Grand Theft Auto IV (DLC coming to the PS3?)

[Sketch Sanchez]

...delayed til next year.

http://ir.take2games.com/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=258238

EW YORK, Aug 02, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
(NASDAQ:TTWO) today announced revised revenue and earnings guidance for fiscal
2007.

Take-Two is reducing its fiscal 2007 guidance primarily to reflect the movement
of the launch of Grand Theft Auto IV for the PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer
entertainment system and the Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system
from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 to fiscal 2008, due to additional
development time required to complete the title. The title is now planned for
release in the Company's second quarter of fiscal 2008. Additionally, Take-Two
is updating third quarter and fiscal year 2007 guidance to reflect the movement
of Manhunt 2 for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, PSP(R)
(PlayStation(R)Portable) system and the Wii(TM) out of the third quarter and the
fiscal year.

[Just Jeans]

They've got enough junk on their plate trying to make Manhunt 2 releasable, it's no wonder they've bumped it back. Of course I expected it to get bumped regardless, but that's neither here nor there.

[Brett H.]

No GTA really gives the Wii/DS the upper hand this Christmas. Not bad!

[Sketch Sanchez]

Xbox still has a stong line up on their hands. The PS3 is the one really getting the shaft here, although I'm sure it's no picnic for take 2 either.

[Just Jeans]

Wii will end up ahead for Christmas because it's cheap and it tries to get people who don't normally game in on the show (my step father wants one for God's sake, and he hates video games), although my Game Stop friends tell me that Nintendo is under producing the console. Why Nintendo doesn't meet demand is beyond me.

[Violent VictiM]

Why Nintendo doesn't meet demand is beyond me.

I worked at EB Games around the time that the PS2 was still under produced. This was just before Christmas. Around Christmas, all the sudden we got a flood of PS2's, and wouldn't ya know it? On some Field of Dreams type shit, everyone came. It's not unheard of for a company to under produce product and take a hit earlier in the year to strengthen sales at the end. If you notice, a lot of places run bundles during the holiday season. Instead of us selling one PS2 for $300, we were selling a PS2, two very crappy 'Greatest Hits' titles, and an extra controller for $500; when normally it'd be about $390 after tax.

As for Grand Theft Auto IV, I knew in my heart of hearts that it would get delayed. I just didn't want to. I'm so tired of, yet still can't stop playing, the online mode for Saints Row. But I haven't beat the single player yet, mainly because I watched my friend beat it at his house before I went out and got it, so I've had no drive to. I'd rather them delay it and release a great game, then rush it and release an inferior game.

When I first played Saints Row, I hated it. It was just a knock off of GTA, but the more I played it, then combined with the online mode, I realized it's way better than any GTA ever put out. And this saddened me. I still remember the original GTA for the PS1. That was a great game, even with the crappy graphics. To this day I still wish they institute the overhead view back into the games.

If GTA has to do anything, it's whoop Saints Rows online mode. That truly is the only way this title is going to restore itself to greatness. Like I said, between my friends house, and owning the 360 myself, I've probably invested 2,000 hours since August of last year just playing this game online.

Besides, gives me more time to gradually add money to my reservation on it at Gamestop. And I'll have the new Madden on the 14th, so I'll be good for awhile.

[Just Jeans]

The problem is, it's hard to make an open-word game without comparing it to GTA because GTA did it first. I'm surprised we don't get more of these kinds of "rip off" comparisons in other genres (Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, Resident Evil and Silent Hill and Alone in the Dark, et cetera).

When you work within the same genre, you're going to get comparisons, but I wouldn't go so far as to say Saints Row is a rip off. Scarface: The World is Yours certainly has a GTA feel, but it does certain things better than GTA, and I'm glad to have it.

[jayTL]

Unreal, and now this...my bank account thanks you.

[Violent VictiM]

Things I'd like to see in GTA IV:

- Call me crazy, but I think it'd be sweet if you could run out of gas.
- Cops pull you over for more reasons (i.e. speeding, running a red light)
- Custom gang colors (although I don't think it will have gangs at all)

What about you guys?

[Biosynthnut v.2]

With it being delayed to next feb/april time frame.. They have more time to tweak it.

[FreddyKR]

It's somewhat of a good thing, because now I can get more games this upcoming fall season. But I'm also kind of pissed because I was looking forward to this more than Halo 3.

[Burn]

Not surprising, especially given the Manhunt 2 controversy... Ho hum.

I would really like to see the cop's AI get improved for this one. It's not like there's a huge penalty for being killed - even the loss of all your weapons isn't a huge setback. So the cops should really show some kind of interest if I run a red light, or am driving off the road/through a red light - hell, especially if I'm carrying a rocket launcher through the middle of a city. Keep it 'fun', but smarten the police up a bit, y'know?

[Just Jeans]

The police interface in Scareface is a nice improvement over GTA. I like how your heat gradually builds, and the cops will try to arrest you, but they won't start shooting at you until the meter rises into the red. Until that point, you can actually fast talk the cop and get him off your ass.

I like the stupid cops in GTA myself. San Andreas and Vice City offered an assortment of amazingly fun chases, mostly because it was always funny leading stupid cops off cliffs. :lol:

[MaDMaNMaRz]

Honestly, at this point, i'm completely burned out on GTA. :( I played the hell out of GTA 1 - San Andreas. For me, believe it or not, I seem to get tired of it faster than most people.

I only beat 1 and 2. With 3, VC, and SA I got about half way through each of them, and stopped. I'd just go around and create fun scenarios. I'd use the codes to have all the weapons to make it more interesting. :)

I might give 4 a chance, though. But I just have the feeling the same thing will happen like the rest of the series for me.

[Just Jeans]

The only codes I use frequently are the "All Civilians Have Weapons" and the "Civilians Riot" codes. Talk about some fun shit. You'll be driving down a freeway and see people brawling in the streets, rockets will fly past you, cats got hand guns and chainsaws. It's wild!

[MaDMaNMaRz]

Ah, yes. :) I've used that code as well. Those are indeed some fun times! :D

[Biosynthnut v.2]

New trailer out today. "More for the.Ladies."

[Jigsaw]

I love the GTA series and will be getting GTA4 once I get whatever next-gen console it comes out on.

I also like using the codes to give civilians weapons and make them riot. So much chaos and destruction in so little time :D

[Jack Bauer]

That is the true definition of "Liberty City Survivor".

[Jigsaw]

I love using those codes in San Andreas in the big city areas, especially the Las Venturas strip. It's even more fun when you get ahold of an air vehicle like a Hunter or Hydra :evil:

[Violent VictiM]

I was truly bored with these games as well. The original I played all the way through and loved. The second however, I didn't do too much with. I basically played half way through and sold it to my friend. Even with the London Pack I couldn't keep much interest in it.

Then when GTA 3 came out, it was all renewed. The sweet graphics and the ability to leave bloody foot prints were just too much to deny playing this game for hours upon hours. The new mission mode was so fucking excellent, and I couldn't get over how enthralling the game play was. I actually played that game so much that at one point, I would just take all the cars from a parking garage, take all the cars from the first put them on the second, all those cars onto the third, and then all the cars I amassed I'd bring onto the 4th floor. Something like 40 cars on the rooftop, line them up side by side, then light one on fire and watch them all explode. I'd do this for HOURS.

Then when GTA: VC came out I was all about the motorcycles, however I found myself bored with it halfway through. I didn't even beat it till about a year later when I hadn't gotten a new game in awhile and found myself bored. And San Andreas? I must have played that game a total of 10 hours. I couldn't believe how in depth, stereotypical, and downright boring it was.

I figured my love for this genre of video games had been depleted. So much so that when Saints Row came out I didn't even bother with it. I'd watch my friends play and be totally bored out of my mind. Then I picked up the controller and that all changed. It was renewed instantly and finally I was having fun with this type of video game again. Even without motorcycles! The only thing I fear is that now when Saints Row 2 comes out, or GTAIV, I won't be anywhere near as excited as I was when Saints Row came out. Although, like I said earlier, the online modes could save these games.

I heard they're doing a ton of cool stuff to GTAIV, I can't remember all of it though. I'll have to call my friend and get the scoop but I do remember him saying that they aren't doing wanted levels anymore. It's more of a radius circle, like Splinter Cell I guess, and the more heat you have the bigger the radius is. So if you have a small radius, you can just chill in an alleyway and a cop will pass you by without notice. If you've been whackin' civilians left and right all day, then a helicopter will be on you and they'll be no where to run.

And for the record, I still think you should be able to run out of gas.

[nottidelterrore]

I think this will be pretty good. It looks pretty awesome from the screenshots I've seen. And GTA III, Vice City, & San Andreas were great fun.

[Zombie]

The one thing that I'm not liking is the guy's voice. The way he looks it seems as his voice would be deeper.

I'm the same as above a few posts. I liked the 1st one and could just pop it in and play for awhile here and there. Never really played pt 2. Liked 3 because how it looked and such but never beat it because it just got to hard and I lost interest. When VC came out I mostly liked it just for the soundtrack and Scarface similarities. However I got stuck on one mission that I couldn't even beat with cheats and just gave up on it.

SA, I played for like an hour maybe two at the most. I never cared for that "time era" whatever. I wasn't a gangster rapper kind of person nor listened to that kind of music so the soundtrack was a waste. I didn't even buy the game untill the controversy of the "Hot Coffee" mod which I didn't even unlock or anything. I just got it because of fear of it being taken off the shelves then never being able to play it again or buying at a decent price, and that was before if we knew if another version would be released or not.

I then bought the GTA Trilogy for Xbox just to have them all and to maybe give it a chance since I got it next to nothing since I was working at Best Buy at the time and never even played any of them except maybe like once on each one just to test the graphics, so when I traded that in, it was basically a brand new game just without the wrapping and dust on the box since it just sat there. Honestly.

I got St's Row but like all the others lost interest. I still have it because it was expensive and now can't get shit for trade for it and I'll play maybe again jsut for the achievements, but in a way I kind of like that game just slightly better then the GTAs. Maybe because I can be a "hispanic" person as that what I am lol plus just kind of fits more of what I know and kind of grew up around although I was never in a gang but just all around me and stuff. Plus I like more the "mexican" gang/prison movies more then like Boyz in Tha Hood, Menance to Society and stuff like that.

I'll probably get 4, but not right away and I don't know how long it'll last for me. There's going to have to be soemthing spectacular for me to really get it right away and play for a long time. But we'll see, I'm not to impressed with the trailers that much, or it's not like a "Holy SHit I HAVE to get that game" feeling.

[skuppy]

Only a few more hours to go!!!

ADDED:

WOW, just wow!!! This game is fucking awesome! I definitely agree with the 10/10 reviews out there from various sites.

[Biosynthnut v.2]

Be mindful it's out there that their could be disc read errors with the ps3 install, and 360 having disc problems.

Haven't touched mine yet...but will shortly.

[Brett H.]

I'll be getting mine in 3 hours. Any reliable places claiming errors?

[The Dark Vampire]

Got mine last night/this morning at a midnight launch a I got there about 10.40pm and there was a lot of ppl waiting but by midnight came I swear there must of been 300 ppl.

I got the special edition ( It's not a special disk but comes with other GTA stuff -The strategy guide and a bag --key ring --safe box--- CD of the music and a book of the art work used in the game and a tip's book I think .) it cost me £83
ADDED:
http://blog.newsweek.com/photos/levelup/images/original/Grand-Theft-Auto-IV-Special-Edition.aspx
PS It's the PS3 version and they only had 3 copy's in the SE version in stock so I'm quite chuffed I managed to get one

[Rick]

I hadn't owned a game system since the original Nintendo and wasn't planning on getting one.
Then GTA 3 and Vice City happened. They were the only reason I bought a PS2.
I had decided that a next-gen console was going to be too expensive and my gaming would be limited to my old system, but looking at GTA 4 I'm seriously considering an X-box 360.

[Brett H.]

Got mine last night/this morning at a midnight launch a I got there about 10.40pm and there was a lot of ppl waiting but by midnight came I swear there must of been 300 ppl.

I got the special edition ( It's not a special disk but comes with other GTA stuff -The strategy guide and a bag --key ring --safe box--- CD of the music and a book of the art work used in the game and a tip's book I think .) it cost me £83
ADDED:
http://blog.newsweek.com/photos/levelup/images/original/Grand-Theft-Auto-IV-Special-Edition.aspx
PS It's the PS3 version and they only had 3 copy's in the SE version in stock so I'm quite chuffed I managed to get one

I wish it came with a strategy guide here, then I'd get the SE.

[CanadianFonzie]

I'm waiting for them to release a full soundtrack set for the game

[Rick]

Me too. I tried looking one up last night but couldn't find one.

[Gringo Loco]

I ordered mine from Amazon and it should arrive Thursday. Can anyone believe this will be my first real experience with GTA? I've only briefly played one of the PS2 games. I can't wait!

[Biosynthnut v.2]

Did some free roam mp. Took a helicopter and flew to the Empire state building. Then over the mic with my two other friends from work.

"Hi this is Todd from Buffalo, and this is Jackass." Then jumped off the building...as they watched with hilarity from their two copters. I hit the lower portion of the building head first then bounced onto the road.

Fucking hysterical.

I wish their was a save film feature for this. the vids would be awesome.

[Gringo Loco]

Zombie, wru? I'm curious to know if you bought this one and for what system. I wanna do some multiplayer.

[Biosynthnut v.2]

He's got it on 360 that I know of.

Game so far is pretty sweet, so far I've nailed Michelle every time I've dated her.

[Brett H.]

Why must every car in this game handle like a bus, though?

[Zombie]

Zombie, wru? I'm curious to know if you bought this one and for what system. I wanna do some multiplayer.

Been here, kind of busy, just came to the forums and maybe read one thread or two but not enough time to respond. Yea, I got it for 360 because of the exclusive DLC that will be out later in the year. If it wasn't for that then I might have gotten it for the PS3 since it supports 1080i on that system and as far as all the comparessions have been they're like virtually identical. But it was the exclusive content that what made the purchase for the 360 version. However, I wouldn't get to "down" about it, I bet that whatever comes out for the 360 will eventually come out for the PS3 maybe 6-12 mo's after it releases on the 360. That's just for the "exclusive" content.

I remember that the playable Green Goblin on Spiderman 3 was ONLY supposed to be on the SE of Spiderman 3 on the PS3, and then like what 3 mo's later it was available as an add-on purchase on the PSN and then like 6 mo's or so it was also released on the 360 as well for like 200 points I think, maybe 240 to be exact?

I haven't played MP yet on the 360. I've just been hooked on the story mode, I'm actually surprised that I'm really liking this game. Normally I don't care to much for the GTA games or even big sandbox type games like this. I might have mentioned it before. Some I've played till I beat like Crackdown but that was because it was short and not as "big", plus a little cooler lol. I also didn't care for the GTA SA time period. So far though I've been hooked. I've just stuck pretty much with just the story mode. I kind of went and turned off the phone for a bit so the story mode paused and went and did some of the "games' in it for the achievements. Also like when I'm done and do my last save, I might go out real quick and wreck some havoc and all and try to get more ammo, money, weapons, etc that's dropped from people I can kill and if I can get away w/o dying then I'll save again or if I get caught or die I just turn it off since I was basically getting off anyways.

I'll add more on why else I'm liking it later on. Gotta get going and finish up around the house before the kiddo's come, plus it's hot as hell in the cpu room right now and sweating all kinds that Im about to go take a cold shower lol

[jayTL]

This game keeps freezing on me. I switched it 3 times for a new copy, and it still freezes. no other game freezes, so i dont think its my xbox...but i dont know. Anyone know of anything that can help?

[Gringo Loco]

This game keeps freezing on me. I switched it 3 times for a new copy, and it still freezes. no other game freezes, so i dont think its my xbox...but i dont know. Anyone know of anything that can help?

I heard people were having problems with freezing on the Xbox. I don't think there is a fix yet for it.

[Lammert]

When I got this game and played the first missions I loved it... but now... after completing the game for about 30%(i'm no hardcore gamer anymore, just for fun). I'm kind of getting bored... it misses something. It looks GREAT, but the city is small... After a while all buildings look the same(when are they going to let you drive trough windows? enter any building you like like a supermarket or a store or whatever).

I had more fun playing Saint's Row then GTA IV... so I'm curious about Saint's Row 2.

[D-Lo]

The game was worth the wait. It delivered.

No huge spoilers in the post, just a gripe about vehicles:
The only thing I didn't like was the lack of flying vehicles compared to San Andreas. No jet pack, harrier or bi plane as far I can tell. No monster trucks, no hydraulics or customizable cars. No tank either. Maybe this stuff is in the game and it's a secret, but I've been through the entire game.

The cars are a pain in the ass to drive at first, but once you get the hang of it it's better than any GTA to date. The Infernus drives better than ever. I would love to have seen a spedometer.

But the storyline and voice acting is all top notch. Rockstar seems to have a knack for voice acting. Plus the radio stations are great. I love the techno station.

[Zombie]

Well, I'm sure this will have it's own thread soon, but you heard it here FIRST! lol

Looks like a group of teens went on a "Crime Spree" and of course blaming it on GTA4 because "They simply stated they needed something to do". They first beat and robbed a man and then targeted another group of kids that turned out to be from their school and then they joined in with them. THey all went and formed a human road block and car jacked a womans black BMW, and the video reporter was quick to mention "They also stole her ciggerettes from her before she got away" lol. Now seriously, why in the world would they just have to mention that? Anyways, I guess they started attacking another car from inside the stolen car like I guess hanging out of it and hitting it with a bat, crobar, and broom stick. This was 6 teens in Long Island. And that they were copying a character from the game.

One of the ladies in the video of course says "I think this is a disgrace and should be taken off the market, this encourages our children to do these kind of things" which of course is ALL WRONG. I don't remember Rockstar ever saying, "Hey buy our game to learn how to do crime spree's because this is what we want you to do". Fuckin uneducated stupid people.

I think the blame should be put all on their parents as well as them being charged. Sure the parents didn't "do the crimes" but they bought the game for their kids, and or allowed them to play it. So if they want to blame entertainment for them being idiots then bring them all down. Again, it's rated M for a reason.

So at first, I was just typing from the video news I saw because I couldn't find a "text based" report on it. Then did some searching and finally found the news to copy and paste. I would have put the video but it's off of comcast.net page and it doesn't allow that. Either way, just another blow for us mindfull, responsible, players and just the video game industry in general. I'm pretty sure they knew what they were doing and probably even planned it, as well as decided to say "GTA4 made them do it" just so their story would be national news and they could have their 15 mins of fame. Hell I hate to even mention it because it's giving them the notice they want, but it just pisses me off that they're using the game as an excuse. They probably also figure they'll get lesser punishment if they say it was the game's fault. I swear the media is so stupid, the court system is stupid if they believe that excuse, and everyone thats going to get up in arms now about GTA4 is stupid to because it's not the first violent video game, it certianly not going to be the last (at least I hope not) but yet always have to blame something other than the parents.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/crime/ny-lirobb0627,0,324201.story

Teenagers who police say went on a video-game-inspired late-night crime spree were arraigned Thursday after they mugged a man outside a New Hyde Park supermarket and menaced motorists in Garden City with a baseball bat, a crowbar and a broomstick, Nassau police said.

The teens told detectives they were imitating the "Grand Theft Auto" video-game series where characters steal cars, beat up other characters and commit crimes, authorities said.

Police have identified at least three victims: a man they said was severely beaten during a robbery; a would-be carjacking victim; and a driver whose van was smashed with a bat.

Nassau Det. Lt. Raymond Coté said there are likely more victims who were attacked.



At one point during the spree, the initial group of four encountered other youths.

"They realize they know them from school and they can't rob them," Coté said. "Two of them they enlist in this crime spree and now they're joining the pack. It's an angry mob of youths."

The six suspects were all charged as adults.

Arrested and charged with felony robbery were Dylan Laird, 17, of Southborough, Mass., and Stephen Attard, 18, Samuel Philip, 16, Brandon Cruz, 15, and Gurnoor Singh, 14, all of New Hyde Park. Police did not release photos of Cruz or Singh because of their age. Jaspreet Singh, 17, of New Hyde Park, was charged with misdemeanor criminal possession of stolen property and is jailed on $20,000 bond or $10,000 cash bail, a jail official said.

Laird, Attard and Philip were ordered held on $100,000 bond, or $50,000 bail. Cruz and Gurnoor Singh were ordered held on $150,000 bond, or $75,000 cash.

The teens committed the crimes Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, police said.

It began Tuesday when the group was hanging out at a park in New Hyde Park, Coté said.

"They decide that they're going to go do some street robberies, emulating the popular fictional character Niko Bellic," Coté said, referring to a star of "Grand Theft Auto IV: Liberty City."

The group attacked a man near a New Hyde Park supermarket who had just finished an evening shift and was waiting for a bus, Coté said.

"They approach him from behind, force him to the ground, start punching him, kicking him, knocking the teeth out of his head and take what he has on him," Coté said.

They stole a small amount of cash and a cell phone, he said. After fleeing, the suspects broke into sheds and storage units in a hunt for makeshift weapons including the bat, crowbar and broomstick, Coté said.

Near New Hyde Park Road and Stewart Avenue, they formed a human roadblock. A woman driving a 2008 BMW was forced to stop. Cops say the group wanted to carjack her.

"She was scared for her life," Coté said. They stole her cigarettes, and she sped off and called 911, he said.

The six suspects were arrested by Garden City police responding to a 911 call shortly after the group approached the third victim and hit his car with a bat.

Staff writers Sophia Chang and Joseph Mallia contributed to this story.


If someone wants to use the above and split it off into it's own thread then feel free to. I wasn't planning on finding to much about it and was just going to post what the video was saying but was able to find some info about it that I could copy n paste.

[Kat]

Sounds like those kids were trying to distract the blame from themselves....

[Killa Pimp]

Finally got around to finishing this the other day.

now that i had a few days to think about it...
San Andreas was better to me for some reason.

Don't get me wrong this is a great game... But it feels like its lacking something and i just can't put my finger on it.


Three leaf clover was my favorite mission out of all the games.

[Biosynthnut v.2]

Finally beat this over the weekend. I spent FOUR hours trying to jump from the boat to the copter and couldn't pull it off. So I restarted from a previous save and did the revenge thread instead. Made the cycle to copter jump after 3 tries.

I liked the game but the story got convoluted when you had to work for the mob and what not... While U.L paper tracked down who you were looking for.... kinda eh.

Hopefully the DLC will take place in Vice City and San Andreas.

And you can get San Andreas on XBL.

[jasonlives13]

I also felt that san andreas was a better game, but to be fair this was the first attempt on the next gen consoles whereas the andreas was the 3rd attempt on the ps2 and it was alot better than number 3 and vice city, so who knows

[Just Jeans]

Personally, I'm enjoying Grand Theft Auto IV a lot more than San Andreas (which is also a great game). I prefer the fighting mechanics -- especially the cover system -- and I'm a lot better at driving the cars. I almost never crash while driving a motorcycle. I've even worked out how to skip right over the toll booths.

Also, Niko Bellic is the best main character in the franchise.

In other news: I knew this was likely to happen.

Microsoft's "exclusive" DLC on the PS3? (http://www.gamespot.com/news/blogs/rumor-control/909119209/26878866/lost-and-damned-headed-to-ps3-in-august.html)

Source: The most recent issue of the British magazine PlayStation World (aka PSW).

What we heard: Microsoft's locking down of exclusive downloadable content for its platforms is a sore point for PlayStation 3 owners. The foremost offenders are the two Xbox 360-exclusive episodes for Grand Theft Auto IV, which Microsoft paid $25 million each for, according to a June 2007 Take-Two Interactive conference call. (A transcript of the call is available on finance blog Seeking Alpha.)

While the timed PlayStation 2 exclusivity on previous GTA games like Vice City and San Andreas helped that platform become the top-selling console of all time, GTAIV has sold best on the Xbox 360. In part, that success was spurred by the two 360-only expansions, the first of which, The Lost and Damned, debuted in February to strong critical praise (see below).

Still, the prayers of many PS3 owners appeared to be answered this week, when Play.tm and about four dozen other multilingual (mostly) European sites cited PSW as reporting that Lost and Damned was PS3-bound. According to Digitial Spy's summary of the article--which is not available online--Microsoft has only a "a six-month exclusivity deal for the content, which expires in August." After that, the magazine reportedly said, the "content will arrive on the PS3 once the deal has run its course."

The official story: Sony did not respond to e-mails, and Take-Two reps politely but firmly declined to comment. Microsoft, however...

Bogus or not bogus?: ...issued a blunt but unequivocal statement about the prospect of a PS3 Lost and Damned. "The [GTAIV] episodes are exclusive to Xbox 360," a rep told GameSpot, officially ruling out any chance of a port. However, Take-Two Interactive's refusal to divulge sales figures for The Lost & Damned make it unclear if Microsoft paid too high a price to keep the add-ons 360-only.

I always felt it was unlikely that Microsoft purchased a permanent exclusivity deal with Rockstar. Whether it happens in August or not, I do think it'll happen sooner or later.

[Just Jeans]

A friend who works in the industry has had it confirmed to him that the two expansion packs -- The Lost and Damned, The Ballad of Gay Tony -- will be released for the PS3 sometime after The Ballad of Gay Tony is released for the 360. He says that Rockstar is planning a Game of the Year Edition for the PS3 that features the new content.

Personally, I hope we of the PS3 ilk also get the stand alone expansion disc that the 360 will be getting. I don't want to have to repurchase the entire game.

[The Dark Vampire]

How much will both expansion packs/discs cost?

If there isn't to much difference I'll just get The Game Of The Year Edition as it will be more convenient to have it all on 1 disc but if they is a big difference I'll just get the expansion packs/discs

[Just Jeans]

If it's anything like the GOTYE released by Bethesda, the game + expansions will run $60, while the expansions themselves run between $30 and $40.

As far as convenience is concerned, I imagine that, like the Shivering Isles expansion for The Elder Scrolls IV -- the expansions will install onto the PS3 and the only disc you'll have to stick in the system is your original copy of GTA IV.

[Biosynthnut v.2]

Interesting....

Lost n Damnd is pretty sweet, very Sons of Anarchy like.

Balled of Gay Tony... Took me awhile to figure out who the hell Tony was till I saw the trailer... And then the character parachuting out the helicopter....insta buy :D

[Just Jeans]

I should point out that there's been information floating around for about six months that Microsoft only had a timed exclusive on the DLC for GTA IV, so the notion that this stuff would end up on the PS3 isn't exactly breaking news. But it has been more-or-less confirmed to my industry friend, which puts my mind at ease. I'm not a big fan of exclusive content between consoles, I'd prefer it come out across the board, so this is good.

As for The Ballad of Gay Tony... apparently, it's also bringing the golf cart back as a drivable vehicle, and there will be a battle helicopter. Good stuff dere.

[ChildrenoftheDamned]

I haven't gotten to play The Lost & Damned or The Ballad Of Gay Tony yet, but I've been looking forward to them. I must say however comparing GTA IV by itself to the previous three in the series it seems like something is missing. There was something in GTA III, Vice City & San Andreas that made them special and while GTA IV is a great game it just isn't the same. I've played thru Vice City and San Andreas numerous times over the years and I've only played thru GTA IV twice since it came out. The second time was to see the other ending.

[Rick]

San Andreas is by far my favorite of the series. The combination of setting, characters and music (which was much better in both Vice City and San Andreas then it is in 4) made that the best IMO.
I got Lost and the Damned and Gay Tony for Christmas and started Lost and the Damned, but I'm so addicted to Modern Warfare 2 that I haven't played it much.

[ChildrenoftheDamned]

I agree about the music. Vice City and San Andreas soundtracks were much better than IV. But I would say that IV has a better soundtrack than GTA III. I hated the stations in III except Chatterbox. In IV I like the Lazlow station they have there (can't remember what it's called) and Liberty Rock Radio (Smashing Pumpkins, Stevie Nicks, etc.).

I think the thing that was missing from IV was the absolute fun of everything. IV was too grounded I suppose, too realistic. The famous voices in the cast of Vice City & San Andreas & the constant movie references were things I loved that were absent in IV. That and VC & SA were brighter, sunnier games than IV's dark, dreary look.

[Rick]

I agree about the music. Vice City and San Andreas soundtracks were much better than IV. But I would say that IV has a better soundtrack than GTA III. I hated the stations in III except Chatterbox. In IV I like the Lazlow station they have there (can't remember what it's called) and Liberty Rock Radio (Smashing Pumpkins, Stevie Nicks, etc.).

I think the thing that was missing from IV was the absolute fun of everything. IV was too grounded I suppose, too realistic. The famous voices in the cast of Vice City & San Andreas & the constant movie references were things I loved that were absent in IV. That and VC & SA were brighter, sunnier games than IV's dark, dreary look.

I agree with everything you said here.
I always get a kick out of the Lazlow stations, I'm glad they keep including him.

[Just Jeans]

The only think I think is better about the PS2 games is the music. I prefer everything else in Grand Theft Auto IV: driving mechanics, aiming mechanics, the story line, the cast of character, the voice acting, the city scape. The only think I'd change about GTAIV (apart from the music) is I'd add some country side locations. I loved having out-of-town quests in San Andreas.

When Rockstar gets around to releasing San Andreas rebuilt with PS3 code (like Sony did with God of War), I'll totally be picking it up.

[ChildrenoftheDamned]

Honestly I hope that with the next GTA installment they take all the great things from VC & SA and combine them. The voice acting in IV was good but I'd still love some famous voices thrown in there. I just loved the film-esque atmosphere. I'd love for the next game to be set in VC or SA that would be awesome! But I suppose we'll see. I've read on IGN rumors of the next one being in Europe.