engine [...] with a new locale" isn't necessarily a bad thing. Both the games based on the GTA 3 engine have been very playable.

If they have got a game engine that does what they need, there is no need to re-write it for every version. Not many film reviews say "same old camera, different plot".

I was going to suggest that maybe game engines have evolved to the point where most of the effort of making a game can go into the content rather than the technology. Then I thought about all the LucasArts games based on similar SCUMM engines.

Perhaps the rule of thumb is that games need to have a certain amount of "newness" but it doesn't really matter if it comes from the technology or the content.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:48 · Score: 1, Funny

What? GTA4 is out? How did I manage to miss THAT?
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by Solosoft · 2004-03-01 05:49 · Score: 5, Interesting

It makes sense

GTA = Liberty City , Vice City , San-Andreas
GTA3 = Liberty City , Vice City , San-Andreas
GTA4 = GTA London Maps , GTA 2 Maps ???
Maybe ?

--
Solosoft.org - Your Online Resource to Nothing
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by fafaforza · 2004-03-01 05:58 · Score: 4, Interesting

I think they should license the engine from the "Driver" series and incorporate it into the game, or write an updated engine similar to that one. Cars in GTA felt too much like cardboard cutouts. With a better engine, GTA would be utopia.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by PainKilleR-CE · 2004-03-01 05:59 · Score: 5, Interesting

"The same GTA engine [...] with a new locale" isn't necessarily a bad thing. Both the games based on the GTA 3 engine have been very playable.

If they have got a game engine that does what they need, there is no need to re-write it for every version.

Additionally, it's not like the hardware got any better in the time from the start of the work on GTA3 to the present. Incremental additions, even minor, to the existing engine are far more effective on a fixed platform than they ever would be on a variable platform like the PC. At the same time, they have an existing engine that has counterparts on the PC and XBox, all of which probably use a lot of common content (though the artwork on the PC and XBox games is obviously superior to the PS2 version, the PS2 art could be generated from the PC art if they made this game with future ports in mind). They can always add the incremental improvements into the engine's ports and then polish the ports according to the platform's capabilities (ie the PC version could increase quite a bit more than either the PS2 or XBox versions), but all of that is a matter of adding workload to what is essentially supposed to be the same game.

If this were a strictly PC-based series, I'd expect much more improvement between titles, but in the case of a series in which 3 titles are released on the same platform, with absolutely no change in the platform's capabilities in the interim, there's not much point to rewriting the engine. They certainly added to it technically in GTA:VC, giving the game motion blur, better graphics, and interior areas. None of these things are really the items most people mention when they talk about the changes in Vice City, but in reality they were probably the biggest challenges they faced, technically, in building the game (of course, I don't know whether 2-wheeled vehicles were an engine limitation or not, and it's quite possible that was among the most technically challenging portions of the game's development).

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-PainKilleR-[CE]
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by sweeney37 · 2004-03-01 06:07 · Score: 4, Interesting

It's not that 'Vice City' wasn't a good game, in fact it's a great game. But even though it was a great game it was a re-hash, it was basically exactly like GTA 3 with some bells and whistles. It was fun but nothing as mind blowing as GTA 3 was.

Your right even with minimal improvements it would still would be a great game, but to be perfectly honest it wouldn't really feel like a new game.

Mike
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by gughunter · 2004-03-01 06:08 · Score: 4, Informative

I think Vice City was, in Rockstar taxonomy, a continuation of the "GTA3 line." I believe the idea was that GTA4 would be "revolutionary" instead of "evolutionary," and probably not available until the next generation of consoles arrives.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by visgoth · 2004-03-01 06:16 · Score: 5, Insightful

it was basically exactly like GTA 3 with some bells and whistles. It was fun but nothing as mind blowing as GTA 3 was.
If you replace GTA 3 with [insert EA Sports Title here] you can see that recycling the same engine, gameplay, art, etc is not an uncommon procedure.

--
My patience is infinite, my time is not.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by mrselfdestrukt · 2004-03-01 06:17 · Score: 4, Interesting

Who cares! GTA VC was not much better than GTA3. Engine still basically the same. Textures changed, different cars and ability to fly helicopters, ride bikes etc. But therein lies the beauty. It's about the storyline, the different feel. Yes, it was a major bonus to have a bit more freedom and that's what I think they will probably improve in GTA: SanAn but I still enjoy playing GTA3 every now and then even though I clocked both.Small differences and a different timeline and improvement in the AI will make this one even better although probably not much different visually from the others. I've been a GTA fan from the first one and the only one that dissapointed me was GTA2. I for one cannot wait to get my hands on this one!

--
"I used to have that really cool,funny sig ,but it got stolen."
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:26 · Score: -1, Troll

Beat it Guk, nobody wants to hear it on irc, nobody wants to hear it on slashdot..
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:27 · Score: 2, Funny

"It's a great game, but it's not what I want..."
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by defender57 · 2004-03-01 06:32 · Score: -1, Troll

GTA is a 'great' waste of time. It's a successful game because there are a lot of people out there with way too much time on their hands.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by damien_kane · 2004-03-01 06:40 · Score: 1

I don't know whether 2-wheeled vehicles were an engine limitation or not

I don't know, and it's really moot whether or not 2-whelled vehicles were a limitation...
I think Rockstart probably had much more difficulty with the user-controlled helicopter.
(The plane which you could fly I don't count, as you could do that with the dodo in GTA3)
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by fenix+down · 2004-03-01 06:41 · Score: 3, Insightful

That's kinda the point. Driver's realistic, almost, GTA gives you 0-130 in 6 seconds on wet sand.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by fenix+down · 2004-03-01 06:49 · Score: 4, Interesting

I just want some goddamn multiplayer already. I don't even care if it's online, I just want to be able to sit in the back of the damn pickup truck with the rocket launcher while somebody drives me around.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by blugu64 · 2004-03-01 07:03 · Score: 5, Informative

well it's kind of a hack but check out Multi-Theft Auto @ http://www.mtavc.com/
not the greatest thing but it does work and is pretty fun to boot!

--
"Personal ownership is a hallmark of conservative capitalism. And I don't believe I am entitled to anything that I did n
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by another_mr_lizard · 2004-03-01 07:10 · Score: 1

you may want to go here then: http://www.mtavc.com/

--
"My parents were strict, but they never pitted me against livestock" - Doug Stanhope
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by leviramsey · 2004-03-01 07:12 · Score: 4, Interesting

Except that every few years, EA performs such major surgery on the engine (at least that's what they do for Madden) that it is, for all intents and purposes a new engine.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by Glonoinha · 2004-03-01 07:22 · Score: 5, Funny

San Andreas is ok, but it does have its faults.

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Glonoinha the MebiByte Slayer
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by Savatte · 2004-03-01 07:25 · Score: 1

Hey, you can't FAULT them for trying to wring more money out of their most popular games.

Thank you, I'll be here until I'm modded down.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 07:27 · Score: 2, Interesting

How is this flamebait? The AC above me poses an interesting question:

Why is it (mostly) socially acceptable to force death upon someone in a video game while it is abhorrent to force sex upon someone in a video game?
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by yerfatma · 2004-03-01 07:27 · Score: 1

Given how they treated Driver in GTA3 (remember the undercover cop who never left his car you had to kill?), I doubt that would happen. R* made a lot of little improvements to the driving engine for Midnight Club 2. If they use that stuff, I'd be happy. Who wants to worry about what gear you're in while you're capping hookers?
The nitro boosts from MC2 could come in handy on the longer streches of pavement.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by Golias · 2004-03-01 07:42 · Score: 1

I could not agree more. I have yet to see an FPS improve on the original Quake engine. New weapons, better graphics, but pretty much the same thing in HALO, Jedi Knight, UT, and a dozen others. The GTA3 engine has been around a couple years, but I don't see their competition coming up with anything better. GTA3 and GTA:VC are plenty good enough to keep me cheerfully blowing stuff up until the X-Box port of SA comes along, which I will also want to buy, if the content is anywhere near as good as the first two.

--
Information wants to be anthropomorphized.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by SeinJunkie · 2004-03-01 07:47 · Score: 2, Informative

I think we'd be lucky if it was the GTA engine with minimal improvements in a new locale :) we'd be guaranteed a great game.

I think GTA3 had some of the best game ingredients in terms of playability, but it was made for a game console. So, when it was ported to PC, it's graphics engine was notably dated. The same was true with GTA3: Vice City.
I always hope that a new game will introduce more substance and playability, and better graphics and sound.
Using the old engine "with minimal improvements" definitely doesn't guarantee a "great game." Game developers don't need another excuse to coast on the success of a prior game. Always wish for more innovation.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by lifted_oak · 2004-03-01 07:48 · Score: 1

I agree. And if you've played Rockstar's Manhunt , you get a glimpse of the new tricks the newest iteration of the GTA engine can perform (more fluid/complex models, grainy movie filters, etc ...).
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 08:26 · Score: 0

GTA:VC looks great when I play it with everything maxed in both game and driver settings (inc. 6xFSAA and 16xAniso). FSAA and Aniso is a great way for even "older" games to catchup, because usually you're lucky if new games will run even OK at more than 2xFSAA. Frankly I think a little FSAA/Aniso should be the normal way to play even brand new games; whats the use of all these uber high res textures when their edges are so jaggy and theyre heavily blurred when looking further than your feet?

If it was released for PC now, I'd be happy with simply having GTA:VC in a new locale, plus some bug fixing and tweaking. Especially so that when you turn around cars no longer magically dissapear (especially when you're running from a whorde of cops), and make it less irritating to fly using keyboard controls (esp. for the RC 'copters and RC planes).

However, assuming the PC version of San Andreas comes at least 4 months after the PS2's mid-october, we're talking over a year - realistically, significantly over. By then I think everybody will be expecting something better looking than GTA:VC.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by mog007 · 2004-03-01 08:27 · Score: 2, Interesting

That's true. Vice City was just the old engine, but it was tweaked to hell, and it was actully best that Rockstar decided to just remake the engine. They hammered out a lot of bugs, made the game run a lot smoother, and still have better graphics, and they added a little more realism (such as weapon groups, popable tires), and the protagonist actully spoke.

--
Learn something new.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by NEOtaku17 · 2004-03-01 08:45 · Score: 2, Informative

Umm.... There has never been a GTA4. GTA Vice City did not have a number in the title such as GTA3.

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Creative Demolition
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 08:48 · Score: -1, Flamebait

And slashdot posting is successful because there are losers like YOU (and me for that matter) with way too much time on their hands
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by kin_korn_karn · 2004-03-01 08:59 · Score: 1

What makes Madden 2004 so good is that EA incorporated the Front Office Football code into the Madden engine. This is where all the in depth franchise stuff came from.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by leviramsey · 2004-03-01 09:17 · Score: 1

Madden's still not as good as FoF in that regard, though.

The number one issue I have with Madden 2004 is the inability to load the NFL Europe teams into NFL divisions. I'd like to run a franchise-mode simulation where I put an NFLE team in the NFL.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by WorkEmail · 2004-03-01 09:30 · Score: 1

GTA 4 will be a different game completely. I think of Vice City and San Andreas as "Expansion Packs" basically. They already have the game made, they might as well tweak it a little graphically and add some new things to do, move some buildings around and make a few million more right? lol. I get sick of people refering to Vice City as GTA 4. I We have all heard the rumors of GTA4 being a massively multiplayer online game right? I read several articles that hinted at it. I think they should, that would be great. Releasing San Andreas for only Playstation 2 s a dumb move. It will come out at $19.99 for Xbox and computer about 8 months after it's PS2 release.
PC > XBOX > GameCube > PS2, wich is equal to a TI-85 in my book. :)
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by milkman_matt · 2004-03-01 10:02 · Score: 1

Umm.... There has never been a GTA4. GTA Vice City did not have a number in the title such as GTA3.

Heh, where have we seen this before? (SFII?). I think the best route to go here is to just stop numbering them and branch off into new names.. don't make a GTA4, or if you do, make it a completely different game. But if they just branch off into GTA:(City Name) instead, then they won't appear to be following the trend of SFII, SFII:Champion Edition, SFII Turbo CE, etc, etc, etc... I dunno, just my thoughts on the matter..

-matt

PS: That "San Andreas is ok, but it does have its faults" comment was one of the best damned puns i've read on here in a long while, heh.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 10:20 · Score: -1, Offtopic

Nobody uses IRC you dumbass fuck. Go play with your mIRC scripts. Or are you too cool and use bitchx or X-Chat instead? You fucker!
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 10:30 · Score: -1, Offtopic

NFL sucks, so I guess that pretty much ends this discussion?
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by LinuxIsEvil · 2004-03-01 10:38 · Score: 1

So is Britney Spears and Rap music, but they both sux.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by decepty · 2004-03-01 10:46 · Score: 1

A LOT of Rockstar titles use the same engine, or at least bits and pieces... Two off the top of my head are State of Emergency (run around like a gimp and kill people) and Midnight Club/MC2 (gee, driving around Los Angeles looks a lot like drivig around Vice City) - But that doesnt seem to make any of those games any less successful. Rockstar has just found a formula that works and instead of reinventing the wheel every time, the recycle the same engine and focus on the other details that make their games so strangely addicting. I'm going to hold any sort of speculation on the quality of this game until I actually play it, thank-you-very-much.

--
Be careful! Bears shouldn't consume large furry dogs.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by jamshid42 · 2004-03-01 11:00 · Score: 0

Because killing only pisses off soccer moms, whereas rape gets all of the feminazis after you. I'd rather deal with a soccer mom in my face than a feminazi.

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/. - Proof that Sturgeon's Law is true...
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by black+mariah · 2004-03-01 11:06 · Score: 2, Interesting

Rockstar has stated numerous times that GTA4 won't be appearing until the next generation of consoles is out. They want the jump from 3 to 4 to be like the jump from 2 to 3. Someone said it earlier 'Revolutionary rather than evolutionary'. The current consoles are practically tapped out running GTA:VC.

--
'Standards' in computing only impress those who are impressed by things like 'standards'.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by dzeroo · 2004-03-01 11:26 · Score: 0

that cracked me up .. lol

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== chicks are for fags ==
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by Fiz+Ocelot · 2004-03-01 11:43 · Score: 1

I wonder if they're looking to possibly lisence GTA4 exclusively with one of the new consoles such as PS3 or Xbox2. I mean, it would be a huge deal. There's sooo many people who would purchase that new console just to play that game. I'm sure either Sony or Microsoft could make it worth it for Rockstar to sign such a deal, if they haven't already.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by Mitijea · 2004-03-01 13:11 · Score: 1

The reason it is flamebait is that none of it is true. The author is just trying to get a rise out of us by using cliched and inaccurate assertions. I believe there is no way that there will be child killing in this game. (For one reason, Sony has stated they would never approve of a game with it.) In fact, if I had to put money on it, I'd say, as in the past, there will be no children in the game at all. As for killing hookers... you can already do that. Just the same as every other person on the street. They are not singled out in the game, only in peoples negative impressions of the game.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by obeythefist · 2004-03-01 17:48 · Score: 1

It'll be the same old engine with a few little tweaks. The reason we know this? It's being released on an ancient console. No need to buy a new PC for this one, anything that'll run GTA3 will run this.

--
I am government man, come from the government. The government has sent me. -- G.I.R.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by lord_nightrose · 2004-03-01 18:33 · Score: 0

Um... GTA3 was just Liberty City... but I'm sure you knew that, right?

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This is not part of my post. It's my signature. I bet you're disappointed.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by dave420 · 2004-03-01 21:00 · Score: 1

Pedantry is alive and well on slashdot.
Of course there was no game labelled "GTA:4", but there was a 4th game in the GTA series. However, "GTA: Vice City" is longer to type and has no indication (to those less informed about this series, as few as there may be) to its position in the GTA series.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by danila · 2004-03-01 21:34 · Score: 1

Motion blur was in the GTA3.

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Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by danila · 2004-03-01 21:41 · Score: 1

Graphically they should do something like Mercedes-Bezn World Racing. And physically the next Driv3r version should work great (judging from the trailers).

The truth is, though, modern PCs (and next gen consoles) can already do quite a bit more than GTA does. Almost two years ago when GTA3 came out on PCs it was impressive graphically, despite the fact that the engine was very poorly coded performance-wise.

In John Carmack's opinion, in 10 years it should be possible to do a completely realistic real-time rendering of a generic environment (visual realism only). To stay relevant Rockstar will need to completely blow us away with their GTA4 title, since it will not come out in two years.

And if they fail to deliver, there will be updated Driv3r, next version of Mafia (which will probably look better in any case) and what not.

--
Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by benjymous · 2004-03-01 22:08 · Score: 1

I think he meant

GTA3 pt1 = Liberty City (GTA3)
GTA3 pt2 = Vice City (GTA:VC)
GTA3 pt3 = San Andreas (GTA:SA)

since Vice City was basically just a rehash of GTA3 with a new city and a slightly updated engine, and I imagine GTA:SA will be a rehash of GTA:VC with a few more improvements

And as other people have said, GTA4 is meant to be a totally new game (whenever it appears), even though I've seen GTA:VC incorrectly referred to as GTA4

--
Help me! I'm turning into a grapefruit!
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by benjymous · 2004-03-01 22:12 · Score: 1

That's why people write GTA:VC (or GTA:SA for San Andreas)

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Help me! I'm turning into a grapefruit!
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by PainKilleR-CE · 2004-03-02 00:02 · Score: 1

Motion blur was in the GTA3

If it was, then it certainly wasn't to the extent of Vice City. It actually is a feature that I don't care for at all, and I didn't notice it in GTA3, but saw it all the time in Vice City. Of course, since I only have the XBox versions now, I can't go back and check for myself without renting the PS2 version.

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-PainKilleR-[CE]
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by Golantig · 2004-03-02 01:08 · Score: 1

Small point, GTA4 is not vice city and San Andreas is not GTA5.

GTA4 will be out on PS3.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by wheresdrew · 2004-03-02 02:50 · Score: 1

Rockstar (the parent company) already owns a great engine. The one in Midnight Club II (from Rockstar San Diego, formerly Angel Studios) showed how they could do a very detailed (and BIG) city environment. Tweak it a bit to add pedestrians, cops and some of the other things that were standard in GTA3/VC and it would feel like a bigger step than between 3 & VC.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by gabec · 2004-03-02 03:45 · Score: 1

Always remember to take your grain of salt.
As in Hollywood, "If it makes money, there will be a sequel." GTA is the highest-grossing video game of this console-generation, if not of all time. I recall being told it was the highest-grossing game of all time but... I could be wrong... Good thing you've already taken your grain of salt!
Speaking of Hollywood, given GTA's devoted following it's only a matter of time before some "creative genius" sees the "creative potential and masterful storyline" behind GTA and licenses it for the Big Screen.
(Casting announcements in three.... two...)
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by gabec · 2004-03-02 03:59 · Score: 1

OK I realize everyone has already posted the links to their various favorite GTA-Multiplayer hacks, but the reality is that those programs blow. They're flaky, buggy, and only considered useable because they are fan-made and As-Good-As-It-Gets. If they had been released by Rockstar they would have been booed back to the drawingboard.
The last time I played I was chasing this guy down and all I could see was the green arrow pointing to empty air. I chased after it anyway and ran smack into... nothing. I shot... at nothing and eventually nothing ran my ass over because it was a fucking BUS. Who knew? It suddenly appeared AS IT ROLLED OVER MY DEAD ASS. so... Yeah.
I'm still being optimistic that it'll show up in San Andreas... Hopefully those with the actual source code could eventually get it to work cleanly.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by dave420 · 2004-03-02 04:07 · Score: 1

And that indicates it's the 4th game in the series how, exactly? :-P that was my point
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by iainl · 2004-03-02 04:37 · Score: 1

Well, you could give up on all that fancy over-the-shoulder thing, and use the perfectly playable GTA1 or 2, both of which supported multiplayer in their PC incarnations.

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"I Know You Are But What Am I?"
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-02 11:13 · Score: 0

yes - motion blur on in GTA3 and it was very subtle - you'd notice tail lights at night and some blurring in rain and fog. Sometimes I'd notice a performance hit during harsh weather and when tons of things were going on so I probably turned it off after a time.

But Rockstar cranked blur WAY up in Vice City to the point of hampering framerate on the PS2 as well as just making everything muddy since the lighting effects were always extreemly bright during the day.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by Solosoft · 2004-03-02 12:35 · Score: 1

wow ... you read my mind except said it better

Thanks

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Solosoft.org - Your Online Resource to Nothing
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by mandalayx · 2004-03-03 19:17 · Score: 1

If you replace GTA 3 with [insert EA Sports Title here] you can see that recycling the same engine, gameplay, art, etc is not an uncommon procedure.

Actually, come to think of it, rewriting the program from the ground up doesn't always work too well.
Re:I can't wait for GTA: Boise by mandalayx · 2004-03-03 19:22 · Score: 1

I think you hit the nail on the head here: what makes GTA special is the excessively fun gameplay. The graphics enhance the game, but I would be much more disapointed if they didn't come up with any gameplay improvements. Ironically, though, the most important improvements are the hardest to tell at this stage of the game.

-NULL-Damion

Too bad... by dfj225 · 2004-03-01 05:31 · Score: 5, Troll

I was looking forward to the xbox edition.

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SIGFAULT

Re:Too bad... by healy · 2004-03-01 05:36 · Score: 1, Insightful

Why the hell is this moderated as a Troll? I happen to own both PS2 & Xbox versions of the gta games. I was looking forward to an Xbox edition as well.

--
"Jesus saves sinners...and redeems them for valuable coupons"
Re:Too bad... by PainKilleR-CE · 2004-03-01 05:42 · Score: 1

I traded in my PS2 versions when I bought the XBox versions. Personally, I'd like to see this one released on the XBox as well, but I realize that due to Rockstar's pre-existing agreement with Sony it's unlikely that it will happen until quite some time after the game's initial release.

--
-PainKilleR-[CE]
Re:Too bad... by leifm · 2004-03-01 05:50 · Score: 2, Interesting

If XBOX 2 is released in '05 I wonder if the XBOX version of this would be for XBOX or XBOX 2...

--

"Windows Me offers tremendous reliability and stability improvements..." -- Paul Thurott
Re:Too bad... by drunkentiger · 2004-03-01 05:51 · Score: 5, Informative

due to Rockstar's pre-existing agreement with Sony it's unlikely that it will happen until quite some time after the game's initial release

Well, you may not have to wait too long. The exclusivity deal with Sony ends this year. So you could see an xbox version as early as Jan 1, 2005, just a few months after the ps2 release.
Re:Too bad... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:53 · Score: -1, Flamebait

"I traded in my PS2 versions when I bought the XBox versions."

Dumbshit.

Let me guess...cause you read on Usenet that "teh xbox is most powerful"
Re:Too bad... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:00 · Score: 0

i was looking forward to the Linux edition, but i guess they've decided to be stuck in their windows world.
Re:Too bad... by PainKilleR-CE · 2004-03-01 06:06 · Score: 1

Let me guess...cause you read on Usenet that "teh xbox is most powerful"

Yes, because I trust everything I read on Usenet, just like Slashdot.

On the other hand, I could have picked up the games at Blockbuster, put them into the XBox that I bought primarily to play Halo and PGR, and realized that they were blatantly better-looking versions of the games I already had, and therefore worth the $30 the pair cost when I traded in the PS2 versions of the games.

Oh, wait, I forgot, somehow the PS2 is both more powerful than every system I own (*cough* Soul Calibur on my DreamCast looks better than Soul Calibur 2 on my PS2), and not used for nefarious purposes by the company that owns it (despite being the most profitable arm of a company that is a multiple-times-over member of the RIAA and MPAA, as opposed to the biggest money-sink from a company with a monopoly on desktop operating systems).

--
-PainKilleR-[CE]
Re:Too bad... by ydnar · 2004-03-01 06:07 · Score: 1

Technically it is.
Re:Too bad... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:08 · Score: 0

That, or the fact that PS2 graphics suck.
Re:Too bad... by TitusC3v5 · 2004-03-01 06:11 · Score: 1

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. I've heard the same comment from the other 5 Xbox owners...

--
And the masses cried out, "09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0!"
Re:Too bad... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:13 · Score: -1, Flamebait

Former Dreamcast loser.

That explains everything.

Have a nice day.
Re:Too bad... by El_Ge_Ex · 2004-03-01 06:17 · Score: 3, Funny

wow, first time I've seen: (Score:4, Troll)

impressive!

-B
Re:Too bad... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:32 · Score: 1, Interesting

Not to sound like a Microsoft salesman, but the GTA 3 double pack loads and looks alot better on the xbox. Theres also the cool feature of using music you ripped on the xbox too.
Re:Too bad... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:38 · Score: 0

"Theres also the cool feature of using music you ripped on the xbox too."

Wow. Those 70 million PS2 owners are really missing out.
Re:Too bad... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:40 · Score: 0

Troll or no troll, I was thinking the same thing when I read this article. The XBOX version of GTA 3 and Vice is really a big improvement over the original on the PS2. The custom soundtrack is nice too.
Re:Too bad... by The+Other+White+Boy · 2004-03-01 07:53 · Score: 1

50% Underrated and 20% Overrated to boot. If i wasn't replying to this i think i'd have to throw a fourth modifier in there just for fun.
Re:Too bad... by mclove · 2004-03-01 09:14 · Score: 1

Well yes, but since Sony still owns a substantial chunk of Rockstar I suspect the deal will either get renewed or otherwise continued.
Re:Too bad... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 10:08 · Score: 0

...the GTA 3 double pack loads and looks alot better on the xbox. Theres also the cool feature of using music you ripped on the xbox too.
So, remember, folks, for a totally-immersive hooker-killing experience, it's the XBox, from Microsoft. That's Micro-soft.
Re:Too bad... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 11:30 · Score: 0

Well, you may not have to wait too long. The exclusivity deal with Sony ends this year [gamespot.com]. So you could see an xbox version as early as Jan 1, 2005, just a few months after the ps2 release.

Well that's irrelevant too- they announced this "exclusive deal" for Sony's PS2 platform a year ago and what do we have now? PC and xbox versions of GTA3/VC.. their PR babble is devoid of truth
Re:Too bad... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 13:56 · Score: 0

It will probably be released on Xbox, meanwhile you will have to deal with this post being modded as troll because this person likes a Microsoft (or should I say "M$" to satifisy hell-bent advocates?) product.
Xbox Live is shit
Re:Too bad... by rrace · 2004-03-01 14:36 · Score: 1

look at it this way. since it will feature multiplayer, the thousands of ps2 owners will be able to enjoy multiplayer free, unlike xbox live...

GTA CAUSES SCHOOL SHOOTINGS by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:31 · Score: -1, Flamebait

Be ashamed of yourself, Slashdot, for supporting these murderers.

Awesome! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:32 · Score: 5, Funny

I want to be in an earthquake doing 160 along the fault line! Sweet!

=P Seriously it would be awesome to have an earthquake in a game, I don't think any other GTA-style game has done something like that (i.e. disaster scenarios).

Re:Awesome! by dotwaffle · 2004-03-01 05:34 · Score: 0, Troll

Errr. Sim City 2000, 3000...
Re:Awesome! by soft_guy · 2004-03-01 05:38 · Score: 2, Funny

Zork III had an earthquake.

Yeah, its not exactly what you mean by "GTA style", but I still love it.

--
Avoid Missing Ball for High Score
Re:Awesome! by EnderWiggnz · 2004-03-01 05:38 · Score: 5, Funny

yeh, i an remember beating a hooker to death with my SimBaseballBat...

--
... hi bingo ...
Re:Awesome! by dswartze · 2004-03-01 05:41 · Score: 5, Funny

I would be willing to put money on the idea that in the beginning of the game that the bridges to the other parts of the city will have taken earthquake damage.
Re:Awesome! by Stuwee · 2004-03-01 05:42 · Score: 1

The original SimCity had earthquakes if I recall correctly. Now once GTA gets fires, airplane crashes, tornadoes and godzilla terrorizing the streets I can finally ditch my Amiga!
Re:Awesome! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:48 · Score: 0

I seem to remember Duke Nukem having an earthquake in one of the canyon levels - it's the only earthquake in a 3D game I can think of.

Not much happened though, the screen shook, a crunching sound played and big polygons appeared where there were no big polygons before...
Re:Awesome! by nharmon · 2004-03-01 05:56 · Score: 4, Interesting

I really do not like how you have to play missions to open up parts of the city. This doesn't seem right.

Perhaps they could open the parts up after so much play time.

However, if they really want to the changing dynamic of landscape to match the dynamic of the story, they should change the landscape.

For example, I think it would be killer if part of the city suffered an earth quake and turned into a Terminator2-like chaotic warzone. Missions in those parts would be AWESOME.
Re:Awesome! by strictnein · 2004-03-01 06:09 · Score: 1

I seem to remember Duke Nukem having an earthquake in one of the canyon levels

It was a jab at iD Software and Quake. Right after the earthquake Duke says something like "I ain't afraid of no quake"

--
Casual Games/Downloads
Re:Awesome! by Prior+Restraint · 2004-03-01 06:24 · Score: 3, Insightful

I really do not like how you have to play missions to open up parts of the city. This doesn't seem right.

Perhaps they could open the parts up after so much play time.

I agree that it's frustrating, but I can't agree with your solution.

Part of the reason for keeping parts of the city locked are to keep you from accessing certain vehicles during the early missions. If you could get your hands on a tank at the beginning of the game, where's the challenge?

Besides, as soon as you make it a time-lock feature, every gamer will just get into the habit of starting a new game at bed-time, letting it run while they sleep, and save once they wake up. Absolutely nothing bad happens to you when you're just standing around (a few places you might get mugged or something, but there's always some remote place you can get to).
Re:Awesome! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 07:15 · Score: 0

just reading your sig, What is a Hypocracy? Is that government by hypocrits? I've heard of hypocrisy but that's someting else atogether.
Re:Awesome! by HTH+NE1 · 2004-03-01 07:26 · Score: 1

I really do not like how you have to play missions to open up parts of the city. This doesn't seem right.

Just take it as if the people responsible for rebuilding the bridges have ties to organized crime, and their take from major crimes has to rise enough so that they can afford to repair the bridges at the low bid they gave the city.

--
Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
Re:Awesome! by WormholeFiend · 2004-03-01 07:51 · Score: 2, Interesting

I liked how in GTAVC they left a "legit" method to stunt your way past the bridge adjacent to the movie studios... ie using the speedbike to jump with the ramp truck over the wall and onto the bridge behind the invisible wall.

IIRC you could still get the tank at the army base, but you couldnt cross it to the other island unless you cheated.

The main advantage you could get was to collect all the green statues and have a better weapon selection at your hideouts (and the attack helicopter too on the pad near the beach).

I hope that R* continues with the habit of leaving lots of hidden and unintended stuff to do.
Re:Awesome! by necronom426 · 2004-03-01 09:10 · Score: 1

Roadkill has tornados, which are quite good. They suck you up into the air if you get too close and the ground shakes.

For me, Roadkill is filling the hole left by not having GTA5 last October/November.
Re:Awesome! by Uerige · 2004-03-01 09:53 · Score: 2, Interesting

Yes, yes, you're being funny. But. San Andreas has no bridges in the original game. They'll have to come up with something new.
Re:Awesome! by teklob · 2004-03-01 10:34 · Score: 1

I remember in the original sim city you could call distasters onto your town to, supposedly, see how well your emergency response systems fared. There were earthquakes, tornados, floods, power outages and even Godzilla that would emerge from the sea and smash buildings. I don't really know what it was for, as calling a disaster onto your town never made alot of sense to me.
Re:Awesome! by contradyction · 2004-03-01 11:40 · Score: 1, Informative

Actually, San Andreas had quite a few bridges in GTA1. Check out the map.
Re:Awesome! by jonnystiph · 2004-03-01 14:04 · Score: 1

Although the terrian would not be the same, turn on citzen riot and give everyone guns. Then run the missions. Not terribly recommended in GTA3 as it was nearly impossible.

--
If we don't make light of everything, we are just stumbling in the dark - Blank
Re:Awesome! by dotwaffle · 2004-03-01 17:35 · Score: 1

Ditch your amiga? The renaissance is coming! No longer will your TV be only for TV channels again! Once more, you can have massive Sensi Soccer tourney's in your front room!
Re:Awesome! by bentcd · 2004-03-02 09:28 · Score: 1

A less heavy-handed solution would be to just make
the vehicles appear at the point in the story
where they should become available. As far as I
can tell, copters don't exist in GTA:VC until
you've done the first copter mission. After that,
you can find them all over the place.

--
sigs are hazardous to your health

exclusivity by Neophytus · 2004-03-01 05:32 · Score: 4, Interesting

Is this console exclusivity or won't it be reaching the PC at all. They've been vauge in the past and having just released 3 & 4 for the xbox I expect that cash will speak the loudest words.

Re:exclusivity by PainKilleR-CE · 2004-03-01 05:39 · Score: 5, Informative

Is this console exclusivity or won't it be reaching the PC at all.

If any previous game with PS2 exclusivity (including Rockstar's games) is any indicator, this announcement has no impact on any possible PC release. That being said, it's doubtful it will be released for the PC for a while.

They've been vauge in the past and having just released 3 & 4 for the xbox I expect that cash will speak the loudest words

Just a note, GTA:Vice City isn't GTA4, and neither is San Andreas. VC and SA are simply continuations of GTA3 (given that Liberty City, Vice City, and San Andreas are the playable areas in GTA, and that Rockstar was very explicit about this before and during the launch of Vice City). GTA4 has been hovering around for quite some time, but it doesn't really appear that they've done much on that, given the amount of work they've put into the GTA3 titles.

--
-PainKilleR-[CE]
Re:exclusivity by dave420 · 2004-03-01 05:40 · Score: 1

Well, seeing as 1, 2, 3 and 4 are all out on the PC, I'm pretty sure 5 will be, too. They do, however, stagger the releases (GTA3/PC was released over 6 months after its PS/2 counterpart), which technically makes it 'exclusive' for consoles for a few months, at least :)
Re:exclusivity by nharmon · 2004-03-01 05:40 · Score: 3, Redundant

GTA: Vice City was released "exclusively for the console", although we see now that it is on PC.

You will not see GTA:SA for the PC until probably early 2006.

I'm glad to see they aren't waiting for the next Playstation, which means the PS2 I bought in order to play Vice City will also work with San Andreas!

I, for one, welcome our new GTA overlords.
Re:exclusivity by rholliday · 2004-03-01 05:58 · Score: 1

They're also both released on X-Box, so eventually Rockstar gets around to it.

... new gta ... must not drool ... new gta ... must not ...

--
Xbox reviews.. We think they're funny.
Re:exclusivity by DemiKnute · 2004-03-01 06:00 · Score: 3, Informative

Actually, for both GTA3 and Vice City, the PC version was released around the May after the October the PS2 version was released in. So we're looking at maybe 7 months. (Unless you bought a PS2 just to play GTA and Gran Turismo, like me)

--
.
Re:exclusivity by silkySlim · 2004-03-01 06:09 · Score: 2, Informative

When Sony gets (read: buys) exclusivity with a title, it's in the console domain only. So a PC version is not out of the question.
Re:exclusivity by TheLinuxSRC · 2004-03-01 06:30 · Score: 1

Is this console exclusivity or won't it be reaching the PC at all.

This makes me think about something. Sony and Microsoft have both worked very hard to remove mod chips from the market and nintendo went and created their own version of the DVD; all to prevent "piracy". Now, they delay the release of PC versions until 6 months or so after the console version. While I can see how this works, and it is fine for now, what are the ramifications of the next generation consoles that are going to require internet connectivity? Is this how DRM is going to be pushed on us? Please, read the post before you mod off-topic.
Re:exclusivity by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:39 · Score: 0

It's because they signed a contract with sony to release it exclusviely on the PS2 console. This doesn't restrict them from the PC as it is not a console, and later the contract will expire then they are free to release on other consoles. IMO it's all sony's fault for being so pissy. I'd rather play any game on a PC. I refuse to waste $200 on an inferior console for inferior gameplay and limit my activities on such a computer when I have a kickass computer I've already spent thousands on that can handle anything. I've played the PS2 and PC verions of vice city and the difference in graphics quality and loading times alone make the PC version a better game. The loading times on a PC takes approximately 2 seconds while the PS2 takes over 30! Why would you pay extra to limit your experience?
Re:Exclusivity by Zed2K · 2004-03-01 10:14 · Score: 1

Why don't you just say PS2 sucks, xbox rulez, dude.

Its basically the same thing as you said.

Get over it. Exclusives rule the console world. Don't like it? Buy all the consoles and you can play whatever you want.
Re:exclusivity by daddy+norcal · 2004-03-01 13:43 · Score: 1

GTA: Vice City was released "exclusively for the console", although we see now that it is on PC.

Actually, your wrong.

Grand Theft Auto 3 and GTA:VC were both origionally released exclusively for PS2 , not just console. Rockstar had an exclusivity deal with Sony, which makes perfect sense. By handing Rockstar a check to make sure those titles stayed Playstation only, Sony sold millions of additional PS2's. I believe that this agreement did allow for the porting to PC, as there is no first party developer to compete with there, and Rockstar has always developed for the PC independly of console commitments.

However, after the sales curve had peaked, Rockstar then offered exlusivity rights for the forthcoming GTA title to Sony again, in exchange for being able to tkae GTA3 and Vice City to the Xbox. It made sense to Sony, and allowed Rockstar to sell a few million more copies.
Re:Exclusivity by Mr2001 · 2004-03-01 14:54 · Score: 1

Hey, that's a great idea. You know, if Sony made a network adapter, they could have multiplayer GTA on PS2! It could have a phone jack, so the people without broadband aren't left out, and maybe even an IDE connector so you could plug in a hard drive. Sweet!

Too bad Microsoft(tm) XBOX(tm) is the only console with those features, right?

--
Visual IRC: Fast. Powerful. Free.
Re:exclusivity by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 15:44 · Score: 0

I for one almost puked. You slashdot cliche.

/. == thieves by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:32 · Score: -1, Troll

Slashdot Promotes Stealing

Thief 3 Website Goes Live"
"Rockstar Announces GTA San Andreas"
Stories about SCO's rightful property
ANYTHING about the good people at RIAA and the theft of the starving musician's music..

San Andreas? by ackthpt · 2004-03-01 05:32 · Score: 5, Funny

San Andreas? Where'd they get that name? How about Grand Theft Bicycle: Vatican

--

A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar

Re:San Andreas? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:36 · Score: 0

I think this will describe the areas of California that you'll be able to drive-by and debauch in. The San Andreas area covers quite a bit of territory, not to mention several major cities and landmarks of interest.
Re:San Andreas? by mlnelson · 2004-03-01 05:36 · Score: 2, Informative

Comes from the original GTA, which had three cities: San Andreas, Liberty City, and Vice City. See a trend here?
Re:San Andreas? by dotwaffle · 2004-03-01 05:37 · Score: 1

I would rather play Grand Theft Bicycle: Cambridge, or even better... Grand Theft B52: Vietnam!
Re:San Andreas? by DomCurtis187 · 2004-03-01 05:38 · Score: 2, Funny

Grand Theft Bicycle: Vatican

Wouldn't that be Grand Theft Pope-Mobile?!
Re:San Andreas? by ackthpt · 2004-03-01 05:45 · Score: 5, Funny

Comes from the original GTA, which had three cities: San Andreas, Liberty City, and Vice City. See a trend here?
Ah, so the names probably go like:

San Andreas==Los Angeles
Liberty City==Philadelphia
Vice City==New York City
They oughta try some variations on the GTA idea:
Grand Theft Pickup Truck: Dallas
Grand Theft Tractor: Des Moines
Grand Theft Segway: Cleveland
Grand Theft Pinto: Detroit
Grand Theft SUV: San Jose
Grand Theft Burro: Guadalajara
Grand Theft Moose: Chilliwac
Grand Theft Tricycle: Neverland Ranch

--

A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
Re:San Andreas? by Elwood+P+Dowd · 2004-03-01 05:47 · Score: -1

C'mon.

Liberty City = New York City
Vice City = Las Vegas
San Andreas = San Francisco

--

There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
Re:San Andreas? by ackthpt · 2004-03-01 05:48 · Score: 5, Funny

Grand Theft Bicycle: Vatican

Wouldn't that be Grand Theft Pope-Mobile?!
"I can see the suspect clearly, but I can't get a good shot at him!"

--

A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
Re:San Andreas? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:48 · Score: 1, Informative

You've never actually seen these games (or the real cities), have you?

Liberty City is like New York. Get it? Statue of Liberty?

Vice City is like Miami. Get it? Miami Vice?

San Andreas is like LA. Get it? The fault?
Re:San Andreas? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:51 · Score: 0

Almost.

Vice City = Miami
Re:San Andreas? by ackthpt · 2004-03-01 05:56 · Score: 1

Grand Theft B52: Vietnam!
In the retro theme...
Grand Theft Rickshaw: Shanghai
Grand Theft Trabant: East Germany

--

A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
Re:San Andreas? by Rude+Turnip · 2004-03-01 05:57 · Score: 5, Informative

No way...

Liberty City = New York City. Big chunks of the roads in the game remind me of similar streets in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Vice City = Perhaps you're too young to remember Miami Vice???

--
Bill Clinton: Pimp we can believe in. - The Shirt!!!
Re:San Andreas? by Elwood+P+Dowd · 2004-03-01 05:58 · Score: 1

You're right. They're all amalgams anyway, I guess.

--

There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
Re:San Andreas? by ackthpt · 2004-03-01 05:58 · Score: 1

I've been to the cities, but never paid attention in the game.

--

A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
Re:San Andreas? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:03 · Score: 0

Yeah, there are lots of Cubans racing speedboats all through Vegas.
Re:San Andreas? by LittleGuy · 2004-03-01 06:32 · Score: 5, Funny

San Andreas? Where'd they get that name? How about 'Grand Theft Bicycle: Vatican'

That should be "Grand Theft Popemobile: Vatican" --

* You evade the Swiss Guards
* Instead of beating up hookers, you burn heretics
* You get healing points for touching relics
* True 'Easter egg' - 'Mad Max' Level
* Subtitled in Latin and Italian

--
Mod Karma -1: I sed bad wurds. If I cep my mouf shut, I wud be at riyses.
Re:San Andreas? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:36 · Score: 1, Informative

they have the andreas fault in the bay area too guy

Golden Gate Bridge on the GTA1 map of San Andreas - Get it?
Re:San Andreas? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:37 · Score: 0

The Cambridge version would, of course, be GTA: Vice Chancellor City.
Re:San Andreas? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:48 · Score: 1, Informative

San Andreas is more like San Francisco, GTA 1 had a really large red bridge in it anyway.
Re:San Andreas? by comedian23 · 2004-03-01 06:52 · Score: 1

So which is it based on SoCal or NorCal? I'm assuming SoCal. Honestly I would be scared to play a game which attempts to recreate semi-realistic missions through the Bay Area's underground scene. I never played GTA1 so I don't know where that was based.

-Comedian
Re:San Andreas? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 07:04 · Score: 0

grand theft auto is a type of crime.
Re:San Andreas? by HTH+NE1 · 2004-03-01 07:33 · Score: 1

Yeah, there are lots of Cubans racing speedboats all through Vegas.

Next week, on an all new CSI:...

--
Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
Re:San Andreas? by HTH+NE1 · 2004-03-01 07:39 · Score: 1

Grand Theft Starship: Damogran

--
Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
Re:San Andreas? by Meiyo+Neko · 2004-03-01 07:58 · Score: 1

From all the GTA news latly, I thought it was going to be Grand Theft Auto: Kill all the Haitians.
Re:San Andreas? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 07:58 · Score: 0

No they are pretty disctinct analogues of these cities. They even have bridges and beaches to strenghten this fact. You were just plain wrong, admit it and feel better!
Re:San Andreas? by ackthpt · 2004-03-01 07:59 · Score: 1

Yeah, there are lots of Cubans racing speedboats all through Vegas.
Not yet, anyway. Considering all the big hotels with moats, canals, (Treasure Island with the ship battle) and everything, its only a matter of time.

--

A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
Re:San Andreas? by Elwood+P+Dowd · 2004-03-01 08:35 · Score: 1

Fair enough. I did pretty well considering I've never seen GTA.

--

There are no trails. There are no trees out here.
Re:San Andreas? by cristofer8 · 2004-03-01 08:40 · Score: 1

Which, as people have started to mention, are New York, Miami, and Oakland (not LA).
Re:San Andreas? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 08:57 · Score: 0

I'm a loner, a rebel.
Re:San Andreas? by crgrace · 2004-03-01 09:06 · Score: 3, Informative

Ah, so the names probably go like:

San Andreas==Los Angeles

Actually San Andreas==San Francisco.

It's laid out like San Francisco and many of the neighborhoods are plays on San Francisco neighborhoods.
Re:San Andreas? by crgrace · 2004-03-01 09:09 · Score: 1

Which, as people have started to mention, are New York, Miami, and Oakland (not LA).

San Andreas is not Oakland. One look at the map that comes with GTA and its obvious that it is San Francisco (across the Bay Bridge from Oakland).
Re:San Andreas? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 09:18 · Score: -1, Flamebait

Wasn't Liberty City set in/around Portland somewhere?
Re:San Andreas? by Darth_brooks · 2004-03-01 09:39 · Score: 2, Funny

None of those games would work.

Grand Theft Pickup Truck: Dallas

You'd get frustrated and return the game after getting shotgun'd or .357'd by everybody you tried to jack.

Grand Theft Tractor: Des Moines

While the thought of beating the brains out of Ashton Kutcher is appealing, you'd have terrain problems. GTA with no hills anywhere on the map?

Grand Theft Segway: Cleveland

It just wouldn't be Cleveland without some way to replicate the smell of Lake Erie

Grand Theft Pinto: Detroit

Remember that annoying little road in GTA3 that was under construction? Multiply that by 10,000 and you'll have Detroit. Christ even the People Mover has construction going right now.

Grand Theft Moose: Chilliwac

You thought load times between cities was bad in Vice City? Try stealing a Cheetah then driving for an hour and a half to reach the next major city. Though becoming the Mafia kingpin of Medicine Hat does have possibilities....

--
There are some people that if they don't know, you can't tell 'em.
Re:San Andreas? by goobenet · 2004-03-01 10:19 · Score: 1

>That should be "Grand Theft Popemobile: >Vatican" --
>
>* You evade the Swiss Guards
>* Instead of beating up hookers, you burn >heretics
>* You get healing points for touching relics
>* True 'Easter egg' - 'Mad Max' Level
>* Subtitled in Latin and Italian

Wasn't there a game similar to that? Oh yea, Hexen... :P
Re:San Andreas? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 10:59 · Score: 0

Ah, I love people who speak about stuff they know nothing about.
Re:San Andreas? by Zakabog · 2004-03-01 11:04 · Score: 1

lol wow I hope you're joking

Vice City==New York City

BWAHAHAHAHAHA have you ever been to NYC? I don't remember all that sun and palm trees, and the golf course? In NYC? Well on staten island there's one but it's not an island course. It's really Miami, they even have some places that are in Miami (Little Haiti, some other places I don't really know the names of cause I've never been to Miami.)

San Andreas==Los Angeles

No I think that's San Francisco but I'm not sure since I haven't played the game, or seen it in the first GTA

Liberty City==Philadelphia

3 out of 3 wrong, have you even been to any of these citys? If that was Philadelphia, where's Love Park? Pat's King of Cheese Steak (across the street from Geno's with some kind of related missions of course :-))? And even the liberty bell, independance hall, any of the historic buildings philadelphia is famous for? Liberty City is NYC (home of rockstar north by the way), Staunton Island, Staten Island, hello. Statue of liberty, Liberty City... get it? And they made the game (the first one) around the time when all the NYC liscense plates had the statue in the middle so it was a major icon. The NYC MTA bus stop signs are in the game too (although these are also in vice city which is really weird but then again Rockstar north got the textures from the bus stops outside their office probably.) The Brooklyn Bridge is in this game too (I think, I'm pretty sure, haven't played in a while.) A lot of the area names and roads are just like in NYC too (forgot which ones, I think it's something like you start in liberty city, that goes to a brooklyn type place and then to staunton island which is supposed to be staten island, and the order of going their is the same as if you were really in NYC.)
Re:San Andreas? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 11:44 · Score: 1, Insightful

i lived in Miami- and I'll tell you while the map is obviously simplified it's pretty freaking impressive! Certain places really feel like their real-life counterparts.. ++karma to the graphics team who obviously spent a lot of time in the locale snapping pics
Re:San Andreas? by R33MSpec · 2004-03-01 12:18 · Score: 1

You forgot the last bit (and yes I am a catholic):

* You evade the Swiss Guards
* Instead of beating up hookers, you burn heretics
* You get healing points for touching relics
* True 'Easter egg' - 'Mad Max' Level
* Subtitled in Latin and Italian
* ????
* Profit!
Re:San Andreas? by TykeClone · 2004-03-01 16:50 · Score: 1

Grand Theft Tractor: Des Moines While the thought of beating the brains out of Ashton Kutcher is appealing, you'd have terrain problems. GTA with no hills anywhere on the map?

It would be nice to have some nice straight flat roads that allow you to go really, really, really fast.

--
A fine is a tax you pay for doing wrong and a tax is a fine you pay for doing all right.
Re:San Andreas? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-02 11:40 · Score: 0

A Hitchhiker's Guide joke too obscure? For /.? Impossible!

No word on the time setting? by jeblucas · 2004-03-01 05:34 · Score: 5, Interesting

That's the real key. GTA:Vice City locked up a lot of the decent 80's tunes. Is this one going for a Starsky & Hutch 70's groove, or a 90's grungy/glam sound?

Oh yeah, I hope the game is fun too.

--
blarg.

Re:No word on the time setting? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:37 · Score: -1, Offtopic

Jeb, for the last time . . . shut the fuck up.
Re:No word on the time setting? by Quill · 2004-03-01 05:41 · Score: 5, Insightful

I have to say, the 80's setting + the real music (which was the only way to make the setting convincing) in Vice City is what made the game for me. The press like to look at GTA as a stupid, ultra-violent shooter - but it's one of the most well put together and balanced game I've played. The production standards at Rockstar are through the roof.

--
My religion forbids the use of sigs.
Re:No word on the time setting? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:09 · Score: 0

Word on the street was, Rockstar had not-too-long-ago posted a job position for an individual familiar with 70's pop culture and with an interest in video games.
Strictly a rumor. Take it for what it's worth.
Re:No word on the time setting? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:10 · Score: 0

jeb, your blog doesn't render correctly in netscape 4. no text appears at all.
what the f man? a reasonable person would, at the very least, ensure that their html was correct enough to render in netscape 4. your html is clearly not standards-compliant.
Re:No word on the time setting? by bofkentucky · 2004-03-01 06:11 · Score: 1

How about LA style hair metal and derivatives, G-N-R, Motley Crue, Poison, Ratt and Warrant, it would be teh rulest!

--
09f911029d74e35bd84156c5635688c0
Re:No word on the time setting? by ivan256 · 2004-03-01 06:15 · Score: 4, Interesting

The production standards at Rockstar are through the roof.

You're talking about the same company that published "Midnight Club" and "Oni"; two of the buggiest and most incomplete PS2 games ever. They bought DMA design after the GTA3 engine was complete, which is probably why the GTA titles are high quality. With their other titles, they have a bit of a history of pushing things out before they are ready.
Re:No word on the time setting? by mahdi13 · 2004-03-01 06:16 · Score: 1

I'm hoping for an early 90's grunge feel. Have Eddie Vedder as the main character with lots of Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains and Nirvana music on the radio (3 Pearl Jam songs per hour to simulate real radio stations in the early 90's, and the same song on at least 3 stations at the same time)

--
"Some things have to be believed to be seen." - Ralph Hodgson
Re:No word on the time setting? by Monkelectric · 2004-03-01 06:35 · Score: 1

Agreed, midnight club ... it ... wasn't even a game. It was a series of events that seemed to involve cars somehow.

--
Religion is a gateway psychosis. -- Dave Foley
Re:No word on the time setting? by grmb1 · 2004-03-01 06:38 · Score: 1

"I need a hug!...I'm LONELY, Moris! Lonely!"

Moris' Chaves talk show was one of my favourites. VCPR (Vice City Public Radio) was quite amusing too.

When you listen to Vice City radio talk shows you realize, that dialogue writers there did absolutely unbeleivable job. Enough for couple of movies I suppose.

And music selection was just fantastic. Very athmospheric. No stupid techno-shit which mainly used in games now.

I've played for hours just to listen for it.

P.S. And of course the built-in "MP3 Player" was very handy.

--
-- grmbl woz heer
Re:No word on the time setting? by damien_kane · 2004-03-01 06:52 · Score: 1

However, State of Emergency and Manhunt were quite complete (IMHO) and not very, if at all, buggy. At least not that were visibly/playably noticeable.
Although, SoE didn't really have a plot, it didn't have to. It was not meant to have a plot, it is a time-based 3rd-person shooter. It is meant to be played like arcade games, 3-5 mins of fun per play. My record is about 1h45min on 3min Kaos mode, so as you play more you get better.
Re:No word on the time setting? by op51n · 2004-03-01 10:49 · Score: 1

Yeah, but Rockstar North are left pretty much to do as they see fit.
Rockstar Games aren't about to fuck with a guarunteed good thing!

Tools needed by IamGarageGuy+2 · 2004-03-01 05:34 · Score: 4, Interesting

Do they make tools for building your own world yet? It would be fun to cruise around your hometown a la Doom.

--
Stay tuned for new sig...

Re:Tools needed by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:54 · Score: 0

Maybe if it was a PC game :(
Re:Tools needed by Alexis+Brooke · 2004-03-01 06:41 · Score: 1

Damn right. There's nothing quite as fun as cruising around your hometown, beating pedestrians with a baseball bat, racing through the streets with the cops on your tail, and then flipping cars and watching them explode. Huh, wha? What is this "video game" of which you speak?

--
This is a special excite .sig
This
Re:Tools needed by WormholeFiend · 2004-03-01 07:08 · Score: 1

you can see GTA3/VC influences in Unreal Tournament 2004, eg car alarms, stunt statistics notices, etc.

I wouldnt be surprised if someone made a GTA mod for UT2K4. Or at least a reasonable facsimile of one of the GTA cities as an UT map.

Ride that horse till it's dead! by wedding · 2004-03-01 05:34 · Score: -1, Troll

Nothing like an entertainment company taking a viable product in beating it into the ground so that no one gives a rip anymore.
Way to go, marketing hacks!

Re:Ride that horse till it's dead! by wankledot · 2004-03-01 05:42 · Score: 1

Have you played these games? They get better every time. Vice city added lots of awesome new stuff (motorcycles!) and kept it very interesting. I have no doubt that this will be an excellent sequel, Rockstar has given us almost no reason to doubt them.
GTA3 and VC are two of the few games that I can pick up after playing for 100+ hours and still enjoy, I say bring on the sequels!

--
My sig is blank, I typed this by hand.
Re:Ride that horse till it's dead! by Politburo · 2004-03-01 05:44 · Score: 1

Ha. Considering GTA1 is many years old, and also had a 'time warped' expansion (London in the 1960s), it looks like they've already taken "a viable product [and] beat it into the ground so that no one gives a rip anymore." And it still made a boat of money. Interesting indeed.
Re:Ride that horse till it's dead! by phriedom · 2004-03-01 05:45 · Score: 4, Funny

I was going to moderate this, but I couldn't find -1 bitter.

--
Don't moderate flamebait as Troll. Know the difference or you will be Meta-moderated.
Re:Ride that horse till it's dead! by dasmegabyte · 2004-03-01 05:48 · Score: 3, Insightful

Uh, people loved both GTA 3 and GTA: Vice City because there were constant improvements. Each had its own story, its own gameplay enhancements and above all, both were fun.

In fact, many many video game sequels are of superior quality to the original, and hence they sell very well.

Call it beating a dead horse if you like, but if horse beating is what people want, you'd be crazy not to do it, marketing or no.

--
Hey freaks: now you're ju
Re:Ride that horse till it's dead! by leifm · 2004-03-01 05:57 · Score: 1

Rockstar has given us almost no reason to doubt them.
Manhunt

I don't like the GTA games, but that's personal taste I guess. Manhunt on the other hand is hard to defend. It's overly violent for no reason, and boring as hell to play on top of that. Rockstar is also responsible for SOE, though I think that was a different studio...

--

"Windows Me offers tremendous reliability and stability improvements..." -- Paul Thurott
Re:Ride that horse till it's dead! by rholliday · 2004-03-01 06:01 · Score: 2, Insightful

As is apparent from the responses, GTA is a much-beloved franchise. By the same arguement, id is beating the Doom and Quake horses to death, Blizzard mutilated the Warcraft corpse, and Valve needs to just let dead Half-Life's lie ...

--
Xbox reviews.. We think they're funny.
Re:Ride that horse till it's dead! by nEoN+nOoDlE · 2004-03-01 06:03 · Score: 1

You're talking about the Tomb Raider series. Grand Theft Auto is a hot property right now since the last game Vice City was the best damn game in the past few years, and Rockstar now has the reputation of putting out quality titles. When they start putting out crappy games just to get a quick buck off moms who pick up GTA because of the brand name recognition for their kids, then you can say they're beating the product into the ground. Until then, many people care and would be disappointed if San Andreas didn't come out.

And another thing... if a product is "viable" as you said, what else should you do with it besides come out with more properties based on it?

--
Don't trust a bull's horn, a doberman's tooth, a runaway horse or me.
Re:Ride that horse till it's dead! by AceCaseOR · 2004-03-01 06:13 · Score: 1

Well, wasn't Max Payne (and Max Payne 2) published or co-published by Rockstar?

--
Zagreus sits inside your head, Zagreus lives among the dead, Zagreus sees you in your bed and eats you in your sleep.
Re:Ride that horse till it's dead! by Alzheimers · 2004-03-01 06:13 · Score: 5, Funny

New lead designer Harvey Smith, of Deus Ex: Invisible War fame, has announced some changes to the GTA format.

-To better accomidate the casual player market, there will only be one car model. It will come in 196 colors, but they will all have the same handling and radio station.
-The "New and Improved" physics engine will allow players to jump their car over a mile. Crashing into a fence, however, will still ruin your ride.
-There will approximately 600 blocks to explore, each one requiring a 30 second loading delay.
-To avoid the "What do I do next?" question, the mission system will be replaced with a multiple choice plotline which will feature the same exact missions but one path will always lead through a vent. /still bitter about DX:IW
Re:Ride that horse till it's dead! by los+furtive · 2004-03-01 06:23 · Score: 1

Call it beating a dead horse if you like, but if horse beating is what people want, you'd be crazy not to do it, marketing or no.
I gave back my assigned mod points just to say what a great quote that is.

--
I'm a writer, a poet, a genius, I know it. I don't buy software, I grow it.
Re:Ride that horse till it's dead! by konaforever · 2004-03-01 06:26 · Score: 1

Fortunately, the GTA franchise is nothing like a dead horse -- more like Secretariat in its prime.
Re:Ride that horse till it's dead! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 08:16 · Score: 1, Insightful

By the same arguement, id is beating the Doom and Quake horses to death, Blizzard mutilated the Warcraft corpse, and Valve needs to just let dead Half-Life's lie

Actually yes those are perfect examples of the same problem. id is beating the whole Doom thing to death. I wish Carmack would get a new genre for god's sake! This whole FPs thing has been so very much beaten into the ground it's practically turning into coal.

And Blizzard are mutilating Warcraft. We've had Warcrafts 1 through 3, Starcraft (same game but with spaceships whoohoo!), and coming soon World of Warcraft, and Starcraft 2. Not to mention the copious expansion packs.

There's a difference between expanding on a great game (say Diablo plus Expansion pack) versus beating the damn horse to death (Diablo plus expansion packs plus Diablo 2 plus more expansion packs).

Or, for the movie analogy that /. geeks might understand better, it's the difference between stopping at Return of The Jedi and doing the three "prequels".

The former is good creatively. The latter is just milking the consumer - and boring them to death while doing it.
Re:Ride that horse till it's dead! by leifm · 2004-03-01 08:17 · Score: 1

I may be wrong on this, but I think Rockstar is a developer which is wholly owned by Take-Two, a distributer. So I guess Max Payne(2) was developed by Rockstar. At any rate IMHO Max Payne 1 was worlds better than Manhunt, but it's also the only shooter I can think of that could be described as pretentious.

--

"Windows Me offers tremendous reliability and stability improvements..." -- Paul Thurott
Re:Ride that horse till it's dead! by rholliday · 2004-03-01 09:42 · Score: 1

I can see your point, and I can't at the same time. I'd love to see a /. poll on the expectations for Doom III. Probably wouldn't get a lot of "dead horse" type responses. Who thinks StarCraft is crap, just because of "similarities" to WarCraft? Diablo II sold fanatically, and is still played fanatically. You're not forced to buy an expansion pack.

You didn't mention Quake and Half-Life. Again, many sequels and/or expansions, few complaints. Give the people what they want.

--
Xbox reviews.. We think they're funny.
Re:Ride that horse till it's dead! by KeeperS · 2004-03-01 09:54 · Score: 1

So basically you're saying that a massive amount of people are buying (and still playing) the above games only because they're sequels? I find that hard to believe. After all, as long as a game is fun, who cares? I'm all for creativity, but I'd rather have a fun game that doesn't do anything new than a creative game that fails to entertain. Of course, there's some games that are fun and also extremely creative; those are the real gems.

Anyway, you may be bored to death by sequels, but that doesn't mean that everybody is.

San Andreas by SabrStryk · 2004-03-01 05:34 · Score: 5, Funny

San Andreas sounds rather based on L.A....

"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy in all the galaxy...."

I.E., a perfect setting!

--
"A group of words expressing something other than their literal intention. Now that... is... irony!" - Bender

Re:San Andreas by product+byproduct · 2004-03-01 05:42 · Score: 5, Funny

That would be:

Grand Theft Speeder: Mos Esley
Re:San Andreas by Belgand · 2004-03-01 05:53 · Score: 5, Interesting

Personally I'm hoping for more of a San Francisco setting myself. Maybe it's just been far too many cop shows, Bullit, Dirty Harry, etc. but San Francisco just seems more right to me. Not to mention the kind of insane stunts you could get on those hills as well as having a great deal more character to it.

L.A. ... well, I don't really see a lot that you could easily do with it to make it seem as fun of a setting. Not to mention the fact that Rockstar seems very much into doing pastiches of film/tv (i.e. Vice City largely being Miami Vice thrown in with Scarface) there's a lot more ground to work with.

As for the time... well, the 70s could be cool and replicate the same sort of retro-vibe they've been going for, but personally I'd like to see them try their hands at something even older. I mean, how about a late 40s, early 50s noirish L.A.-based setting that draws on Chinatown and L.A. Confidential. Music would be radically different, but on the other hand so would the cars, clothes, weapons... everything would be a lot less derivative. Plus, I really can't remember the last time I saw something of this sort done from the criminal's perspective. It would be an interesting approach to things.
Re:San Andreas by Dr_LHA · 2004-03-01 06:04 · Score: 1

All you need is a misinformed comment and a Star Wars quote to get modded up to 5 on Slashdot these days then. OK then, my comment on the speculation on whether this will be based on SF or LA:

"The dark side clouds everything. Impossible to see the future is."
Re:San Andreas by gughunter · 2004-03-01 06:20 · Score: 3, Interesting

> Personally I'm hoping for more of a San Francisco setting myself.

From what I remember of GTA 1, there was a big red Golden-Gate-like bridge, so that may be what they have in mind. Also the "San" shared by "San Francisco" and "San Andreas" could be a clue.

> As for the time... well, the 70s could be cool and replicate the same sort of retro-vibe they've been going for, but personally I'd like to see them try their hands at something even older. I mean, how about a late 40s, early 50s noirish L.A.-based setting that draws on Chinatown and L.A. Confidential.

Good idea, but there's one problem: no stats list item that reads "Least favorite gang: Hippies".

I guess "beatniks" could work, though...
Re:San Andreas by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:33 · Score: 0

Wouldn't Grand Theft Auto: Detroit beat it?
Re:San Andreas by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 09:23 · Score: -1, Flamebait

Personally I'm hoping for more of a San Francisco setting myself. Me too. I'm looking forward to a "Kill the Faggots" mission!!
Re:San Andreas by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 09:59 · Score: 0

They couldn't set it as far back as the 50's. They need to have a deep and widely recognizable soundtrack like in Vice City. Anything earlier than the 60's would not appeal to the video gaming community.
Most likely, SA will be in the 70's and will try to capture the vibe of Streets of San Francisco and Bullitt. Oh yeah, and Starsky and Hutch is coming out next week. Hmmmm...
I think the second runner up would be the 60's. I mean, San Francisco is pretty much THE place you think of when you think of the 60's. There'd be no need for hookers with all the free love going around.
I also agree that the 90's would be an awesome decade to model (at least muscially). That one should definitely be located in the Seattle/Vancouver area.
Vegas in the 70's? A big fat drugged out Elvis anyone?
Maybe, just maybe, Chicago in the 30's?

And what about taking the game international? The games have all been located in the US so far. Well except for that miserable POS GTA:London.

On a side note, why doesn't Rockstar just create one SOLID engine, then release each city as an expansion pack, like Battlefield 1942?
Re:San Andreas by Uerige · 2004-03-01 10:05 · Score: 1

how about a late 40s, early 50s noirish L.A.-based setting
The next title to be released in this series could be GTA London 2 if I may make a guess there. Now that would be something different, old style cars and old style cops AND minis all over the place!

The game I'm more excited about by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:34 · Score: -1, Troll

Grand Theft Auto 5: Who Gives a Shit.

In a realted story, CmdrTaco announced he will actually play the next version of GTA since, in addition to beating and raping female prostitutes, you can rape and be raped by MALE prostitutes!! He will be playing the ps2 version of the game since cum washes off a TV screen easier.

Re:The game I'm more excited about by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:09 · Score: 0

Where, exactly, is the rape in GTA? I'd love to hear the explanation of this rumor.
Re:The game I'm more excited about by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:39 · Score: 0

Well, there WAS sexual tortue in GTA3. Akira (or whatever her name was) and Maria with that Columbian guy in the construction site on the middle island. Granted that was a very minute detail which had no bearing on the game whatsoever, but it WAS in the game. Aside from that, I would say all sex in the game is strictly prostitution.
Re:The game I'm more excited about by edgedmurasame · 2004-03-01 20:12 · Score: 1

Get a 4 door vehicle, and 3 random girls (or a 2 person vehicle, then you only need one in the car), and for each woman, type "hopingirl"(yeah, it's a cheat code, but I dont think they will advertise rape as an ability of the VC engine). Find somewhere secluded, park, and let the action happen. Best done when using a keyboard macro or gamepad macro. Rinse and repeat, you might be lucky and get the same three. Heck, you could even get away with one on the motorcycle - although Vercetti is the kind who wants some privacy if he can get it.

--
"Forget the engineers." -Carly Fiorina, briber of MIT Technology Review.
Re:The game I'm more excited about by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-02 14:35 · Score: 0

That's not rape. That's sex for money. HUGE difference.
Re:The game I'm more excited about by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-02 21:07 · Score: 0

Should have explained further, it's that you can force it to happen on your demand - by the use of that code.

save the hatians by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:35 · Score: 5, Funny

instead of having a generic ambulance mode, we'll have it transformed into a mode where you chase after gang fights and save the hatians lives after being injured by the evil cubans.

then in grand theft auto: los vegas, you'll deliver hatian hookers to cubans and vice versa to promote love between them and settle the gripes of the previous game by the cuban community.

Re:save the hatians by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:27 · Score: 0

the cuban community is a group of people that will find something to bitch about no matter what.

so whatever to them basically.
Re:save the hatians by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:45 · Score: 0

(in whiny cuban slut voice) "Oh no joo diden!"

I wish it was GTA: San Fran ... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:36 · Score: -1, Offtopic

... so I could run over all those pole smokers and doughnut bumpers getting married at city hall.

Re:I wish it was GTA: San Fran ... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:46 · Score: 0

Jeb? Jeb Bush? Is that you?!!!

Console vs. PC by Quill · 2004-03-01 05:37 · Score: 5, Interesting

No screenshots? Aw man...

GTA is fabulous in that in manages to blur the distinction between genres, something that many have tried but few have succeeded.

It's interesting, because I've always loved RPGs, but never been a fan of shooters or racing games. I would never call GTA an RPG, but I would call it a shooter/racing game - but I love it!

The weirdest thing for me is that it's actually making me appreciate consoles. I've been a PC game snob, and my first GTA was Vice City on the PC. I was convinced that superior graphics + smaller load time was better, but having just bought a PS2 with GTA 3 + Vice City, I'm starting to understand that some games are just *made* to be played on consoles.

--
My religion forbids the use of sigs.

Re:Console vs. PC by Dragoon412 · 2004-03-01 06:04 · Score: 0, Flamebait

GTA is fabulous in that in manages to blur the distinction between genres, something that many have tried but few have succeeded.

How? Be being a really shallow driver, a really crappy shooter, and employing the most generic elements of every other "shocker" game on the market?

I don't understand the allure of GTA/Vice City. Sure, it's a nice change of pace to play a bad guy, but after you've beat a few hookers, carjacked a couple cars, and shot a few cops, you've seen everything the game has to offer. Yeah, the soundtrack's killer, but it alone hardly justifies dealing with one of the most shallow games on the market with the most clumsy combat system ever developed.

Something tells me that the same people driving GTA's sales are the same people who call every new excersize in androgenous character design and cliched plot devices Square throws a Final Fantasy logo on a masterpiece.
Re:Console vs. PC by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:08 · Score: 0

Any game that involves aiming and shooting is much better suited to a mouse. I agree that the controller is perfect for the driving aspect of GTA (which is what most of your time is spent doing), but I always get frustrated after getting my ass whooped by the cops because I can't aim for shit with the analog stick. It just flat out does not offer as much control as a mouse does. Period.
Re:Console vs. PC by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:11 · Score: 0

Pick up a PS2->USB adapter (they're cheap) and watch as console ports to the PC come "to life". Higher resolution, same familiar game controls, it's great. :)
Re:Console vs. PC by gughunter · 2004-03-01 06:32 · Score: 1

> I don't understand the allure of GTA/Vice City.

For me, a big part of the appeal is the simple freedom to roam around a large city and discover the little atmospheric details of the game -- the pedestrians' one-liners, the varied styles of buildings, etc.
Re:Console vs. PC by wheany · 2004-03-01 06:34 · Score: 1

The PS2-version has aim-lock for small arms. You press down one of the shoulder buttons and it automatically aims the nearest hostile.
Re:Console vs. PC by Mandrake · 2004-03-01 06:35 · Score: 1

The beauty of these games is the open-ended aspect. The fact that you are only tangently being driven through a multi-pronged story, and that you can jump into any of a number of plotlines at your convenience, or just run around wreaking havoc.
Both of the titles in the GTA3 line have been an immense amount of fun thus far, and I'll be right there to pick up the 3rd in the series.

--
Geoff "Mandrake" Harrison
Some Random UI Hacker
Re:Console vs. PC by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:42 · Score: 0

Ah, so the proof is in the pudding. This means that the developers acknowledge how cumbersome it is trying to aim with an analog stick.
Re:Console vs. PC by phriedom · 2004-03-01 06:55 · Score: 4, Interesting

I wouldn't call Vice City an RPG either, but it does have some RPG elements in that you do build up your character. When you complete all the firetruck missions he becomes fireproof, when you complete the ambulance missions, he can run without getting tired, etc. I'm just sayin' you're right, it really blurs the genre lines.

But I still think the GTA3 games are better on the PC. My solution was to get an adapter to plug my old dual shock PS1 controller into my USB port. I used the sticks to drive and the mouse to shoot and it seemed like I got the best of both worlds without paying for an entire console.

The other giant advantage that the PC version gives you is that you can modify it. When I got tired of driving normal cars and dealing with traffic, I downloaded a car stat editor and made one of the unique vehicles (so I wouldn't run into someone else driving one) max speed, max accel, 40000 weight, 4wd, .000000001 damage, max braking, and I made the center-of-gravity about a foot below the ground level so it would always roll back on its wheels like a weeble-wobble. I also lowered it a bit so that when I hit other cars they would pop up into the air. That led to a mini-game of how far can you make the other cars go in the air, hours of fun.

--
Don't moderate flamebait as Troll. Know the difference or you will be Meta-moderated.
Re:Console vs. PC by metroid+composite · 2004-03-02 04:22 · Score: 1

I wouldn't call Vice City an RPG either, but it does have some RPG elements in that you do build up your character. When you complete all the firetruck missions he becomes fireproof, when you complete the ambulance missions, he can run without getting tired, etc.
That's nothing special. A similar thing hapens in the Megaman series and the Metroid series. I personally dislike the association of "levelling up" = "RPG-like". You can make games that play nothing like RPGs where you level up. You could in-theory make a very traditional RPG where you don't level up, but plays in all other ways like any RPG. (Though, the advantage to levelling is that you introduce abilities a bit at a time and it's a built-in difficulty adjuster).

My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by newdamage · 2004-03-01 05:38 · Score: 5, Insightful

1. Umm, swimming, a little bit, please?
2. More indoor environments.
3. More flying (helicopters were hands down the best improvement to the vehicles in GTA: VC).
4. The property buying in GTA:VC was a good first step, but it can be expanded so much further.
5. NPC drivers, accomplices, bodyguards for hire, etc, etc.

And while I know everybody is clamoring for better graphics, am I the only one that thinks the current engine from GTA:VC got the job done? I'll take gameplay over graphics any day.

--
ce n'est pas un Sig.

Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by Quill · 2004-03-01 05:47 · Score: 5, Funny

Swimming?

What kind of crap is that? Everyone knows that in the real world when you plow your car into the water, you should just sit in it until it sinks to the bottom of the ocean. You'll just wake up in front of the hospital in a few hours.

Now, if you'll excuse me I have to pop this adrenaline pill and jump on the roof of my house. I think someone left a shotgun there.

Now, to reply seriously, the #1 feature for me in VC was the property buying. I too would like to see it expanded. I would also like to see more use for money in the game - you always finish with millions of dollars you never need.

--
My religion forbids the use of sigs.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by farnz · 2004-03-01 05:49 · Score: 3, Interesting

One more request; I always like biking around in GTA:VC. Police bikes (maybe just take the PCJ 600 and add a siren and flashing light) would be cool.

--
I appear to have a blog. Odd.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by British · 2004-03-01 05:52 · Score: 4, Interesting

I would like to see more dynamics with the pedestrians. There's o so much they can do with the virtual city they have.

how about..

1. People getting in and out of cars? We only saw this to a limited extent(cops getting out of cars, carjackigns, etc). How about taxis that pickup/drop off people at random?

2. Different behaviors for different kind of peds? Some would be cowardly, some would be valiant, and some would be just downright crazy, all gang members aside.

3. yes, more indoor locations.

4. I haven't gotten to it yet, but looks like a lot of people got frustrated with "The Driver" mission. I got stuck several times of Death Row, but eventually figured out a plan: take the chopper to get to the junkyard, and fly him to the hospital. If you fly westward a bit, Diaz's Comet car-driving thugs get stuck(since they take a linear route) in the entry area to the junkyard.

Either way, I'll be buying it the minute it's availble.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by read-only · 2004-03-01 05:53 · Score: 1

That is a pretty good wishlist.

I'm hoping for a tow-truck so that we can do repo-man missions.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by mrpuffypants · 2004-03-01 05:57 · Score: 1

3. More flying (helicopters were hands down the best improvement to the vehicles in GTA: VC).

No, the best vehicle improvement in VC was motorcycles. I'd take screaming down the road, cutting corners on a crotch rocket any day over riding in a helicopter.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by Nf1nk · 2004-03-01 06:02 · Score: 5, Interesting

adding on
1.I would like semi tractor trailers that can jack knife in an accident
2. Multi player.
3. bring back the semi open ended mission structure of GTA 1, where you don't have to keep repeating the same mission over and over again if you can't quite pull it off.
4. more and bigger explosions (think tanker trucks, gas stations)
5. make the properties interact with each other (ie a mission that opens in one property only after you have purchased another

--
I used to have a cool sig, back when I cared
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:05 · Score: 0

Don't forget children:
"Hey, little girl. Do you like Tutti Fruity?"
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by Albanach · 2004-03-01 06:05 · Score: 4, Insightful

What about 6. Network play on the PS2.
I lost many evenings with network play on GTA2 on the PC.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by dboyles · 2004-03-01 06:16 · Score: 2, Informative

(Very minor spoilers below)

Death Row is made easier if you take the Trashmaster that's in the middle of the junkyard (although one time it wasn't there). Like Nf1nk said, the other cars just bounce right off. The helicopter is another option, although not by any means necessary.

I think The Driver isn't all that challenging... if you're a pretty good driver. Stay as close to Hilary as you can, and eventually he'll make a mistake. There's no secret, you just need to have a good feel for the physics of the game.

--
-- "Complacency is a far more dangerous attitude than outrage." -Naomi Littlebear
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:18 · Score: 0

1. There is nothing more frustrating than driving ever-so-carefully to your destination just under the time limit and then getting rammed into the ocean by a fucking lunatic driver (WTF is up with that shit?). Also, having your boat explode in the middle of the ocean and living through the explosion SUCKS. You are stuck there with no way of getting out except the slim chance that a boat MIGHT pass close enough to kill the driver and jump on, but that rarely if ever happens. Because of these things, I would agree that falling in water should not be an instant death. How about it slowly takes health away until you can swim to shore?
2. Yes, another big complaint. Rockstar has said that they will be adding more indoor locations in future games.
3. YES! How about a regular fucking plane? I would LOVE the Dodo with full wings. It would be the perfect little plane. Also, some variety in planes would be nice. More flying missions would be great.
4. How can it be expanded?
5. I'm not 100%, but I feel like you can take a few of your bodyguards from Diaz's old mansion with you. This might have been just from a single mission, though. I don't remember. Still, the whole game really feels like a one-man war. You should be able to take bodyguards with you on gangwar missions.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by GPB · 2004-03-01 06:21 · Score: 1

The way I beat "The Driver" was to stash a fast car a little ways up the road from the start of the race. You have to be careful where you put it or it will disappear when the mission starts.

Just pull up to the fast car, switch cars and step on it. Switching early should allow you to catch up and pass the other car.

-B
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by WordUpCousin · 2004-03-01 06:30 · Score: 1

My wishlist for future GTA releases is a simple one.

Make sure the PS2 can handle the game.

Have you guys replayed the first GTA3 and compared it to the Vice city? The former had consistently more people and more cars on screen at any time. In fact, sometimes I would hang out at pedestrian hot spots and recreate massacres. But, if you play VC, look down the road at any time. The streets are completely empty with the exception of one or two vehicles and there may be 3 pedestrians max. If you get your "star" rating up where the cops,fbi, etc are going after you. Hide in the corner and WATCH THE GAME LAG!!
This was the biggest dissapointment for me. A lack of pedestrians and vehicles to blow up at any time during the game, and the lag experienced when too many objects are on the screen. Fix these issues and the game will be great!
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by British · 2004-03-01 06:37 · Score: 1

I once tried it with the Trashmaster, but my mistake is when you start shooting goons near the truck, always a tire gets shot out in the process.

Then when you try driving a trashmaster with busted tires, it handles like it's on a ice rink.

I also made the mistake of not grabbing Diaz's everything-proof car after Angels. Innovative for the game designers to give you a reward for failing a mission.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by notwhole · 2004-03-01 06:38 · Score: 3, Interesting

As posted on my website...

Ways to improve GTA:San Andreas
-Virtual killing is fun and all, but death is far worse than sex despite what american culture thinks. So cut out the murder, and focus on what will make the game great: Interactive Hardcore Pornography.

-If you want to leave the killing in, at least let us, well, dessecrate corpses. Maybe not in a wholly vile way, which would be neat, but at least let us drag the bodies around and build protective walls.

-Try to find a happy balance between Vice City and Animal Crossing. Have a calendar to go with the clock. That way we can see the seasons change. Drive a float recklessly in an Easter parade, build a snow fort out of the winter snow and our corpse walls. Maybe even let us get furniture for our missions so we can decorate our many properties. Leave out that HRA crap, though. That's just gay.

-If you don't want to go with hardcore porn, at least throughly develop the best whore engine ever. I know I've asked for this since GTA III, but the current whore engine is nominal at best. We should be able to proposition anyone anywhere. Stuck up bitch at the mall? You'd be surprised what she'll do when she finds out you're a millionaire. We should be able to pick up as many whores as our vehicles permits. Fill the vans, I say! This single girl car rocking is crap. Maybe I want some awesome girl-on-girl-on-girl-on-girl-on-Vercetti. Maybe I don't have the time or money for a full life point romp in a quiet romantic spot. Maybe I just want a quick $5 back-alley blow job to give me enough strength to finish the mission. Or maybe a quick handjob from that Malibu bar chick while I wait for my latest shipment.....Well, you get the idea.

-Enough with the RC missions. There's not enough to them to make them worthwhile. I mean, what's next? A kite mission?

-Screwdrivers? Seriously, we're murderers, not Richard Karn. I appreciate the fun new weapons, but I'm sure you can think of better implements of death than screwdrivers.

-And maybe build upon that drunk engine from the one Phil mission. Then we could at least have a half-assed excuse for the reckless driving and asking women at the mall for sex. It could also help boost our media rating and give us something to do at the bar other than use the sniper scope to zoom-in on the bartender's nipples.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by wheany · 2004-03-01 06:43 · Score: 1

1, Agreed. You can walk into the water in GTA3 and VC and drown, because you can't swim the 1 foot it would take to get your feet on the ground again. Also, the boats were deathtraps. Not only when the boat was about to explode, but also when you were trying to get to shore. You'd have to jump perfectly off the boat not to miss the pier.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by dabadab · 2004-03-01 06:43 · Score: 1

Yeah, that Nazcar race car works best that you can find in Sunshine Autos after stealing all the cars on the wish list in the basement :)

BTW, at this mission I was somewhat flabbergasted as this is "cheating" or is this a "legit" the way to make this mission. I mean, you play the role of a gangster, you are supposed to cheat.

--
Real life is overrated.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:44 · Score: 0

Too true, the begining of the game was good because cash was hard to come by and the properties were expensive. Towards the end you can easily make hundreds of thousands a day and then as suddenly as it came, you have no use for it.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by IWishIWasSmart · 2004-03-01 06:49 · Score: 1

I want to buy a garage so I can put more cars there. I want to be able to buy a penthouse and host parties w/ paris hilton. I want be able to have a bunch of hookers so I can own a corner so they can make money 4 me. I haven;t even finished GTA:Vice City.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:51 · Score: 0

there is a regular plane in vice city. it's near the bridge behind the movie studio - the one you used to distribute leaflets with. the only difference between that and the dodo is the lack of normal landing gear since its' a sea plane.

granted setting that thing down on land sucks - personally - i'd rather fly a jet - small or large makes no difference to me. they'd probaby make it a large lumbering one due to loading / spooling needs - but laying a 747 into a congested road could be fun.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by orange_6 · 2004-03-01 07:00 · Score: 1

1. Different types of drugs.
2. More military vehicles (turret on a Patriot?)
3. Smarter law enforcement.
4. Full flips on a motorcycle w/o falling off!

And a tweaked lighting engine...I've seen some glitches lately in III and VC with things being outlined by light in the dark (like a wooden "jump" having a square halo when you pull up to it). Don't get me wrong, the lighting is excellent, but not without faults.

Carry on.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 07:11 · Score: 0

You have issues. Can I be your friend?
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by robson · 2004-03-01 07:12 · Score: 1

I only have three major wishes:

1.Contemporary; none of this retro-anything stuff, unless you go *way* back like Mafia did.
2.Bring back the original music!
3.More interiors. Many more.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by Thag · 2004-03-01 07:13 · Score: 1
Swimming would be nice. With San Andreas, they could probably use terrain to block off areas anyway.

I'd also like to see:
- Police motorcycles (CHiPs?)
- Bicycles, and possibly skateboards
- A freeway area with high-speed traffic and massive pile-ups.
- Protesters. I've always wanted to encounter a crowd of protesters in GTA3.
- Steamroller. It would be like a tank, except not bulletproof.
- A better airplane.
My dream game that I do NOT expect to see would start in the LA Confidential period, and the game covers the next 60 years in generational increments. You could play either a cop or a criminal, and the path you choose affects the way the city develops over the course of the game.

Jon Acheson
--
All opinions expressed herein are my own, and not those of my employers, who are appalled.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by theblueprint · 2004-03-01 07:21 · Score: 1

All I really want is to play in a "2k" world. I found that for all the improvements to Vice City, the fact that is was 80's themed really kind of ruined the experience. I know that they're doing the time period thing to make it less realisic (probly in effort to make it less offensive), but I liked the idea of GTA3 where it felt like I could just go on a kill-crazy rampage at the University there wasn't anything "funny" about it. I grew up in the 80's and hated the music then, hearing it years later just made me remember my proclivity for neon clothes during the time. I don't care about the guns, cars, physics as much-I just want a more serious theme.

--
"from the bricks to the booth...I predict the future like Cleo the psychic..."
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by jafiwam · 2004-03-01 07:30 · Score: 1

You must not have played enough;

1. Peds interact with taxis (you can steal a taxi with the peds, or make money driving peds around in the taxi) True, a parked car never had someone come get in it, but stand on the corner long enough and some ped would jack some other guy's car. They just didn't go after the parked ones. Ambulances and fire trucks had people get in and out too.

2. Peds have different reactions when provoked. Try it, walk up and whack one with a fist or hand weapon. Some try to beat you up. Some will try if you hit them in the car or if you cause an explosion nearby and hit them with splash damage.

3. Agreed. The indoor locations are cool. The AI was pretty poor inside though so they'd need to improve that a bit. (I found the bank heist mission a bitch because of that, the dumb accomplices and the manager never went the right place.)

4. Key to the driver; stay behind until the very last turn near the Malibu Club, then cut through the bushes. Hilary's car is fast accelleration but the Sentinial you race has a higher top speed and better cornering. It's beatable with by following the rules. (You can always try the shoot the tires trick.)

Another hint, get the packages first. Most missiones are a lot easier when you have a Mini gun. The junkyard one is cake with that.

Also, do the Taxi missions to get jumping taxis, then use that to get to one of the boats to the marina and to the other islands early. It's way easier to get packages when the gangs are not trying to kill you all the time.

You need a good tip page, here's one:

http://vcworld.gtagaming.com/
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by Belgand · 2004-03-01 07:35 · Score: 1

Yeah, I was wondering why this wasn't in the game. Especially since we had both Angels and Freeways which seem far too similar to me.

If you have a police motorcycle though it would not be a crotch rocket. Cops drive modified Harley-Davidsons so basically you'd be modifying the Angel or Freeway.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by PainKilleR-CE · 2004-03-01 07:37 · Score: 1

BTW, at this mission I was somewhat flabbergasted as this is "cheating" or is this a "legit" the way to make this mission. I mean, you play the role of a gangster, you are supposed to cheat.

This is part of the beauty of the GTA series, imo. Most of the missions have numerous ways for the player to win, if they just try to think of something less obvious. On GTA3, an early sequence involves going into China Town to kill someone; a friend of mine noticed that the particular character would run to his car almost every time, so instead of going after the guy right away, he stole his car, had it wired up with a bomb, and brought it back. Then he went after the guy, the bomb went off at the appropriate time, and he won the mission.

At the same time, there are quite a few missions (maybe even the majority) that can only be done with little or no variation from the "one way", but most of the time there are a few little tricks that can help you out if you just think about the problem in a different way.

--
-PainKilleR-[CE]
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 07:52 · Score: 0

read the fucking parent post, dip shit. he said he'd like a DODO with full wings, i.e. a normal plane that lands on land, fuckwad.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 08:00 · Score: 0

you know what's the best fix? throw out that shitty PS2 and get yourself a decent PC.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by SeinJunkie · 2004-03-01 08:01 · Score: 2, Funny

What kind of crap is that? Everyone knows that in the real world when you plow your car into the water, you should just sit in it until it sinks to the bottom of the ocean. You'll just wake up in front of the hospital in a few hours.

But first things first... Wiggle your big toe.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by TimboJones · 2004-03-01 08:43 · Score: 1

2. Peds have different reactions when provoked. Try it, walk up and whack one with a fist or hand weapon. Some try to beat you up. Some will try if you hit them in the car or if you cause an explosion nearby and hit them with splash damage.

Also some peds are valiant and will start fighting you when you're in the middle of a fight with another ped.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by comedian23 · 2004-03-01 09:36 · Score: 1

I used the GTA version of the Ferrari Boxster, can't remember the game name. It's the convertible. It took me a few tries to find out where to park the car, but after that I won it immediately. To OP: You can park right across from the police station in case you are wondering.

-Comedian
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by asdfghjklqwertyuiop · 2004-03-01 09:55 · Score: 1

You have to be careful where you put it or it will disappear when the mission starts.

If you leave the car door open when you exit, the car will not disappear no matter where you put it. To leave the door open I think you either hold your move controls in any direction away from the car or the enter/exit car button as you're exiting.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by asdfghjklqwertyuiop · 2004-03-01 10:02 · Score: 1

I got stuck several times of Death Row, but eventually figured out a plan

The easiest way to do this one is to get one of Diaz's invulnerable white Admirals. In one of the first missions of the game, then one where you cover the drug deal, Diaz and his people will pull up in white admirals. They are invulnerable. Fail the mission, steal one, park it in a garage (make sure you buy a garage first...)
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by fbg111 · 2004-03-01 15:56 · Score: 1

What kind of crap is that? Everyone knows that in the real world when you plow your car into the water, you should just sit in it until it sinks to the bottom of the ocean. You'll just wake up in front of the hospital in a few hours.

True, true, but don't you just hate it when the hospital strips you of all the weapons you were carrying? I just can't get along without my chainsaw, MP5, SPAZ shotgun, M16, PSG-1, and Soviet-made RPG launcher. Not to mention the expense of replacing several thousand rounds of ammo, nades, and RPGs that I'd been carrying arround in my back pocket. That's just such a drag...

--
Flying is easy, just throw yourself at the ground and miss. -Douglas Adams
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by fbg111 · 2004-03-01 16:11 · Score: 1

Another way to win the Driver mission: Start the race, follow Hillary past the police station, until you come to the 3-way intersection where you have to make a 90-degree left turn. Get in the left lane, just behind Hillary's left rear bumper. When he starts turning left, he'll have to cross in front of you, at which point you ram him. You should be going fast enough to cause him to go careening down the sidewalk and miss the turn. Try to aim the collision so you ricochet off him to the left - he goes to the right of the corner building, you ricochet left and keep racing to the next marker while Hillary has to turn around and get back on course. In my experience, in most cases he'll get all screwed up and freaked out and can't figure out right away how to get back on the race track, giving you a few seconds to put some distance on him. From then, just drive fast and clean with no more than one mistake, and you should win.

Also, has anyone tried starting the race, then getting out of your car and blowing up Hillary with the rocket launcher, then finishing the race? Not sure if the game would let you do that or not.

--
Flying is easy, just throw yourself at the ground and miss. -Douglas Adams
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by fbg111 · 2004-03-01 16:14 · Score: 1

Also, for Death Row, just take a PCJ from Malibu to the junkyard, but don't drive into the main entrance of the junkyard. Instead cut through the alley to the left, and go along the little harbor around to the back of the junkyard. In the back corner, there is a gap in the wall of junk and the junkyard wall, you can walk in through there. Go in, kill all the guys, rescue Lance, then exit through the same secret entrance. Get back on the PCJ, and escape via the bridge over the harbor. You'll completely bypass all the Comets that way, and the PCJ can get Lance to the hospital quickly before he runs out of health.

--
Flying is easy, just throw yourself at the ground and miss. -Douglas Adams
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 17:00 · Score: 0

I want them to do a few things to make it a sweet genre-bender like Hardwar.

* Trading drugs. Go for the Adults Only rating guys!
* Hijacking planes... (getting into Postal style banning here)
* Internet multiplayer. (although a massivly multiplayer version would be cool, that'll have to wait till GTA4. bring back the GTA2 districts guys)
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by danila · 2004-03-01 21:58 · Score: 1

Have you played Mafia (2002)?

1. People getting in and out of cars? We only saw this to a limited extent(cops getting out of cars, carjackigns, etc). How about taxis that pickup/drop off people at random?
Done.

2. Different behaviors for different kind of peds? Some would be cowardly, some would be valiant, and some would be just downright crazy, all gang members aside.
Not exactly, but much better than GTA where they just randomly walk from nowhere to nowhere, until someone shoots them.

3. yes, more indoor locations.
Done. Including a brothel. ;)

4. I haven't gotten to it yet
[skipped]
the entry area to the junkyard.
This one doesn't belong with the other three. :) It's not really a suggestion for the next GTA, is it?

--
Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
Re:My wishlist for GTA: San Andreas by robfoo · 2004-03-02 13:49 · Score: 1

Dude, you need to get out more. Seriously.

give us something to do at the bar other than use the sniper scope to zoom-in on the bartender's nipples

Seriously.

PS2 only? by Dark+Lord+Seth · 2004-03-01 05:38 · Score: -1, Troll

Why am I not surprised?

Did anyone hear that whooshing sound? That was Rockstar's reputation amongst PC & Xbox gamers taking a nose dive.

--
Hate me!

Re:PS2 only? by Repugnant_Shit · 2004-03-01 05:44 · Score: 1

Vice City was a PS2 exclusive for a *limited time*. Hopefully it will be the same with San Andreas.

--
Vote for global prefs bug

Flame me if you want... by vasqzr · 2004-03-01 05:39 · Score: -1, Troll

But this one better not suck.

Vice City was a huge dissappointment.

And the PS2 hardware is becoming very limiting. Look at the XBOX version of GTA.

Too bad they're locked into a contract with Sony.

But, even if it totally blows, it will sell a million copies.

That would never happen in the PC world. If you produce a shit sequel, you are done.

Re:Flame me if you want... by onkelonkel · 2004-03-01 05:44 · Score: 4, Funny

Windows

Windows 2.0

Windows 3.0

Windows 3.1

--
None of them can see the clouds; The polished wings don't care.
Re:Flame me if you want... by FunkSoulBrother · 2004-03-01 05:45 · Score: 1

Vice City was one of the best, most polished, immersive and balanced games I have ever played. It had a few AI glitches, but I disagree with you that it was a disappointment.
Re:Flame me if you want... by wankledot · 2004-03-01 05:45 · Score: 1

Care to explain why it was a huge dissappointment? I really enjoyed it, and almost every I know did too.

--
My sig is blank, I typed this by hand.
Re:Flame me if you want... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:46 · Score: -1, Troll

Why don't you pull your tiny dick out of the controller port on your XBOX and open your fucking eyes? XBOX is as dead as your whore of a mother.
Re:Flame me if you want... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:56 · Score: -1, Redundant

go home troll boy
Re:Flame me if you want... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:57 · Score: 2, Interesting

Why don't you pull your tiny dick out of the controller port on your XBOX and open your fucking eyes? XBOX is as dead as your whore of a mother.

Someone here is a lil bitter towards the wrong crowd ain't he? Xbox is dead? I don't think so. It must be the 100,000+ people playing PGR2 at a time that is giving you that assumption right? Not including 15 mil consoles sold worldwide?

Why don't you take a look at http://www.gamespy.com/stats/ and see if you can find more than 2 PC games with 50,000+ of players. You can't. Goodbye.
Re:Flame me if you want... by Beithir · 2004-03-01 05:59 · Score: 3, Insightful

I'll preface by saying I don't want to start a flame war between hardcore X-Box fans, PC gamers, and the Sony elite.

That said, before saying how limiting the PS2 hardware is, you should read up on how the PS2 hardware design is supposed to be used. The emotion engine opens up some insane possibilities...the problem is with developers and not with the hardware. Look at games like Gran Turismo. Disgustingly beautiful, disgustingly smooth. The X-Box can't touch that, even if MS has guides to programming for it. The problem is that the technology is too complicated for most American (and in many cases European) developers to truly comprehend and utilize without trying to hack together.

Couple that with the extra dev time Rockstar had between the PS2 and X-Box versions of the game...your argument there is weak, at best. Just because the same software seems different on two different platforms doesn't mean that software was developed for both on the same schedule or with the same resources. I think it's fair to say Rockstar had a lot of feedback, research time, and some newly-grown muscles when porting their games. I could be wrong, in which case time will tell when GTA: SA comes out. Otherwise your crankiness is unwelcome. :)

That said, if you don't like a sequel, thank goodness that there are about 50,000 internet review sites, gaming mags, and published reviews of games that hit the streets in advance of a game's release...well, that and the fact that you can rent a game for anywhere from $1-$3 to try it out yourself. In the PC world you can't rent games, which is why the crowd is so unforgiving. When you sink your $50 into a game you just bought because of the pretty box and the reputation (and poorly-set expectations you put on the game's shoulders), you get a little bitter. With console games, the only person to blame for buying a bad game is yourself. This is one of many reasons I try my best to limit my gaming to a console. Not only don't I develop a snappy attitude about my games, but I have an opportunity to sample games I'd normally never look twice at, just because I can spend a few dollars testing it out, then buy it cheap in a few months when the marketing craze for it is over. :)
Re:Flame me if you want... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:00 · Score: 0

"15 mil consoles sold worldwide"

Oh please, give the fake installed base numbers a rest dork.
Re:Flame me if you want... by bogie · 2004-03-01 06:03 · Score: 3, Insightful

"Vice City was a huge disappointment."

How's that?. It had better graphics than the first one and even ran better on the same hardware. How many games can claim that in the PC world? The city was bigger and you got to do things like fly helicopters. Really it was an improvement in many ways but didn't ruin the basic game formula. Sure maybe you wanted multiplayer and custom maps etc, but as far as sequels goes this one was a nice extension of an already great game. I don't know how interesting it will be if they just move it to a new city but Vice City should stand as a solid improvement for those who are fans of the genre.

"That would never happen in the PC world. If you produce a shit sequel, you are done."

Vice City was available on the PC. If if really did suck shouldn't this be the end of GTA?

--
If you wanna get rich, you know that payback is a bitch
Re:Flame me if you want... by RichardX · 2004-03-01 06:05 · Score: 2, Informative

A few AI glitches
A few? Oh, come on! I love that game, and have spent absurd amounts of time rampaging around bouncing people off my bumpers [fenders], but be serious. GTA:VC's AI makes yer average brick look like Einstein.

Anyways.. my wishlist for the next installment of GTA -

Proper vehicle damage, ala Viper Racing (remember that?) or better yet, Carmageddon 2 (Remember THAT!)

Guardian-reader-horrifying dismemberment - think Soldier of Fortune 2.. Yes, I am still 13 at heart..

Much expanded property buying - imagine some kind of RTS like element, where gangs can own parts of the city, and there's an ongoing battle of trying to take over the most turf... Now turn that into an online mode!

Ability to use weapons other than the machinegun from cars/bikes. Chainsaw driveby at 120 Mph.. Wheee :)

Oh, yeah, and AI that doesn't suck, please.. but really, I'm not -that- fussed about that one. It's kinda fun mowing down dumb tards en masse.

--
Curiosity was framed. Ignorance killed the cat.
Re:Flame me if you want... by smackjer · 2004-03-01 06:56 · Score: 1

The problem is that the technology is too complicated for most American (and in many cases European) developers to truly comprehend and utilize without trying to hack together.
Maybe the libraries are poorly designed?
Programmer's should not have to jump through hoops to do things that are industry standard functions, like anti-aliasing. Sony did a shitty job with their programming tools for PS2. Boo on them, not on the "incompetent" programmers in America and Europe.

--

This is my sig. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
Re:Flame me if you want... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 07:23 · Score: 0

"Sony did a shitty job with their programming tools for PS2"

Wow, did you read that on xboxfanboy.com?
Re:Flame me if you want... by vasqzr · 2004-03-01 08:23 · Score: 2, Insightful

That said, before saying how limiting the PS2 hardware is, you should read up on how the PS2 hardware design is supposed to be used. The emotion engine opens up some insane possibilities...the problem is with developers and not with the hardware. Look at games like Gran Turismo. Disgustingly beautiful, disgustingly smooth. The X-Box can't touch that, even if MS has guides to programming for it. The problem is that the technology is too complicated for most American (and in many cases European) developers to truly comprehend and utilize without trying to hack together.

I won't even comment on half the blabbering you've just done.

If you knew anything about game development, much less programming...

Just because you drive in Grand Turismo, and you can drive in GTA, doesn't mean you can compare them.

Ever heard of a trade-off? Game programmers have limited resources to work with and make some decisions. GTA has better graphics because of many reasons.

You don't have a 'city simulation' running while you play Grand Turismo. You can't jump out of your car and blow stuff up. You can't pick items up on the road. You can't go in buildings. There's no 'mission' going on in the backround. Not to mention how big the city is in GTA and how detailed it is. There's no helicopters in Grand Turismo or cop cars that shoot at you. Hell, you can't even damage your car in Grand Turismo.

The bottom line is you only have so many CPU cycles and so much memory to work with in a game. I'm sure there are American programmers that are every bit as adept at using the hardware as the Japanese, unlike what you're implying. Then you bash the Europeans. Europeans as bad programmers, especially game programmers? You honestly know nothing.

Stop me when you've heard of a game company:

Argonaut
Probe
Rare
Codemasters
Eurocom
Vir gin Interactive
Criterion
Eidos
Rage
Cavedog
Bitm ap Brothers
Peter Molyneux

That's just the UK! I'm not even getting into Finland, Russia, Croatia, and all the other places that some genius stuff has come out of.

Hell, Rockstar North is based in the UK, and thats where the game was developed! Another popular UK-developed game that you might have heard of was Metal Gear Solid 2!

Everyone knows the XBOX hardware is much more powerful that the PS2. It came out later, of course it should be. Have you taken a look at RalliSport Challenge 2 for XBOX?

Leaps and bounds ahead of the Rally cars and track of Gran Turismo. Again, you've got a slightly more specialized case of game programming/optimisation.
Re:Flame me if you want... by DroopyStonx · 2004-03-01 09:42 · Score: 1

Another thing that people overlook is the fact that the game is just amazing on an HDTV in component video mode.

Seriously, you haven't played this game until you've played in that mode. It's just... wow.

--
We have secretly replaced these Slashdot mods' sense of humor with a rusty nail. Let's see if they notice!!
Re:Flame me if you want... by ultramk · 2004-03-01 09:43 · Score: 1

I'm not entirely sure I agree with you about the graphics quality PS2/XBox wise. I have both, and have rented the same game on both platforms at the same time to compare.

There is really no question that the graphics quality is better on the Xbox. I'm no XBox fanboi, but it isn't even close. Name a single game available on both platforms where the PS2 graphics are better.

Also, if you compare GT with PGR2, GT comes off as pixelated. There are a lot of arguable points PS2 vs. Xbox, many of them valid. A lot of it comes down to personal preference.

There are a lot of great things about the PS2, but the graphics just aren't one of them.

Of course, this is /. , where saying anything remotely positive about an MS product is a Troll, and today we love Sony. (Love Sony on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and alternate Sundays. Hate Sony on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.)

I dunno, I strongly suspect this stuff is being taken too seriously around here, but what else is new?

m-

--
You catch enchiladas by picking them up behind the head and holding them underwater until they don't kick anymore -VeGas

Regarding other platforms by Ty_Webb · 2004-03-01 05:42 · Score: 5, Informative

Sony has the rights to the franchise, so they grant themselves a period of time where it is only available on their platform (the PS2). After that, if they choose to, they allow other platforms to pick it up. That's why it took so long for PC & Xbox versions of GTA3 to come out, etc.

xbox-owners-crying-into-cereal-bowl by churchie · 2004-03-01 05:42 · Score: 0

Fuggettabout X-Box and their oversized controllers. At least they have the Double Pack. GameCube owners are still banging their heads against the wall over the lack of quality games not made by Nintendo. I want to petition Rockstar for a GC release.

No Xbox version? BS! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:42 · Score: 0

And here I thought the Sony exclusiveness was gone...

After owning the amazing Double Pack for the Xbox, I cannot imagine going back and playing the series on the PS2. I own both an Xbox and the PS2, yet the Xbox is my favorite by a landslide. I mainly use the PS2 for Square RPGs and a few games here and there like the Tekken series.

But by the time GTA4 comes out, the GTA series will be old news and I wont be tempted to suffer through a shitty PS2 version.

Re:No Xbox version? BS! by talonracer · 2004-03-01 06:09 · Score: 1

oh shush. At least Sony didn't go out and buy freakin' Rockstar to keep everyone else away from the title.

Exclusive? by samsmithnz · 2004-03-01 05:43 · Score: 3, Insightful

It will probably be as exclusive as the last games... meaning they aren't ready to release the PC version yet, but maybe next year...

The new GTA! Fucking Ayyyyyyyy! by Saeed+al-Sahaf · 2004-03-01 05:44 · Score: -1, Flamebait

Right on! GTA! Let's go out and kill all the God dman beaners, niggers, slant-eyes and whores. ROCK ON! God knows we have nothing better to do than play repugnent games like this!

--
"Who are in control, they are not in control of anything - they don't even control themselves!" - Glen Beck

Game developer #1 and #2 by OmniVector · 2004-03-01 05:45 · Score: 4, Funny

developer #1: i have an idea
developer #2: what?
developer #1: you know how no one had ever really heard of GTA 1 and 2, but 3 was a great success right?
developer #2: of course
developer #1: well, lets take the already written game engine and capitalize off it's success by making the same game over and over with different cities!
developer #2: brilliant!
developer #1: brilliant!

--
- tristan

Re:Game developer #1 and #2 by Malicious · 2004-03-01 06:04 · Score: 4, Insightful

Have you ever heard of Halflife?
Blue Shift?
Opposing Force?
Team Fortress Classic?
Counter Strike?
Day of Defeat?

This is called a successful business model, and personally if the engine isn't broken, why fix it?

--
01101001001000000110000101101101001000000110001001 10000101110100011011010110000101101110
Re:Game developer #1 and #2 by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:19 · Score: 0

01101001001000000111001101100101011011100110010000 10000001111001011011110111010100100000011000010010 00000010001000110100001000100010000001101001011011 10001000000110001001101001011011100110000101110010 01111001001011100010000000100000011000110110111101 11010101101110011101000010000001101001011101000010 00000110111101101110001000000111100101101111011101 01011100100010000001100110011010010110111001100111 01100101011100100111001100101110
Re:Game developer #1 and #2 by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:28 · Score: 0

I don't get it. What does "4" have to do with anything? Ok. (starts raising fingers) "one...two...three...four"
Re:Game developer #1 and #2 by Cederic · 2004-03-01 06:29 · Score: 2, Insightful

>> developer #1: you know how no one had ever really heard of GTA 1 and 2, but 3 was a great success right?

Actually, I played 1 & 2 at the time they were released. Still have the originals somewhere. Good games, same basic premise as 3, just different perspective.

So they've not just re-used their game engine, they've also re-used their game concept.

All I can really say is, Good. It's a good concept. It's immaculately realised. I'm happy to give these guys my money - they've earned it.

~Cederic
Re:Game developer #1 and #2 by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:53 · Score: 1, Insightful

Good point but here's another you missed:
The PS2 is the same hardware it was 4 years ago.
Why design a completely new engine when one you've already coded uses the max resources already available. They may need to do some tweaking here and there to fix bugs and improve efficiency but there is no reason to start from zero like we do with most PC games. PC components are improved day to day while the PS2 hasn't changed at all. I'd rather have Rockstar spend the time to imrpove gameplay by adding more content than recoding an engine to mimick one they have.
Re:Game developer #1 and #2 by Professr3 · 2004-03-01 06:56 · Score: 1

uhh... a 4... in binary... middle finger, anyone?
Re:Game developer #1 and #2 by Belgand · 2004-03-01 07:40 · Score: 3, Informative

Except that that's not entirely accurate. Half-Life was the only thing even approaching an original game in there. Opposing Force was the expansion pack and so was Blue Shift.

Team Fortress Classic is something that TFS had been working on for a while before Half Life ever came out (TF2 was originally going to be a Quake 2 mod, then development shifted to making it a mod for Half Life and eventually Robin Walker and the rest of TFS got hired by Valve). Essentially it's still a community mod that just got a little bigger.

Counter-Strike and Day of Defeat are both mods as well. Valve just decided to box them up and try to make some cash off of them.

If you wanted to get this right you're thinking of Gunman Chronicles. The pretty damned terrible TC that ended up getting backed and released by Valve as a stand-alone game. Otherwise you really only have one game there.
Re:Game developer #1 and #2 by BenBenBen · 2004-03-01 21:49 · Score: 1

So? I didn't see anyone complaining when Star Wars 5 and 6 were filmed on the same cameras, using the same actors, and the same principles of cinematography as Ep4.

Keep 'em coming Rockstar. When developers radically alter a winning formula (as opposed to the subtle but excellent GTA3 > GTA:VC mods) it's never pretty.

As mentioned elsewhere, GTA4 can sit back and wait for the next gen of consoles quote happily.

--
The Slashdot Paradox: "100% Overrated"

Earthquakes in games. by lightspawn · 2004-03-01 05:46 · Score: 4, Informative

Seriously it would be awesome to have an earthquake in a game, I don't think any other GTA-style game has done something like that (i.e. disaster scenarios).

One of the objectives in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3's LA level is "start the earthquake". Later on the same level you have to deal with a car teetering over the top of the broken freeway.

The PS2 title Disaster Report places you in an earthquake ravaged city.

Quake, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be earthquake related.

Re:Earthquakes in games. by wheany · 2004-03-01 06:09 · Score: 4, Informative

On the other hand, Duke Nukem 3D had an earthquake, to which Duke said "I ain't afraid of no quake."
Re:Earthquakes in games. by jeffehobbs · 2004-03-01 06:23 · Score: 5, Funny

tagline:

GTA San Andreas: Nobody's Fault But Mine

~jeff
Re:Earthquakes in games. by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 07:21 · Score: 0, Redundant

I can't wait till DuKe Nukem Forevar comes out! IT will be so great!
Re:Earthquakes in games. by DonServo · 2004-03-01 07:47 · Score: 1

Great... Another Quake mod...
Re:Earthquakes in games. by Jooly+Rodney · 2004-03-01 07:53 · Score: 2, Informative

You know, I actually bought Disaster Report -- it was in the bargain bin at Gamestop -- and I'd like to report that it was a disaster.
Re:Earthquakes in games. by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 14:09 · Score: 0

I was thinking more

GTA San Andreas: It's Your Fault
Re:Earthquakes in games. by wheresdrew · 2004-03-02 02:55 · Score: 1

Speed Devils on the Dreamcast had a Hollywood level with an earthquake in it. Once you progressed through the levels (and had see the plain Hollywood level) the Hollywood Disaster was unlocked. Racing on cracked pavement and around fallen utility poles. =o) Yeah, that could work well in a GTA game.

WTF?! by jrwillis · 2004-03-01 05:47 · Score: -1, Troll

Why on earth are they developing this for an aging platform?! The PS2 doesn't even support 1080i (which I was hoping they'd support in the next one. Boo Rockstar Games, BOOOOOOOOOO!!!

--
Keep Austin Weird!

Re:WTF?! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:56 · Score: 0

FlopBox owner.
Libertarian.

Two time loser.
Re:WTF?! by slaughts · 2004-03-01 06:04 · Score: 1

Because there have been more than 50 million PS2s sold worldwide?

Wow! Can't wait. by Trashman · 2004-03-01 05:47 · Score: 3, Informative

In case are wondering about the city

Libery City = New York City (Modern Day)
Vice City = Miami (1986-87 there or about)
San Andreas = (I Imagine that is Los Angeles, but when?)

--
Do not read this .sig

Re:Wow! Can't wait. by Scrameustache · 2004-03-01 06:02 · Score: 4, Funny

Libery City = New York City (Modern Day)
Vice City = Miami (1986-87 there or about)
San Andreas = (I Imagine that is Los Angeles, but when?)

19th century.
Grand theft horse-carriage, baby! Whoooo!

--
You can't take the sky from me...
Re:Wow! Can't wait. by Trashman · 2004-03-01 06:06 · Score: 1

Grand theft horse-carriage, baby! Whoooo!

Personally, I'm waiting for Grand Theft Dinosaur: Bedrock City.

--
Do not read this .sig
Re:Wow! Can't wait. by Pingular · 2004-03-01 06:11 · Score: 1

What about GTA: London?

--

When anger rises, think of the consequences.
Confucius (551 BC - 479 BC)
Re:Wow! Can't wait. by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:13 · Score: 1, Funny

How about 1992 circa the riots (1992, right?). Talk about dicy driving through Watts, Compton, etc. Yeah, I like this idea a lot. I'm hired.
Re:Wow! Can't wait. by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:14 · Score: 0

not Los Angeles - look at the map in GTA1 - you'll note something resembling the golden gate bridge and several other neighborhoods have similar names to those in SF. Now granted LA is sliding north twords SF - but not THAT fast.

Also if you go to rockstar's website you'll notice the new logo in the news section. The type for "San Andreas" looks like script from the Giants baseball team or any other souveners you'd pick up in SF.
Re:Wow! Can't wait. by blincoln · 2004-03-01 08:13 · Score: 1

Grand theft horse-carriage, baby! Whoooo!

Last year as an April Fools joke I wrote an article which included "exclusive coverage" of a Legacy of Kain spinoff called Vehiculum Furtus Maximo (yes, I know, my Latin is terrible). Most fans were horrified, but I still get people asking every once in awhile about making it into a Flash game or something, and a few that didn't realize it was a joke and wonder what happened to it.

My friend Willow and I were both pleasantly shocked to find out that his design for the main character made it into the real new Legacy of Kain game. You can unlock him with a code on the controller =).

--
"...always new atoms but always doing the same dance, remembering what the dance was yesterday." -Richard Feynman
Re:Wow! Can't wait. by stud9920 · 2004-03-01 09:48 · Score: 1

What about GTA: London?
Imagine the cops chasing you "Dear Sir, will you kindly follow us to the police station to discuss a matter concerning you ?"

No PC version? by Control-Z · 2004-03-01 05:47 · Score: 4, Insightful

Weren't GTA3 and VC big sellers on the PC? Until the consoles get some equilavent of "mouselook", I have zero interest in playing games like GTA on a console.

Re:No PC version? by SoupGuru · 2004-03-01 05:54 · Score: 3, Insightful

Each time I play a shooter on a console, I get to a point where I have to aim at something, and then I shut it off. Sure, a controller is awesome for sports games but when it comes to shooting things, nothing beats a mouse and keyboard.

--
What doesn't kill you only delays the inevitable
Re:No PC version? by NerdSlayer · 2004-03-01 06:04 · Score: 0

You go girl! Nobody cares what you think, lots of other people will buy it.
Re:No PC version? by Rura+Penthe · 2004-03-01 06:24 · Score: 0, Flamebait

If GTA was an fps I'd agree with you. Instead I have to wonder wtf is wrong with you.
Re:No PC version? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 07:34 · Score: 5, Funny

but when it comes to shooting things, nothing beats a mouse and keyboard.

That's what I thought, until I was invited on this hunting trip. Boy did I feel stupid lugging my Logitech Cordless desktop around in the woods.
Re:No PC version? by Quixadhal · 2004-03-01 07:39 · Score: 1

So, you never actually tried the second joystick, did you?
Re:No PC version? by PainKilleR-CE · 2004-03-01 08:37 · Score: 1

Weren't GTA3 and VC big sellers on the PC?

Compared to the console versions, sales were laughable. In fact, the total sales of the PC and XBox versions of GTA3 and GTA:Vice City combined are less than the sales of GTA:VC on the PS2 alone.

That being said, the PC sales were no slouch compared to other PC games, excepting the obvious titles like The Sims and Half-Life, which sold comparable numbers to Vice City's PS2 version.

--
-PainKilleR-[CE]
Re:No PC version? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 09:48 · Score: 0

GTA ain't really a shooter in that sense. You don't need mouselook, that's what autolock (R1? Been a while) is for.
Re:No PC version? by Scrameustache · 2004-03-01 15:27 · Score: 1

when it comes to shooting things, nothing beats a mouse and keyboard.

Nintendo light gun.
Old school.

--
You can't take the sky from me...
Re:No PC version? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 16:59 · Score: 1, Insightful

it isnt shooting things that a mouse and keyboard is better at, its 1st person view. 3rd person view is better with an analogue stick.

the thing is the motion of a mouse is more analagous to to movement of your head and eyes. when you look at something you look right at it almost immediately. you can do this with a mouse. the position of your hand allows you to almost immediately move to a point.

when you walk (like in 3rd person) you walk left, you walk right, you walk forward, whatever, and you keep walking until you reach your destination and stop. this is like what an analogue stick simulates.

1st person shooters? mouse. but gta is a 3rd person game with one optional 1st person view. the stick is better.

-andy

GTA San Andreas... by enrico_suave · 2004-03-01 05:48 · Score: 4, Funny

GTA San Andreas gives new meaning to the term "shake down"

e

--
Build Your Own PVR/HTPC news, reviews, &

Exclusives dont mean what they used to... by stratjakt · 2004-03-01 05:48 · Score: 5, Interesting

Resident Evil: Codename Veronica was a dreamcast excluive... Code Veronica X came out for PS2 later, the X makes it a whollllle new game.. Now resident evil is a gamecube "exclusive"..

GTA3 & Vice City were PS2 "exclusives", until the PC versions, and later XBox versions came out.

The Final Fantasy series is PS2 "exclusive", nevermind that Crystal Chronicles thing.

It may be exclusive on PS2 for awhile, but I have no doubt a PC version, at least, will surface some time next year.

The only real exclusives are from the console makers themselves, Nintendo's franchise players, etc..

It just doesnt make sense for third party developers to lock themselves into one platform in such a fragmented market.

--
I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!

Re:Exclusives dont mean what they used to... by musikit · 2004-03-01 05:59 · Score: 4, Insightful

i prefer the word exclusive to mean "the console develop paid us money to make our game only work on their system for some period of time X"

otherwise you are right. the only truely exclusives are from the console devs themselves.

Ex.
Halo on Xbox
Mario on GC
EverQuest??? on PS2

does Sony even have an exclusive title for PS2?
Re:Exclusives dont mean what they used to... by cens0r · 2004-03-01 06:14 · Score: 2, Informative

Gran Turismo. And it would be worth it to buy a PS2 simply for this series.

--
Jack Valenti and Orrin Hatch will be first up against the wall when the revolution comes.
Re:Exclusives dont mean what they used to... by newbiescum · 2004-03-01 07:02 · Score: 1

SOCOM, Gran Turismo, Jak and Daxter, and Ratchet and Clank are some made by Sony themselves. Now it seems the Virtual Fighter series, pretty much any game made by Squaresoft with the exception of FF:CC and any Gameboy Advance games I'm forgetting about, etc. There are quite a few more games but most of them aren't that famous. And I don't believe any of those have PC ports, except the Final Fantasies but I don't know many people that buy them on the PC. Xbox is getting Ninja Gaiden of course and they have things like Steel Battlaion (sp?) and Crimson Skies. They don't have that many exclusives that aren't made by MS themselves, but that's becuase their library is smaller and they keep buying out any successful developer. Gamecube has lots of exclusives but most of them are made by Nintendo. That doesn't make them any worse though 'cause most of their games are really great.
Re:Exclusives dont mean what they used to... by Belgand · 2004-03-01 07:46 · Score: 1

Uhm.... Crimson Skies came out for the PC. Actually, I'd known about it on the PC for a rather long time before I ever heard about it on Xbox. I guess the PC version just didn't sell nearly as well.

Ah, a quick search on MobyGames reveals that Crimson Skies came out for Windows in 2000, while the Xbox version was 2003. Although I guess only making it for Windows kind of counts as it being exclusive to Microsoft...
Re:Exclusives dont mean what they used to... by eclectric · 2004-03-01 08:15 · Score: 2, Informative

> The Final Fantasy series is PS2 "exclusive", nevermind that Crystal Chronicles thing.

By my count, the majority of FF titles were released by Nintendo.

Also, I believe that the 7,8 and 9 were all released for the PS1, correct?
Re:Exclusives dont mean what they used to... by PainKilleR-CE · 2004-03-01 08:53 · Score: 1

Resident Evil: Codename Veronica was a dreamcast excluive... Code Veronica X came out for PS2 later, the X makes it a whollllle new game.. Now resident evil is a gamecube "exclusive"..

The primary Resident Evil series has all been re-released on the Cube, with RE0 and RE4 as exclusives and the RE1 remake being an exclusive (RE2 and Code Veronica being ports). They still have a handful of RE releases that are only being released on the PS2, as well.

GTA3 & Vice City were PS2 "exclusives", until the PC versions, and later XBox versions came out.

The Final Fantasy series is PS2 "exclusive", nevermind that Crystal Chronicles thing.

Sony hasn't (as of yet) excluded PC releases when they sign a developer to do PS 1/2 exclusives. The Final Fantasy series has only had 3 titles on the PS2 (one of which isn't available in the US, yet, though will be within a couple of weeks, depending on supply). Most of the FF PS1 re-releases (FF1-6, excluding 3, + Chrono Cross & Chrono Trigger) were originally Nintendo-console exclusives. FF7 and FF8 were both released on the PC within a fairly short time of the console release (in the US).

Basically, when Sony brings in a developer for an "exclusive", it usually means that a particular series of games will be released on their console as the only console release for a particular period of time. When Microsoft brings in a developer for an "exclusive" and doesn't actually buy that developer, it means you probably won't see the PC version of the title for at least 6 months and may never see it on another console. Nintendo hasn't done enough exclusives with 3rd parties for me to really have any idea how that works with them, except that we know that so far RE0 hasn't shown up anywhere else, nor Viewtiful Joe (though the latter hasn't been around nearly long enough).

It just doesnt make sense for third party developers to lock themselves into one platform in such a fragmented market.

The developers rarely lock themselves into one platform entirely, unless they become a second party developer. Generally they just lock up a particular franchise for a period of time or a number of titles. Often that franchise exclusivity doesn't even include titles using the franchise name with a non-linear title and/or plot (ie FF: Crystal Chronicles, FF:Tactics Advance, and the RE: PS2 games). Additionally, they get big wads of cash, which look really good on a developer's bottom line sometimes, especially to companies like SquareSoft, Rockstar, and Capcom that are looking at an industry that isn't being very friendly to small developers and possibly a shaky financial ground (SquareSoft obviously became SquareEnix to deal with some of the problems they caused after taking big wads of cash from Sony, Rockstar is probably doing just fine these days after GTA:VC broke all kinds of records, and Capcom, well, I don't know how they're doing).

Apparently, there are plenty of other companies that thought an even closer relationship with one of the console manufacturers would be helpful, such as Silicon Knights, Bungie, Rare, and so forth.

--
-PainKilleR-[CE]
Re:Exclusives dont mean what they used to... by PainKilleR-CE · 2004-03-01 08:56 · Score: 1

Uhm.... Crimson Skies came out for the PC. Actually, I'd known about it on the PC for a rather long time before I ever heard about it on Xbox. I guess the PC version just didn't sell nearly as well.

Ah, a quick search on MobyGames reveals that Crimson Skies came out for Windows in 2000, while the Xbox version was 2003. Although I guess only making it for Windows kind of counts as it being exclusive to Microsoft...

The Crimson Skies for the XBox (High Road to Revenge) is not the same game as the older Windows title. It's sortof a sequel, but not quite, because they more or less started from scratch on the XBox. So, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge is an XBox exclusive, while the older Crimson Skies is a PC title that has little to do with the newer game except for the name and some basic story elements.

--
-PainKilleR-[CE]
Re:Exclusives dont mean what they used to... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 10:52 · Score: 0

How in the hell did you get modded insightful by claiming that, for example, Halo was developed by Microsoft?

PS2 has plenty of exclusive titles not made by Sony, as does the Xbox (although not many titles that anyone would care about).
Re:Exclusives dont mean what they used to... by newbiescum · 2004-03-01 11:46 · Score: 1

I was referring to Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge which I believe is an XBox exclusive.
Re:Exclusives dont mean what they used to... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-14 05:58 · Score: 0

ok they hav gran turismo,wipeout and soon to be
killzone(the one evry1 says is better than halo)
ther are more those are just an oldy (wipeout) current (gt) and a coming soon (killzone)

o ye ther is also ratchet & clank or Jak 2 for u platformer fans

How about... by phorm · 2004-03-01 05:49 · Score: 4, Funny

Being able to set off some explosives etc along the fault-line and CAUSE an earthquake. Not sure if it would fly in the anti-terrorist US, but it would somewhat fit in with the GTA theme of mayhem and mass-destruction.

Bad Pun Alert! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:50 · Score: 1, Funny

I think this was a bad idea.

It will be all too easy to find fault with this game ;)

Ow! I told you, it was a bad pun! Bad, I tell you! Bad!

Bush Lauds Aristide's Exit: +1, Patriotic by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:51 · Score: -1, Offtopic

Perhaps, the Fake President can follow his advice to Aristide and
exit the United States of Amerika, in the interests of democracy, to perphaps, Rawanda, where he can broadcast more F.U.D.

Cheers,
Kilgore

do research by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:51 · Score: 0

Fuggettabout X-Box and their oversized controllers

Hey tough guy, it isnt 2001 anymore and your oversized controller jokes are redundant and just plain moronic. Obviously you have been blind not noticing a certain "Xbox Controller S" being the standard for the last 1.5+ years.

Re:do research by churchie · 2004-03-01 06:02 · Score: 0

Thanks for the update. Now, if you don't mind, why don't you respond to my claim that there has yet to be GTA release for GameCube.
Re:do research by stratjakt · 2004-03-01 06:05 · Score: 5, Funny

There's a GTA game in the works for gamecube.

They haven't got the big wheel, tricycle and razor scooter models just right.

The water pistol effects are fabulous, though!

--
I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!

Chilling Effects and Advanced Censorship? by Featureless · 2004-03-01 05:51 · Score: 5, Interesting

Many of you will remember the brouhaha over GTA3: Vice City and the phrase "Kill all the Hatians."

It was a big stink - bigger than any of the stuff you thought would be worse (you can kill police, or anyone for that matter, in the game) that ended in Rockstar actually changing the game - they now only push a "patched" version to stores AFAIK.

I was wondering why we don't demand an apology from Francis Ford Coppola about the Godfather movies (to which the GTA series is often, for obvious reasons, compared). After all, there's a line in one about black people being animals "who have no souls."

Then again, that was said by a character, not by the screenwriter.

Isn't it interesting that sometimes we're capable of knowing the difference, and other times we're not?

People apparently love these "gotcha" stories. They have no relation to the facts, and are frightening in their ignorance about the basic issues. I mean, distinguishing between something a character is saying and something the game/movie's makers are saying is a pretty basic feat of human intelligence. Of course the context is everything - the context of the line in the game is a gang war (and "the hatains" are one of the gangs in the game). But when it's time to worry about how many people are watching your news program rather than the competitions, a scare story, a little race baiting, even when the facts aren't exactly straight, can slip through.

Especially when it's a video game.

Where are the defenders of all Hatians now? Probably advocating Edward Norton be locked up for being a Nazi (since he played one in American History X).

Apparently we still hold games to a different standard than movies, even when these games are obviously made for adults, and are rated accordingly. If the game were a movie you'd be laughed out of the room for talking about it like that.

And the amazing thing is that Rockstar has caved to this kind of idiocy.

So what's the point of all this?

If Rockstar feels they have to edit everything in their products to fly this far under the stupid-radar, then they will essentially be neutering their product - which succeeds in a large part on the basis of its funny, irreverent, transgressive "creative" (i.e. game design and story, which are, in this as in many cases, inextricable).

I'm wondering how San Andreas will stack up - if they still have their spine after the "Hatian Incident." If they PC'd and PG-13'd the series, I predict an adverse response from the audience, and at the "box office."

--

Want to Know How to Cheat the GPL? Read On!

Re:Chilling Effects and Advanced Censorship? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:43 · Score: 0

Where are the defenders of all Haitians now?

A little busy at the moment.....
Re:Chilling Effects and Advanced Censorship? by WormholeFiend · 2004-03-01 07:16 · Score: 1

didnt you notice the brouhaha surrounding Mel Gibson's Jesus Chainsaw Massacre movie?
Re:Chilling Effects and Advanced Censorship? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 07:20 · Score: 0

Yes, but what about the last few months before this recent event?

From what I can tell nothing new has happened, unless they are still trying to go through the legal system that supports their claimes.
Re:Chilling Effects and Advanced Censorship? by Featureless · 2004-03-01 07:24 · Score: 1

Yeah - case in point. Just imagine if they tried to give Mel the same treatment they gave Rockstar.

Actually, that's kind of fun to imagine. :)

--

Want to Know How to Cheat the GPL? Read On!
Re:Chilling Effects and Advanced Censorship? by GigsVT · 2004-03-01 11:58 · Score: 1

It's funny, but I recently played through VC again, and at least in the PC version, the "KILL ALL THE HAITIANS" line is only in subtitles, not actually spoken by anyone that I could hear.

--
I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
Re:Chilling Effects and Advanced Censorship? by pjp6259 · 2004-03-02 11:26 · Score: 1

The same exact thing happens in music. When Eric Clapton sings "I shot the sheriff", everyone realizes he doesnt actually want to shoot cops, but is singing about a character. But when Ice-T puts out "Cop Killer", it's taken differently.

--
Computers don't make mistakes. What they do, they do on purpose.

2006? by WIAKywbfatw · 2004-03-01 05:53 · Score: 0, Redundant

Great I can pick it up at the same time as my pre-ordered copy of Duke Nukem Forever!

--

"Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg

I know it's been said before... by dark-br · 2004-03-01 05:53 · Score: 5, Insightful

My buddy has a 3 year old. During the time his wife was away, my buddy would play GTA: Vice City, and his son would watch. The son thought it was cool when daddy "beat the shit" of of other guys with the bats. Well, Mom came home to see her son, and saw her son going to town on his favourite teddy bear with a kid-sized hockey stick. He said to his mom that it was because daddy did this "on tv". (And yes, the son would say daddy "beat the shit" out of somebody on tv.)

Whether you decide to play these games is up to you, but I believe we do have to be careful with our kids. We need to make them understand the difference between reality and fantasy, and if they can't tell the difference right now, then that's a lesson for later.

I believe it's called parenting.

Re:I know it's been said before... by IamGarageGuy+2 · 2004-03-01 06:04 · Score: 4, Insightful

I have a 4-year old myself and obviously would not let him play or watch this. I enjoy it but he is just not able to tell right from wrong yet. It does not make the game any less fun to play, but I am able to rationalize the fantasy. The people that will scream about children getting messed up by this are the same ones that have children that are unruly and not disiplined (you know the ones that use bad words and don't respect anybody). Parenting is the main word here - either do it or have kids that are going to act like monsters.

--
Stay tuned for new sig...
Re:I know it's been said before... by SpamJunkie · 2004-03-01 06:08 · Score: 4, Funny

I believe it's called parenting.

That's a common misconception. It's actually called birth control.
Re:I know it's been said before... by NerdSlayer · 2004-03-01 06:08 · Score: 1

Don't tell us about parenting, tell your freakin' friend! And you apparently are at least partially responsible for this, too...
Re:I know it's been said before... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:09 · Score: 0

We need to make them understand the difference between reality and fantasy

So Freud, since when was a teddy bear a real person? Your post and concern is 100% FUD.
Re:I know it's been said before... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:27 · Score: 0

So you didn't think your teddy bear was a 'real person' when you were three? Must be lacking in the imagination department.
Re:I know it's been said before... by Sabalon · 2004-03-01 06:28 · Score: 4, Funny

When my daughter was three, I would show her GTA3, as she thought the moving images were neat. I would show her how I could make the guy run around, jump and drive a car. Then I'd do something like drive off the bridge or something, which she thought was funny.

Guess it just never occured to me "hey...lets show her how I can pick up a hoe, get laid and then beat the hoe up for her money." Seemed like a bad idea to me.
Re:I know it's been said before... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:48 · Score: 0

Yes, it is called parenting. Now go tell it to the parents and leave the rest of us fucken gamers alone. I don't need to be censored because someone else doesn't know right from wrong (or in this case doesn't know how to raise a kid).
Re:I know it's been said before... by stud9920 · 2004-03-01 09:39 · Score: 1

He *could* see the difference between reality or fantasy. Or did he perhaps hit a living bear with his wooden hockey stick ?
Re:I know it's been said before... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 10:57 · Score: 0

Guess it just never occured to me "hey...lets show her how I can pick up a hoe, get laid and then beat the hoe up for her money." Seemed like a bad idea to me.

Every day, all around the world, gardening tools are being mistreated. Please, give generously when the collector calls. "Safe Sheds", because rakes are people too.
Re:I know it's been said before... by danila · 2004-03-01 22:10 · Score: 1

Let me say first that I support good parenting, blah-blah-blah. But I want to draw your attention to the fact that most kids raised (who become adults) turn out to be less than stellar job. The majority of people in most developed countries are functionally illiterate (i.e. they can't really understand written text and don't understand the concept of numbers), irrational and uninformed. Most are also unethical. I can elaborate on that, if necessary.

I'm not trying to pick on anyone, and in decent countries the society usually keeps most people withing the bounds pretty well, but it is the truth that most people are of really poor quality, if I am allowed to say so. And this leads us to the conclusion that even if someone lets their 3-year old boy watch/play GTA the society will hardly notice the negative effect.

--
Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
Re:I know it's been said before... by Justabit · 2004-03-01 22:57 · Score: 0

No I think he was born fully sentient, and to him a teddy bear was a litteral teddy bear, he didnt know any diferent. Maybee his mom or dad didnt give him one when he was little?

--
"Persistance is Fertile" - Me. I can quote myself if I want to.
Re:I know it's been said before... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-02 02:11 · Score: 0

was the pun intended? As far as I can tell most children are missed conceptions...

PARENT IS TROLL by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 05:53 · Score: 0

obviously has never played or even read about the games.

ID Software by Embedded+Geek · 2004-03-01 05:56 · Score: 2, Funny

Rockstar/Id merger and Quake jokes in 3, 2, 1...

--

"Prepare for the worst - hope for the best."

Renderware platform. by kyz · 2004-03-01 05:57 · Score: 5, Interesting

The game is mostly a huge bunch of data on top of Renderware Platform. The difficulting in creating the game is the huge amount of artwork required. Unlike a racing game or DOOM, you need to fill an entire city where every building needs all four sides and the roof defined, plus needs a multitude of models so it looks good both close up and at a distance.

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Does my bum look big in this?

Re:Renderware platform. by strictnein · 2004-03-01 06:23 · Score: 1

plus needs a multitude of models so it looks good both close up and at a distance

I would assume they use dynamic LOD (level of detail) like most 3D games do these days.

So, for example, when you're close to a person their model contains 1000 polygons, when you're farther away the model would only be made up of 50 or 100 polygons.

--
Casual Games/Downloads
Re:Renderware platform. by kyz · 2004-03-01 07:17 · Score: 1

when you're close to a person their model contains 1000 polygons, when you're farther away the model would only be made up of 50 or 100 polygons.

Yeah, that's what I already said. The problem is that most algorithms do a terrible job of simplifying models, so you still need artists to draw (or tweak) the simplified models individually.

What I forgot to say in the original post is that because the game is built on Renderware Platform, the game graphics/models were created with Renderware Studio. Rockstar North used third-party tools to create their game content. They can't give out those tools, even though they wrote the game.

--
Does my bum look big in this?
Re:Renderware platform. by 88NoSoup4U88 · 2004-03-01 07:43 · Score: 1

If you take notice to the environments though : it's very non-detailed :
The buildings consist of big brush-blocks, and not too much detail to them on over-all.
Mind you, I'm not saying the graphics are very cool : Because they are : But the texturework itself (of the big skyscrapers) is something a good texture artist can 'easily' make.
Re:Renderware platform. by danila · 2004-03-01 21:49 · Score: 1

No, they use dynamic DCP (disappearning cars and pedastrians), since noone would notice that on the crappy TV anyway.

So, for example, when you're close to a person, you see their mode, when you're farther away or just turn around and then back, you don't see anyone anymore.

This is one of the main complaints of GTA players.

--
Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
Re:Renderware platform. by mandalayx · 2004-03-03 19:27 · Score: 1

Actually, there's some new technology out here that will automate the rendering, or so they say:

linky

the driver by Nf1nk · 2004-03-01 05:57 · Score: 3, Insightful

I find the most fun way to do this mission is to fight my way to the trash truck and then the goons in the comets just bounce off you. much more satisfying than the helo method (unless you use the apache, but that is another post)

--
I used to have a cool sig, back when I cared

the website by zr-rifle · 2004-03-01 05:59 · Score: 4, Informative

is over here: http://www.rockstargames.com/sanandreas/

--
Hack your mind out of its sandbox.

Re:the website by StuWho · 2004-03-01 07:25 · Score: 1

The "Motorhead-style" gothic font for San Andreas does suggest that maybe this game will be set in the 70's. Hells Angels plotline maybe?

--
"If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments." Earl Wilson
Re:the website by cens0r · 2004-03-01 07:51 · Score: 1

It looks more like the san fransisco giants font. Which just leads me to believe it would be in san fransisco.

--
Jack Valenti and Orrin Hatch will be first up against the wall when the revolution comes.

East Germany by tepples · 2004-03-01 06:01 · Score: 1

Grand Theft Trabant: East Germany

Wouldn't that be a dancing game rather than a crime game, given that East Germany's official initials were DDR?

Re:East Germany by dotwaffle · 2004-03-01 17:38 · Score: 1

DDR2: This time it's personal - Dancing game that requires you to also shoot targets crossing Checkpoint Charlie as well as groove to the latest incarnation of Kallinka and Korobeiniki!

no, Jeb's out with Candi Suxxx... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:01 · Score: 0

can I take a message please?

You want to what to who in San Francisco? Well, I'll can certainly convey your mesaage to him...

Well, he's got his assignation followed by the weekly coke run to DC (his brother gets a little antsy without the white, you know..) but I'm sure that Gov. Bush concurs with your moral outlook on things...

Thank you for your call. This answering service for the Bush family is sponsored by the family law firm of Dewey, Cheatham, and Howe. The Bush family role models.

Non-PC games by Egekrusher2K · 2004-03-01 06:03 · Score: 3, Interesting

Why is it that so many titles are released exclusively for consoles, and never released for the PC? Do the game companies NOT realize that the most hardcore, high spending gamers use the PC as their primary gaming platform? Granted, there are a lot (A LOT) of PC titles that don't do so hot. But that is because the genious creative minds behing all the great console hits aren't creating them. PC exclusive games are usually buggy as hell upon release, with poor game play and even more poor acting. If we could get some of these top developers to start releasing their console exclusive hits on PC, I think they would notice that we, as PC gamers, are just starved for good content. Our market SUCKS.

--
Listen to my experimental-industrial-techno!

Re:Non-PC games by HarveyBirdman · 2004-03-01 06:10 · Score: 1

Compare PC game sales to console games sales. For every "hardcore, high spending" PC gamer, there's 10 console gamers.
It's also easier to focus on squeezing the last drop of performace out of a game engine on a single platform.

--
--- Ban humanity.
Re:Non-PC games by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:10 · Score: 0

"most hardcore, high spending gamers use the PC as their primary gaming platform?"

Nope dummy.

More like a tiny group of high spending gamers use their x86 machines as their primary gaming platform.

The profits from the tiny x86 market usually aren't even worth the hassle of a port.
Re:Non-PC games by rpillala · 2004-03-01 06:32 · Score: 3, Insightful

I think they're not looking for the relatively small number of hardcore high-spending gamers. They're looking for the much larger (and still growing) number of casual gamers. GTA is one of those games you can play for a short or a long time.
I don't know what they gain by being platform-exclusive though. At least make it for more than one console. Those are fixed hardware configurations. It does seem like they'd lose out.

Ravi

--
When the axe came to the forest, the trees said, "Look out - the handle was once one of us."
Re:Non-PC games by Cederic · 2004-03-01 06:38 · Score: 2, Insightful

PC games are still the big players in the online gaming arena.

EQ/DAOC/AO are pulling in millions a month, and have no real console equivalent (don't even try and suggest EQ on the PS2). These tend to work more through social interaction than gameplay.

Quake, UT, BF1942 are providing the gameplay. Quite simply there isn't anything on a console to match the adrenaline rush you can get from these games, every day, for months at a time.

I haven't even mentioned the top online game, Counter Strike. Not seen that on any consoles recently.

Of course, PCs do much more than that. Championship Manager (sells millions of copies a year) is PC based (although a console port is now available), there are a myriad of strategy games better than anything on a console, hard core flight sims are still PC based, and the really really popular played by hundreds of millions of people games are all on the PC. Or do you hate minesweeper and hearts?

Personally I'm happy for developers to take the approach that Rockstar do - develop for the console cash cow, then add in proper mouse support, beef up the graphics and release the game on the PC.

~Cederic
Re:Non-PC games by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:39 · Score: 0

One word: Piracy
Re:Non-PC games by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:41 · Score: 0

Let me guess. You're one of those dorks who calls your peecee "my rig"

And you don't have a fucking clue about the console market.
Re:Non-PC games by Tazzy531 · 2004-03-01 06:41 · Score: 1

I don't know what they gain by being platform-exclusive though. At least make it for more than one console. Those are fixed hardware configurations. It does seem like they'd lose out.
It's comes down to one thing: MONEY I'm sure Sony is giving them a kickback for an exclusive deal. I mean, most people don't buy a game system for it's hardware, but rather the available game selections.

--

_______________________________
"I'm not Conceited...I'm just a realist..."
Re:Non-PC games by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:46 · Score: 0

Uhhh...no.

It comes down to one thing: Installed Base.

PS2 70 million.
FlopBox 10 million.

How much more do you think it would cost MS than Sony to land an exclusivity deal.

Hint: There's a 7, a 10, and a division sign in the answer.
Re:Non-PC games by t_allardyce · 2004-03-01 07:07 · Score: 2, Interesting

Im guessing its to stop piracy: its harder to get free PS2 games because you need a chip and a dvd-burner, where as to get PC games you just need a decent connection. Multiplayer games are different because the serial codes are checked by the servers so theoretically they should be pretty hard to crack. GTA being mostly a single-player game (i know, its brilliantly suited to multiplayer) should go on a console where its more likely to be bought. Plus sony are probably sucked rockstar off like a desperate teen groupie to get it on their console only, they know its their killer app.

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This comment does not represent the views or opinions of the user.
Re:Non-PC games by Dragoon412 · 2004-03-01 07:14 · Score: 1

EQ/DAOC/AO are pulling in millions a month, and have no real console equivalent (don't even try and suggest EQ on the PS2). These tend to work more through social interaction than gameplay.

Take a look at True Fantasy Live Online for the Xbox. Not only is it a 'true' MMORPG, but it's attempting to address some of the most problematic issues in MMOGs, namely stupd, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid concept of levels and their stratifying effect on the player base, preventing friends from playing together unless they happen to keep the exact same playing schedule.

Quake, UT, BF1942 are providing the gameplay. Quite simply there isn't anything on a console to match the adrenaline rush you can get from these games, every day, for months at a time.

Yes there are: Rainbow 6 3, Crimson Skies 2, SOCOM, and Jedi Academy to name a few.

I haven't even mentioned the top online game, Counter Strike. Not seen that on any consoles recently.

Then you haven't been looking. Counterstrike is on the Xbox, playable on Xbox Live. And unlike the PC version, it's not full of whiney 13 year-old cheaters bitching about lag and how much they hate the game.

Personally I'm happy for developers to take the approach that Rockstar do - develop for the console cash cow, then add in proper mouse support, beef up the graphics and release the game on the PC.

Enjoy it while you can.

Not to sound like one of those *BSD is Dying!!! alarmists, but do you really think that PC gaming really has the staying power for companies to employ that method for much longer?

Your first point was dead-on: as it stands, PCs still dominate online gaming. But Xbox Live is an amazing online platform; far superior to anything the PC has, and it's just starting to catch on. So with it setting the bar for online console gaming, just think of what the next-gen consoles are going to be able to do. And then ask yourself: why the bloody hell would any spend the absurd premiums for PC hardware when consoles offer a superior gaming experience?

Think about it... for the same price you could have either:

1) A custom-built gaming PC with all the latest bells and whistles that'll be struggling to run games released only months later, and a library of games reknowned for their lack of QA and bug-ridden releases.

Or

2) All three major consoles, a 36"-ish HDTV, a surround sound system, component inputs and switches for all your consoles, and probably 5-10 games per console.

And that's just right now; imagine a few years from now when console manufacturers all (well, not Nintendo; they're more interested in telling consumers what they want than giving consumers what they want) have services like Xbox Live. The only people left playing PC games will be those blowhards that honestly think a mouse is the only viable way to play an FPS.

PC gaming may not be dying, but it's a pretty safe bet that the next generation of consoles will be happy to usher it out of the party.
Re:Non-PC games by dewke · 2004-03-01 07:29 · Score: 2, Interesting

Sony paid money to Rockstar for an exclusive game contract.

It's really that simple. All the GTA3 games have made it to the PC in time, I'm sure this one will too.

For what it's worth, except for MMORPG games, the consoles are a lot more profitable than a pc game too.

--
Oderint dum metuant
Re:Non-PC games by NickV · 2004-03-01 07:45 · Score: 1

You're completely utterly wrong.

The video game industry brought in 10 Billion dollars last year. Compared to the PC game industry which brought in 1 billion.

So basically, the console market is 10 times bigger than the PC market. I mean, it's not even close.

(http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040126/265198_1.html)
Re:Non-PC games by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 07:46 · Score: 0

The only people left playing PC games will be those blowhards that honestly think a mouse is the only viable way to play an FPS.
and the simulation, hard core strategy, and mod communities.
people who say:
All three major consoles, a 36"-ish HDTV, a surround sound system, component inputs and switches for all your consoles, and probably 5-10 games per console.
don't understand how to put a pc together at low cost, your talkin 2000cdn when you can put together a good system (and check your mail) for 1200 cdn.
I don't doubt that xblive is great, however the PC will be the realm of choice for FPS and strategy and simulation for years to come, unless of course you don't like mods.
Re:Non-PC games by Espectr0 · 2004-03-01 08:17 · Score: 1

Did you know console games outsell PC games by a factor of 6?

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Open Source Java Web Forum with LDAP authentication
Re:Non-PC games by fullmetal55 · 2004-03-01 08:24 · Score: 1

I take the PS2 exclusive phrase to mean the exact same thing it meant back when GTA 3 was released... the platform exclusive was that it was only to be released on the PS2 console, PCs were still allowed. Sony does help fund the projects to ensure exclusivity of titles, but only in respect to the other consoles. PC games are an entirely different beast as far as they're concerned. which is why the final fantasy games are usually released on PC, etc. all of the console manufacturers have similar deals. Microsoft "helped fund" Knights of the old Republic to ensure that the x-box was the only console it was available for. and so forth... PCs are generally not included in the "platform exclusive" also note that the exclusive is generally time limited, thus after so many months they can release it on others... hence the X-box release of gta3 and vice city... I'd expect 6 months after the PS2 version of GTA S.A. a PC version will be completed. with some extras, better graphics etc...
Re:Non-PC games by blincoln · 2004-03-01 08:44 · Score: 2, Informative

Our market SUCKS.

Yes, it does, and that's why almost no one releases PC-exclusive games anymore.

Someone else posted the figure I was going to quote, which is that the console market is literally ten times more profitable than PC (~US$10 billion versus a little over US$1 billion last year).

Factor in the difficulty of PC support versus console support, and the ease of which PC games are pirated compared to consoles, and the reasons are obvious.

--
"...always new atoms but always doing the same dance, remembering what the dance was yesterday." -Richard Feynman
Re:Non-PC games by glucoseboy · 2004-03-01 09:44 · Score: 1

Because it's easier (read cheaper). fixed hardware, fixed OS. They don't have to develop and test for every possible PC hardware/software combination. My prediction (and this is an easy one). I envision the PC gaming market continue to shrink in the future. The gap between perceived (screen appearance) power of PCs and consoles (for games) is getting smaller and smaller. Unless of course, someone develops some really killer application (3-D?, wrap around VR goggles)
Re:Non-PC games by comedian23 · 2004-03-01 10:17 · Score: 1

You are forgetting the PC prices have plummeted. You can get a decent bare bones system for $400 that can play many games, plus you can use it for a variety of other things as well. In fact I am going to update my PC soon and I have alloted about $500 and that will make it a VERY fast PC(new mobo, graphics card, cpu and ram). Console games are only going up. I think the PSX is going to retail for around $400-500. Games are cheaper for PCs too. If you could really get all that stuff you claim for the price of a PC you got majorly ripped off when you got your PC. Here is a tip for you next time around: www.pricewatch.com.

Eventually PCs and consoles may actually merge, but right now the consoles look more like they are interested in merging with a DVD player/Tivo type thing than with a PC. PCs will probably maintain their hardcore gamer market for a while still, especially with HL2 and Doom3 coming out this year.

-Comedian
Re:Non-PC games by Dragoon412 · 2004-03-01 10:56 · Score: 1

You are forgetting the PC prices have plummeted. You can get a decent bare bones system for $400 that can play many games

For $400, you can forget about playing any new games. I know the idea of 'gaming rig' to most slashbots includes anything that can run Tux Racer or Chromium. Nothing against you if that's your idea of a good game, but those games aren't even remotely in the same league as, say, UT2k4 or Lineage 2. Be reasonable; $400 is barely a good mainboard and processor (even by the prices listed by all the shady dealers on pricewatch), much less a video card, decent power supply, case, and RAM.

In fact I am going to update my PC soon and I have alloted about $500 and that will make it a VERY fast PC(new mobo, graphics card, cpu and ram)

Like I said above... for that price, replacing all those parts, you're buying extremely out-dated and/or no-brand parts from unknown or disreputable dealers. A high-end video card alone would eat up at least half of your budget.

A good gaming rig for playing new games runs a bare minimum of $1500, not including a monitor, speakers, a souncard, or any peripherals. You might be able to knock ~$100 off that if you buy a cheap case and don't mind your system sounding like a ShopVac when it's running.

Console games are only going up.

New games were $50 at least as far back as the NES days. They still are today.

I think the PSX is going to retail for around $400-500.

Why don't you base your claims on current consoles relative to current PC specs, rather than specualting about the cost of next-gen consoles and PCs specced to play years-old games.

Games are cheaper for PCs too.

That's bull. Virtually every major retail outlet sells new games, regardless of the platform, for $50.
Re:Non-PC games by James+Lewis · 2004-03-01 13:57 · Score: 1

I'm sure that piracy is one reason, but I bet that another is that no one rents PC games, which I suppose is related to the piracy problem. At any rate, I wonder how much rental stores account for game sales.
Re:Non-PC games by comedian23 · 2004-03-02 04:20 · Score: 1

Pricewatch prices: 1 shuttle mobo for an Athlon XP w\ audio/LAN - $54
1 Athlon XP 2700 - $92
1/2GB Stick of PC3200 RAM - $59
1 GeForce FX 5900 128MB - $183
Total: $397( 100 dollars below target(for my budget) so you could improve on some stuff too, or get a new HDD, etc. ).

I don't consider that "extremely out of date parts". Of course it is not the best of everything but it will certainly play most games. I also checked emachines and they have a complete system, celeron 2.4, 256MB ram, etc for $399, which is also more than enough to play most games if you don't want to build your own.

Also I used to work at a company which is listed on pricewatch and my brother-in-law's best friend still does. I don't think you have any idea what you are talking about when you call them "shady", as both of the companies we worked for were good small companies with hundreds of satisfied customers. In fact I have built 4 computers from parts purchased exclusively from dealers on pricewatch with no problems.

>Why don't you base your claims on current consoles relative to current PC specs, rather than specualting about the cost of next-gen consoles and PCs specced to play years-old games.

Maybe because there are no current consoles. Xbox, PS2, and Gamecube are all a few years old. If you want to compare those to a new PC there is absolutely no comparison. A new PC's graphics are SO much better you might as well compare a P3 to a SNES. The next generation of consoles released this coming year will compete directly with PCs like the one I just described, so why is that not fair to bring up how much they cost? If you want to be conservative assume that the PSX will cost what a PS2 did new($300), but Sony has already said the PSX will be more expensive.

>A good gaming rig for playing new games runs a bare minimum of $1500

If you just go to Fry's and pay whatever they charge(which is WAY to much) and always buy the best(which isn't usually your best price point) of course it's expensive. But if you take some time, do the research and work yourself you can save a TON of money. The most I ever spent on a system is about $1300 back in 2000 or so, but that included a new monitor, HDD, CD Burner, Fancy case, etc.

>>Console games are only going up
>New games were $50 at least as far back as the NES days. They still are today.

I actually meant the gaming systems, not the software. My bad. And the consoles ARE going up, they used to sell initially for $200, and are now starting at $300, and as I said the PSX is going to be $400+. PC prices are falling and are projected to be low for the forseeable future.

-Comedian
Re:Non-PC games by Dragoon412 · 2004-03-02 05:00 · Score: 1

So your design doesn't include a case, or a power supply. Your mainboard is for a Shuttle - certainly not a high-performance board. And Shuttle XPCs barely manage to fit a more reasonably-sized video card, much less an FX 5900, which, coincidentally, kicks out enough heat to cause serious problems in such a small case even if you could manage to make it fit. That, and it sounds like a leaf blower. And just out of curiosity, after the shit nVidia pulled with the benchamrking drivers, why the bloody hell would anyone every buy their over-priced, over-hyped, under-performing products again? nVidia's last solid product was the GeForce 4 (non-MX) line. They haven't done anything worth a damn since.

You're presumably using some sort of no-name RAM, and for some odd reason, only half a gig of it, when that's the bare minimum for many games these days. To top it all off, you're using an Athlon XP 2700, which is still good enough, speed-wise, but given the lack of decent cooling in a Shuttle, or even the ability to add decent cooling, it will most likely run into serious heat-related problems.

As for Pricewatch, you're right, not all the dealers are shady. But until Pricewatch impliments some sort of dealer rating and comments system, I won't use it. There are way too many horror stories of people ordering from these no-name shops getting RMAed parts, OEM when they ordered retail, or something just flat-out wrong. I'll stick to GameVE and NewEgg.

Here's a real gaming system (and no, I haven't done any bargain hunting, just grabbed prices off my favorite site):

Sapphire ATi Radeon 9800 Pro 256MB -- $364 @ GameVE
Abit IC7-G MAX3 Mainboard onboard everything that matters, SATA, hardware RAID -- $184 @ GameVE
Intel P4 2.8ghz 800 mhz FSB -- $271 @ GameVE
2x Western Digital Raptor (74GB 10,000 RPM SATA) -- $254 each @ GameVE
1GB Kingston PC3700 Dual-channel Hyper X -- $245 @ GameVE

...and that's $1500, and I haven't even touched on optical drives, a case, or power supply, yet. Granted, you may get a year out of a system like that before you need to start lowering settings or upgrading parts. But it'd be nice to know that a PC like this won't be out-performed by a little $150 console.
Re:Non-PC games by comedian23 · 2004-03-02 09:56 · Score: 1

You are one very angry person first of all. Second, I was not talking about a top of the line PC. I was saying what you can get for a reasonable price which can play most games. So it's loud, put it under your damn desk. Buy a GF4 then, it's even cheaper. Spend some of the extra hundred to get an Asus board instead of a Shuttle(the .1% speed difference might make a difference). Half a gig of RAM may be a little low but not that much. Intel is overpriced and I wouldn't buy one(the one you mention you can get on PW for $169 BTW). You don't need two HDD, and even if you did I wouldn't buy West. Dig. And I didn't include the case because I already have one. I swear you are like a walking example of how advertising really does work. Always need the biggest, fastest, best no matter what the cost. Shop around, compare and you will save some BIG money. And if something costs twice as much and gives you a 5% performance increase it's probably not worth the $.

I am an avid gamer as are most of my friends and not a single one has a system even close to what you describe yet somehow we all survive just fine.

-Comedian

Re: Only difference between that kid and me at 3 by ReyTFox · 2004-03-01 06:04 · Score: 4, Insightful

Is that when I was 3 me and my older brother made these little cardboard cut-out replicas with gold and silver marker of all the items in the original Legend of Zelda.

The fighting part was no different ^.^

Woohoo !! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:06 · Score: 0

I love shooting people; I love stealing stuff !

Mouse look is on C-stick by tepples · 2004-03-01 06:06 · Score: 1

Until the consoles get some equilavent of "mouselook"

What practical problems have you had with the C-stick of the PS2, Xbox, or GameCube?

Re:Mouse look is on C-stick by Slack3r78 · 2004-03-01 07:30 · Score: 1

It's slow and imprecise. Granted, when I play Halo with some of my friends, I've got my profile set with the sick sensitivity jacked to 10, so it's quite as bad. But even then, the problem is the fact that juggling a stick about provides nowhere near the same level of direct, hand-eye oriented feedback a mouse does. I can move my mouse and know how much it directly coresponds to movement of the reticle on screen. You can't do that with a C-Stick, simply because of the nature of the controller.

1977 by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:07 · Score: 0

I suspect it will be set in 1977 because a sign on the "Pay N Spray" (which is a feature of all GTA games) says "founded in 1977"

-ssmith2k3

Copy and paste by MMaestro · 2004-03-01 06:09 · Score: 1

It may not be very good graphically, but whats to keep players from simply copying what they think looks best and then pasting it onto their own user made maps? Especially considering this is coming out on the console only (for now) IF they put in a program to make user made maps, they can't expect people to create textures and fancy models using a PS2 controller.

My idea is pretty unimaginative, but all I would need is a few grey textures, a square arena, and four divided areas with jumps, climbable buildings, a "pit", and an indoor area to satisfy my designing needs. Oh and all the guns and vehicles in the game.

Does anyone else remember? by Bendebecker · 2004-03-01 06:11 · Score: -1, Troll

When games were actually orginal and not just sequel after sequel after sequel.

--
There's a growing sense that even if The Future comes,
most of us won't be able to afford it.
-- Lemmy

Re:Does anyone else remember? by 2MuchC0ffeeMan · 2004-03-01 06:16 · Score: 2, Funny

wait, you must mean like, super mario bros 1, 2, and 3?

for clarification, super mario 2 was another game, the japanese game was the exact same thing as the first one... but even 1 and 3 are the same... exact... thing

wanna go back farther? pac man, pac man 2, mrs pac man, oh boy... i could go on and on.

--
Runnin' On Empty .... I'm Still Alive

Another new release by stateofmind · 2004-03-01 06:13 · Score: 5, Funny

Parenting Group officially releases "Lawsuit 2: We're back"

Developed by world-class lawyers and parents that want to blame everyone else for their children problems, will be exclusively targeted at GTA: San Andreas. The lawsuit is expected to be released in North America on October 20, 2004.

Josh

It not about stealing! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:14 · Score: -1, Troll

It about communism!

"From each according to his desire for profit, to each according to how much he can download, copy and redistribute." =-P

It's a freakin joke, laugh. by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:19 · Score: -1, Troll

Stupid mods.

Drive San Francisco Sometime-Reality Check by ackthpt · 2004-03-01 06:21 · Score: 2, Interesting

Personally I'm hoping for more of a San Francisco setting myself. Maybe it's just been far too many cop shows, Bullit, Dirty Harry, etc. but San Francisco just seems more right to me. Not to mention the kind of insane stunts you could get on those hills as well as having a great deal more character to it.

All those great chases would hardly happen for more than a block in SF. It may seem thrilling, the prospect of just missing a cable car or MUNI bus, but every block is a light or a stop, 25 MPH speed limits all over the place and grades which would wreck a car over 30 MPH. You could probably tear down a few streets, but eventually you run into some mess. Good for fantasy, sucks for reality.

--

A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar

Re:Drive San Francisco Sometime-Reality Check by Belgand · 2004-03-01 07:09 · Score: 1

Oh, I agree entirely. But that's just the point. This is a game. In real life I can't jump off the 20th floor of a building and only lose a few points off my body armor.

Nor would I likely have killed thousands of people and become one of the most wanted men in town, yet evade the cops just by driving into a garage and getting my car resprayed while they watch.

Now, since we're firmly in the realm of fantasy, films have done some amazing car chases there, and it's almost exactly the sort of thing that would be fun to do in a game.

Given the last time I was in San Francisco I don't think I'd even want to drive a all.
Re:Drive San Francisco Sometime-Reality Check by dewke · 2004-03-01 07:18 · Score: 1

All those great chases would hardly happen for more than a block in SF. It may seem thrilling, the prospect of just missing a cable car or MUNI bus, but every block is a light or a stop, 25 MPH speed limits all over the place and grades which would wreck a car over 30 MPH. You could probably tear down a few streets, but eventually you run into some mess. Good for fantasy, sucks for reality.

The same could be said for any city. Liberty City was supposed to be a takeoff of NYC, or so I always believed. Ever drive there? It's a traffic nightmare.

It's a game. If you liked the games you'll probably like this one. I don't think Rockstar is going to let anyone down.

--
Oderint dum metuant
Re:Drive San Francisco Sometime-Reality Check by ackthpt · 2004-03-01 07:56 · Score: 1

The same could be said for any city. Liberty City was supposed to be a takeoff of NYC, or so I always believed. Ever drive there? It's a traffic nightmare.
Rode in a cab from LaGuardia to Manhattan, I swear the driver was going 70 and weaving in and out of traffic all the time chatting about what I was in town for, etc. During the following days I stood on a sidewalk and watched cars rocketing down 6th and 7th avenues (posted 35 MPH) like it was Indy. Then again that was back in 1988.

--

A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar

Zelda is very different from GTA by Geancanach · 2004-03-01 06:31 · Score: 1

The two games can't really be compared when you are talking about exposure to violence. Sure, Zelda had fighting, but you were fighting strange pixelated monsters in a fantasy world. In GTA, you are watching violent scenes that look pretty damn real. The cities look real, the people look real, the blood looks real, and hey, that is kind of what I would expect it to look like if I took a flame-thrower to a crowd of people. GTA is different. Please don't let kids watch it.

WTF? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:32 · Score: 2, Interesting

Am I misunderstanding you? Are you saying that Halo is an exclusive for XBox and EverQuest is an exclusive on PS2? Both Halo and EverQuest have been out for PC for a while. Mario, on the other hand....I'm not sure there's EVER been a Mario game for PC.

Re:WTF? by cableshaft · 2004-03-01 08:17 · Score: 1

I'm not sure there's EVER been a Mario game for PC. Mario is Missing http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/doswin/data/24115 .html Mario Teaches Typing http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/doswin/data/35144 .html I think that's it. There may be more, but that's all I'm aware of.

--
Creator of the popular web game Proximity

Thank god I have a PS2 by superpulpsicle · 2004-03-01 06:35 · Score: 1

My PS2 is by far one of the best investment ever.

There is already a great lineup this year with FF online, smackdown hctp, virtual fighter evo.

I don't know how to squeeze in any more hours when gran turismo 2004 and this new GTA comes out.

Re:Thank god I have a PS2 by wheresdrew · 2004-03-02 03:11 · Score: 1

I don't know how to squeeze in any more hours when gran turismo 2004 and this new GTA comes out.
Stop dating?
Oh, wait....

Exceed Expectations? by use_compress · 2004-03-01 06:41 · Score: 1, Flamebait

"In the past couple of years, we have put an enormous amount of pressure on ourselves to ensure we do everything possible to exceed people's expectations with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas,"

Does he mean that 40 people, instead of 20 people, will be killed as a result of someone imitating the game in real life?

Re:Exceed Expectations? by dead+sun · 2004-03-01 08:28 · Score: 3, Insightful

Does he mean that 40 people, instead of 20 people, will be killed as a result of someone imitating the game in real life?
No, I think he means that sane people will have more fun playing the game than they might expect out of a sequel which probably will have only incremental improvements to its engine.
Expectations about stupid, homicidal people being stupid and homicidal are already high, regardless of their playing a video game or desire to have a scapegoat for their stupid and homicidal actions. As such, I'm pretty sure he was mentioning just the game aspect.

--
If not now, when?
Re:Exceed Expectations? by use_compress · 2004-03-01 12:15 · Score: 1

Someone didn't get the joke :(
Re:Exceed Expectations? by dead+sun · 2004-03-01 16:59 · Score: 1

Nah, I got it and tried to make the reply as funny as possible while still addressing a real issue. Guess I didn't do too well there. :)

--
If not now, when?

Official Site by RadicalBender · 2004-03-01 06:41 · Score: 4, Informative

An official site is up (but no content yet):

http://www.rockstargames.com/sanandreas/

One thing worthy of note: the script in the logo for the words "San Andreas" is in that faux-English "newspaper-title" font that is popular among Latinos who put it on the back of their pickup trucks (often along with a decal of the virgin Mary - I don't get it either) and what not. Dunno if that means anything...

--
RadicalBender.com

Re:Official Site by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 07:45 · Score: 0

It also looks like the masthead type of the two newspapers in SF

http://www.sfchron.com/

http://www.examiner.com/home/index.cfm

and bears a passing resemblance to the typeface of the baseball team The Giants.

ps2.ign.com has already pointed out that the streets - and a replica of the GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE - populates the map of San Andreas in the first GTA title which had 3 cities (which cracked me up when all the "Sin City" rumors started) - Liberty City - Vice City and of course San Andreas.

Also of note - there's things called earthquakes that hit SF as well and the Andreas fault line IS in the Bay Area too.

Lastly I can't fathom the most basic LA misassumptions considering the last I check Los Angeles has the word LOS in it's name - not SAN. Besides who wants to drive another boring flat flat flat city map? Give some hills to wreck my car's suspension while I'm pretending to be Bullit by god! Those ramps all over miami were weak to say the least.
Re:Official Site by smilinggoat · 2004-03-01 17:55 · Score: 1

One thing worthy of note: the script in the logo for the words "San Andreas" is in that faux-English "newspaper-title" font that is popular among Latinos who put it on the back of their pickup trucks (often along with a decal of the virgin Mary - I don't get it either) and what not. Dunno if that means anything..

I noticed that too. It means LA and not San Francisco. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was LA, you see that script alot down there. Up north, it's more about hipster urban spray paint. Yessire, San Andreas is defiantely from the dirty south.

--
Shouldn't You expect more from your DJ?

Rockstar Production Values by daddy+norcal · 2004-03-01 06:45 · Score: 5, Informative

To those complaining that Rockstar lacks production polish, citing games that came out 3 years ago like 'Oni' (see Bungie for that one)Let's just have a little history lesson, shall we?

Manhunt - Excellent twist on the stealth genre, great game play, killer sounds. Hollywood stars rounding out the voice casts. "..the most important game in the last 5 years..." -The Chicago Tribune

Max Payne 2 - Love it or hate it, this game on Xbox/PC is gorgeous. The textures and level designs are top notch. Story is on par with most movies being churned out by any major hollywood studio. Artistic storyboards, full mo-capped character models, and again, excellent voice acting round out this game. Several PC GOTY and Action GOTY nods.

GTA:VC - Dozens of authentic tracks from the time perioud. Amazing radio stations and voice acting. Full hollywood cast. Beautiful cut scenes. Immersive, large locale. Game of the year almost everwhere, including an Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences award.

Midnight Club 2 - 9.1 out of 10 IGN. 91 out of 100 Gamerankings. Killer music, awesome graphics and killer gameplay including online component. Set a new standard for environment freedom in a racing game.

What makes Rockstar great is not just their awesome games, but their attention to production and detail which blur the lines between games and other traditional forms of entertainment, such as movies. I have a feeling GTA:San Andreas will be no different.

Re:Rockstar Production Values by ivan256 · 2004-03-01 08:22 · Score: 1

My point is, that if you let some shoddy games through, you don't deserve to be held up as a pillar of quality and attention to detail. Sure, they've put out some truly great games, but the've put out some crap too. Hell, Oni alone should be enough to tarnish even the best reputation. It's one of the only games I can think of that doesn't get clipping right. You can kill enemies by shooting their feet when they stick through the wall.

I'm not saying you shouldn't buy Rockstar games, but clearly you can't pick up a Rockstar title off the shelf and be sure it's going to be quality.
Re:Rockstar Production Values by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-02 07:58 · Score: 0

Max Payne 2 is made by Remedy, a Finnish company, not Rockstar. Rockstar/Take Two published it (IIRC), but the game itself was 100% developed by Remedy.

Shamelessley ripped off from MAD MAgazine by LittleGuy · 2004-03-01 06:45 · Score: 1

6. Segways.

--
Mod Karma -1: I sed bad wurds. If I cep my mouf shut, I wud be at riyses.

MOD PARENT UP +ONE GAZILLION * SEVENTEEN TRILLION! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:47 · Score: 0

The developers acknowledge how pathetic it is trying to aim with an analog stick by incorporating auto-aiming in their games! NOTHING beats a mouse. When you absolutely, positively have to aim at every motherfucker in the room, accept no substitutes!

BUT GTA:VC IS ON TEH SPOKE!!!! by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 06:49 · Score: -1, Offtopic

i dont even know what that means.

Driver by phriedom · 2004-03-01 07:01 · Score: 1

The PS1 game Driver was set in San Francisco, New York, and Miami, with the maps based on the real streets. I'm not making a judgement, I just thought it was an interesting paralell.

--
Don't moderate flamebait as Troll. Know the difference or you will be Meta-moderated.

Re:Driver by Belgand · 2004-03-01 07:22 · Score: 1

From the entry over on MobyGames it seems it also did L.A. though. Still... sounds like a potentially fun game.

Actually, now that I think of it, didn't Rockstar have something to do with that? I could swear they did. I know there was a mission in GTA3 with a guy who is apparently the guy from that game (or so I was told). Anyhow, seems to be an established connection as it is.
Re:Driver by blincoln · 2004-03-01 07:52 · Score: 1

The PS1 game Driver was set in San Francisco, New York, and Miami, with the maps based on the real streets.

If the maps of NY and Miami were on the same level as San Francisco's, they were only loosely based on the real layout of the cities (although I suspect that this was due to limits of the game engine).

I went on vacation to SF a year and a half ago, and beforehand I spent a bunch of time doing the free drive mode in Driver's SF level, foolishly thinking that it might give me a little bit of familiarity with the real layout.

Not only is the real SF much different (although I guess the hills and a few landmarks are in roughly the same places), but the Driver level greatly compresses even the small area of the city that it actually encompasses.

The real SF is an incredibly complex place to drive in, but everybody there seemed to be laid back enough that it wasn't stressful. If Rockstar could accurately map out all the crazy diagonal streets and super-steep hills, it would be an excellent setting for a GTA title.

LA would be fun too, as long as there was at least one mission paying tribute to Heat.

--
"...always new atoms but always doing the same dance, remembering what the dance was yesterday." -Richard Feynman

lack of good 3rd party Nintendo games!? by MolecularBear · 2004-03-01 07:09 · Score: 2, Interesting

GameCube owners are still banging their heads against the wall over the lack of quality games not made by Nintendo.

What about these:

XIII
Beyond Good and Evil
Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem
Resident Evil

You add 3rd party games like the above to Nintendo's home-brewed specials (Zelda, Metroid, Mario, ...) and you've got a great selection for the cube. Though I must admit that if there is one non-cube game that I wish I could play, it would be Vice City.

--

Magnatune: Quality (DRM-free) MP3/FLAC/

Re:lack of good 3rd party Nintendo games!? by churchie · 2004-03-01 08:25 · Score: 0

Thanks. It's always nice when people do things for me, like make out my Christmas list.
Honestly... I thought no one here cared about GameCube. It's a great system, so it should have the games to compliment it, like the GTA series.
Re:lack of good 3rd party Nintendo games!? by The_dev0 · 2004-03-01 13:43 · Score: 1

Dude, don't worry too much about no GTA for GC. Go get True Crimes: Streets of LA by Activison. It's almost a GTA clone, but with a depth that leaves GTA for dead. It boasts branching storylines with multiple endings, an elaborate karma system, and an entire map of LA to drive around solving/committing crimes, the ability to carry multiple (and different) weapons (think uzi in one hand, sawnoff in the other), heaps of different vehicles to drive (no choppers or bikes though, d'oh!) plus a bunch off other cool things to do. I found it a much more rewarding experience than GTA, which left me feeling a little ripped off. Check it out, it's currently my favourite game.

--
Never fight naked, unless you're in prison...
Re:lack of good 3rd party Nintendo games!? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-14 06:22 · Score: 0

mario ye mi kid brother played thatbut i think hes outgrwn it now hes 7

So it's not the FFX / GTA crossover? by HarveyBirdman · 2004-03-01 07:13 · Score: 4, Funny

Nuts.

I heard it was going to be GTA: Spira. You'd play as Paine after she goes insane from snorting tainted megalixer crystals. They said you'd be able to jack chocobos, do jobs for the LeBlanc syndicate and pick up lesbian hooker nuns in Bevelle.

And Spider Jerusalem from Transmetropolitan was going to be a playable character with a +7 bowel disruptor.

Or maybe I just dreamed it all.

Oh well.

--
--- Ban humanity.

I Luv My PS2 by IWishIWasSmart · 2004-03-01 07:16 · Score: 0, Offtopic

I have an Xbox and 2 PS2s.
I really don;t like the controller for xbox.
I got a me the new white PS2 from Japan.
With white controllers.
People have asked me why I have 2. Well damn it because its WHITE! LOL!
It is So HOT w/ GT4-Prologue. Its a great Game!

I haven't found a xbox title that I have really loved. I hate 1st person shooters on the console games. I can't aim w/out a mouse.

Draw distance? by DruggedBunny · 2004-03-01 07:21 · Score: 3, Insightful

How about:

1) The ability to turn around on the spot without all the cars disappearing;
2) Some semblance of draw distance so that if you're standing on top of a building there are actually cars and people to shoot at?

This is 2004; we have decent hardware now!

Re:Draw distance? by Theaetetus · 2004-03-01 07:30 · Score: 1

This is 2004; we have decent hardware now!
Your PS2 has gotten better hardware since you bought it three years ago? Cool. Mine is still the same box.
[/sarcasm] I know you're referring to your PC being upgraded, but the fact remains that this is a console release. It will eventually be released for PC, but for the time being it's PS2 only.
-T
Re:Draw distance? by nukem1999 · 2004-03-01 08:03 · Score: 2, Interesting

How about draw latencies? Sometimes, whatever optimization trick they used in the engine takes awhile to load a model/texture/whatever, and instead of pausing you for a split second, it'll choose to let you keep driving while it loads.

In VC (on my PC which was ok-but-not-great at the time), there's this one bridge that, if you're doing top speed in any decent car, you can't see the walls of the bridge until after you've hit one or made it onto the bridge. It looks like you can save a lot of time by cutting across the grass, but if you overshoot the turn, you hit a small wall of invisibility, and typically your car flies over it and into the river. Nothing in any game has pissed me off more than that bridge.
Re:Draw distance? by DruggedBunny · 2004-03-01 08:20 · Score: 2, Informative

but the fact remains that this is a console release
Of course -- but my point was that Vice City on the PC suffered from the same ridiculously close draw distances (or, more correctly, culling of 'moveable entities') as the first one, and it was unnecessary even then.
There is absolutely no excuse for this on the PC version -- I mean, there isn't even the option to 'up' the distances that vehicles and pedestrians are removed from the scene -- and I'm hoping that by slagging early we can avoid this problem when San Andreas eventually hits the PC.
Re:Draw distance? by Gubbe · 2004-03-01 09:16 · Score: 1

I disagree wholeheartedly.
One of the subtle things that makes the GTA games great compared to other PC titles is the fact that they never, I mean NEVER stutter, pause or drop framerate during gameplay.
It plays an immeasurably significant part in creating the proper immersion and "suspension of disbelief" that there are no loading pauses. Cars and buildings appearing where there were none a jiffy ago do naturally cause some problems with the immersion, but you and your brain get used to it. It's considerably more difficult and stressful to try to get used to some game that stutters every time you move to a new area.

GTA is fun because it's fluid and whatever technology has been used to make it that way should be praised, not deprecated. Remember that the PS2 is still the lowest common denominator here.

I wonder... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 07:26 · Score: 0

If they are actully going to spend more time testing this one, instead of trying to shove it out the door ASAP.

They won't mention this anywhere on their site, but they did release a "fixed" version of VC for the PS2. This was only found out because the saved games are not compatiable, and the newer versions will not load the old saves!

holding one's tongue by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 07:42 · Score: 0

Where are the defenders of all Hatians now?

I think they have more pressing matters than critiquing a game.

On the issue of "advanced cencorship", if the people involved didn't like the effect a previous decision produced, then I'd expect them to learn from the experience.

My opinion is that they screwed up when they decided upon a compromise with the activist group. Such groups have the purpose to bring issues to debate, specifically to take a firm stance on a subject - how do you negotiate with that? You can't. And that's what Rockstar experienced when they announced modifying the storyline for future copies.

Exclusivity by Zebbers · 2004-03-01 07:43 · Score: 0, Troll

tsk tsk
why do games that are awesome on their own merits succomb to this shit?
id much rather have an xbox version that takes advantage of the extra power....something a little above the ps2....
or any of the other features xbox has... HD, Live! hello...multiplayer gta...mmmmmm

Ob. gta3 quote by anethema · 2004-03-01 07:48 · Score: 1

And now...some hits from the 80's...The 1780's!!

--

It's easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them.

Donald Duck by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 07:54 · Score: -1, Offtopic

Donald Duck is going to have a SCREAMING ORGASM when he gets his hands on this. He's going to sit around playing it while Daisy Duck gets him off with a Daisy Duck Wing Job (R). He will finally cum when they get to that part where they tell him to kill the Haitians.

Re:Donald Duck by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 08:09 · Score: 0

How about Minnie Mouse? Those bloomers... God I love those bloomers.

Just a quick question by automaticlarynx · 2004-03-01 08:12 · Score: 5, Funny

Is it too early to sue them yet for warping my impressionable, young child's mind, or do I need to wait until the game is actually released?

how to pass Death Row mission by rbird76 · 2004-03-01 08:14 · Score: 1

1) get book and find 90 secret packages
2) get tank from base (crashing a helicopter near the tank, get to tank, back out like hell)
3) drive tank carefully to the Malibu
4) drive tank fast (point gun behind you, fire rapidly) once you start the mission
5) park tank in front of Quonset hut and kill minders
6) get Lance into tank and run like hell (Comets and tanks don't mix well...for the Comets, and the tank protects you from some of the fire from the sniper)
7) get to hospital

I did this once and it worked well - the main liability is getting to the junkyard (the tank is surprisingly unstable at high speed).

"The Driver" mission is lots of luck. You can block the road in from of the police station with cars, but most of the time it doesn't hurt him (only you). Mostly you have to hope that the other guy gets caught somewhere (like between the building) that the AI can't get him out of.

This is my experience, but YMMV.

What I would like most in SA is the ability to replay missions - when the main missions are clear, the computer assigns random or sporadic missions, either versions of earlier misions or new short-term ones.

Hells Angels by T.bias · 2004-03-01 08:14 · Score: 1

For some reason I'm thinking that San Andreas is going to be akin to "Hells Angels" ala Hunter S. Thompson.

Think about it. Starts off in the bay area, works his way down south to LA... Drugs, guns, violence, et al. Perfect for Rockstar. Just throw in some movie references and music from the early 70's and your done!

Now, if they actually were to put Hunter's voice into the game...

--
T.bias
Plastination
Indie Gram Rock

Re:Hells Angels by goobenet · 2004-03-01 10:31 · Score: 1

All i can think of is fear and loathing...

"Of all the drugs we had, i feared the ether the most. I knew we'd be into that evil stuff soon..."

GTA San Andreas Forum by pheph · 2004-03-01 08:18 · Score: 1

Speculation and rumor-mongering has been going on for over a year at GTA-SA.com... Now finally, some substance!

mod appeal by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 08:20 · Score: 0

-1 knows nothing about videogames

Mafia by Nanite · 2004-03-01 08:22 · Score: 2, Interesting

play the game Mafia. It a GTA3 style game based in 1930-40s New York. You are a cab driver who gets mixed up into doing jobs for the mafia. Great storyline and is really long. It also has an upbeat swing jazz soundtrack by Django Reinhardt.

--
God is real unless declared integer.

Re:Mafia by Belgand · 2004-03-02 03:59 · Score: 1

Actually, I was thinking of this game exactly when I wrote that. The problem being that the game was largely panned when it was released as well as... well, I'm just not that familiar with it. The setting is also a little bit later than the one I'm interested in (I'm looking for post-WWII, this is pre-WWII).

As well the very fact that Mafia exists probably means that Rockstar will never, ever make a game set in that time period. People would instantly jump on them as merely ripping it off.

Easy money... by Zaphod-AVA · 2004-03-01 08:26 · Score: 1

Put a side quest in the new game where you, as a Haitian enter 'Kill all the Honkies!' mode.

Hilarity ensues.

-Z

Re:Easy money... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 12:31 · Score: 0

A lot of the previous game involved "killing all the Italians" and it did pretty well.

Congratulations! by teamhasnoi · 2004-03-01 08:37 · Score: 1

You now qualify for the official Slashdot T-shirt. Well done! And welcome to the exclusive club!

rockstar is a spammer by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 08:39 · Score: 0

They spammed my mail.com account with ads for the GTA2 over and over and over despite repeated requests for removal. Never signed up in the first place.

find more than 2 pc games with 50,000+ players? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 08:44 · Score: 0

EQ, UO, SWG, none of those are through gamespy but hey... they've all had many more than 50,000 players in their day... i could also include Lineage (has a huge cult following in South Korea) oh wait you wanted only on that one site... sorry... but I hate gamespy and as such never use it and i know many more people who hate it just as much...

tell me where it says no PC version by fullmetal55 · 2004-03-01 08:49 · Score: 2, Informative

"Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas will be available exclusively for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system" was said word for word (take San Andreas and replace it with Vice City) when Vice City was announced. the exclusivity is that the only console it will come out for is the PS2 it will come out for PC probabaly 6-8 months later. they always put updates in the pc version... so to whine about no PC version is like saying theres going to be no pc version of Vice City.

the game by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 09:04 · Score: 0

will have full weather effects, complete inside environments, rpg elements, and that's all i'm saying...

Damn.. by Jediman1138 · 2004-03-01 09:04 · Score: 0

alright, boys. start crankin' out the (WORKING!!!)PS2 emulators, daddy's got a game to play.

--

nothing.can.stop.me.now

Has driver improved that much since the original? by cgenman · 2004-03-01 09:05 · Score: 2, Interesting

I remember Driver's engine assessed damage based upon how long you were in contact with another object, so that scraping the side of your car along a wall would at 5 mph would total you in about two seconds. Also, your car bounced up and down like some ridiculously over-sprung thing from a 70's show that had been tuned for jumping. Collisions between moving vehicles were handled with all of the realism of Rad Racer. And woe be to the driver who collided with the smallest twig.

Personally, I would love the Carmageddon engine, or something similar. Could you imagine jacking a dump truck, and getting money for smashing up all of the police cars? Or plumetting through mines outrunning rival drug dealers? Getting the turbo boost and ramming a barricade at the top of a hill to go sailing through the skies of Vice City?

--
The ______ Agenda

Takes some getting used to by tepples · 2004-03-01 09:05 · Score: 1

Likewise, after months of Goldeneye, I thought a mouse was "slow and imprecise" when I first tried Quake III. Either method just takes getting used to.

I can move my mouse and know how much it directly coresponds to movement of the reticle on screen.

Even with the nonlinear acceleration curves that most mouse drivers implement? Not everybody has an expensive enough mouse to be able to move over hundreds of mickeys (mickeys == movement quanta in a pointing device) quickly without acceleration.

You can't do that with a C-Stick, simply because of the nature of the controller.

With a C-stick, each position of the joystick corresponds to a particular angular velocity of the camera. The shape of the mapping may be nonlinear, but it's no less linear than what a mouse driver uses.

Re:Takes some getting used to by Slack3r78 · 2004-03-01 12:44 · Score: 1

My experience has been that a C-Stick remains imprecise though, as I noted before, increasing senstivity does help the 'slowness' of the stick a good deal. This isn't a matter of trying it once and giving up - this is over a period of months playing Halo and other console shooters with friends who are console fans. I got better with it, but a mouse is still the way to go for me.

There are some things that just work better with controllers (ie: I'm an absolute circle strafing whore with the ghost in Halo, which is easy with the C-sticks, but difficult to duplicate with a mouse), it's just that I've found that the C-stick doesn't allow for the type precision I can attain with a mouse. I don't feel it's a matter of getting used to it so much as each controller has it's advantages - else, why wouldn't we be using joysticks to control our desktop environments?

Personally, by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 09:16 · Score: 0

I think San Andreas ROCKS.

San Andreas == Los Angeles/San Francisco hybrid by Trunks · 2004-03-01 09:31 · Score: 1

If San Andreas turns out to be anything like the city of the same name in the original GTA game, then it'll be a hybrid of SF and LA. I'm hoping Rockstar will do a play on the whole "North Side/South Side" thing, considering the animosity NorCalers and SoCalers have for each other.

--
This post sponsored by Ninja Burger. "

Re:San Andreas == Los Angeles/San Francisco hybrid by dan_sdot · 2004-03-01 11:52 · Score: 1

considering the animosity NorCalers and SoCalers have for each other.
Actually, the Norcal people hate southern California, but the people from Southern California don't care either way. It's not much of a rivalry or anything like that, since it only goes one way. By this comment, I judge you are from "Norcal" (or are friends with people who are).
Re:San Andreas == Los Angeles/San Francisco hybrid by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-03 07:51 · Score: 0

What hybrid? All of the neighborhoods in GTA(1)'s San Andreas map are knock offs of SF - down to the Golden Gate Bridge. I don't see a whole lot of similarity to LA in the following:

http://www.lothianproductions.co.uk/gta/gifs/sac it y.jpg

LA had True Crimes - sorry it sucked - give it up already. If nothing else I do NOT want to drive another flat Vice City map again. You keep your boring grids, I'll take suicide jumps off Lombard Street thank you very much.

What I really want by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 09:33 · Score: 0

A better crash engine. I WANT TO SEE BURNOUT 2 STYLE CRASHES.

The engine is great for it, if they'd just tweak the physics for extraordinary crashes, hell, maybe even make it where you can switch between normal and extreme physics.

Re:What I really want by Justabit · 2004-03-01 23:26 · Score: 0

Hey , how about a game that has a gravity changing dial? you could actually fly that bloody clipped wing plane in GTA3 if the gravity were set to -1. And think of setting it to -10 waiting till all the cars and people have floated away and put it back to 0 for mega people rain effects. I bags first go if you are a game designer. copywrite, me.

--
"Persistance is Fertile" - Me. I can quote myself if I want to.

maybe that is it... by rbird76 · 2004-03-01 09:33 · Score: 1

If your decision to kill someone is fomented by a video games, you are 1) an amoral SOB and/or 2) a complete and utter moron.

Besides, it isn't like there are any other depictions of violence accepted in our society, right, other than action movies, TV, our foreign policy... In addition there are no other ways in which one would get the impression that we don't value human life as much as we claim to, so I guess GTA:VC, etc. would have a monopoly on hypocrisy in that aspect, right? Oh, and that unlike other adults only actions (alcohol in particular) GTA is advertised far less to those who should not participate and not advertised as a key to attractiveness, happiness, and sex.

So, you have 1) sociopaths who want to kill or 2) morons who want to kill. Although GTA didn't create them and is likely to give no more encouragement than other sources of violence, it's GTA's fault. This logic has so much precedent that it's irrefutable...if you discount the Kojak case (kid claims he killed because of watching Kojak) or the Judas Priest suicide pact case (boys try to committ suicide claiming that JP led them to do so - one died, while one was horribly maimed)...or any of the other cases in this vein.

Stupid or sociopathic people + no/insufficient supervision = bad things. It's like a room full of gas waiting for a spark - blaming the spark doesn't make a whole lot of sense if one realizes that rooms were not meant to be filled with gas.

Re:maybe that is it... by dead+sun · 2004-03-01 12:07 · Score: 1

I'd really just bet that aside from a few freak genetic mishaps, most of the problems of violence in our society are primarily due to poor parenting, honestly.
Sure, a person could be either amoral or a moron because they're influenced to kill by a video game. What made that person that way? I'd say it's likely that their parents made a few too many bad choices, didn't pay enough attention, or thought that children raise themselves.
It's high time victims in this country start suing parents of underage perpetrators of violent crime. Somebody's 16 year old kid tries to mow you down with their car? You should be able to sue the hell out of their parents for negligence of some sort. That'd teach parents to stop shifting blame for their being crappy moral compasses. Maybe then they'd start to pay attention to what is raising their children when they aren't. Be it video games, movies, beer commercials, or even the 10 o'clock news.
Yeah, I think that on an impressionable mind, especially that of somebody under 8 years of age, any sort of violent media could easily be misinterpreted. That's why there's parents. Adult entertainment is labeled as adult entertainment because it's for adults. If an adult cannot handle it then it's probably because of something they were taught as a child.

--
If not now, when?

People, people... by Cyno01 · 2004-03-01 09:33 · Score: 1

The simplest way to beat the driver is to either get out of the car right away, and snipe his tires, or, how i beat it... Just knock into him at the start of the race. The sabre turbo has better acceleration, but it doesn't have the handling or the speed the sentinal do, yes, the sentinal has a higher top speed than the sabre. If you can spin him out at the start of the race you can beat him easily.

--
"Sic Semper Tyrannosaurus Rex."

holding out by shoptroll · 2004-03-01 09:36 · Score: 1

It's only exclusive until they announce a PC version 8 months after the initial release. I'm sure they will do a XBox release at some time as well, not that I care. I'm gonna hold out until the PC version.

--
Insert Sig Here

it was (5, Troll).... by rbird76 · 2004-03-01 09:40 · Score: 1

I don't know that impressive is the word I would use...

my computer sucks by ukyoCE · 2004-03-01 09:48 · Score: 3, Informative

that makes me sad to hear that. You may think that the GTA3 engine had dated graphics when it was released on the PC, but I just finished playing it last month, probably 2 years after its release, and my 1ghz Athlon with Geforce2 could barely run it at 640x480. 640x480 is the minimum resolution you can possibly run the game at.

Meanwhile my roommate who has a 1.4ghz Athlon and Geforce3(?) also had terrible framerates.

You may think that GTA3 has dated graphics, but there's not much sense in releasing a game that people won't be able to run on $3k PCs for another 3-5 years...

But yes, the innovation part is a good point to think about. Even though I loved GTA3, it spent a LOT of time playing it, and don't intend to get Vice City if it's the same routine in a new city.

Re:my computer sucks by milkman_matt · 2004-03-01 10:09 · Score: 2, Interesting

Even though I loved GTA3, it spent a LOT of time playing it, and don't intend to get Vice City if it's the same routine in a new city.

I never really could get into GTA3, so I don't know much about it, however some of the improvements I was made aware of had me thinking "How could anybody PLAY this game without that!?" Such as the motorcycles, those are -fun- and the Apache (or whatever, the attack copter) add a lot of fun when you just want to play around and do whatever...

One thing, is it just me? or does anyone else just *WISH* they would add back what they had in GTA, the original, where if you got killed or arrested it told you how many laws you broke, misdemeanors, felonies, murders, cops killed, etc...? I thought that added a lot to the game when you wanted to just screw around and see how long you could last with the law after you.. it'd be even more fun now with the SWAT, Feds and the armed forces chasing after you... I think they REALLY need to re-add that.

-matt
Re:my computer sucks by Metex · 2004-03-01 13:31 · Score: 1

I got a Voodoo5 300mhz P3 and it runs fine on my comp. sure you dont have the settings right?

--
Never could figure out why my girl liked my bitch tits, then I found out she was a lesbian.
Re:my computer sucks by SeinJunkie · 2004-03-01 13:39 · Score: 1

does anyone else just *WISH* they would add back what they had in GTA, the original, where if you got killed or arrested it told you how many laws you broke, misdemeanors, felonies, murders, cops killed, etc...?

There is something similiar to what you're talking about in GTA3, it's a running statistics page that tracks your actions back to when the game first started. It's accessible somewhere in the pause menu.
Re:my computer sucks by jonnystiph · 2004-03-01 13:57 · Score: 1

I have to tell you I ran both GTA3 and Vice City on a p3 750 with a radeon 7200 and 600~megs ram. I would not call it altogether smooth and seamless, but it ran and ran well enough. Once in a while there would be a pause or hang, but all in all it worked. By the way Vice City is essentially the same game, but with very nice improvements, better selection of guns, vehicles, and so forth.

--
If we don't make light of everything, we are just stumbling in the dark - Blank
Re:my computer sucks by Corporal+Tunnel · 2004-03-01 15:11 · Score: 1

My computer sucks too. athlon xp1600, geforce2 titanium 64mb. GTA3 played like crap. But vice city is a huge improvement! Not only gameplay wise but performance wise as well. It runs much smoother than GTA3 did, although I still can't use the mp3 radio station without the game skipping.
Re:my computer sucks by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-02 03:30 · Score: 0

600M of RAM in a 750MHz PC? WTF?

I used to live across the road from by ProudClod · 2004-03-01 09:51 · Score: 1

Sam Houser, president of Rockstar, back when he was a teen. (SW London) I popped around a year back to visit his dad and was astounded by what he'd gone on to do (I was playing GTA3 at the time). His dad was wearing a Rockstar Biker Jacket, and gave me a rockstar tshirt that I'm wearing right at the moment :)

Nice people

--
Gamers Europe - Gaming News. Reviews.

Apples to apples by comedian23 · 2004-03-01 09:56 · Score: 1

10 Billion is "portable and console hardware, software and accessories".

1 Billion is "PC game software industry".

It goes on to say "The driving force in sales was led by the console software and portable game software categories, which saw a record breaking $5.8 billion".

It is still much larger, I'm just pointing out you are comparing apples to oranges at first. Plus they are lumping portable game software into that also, even in the $5.8B number.

-Comedian

My hopes by WormholeFiend · 2004-03-01 09:59 · Score: 1

are that the main character is black, and voiced by Ice-T.

I also hope that this time, you can be hired by the Police (as a gang) to do missions deemed too sensitive for the regular cops to do.

Green Statues? by Jonathan+Hamilton · 2004-03-01 10:40 · Score: 0

They are bongs.
Err water pipes.
Whatever you want to call them.

I'm sure your going to say they were "gifts" too right? Little presents/packages not little packages of coke.

I'm don't mean to sound so mean. But it's funny.

What about XBOX? by Space_Soldier · 2004-03-01 11:03 · Score: -1

The game experiance on an XBOX is much better than on a PS2 since it has better graphics!

This is Awesome! by lessthan0 · 2004-03-01 11:12 · Score: 1

PS2 Only!
F Microsoft. F Xbox. No, I'm not joking.

This is so wrong on so many levels... by Whatthehellever · 2004-03-01 11:27 · Score: 1

San Andreas?

Personally, I'd like to see some effort put into GTA games that we'd all want to see.

Tokyo.
Hong Kong.
Rome.
Paris. (We'd all have fun with this one because we ALL hate the French.)
and other exotic places.

San Andreas just sounds lame compared to the above listed, don't they?

--

---
IMHO, of course.
May the SOURCE be with you.

Well by jrwillis · 2004-03-01 11:29 · Score: 1

there are a ton of PSX's out there too but I don't see developers making games exclusive for it anymore. Don't get me wrong, I have a PS2 and it had some great games in it's time, but it's time is just about up.

--
Keep Austin Weird!

HAHAHA by jrwillis · 2004-03-01 11:33 · Score: 1

I find it amusing as hell that this was modded as a troll. I have a PS2, and a GC, along with my X-Box so I'm no fanboy. Only on slashdot would a post be modded as a troll for complaining about a game being developed for an obsolete system just because the next best thing is made by Microsoft.

--
Keep Austin Weird!

I've got the next GTA4 title: by Whatthehellever · 2004-03-01 12:48 · Score: 1

Grand Theft Auto: Cannonball Run Edition

--

---
IMHO, of course.
May the SOURCE be with you.

And it depends on the title by tepples · 2004-03-01 13:02 · Score: 1

I don't feel it's a matter of getting used to it so much as each controller has it's advantages - else, why wouldn't we be using joysticks to control our desktop environments?

I understand that point. I guess titles designed for analog thumbsticks have been so designed from the start, and so have titles designed for a mouse. Perhaps your complaint is with venture capitalists who fund the development of less risky ports rather than more risky original titles. (Halo was originally a port of a shooter for the Mac.)

concur - why are 14's playing Mature? by rbird76 · 2004-03-01 13:02 · Score: 1

Most crime probably doesn't look like the crimes for which Rockstar is being held responsible - there aren't all that many killings by 18 year olds (but I don't have the data, so salting is appropriate). It's hard for me to see anyone killing another person without an understanding of what they have done, even children as young as eight or ten years old. The kids that kill are likely to either have had no other choice, to have been abused (in one of his books, Gavin DeBecker (ex-FBI crime person) said in one of his books that the best ways to avoid having your kids kill you is not to abuse them), or to be sociopathic. Games aren't likely to change any of these (nor are movies or music, etc.) but may determine how they are expressed. Determining how they are expressed is a lot different from determining that they are expressed, and in most cases parents have a formative role.

I think these parents have decided that since everyone else (or a lot of people in any case) is either getting away with bad things or transferring responsibility for them, that they can do so; they are probably uninformed by the idea that they might have had something to do with their child's acts. (Some kids might be sociopathic or evil, and beyond their assistance, but I don't think that's true for most). The problem that they don't understand is that while messing up an adult's life can have deep consequences, most adults either have or can get get the resources to build themselves up afterwards. Kids are just constructing themselves - if mistreated or abused, they may not understand that the abuse is not either a normal state of things or their fault. Thus, bad parenting is a mistake that may never be correctable; in the long run, it may have effects just as bad as abusing adults but be less easily dealt with.

i don't know that financial penalties for parents would help - their other kids if they have any may simply pay for their sins as well, further propagating the stupidity. Criminal penalties are likely to be seen as unfair, and I'm not certain that they are fair in any case. Society as a whole has decided that responsibility is situational, and people are taking advantage of it - in the case of child rearing, the results of this are hard if not impossible to correct, damaging to others who may have been responsible in their rearing, and long-lasting.

The title question still stands as well - why were 14-year olds playing a Mature title? Did the parents know and let them, or did they purchase it and play it secretly?

Re:concur - why are 14's playing Mature? by dead+sun · 2004-03-01 16:57 · Score: 1

I don't think that children, especially 16 or under should be given enough privacy to allow them to secretly purchase a game and play it. Maybe they can get away with doing that kind of crap at a friend's house, but there should be constant monitoring by parents of what's going on at other homes as well as theirs. Sure, kids hate it, I know I wasn't keen on the idea, but it helps in the long run.
As for why most young people are involved in homicides, I remember doing the research for some Fark topic and finding that there's way more young people involved in killing or being killed than you'd expect, but most of it is gang related. Usually these crimes are perpetuated in the neighborhoods that are least likely to have a bunch of pasty white suburban children (excuse my stereotyping) imitating GTA. They've been living out the real thing without ever playing for a while.
When the pasty white suburban kid does go nuts and kill though it seems almost certain to be because the parents could not keep tabs on their child through the developmental stages. This is probably because the kids got themselves confused about real and fake when they were impressionable, completely at the fault of the parents. The same is really true that if parents could exercise a little more control even in bad neighborhoods that there would likely be less violence. I'm just going to be realistic about it and say that the gang neighborhoods are in a state where it's way too easy to propogate violent tendencies and the best move a parent could make is to leave if they can.
Some people may be sociopaths, but I doubt that all that many really are. It doesn't seem like a trait that would be prone to stick with society too well and, well, frankly isn't going to be expressed or not expressed because of a video game.

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If not now, when?

HAHAHAHAH by scosol · 2004-03-01 13:12 · Score: 1

Awwww cmon, that's not flamebait, its funny :)

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I browse at +5 Flamebait- moderation for all or moderation for none.

WHORES, damn xbox beats ps2 crappiness by cheekyboy · 2004-03-01 14:16 · Score: 1

Stupid whores, I bet the progammers KNOW that the xbox is better.

AND besides the 3d engines rockstar uses, "renderware" etc... and most big ones DO RUN on xbox too. So porting it, is just basically a recompile and a bunch of xbox only files or ifdefs.

ah well, i better whipe the dust of my ps2.

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Liberty freedom are no1, not dicks in suits.

So is linux kernel 2.6 a rehash of 2.4???? by cheekyboy · 2004-03-01 14:18 · Score: 1

I wonder if 90% of the 2.6 kernel is the same as 2.4

Damn another rehash , no rewrite eh?? :)

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Liberty freedom are no1, not dicks in suits.

Quote the Cockmaster by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 16:10 · Score: 0

"I wouldnt play driver that much, thanks anyway" - The Cockmaster

Virgin of Guadalupe by Nf1nk · 2004-03-01 16:25 · Score: 1

The decal is not as you may think the Virgin Mary but usualy the Virgin of Guadalupe. more information here

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I used to have a cool sig, back when I cared

Must be the only one... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-01 16:59 · Score: 0

I must be the only one around here who thinks the GTA is waaaay overrated. IMO, it benefits a lot from all the hype. I've played much better.

Good city maps by treke · 2004-03-01 17:40 · Score: 1

True Crime did a great job on the Los Angeles area maps. The first thing I tried doing when I got the game was check out the accuracy of the maps, and the routes I tried were more or less identical to their real life counterparts. These werent even major locations, I was just driving the routes I take to friends houses and places of business.

I'll only buy it when.... by rat7307 · 2004-03-01 22:31 · Score: 1

I'll only but it when GTA: Launceston, Tasmania comes out.

BLAM: Take that you Monkeys!!

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Burma?

Free health by Justabit · 2004-03-01 22:38 · Score: 0

I still miss the free health boost you could get by getting directions from a passing nightclubgirl in your car (what else would you be doing?) and then asking politely for your money back which she was borowing. The programmers for that MUST have had some experience with that sort of direction asking.

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"Persistance is Fertile" - Me. I can quote myself if I want to.

I know it has been rehashed by tprime · 2004-03-02 01:59 · Score: 1

I know the whole "Kill the Haitians" thing out there and the subsequent editing of the game, how in the hell are they going to handle a Los Angeles type game? The race implications for an underworld type game like GTA will undoubtibly offend many. It will be interesting to see how they handle it.

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http://www.tomandemily.com

Re:I know it has been rehashed by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-02 03:45 · Score: 0

actually since it's set in a modified San Francisco - the biggest group that could be offended are the asians - but they don't complain as much as some ethnic groups (I mean hell - look at THEIR games!)

Check IGN for more info on the non LA portion - but all of the games to date follow the cities in the first game - Liberty City (NYCish), Vice City (Miami), and if you'll notice the golden gate bridge and other SF landmarks - San Andreas.

Unless they moved the Golden Gate Bridge to LA in the last couple of year - heck I haven't been there in a while...

AGAIN?? by call_me_leon · 2004-03-02 10:54 · Score: 1

i dunno about anyone else, but i'm beginign to get a little tired of the GTA games. sure senseless violence can be fun, but three games of it is getting rediculous. no one wants to see the same fat italian mob boss over and over and over. this is begining to look like Tony Hawk and his Pro Skater line of games.

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::leon::

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