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Rockstar Experimenting with Episodic Content
Posted by Brian Crecente at 7:00 AM on February 12, 2008
The Châteaux Marmont is one of those nondescript hotels that you need to know where it is to find. Fortunately, it's across the street from larger than life Rocky and Bullwinkle statues, so my cab driver was able to drop me right at the entrance, which happens to be a steep cobblestoned driveway that leads to a glass door.
Once inside I wait for the Rockstar folks to collect me at the front desk. They lead me back to the driveway and through a tall wooden gate which opens to a steep set of meandering cement stairs that cut through tall bushes, grass and towering walls of living bamboo.
Finally, we come to a clearing, a small yard and a long bungalow with a front made nearly entirely of glass doors. Inside is a small living room, a television, a couple of Xbox 360s and controllers.
But before dropping into the game and the play session I've read about on half a dozen other sites, I decide to quiz Jeronimo Barrera, Rockstar Games Vice President of Product Development, about episodic gaming and the nature of video games.
I float my theory of big games to Barrera. Call of Duty 4 was such an enjoyable experience, I tell him, because it was a game that, in theory, could be enjoyed in one sitting. It was designed to be experienced like a movie, without breaks, I think. But what about longer games that can't be enjoyed in one go, what about games that, like GTA, could take weeks or months to play through? I think, I tell Barrera, that they should almost be designed like novels, rather than like books.
"Or like a soap opera," he says, seeming to agree with me.
"In terms of story telling, (Grand Theft Auto IV) is incredibly compelling," he says. "Niko is a strong character."
But the Rockstar folks still know that when it comes down to it, Grand Theft Auto isn't as much about the story as it is the experience.
"In games like Metroid Prime if you lose your concentration, what's happening in the game you can't get back into it again.In the case of this game you are jumping into a world not necessarily a storyline."
Barrera says he sees the gaming industry going in two distinctly opposite directions: One direction includes games like Call of Duty 4's campaign that deliver a single play-through experience which is almost movie-like in its delivery. The other includes games like Grand Theft Auto which delivers more of a platform for experiences, rather than just a game.
Intrigued, I ask Barrera about Grand Theft Auto IV's episodic content. Why can't Rockstar use GTA as a platform, I ask. Why bother coming up with another GTA for this generation of consoles, couldn't the developer just create episodes for the game and live off that?
"We are calling the downloadable content (coming to the Xbox 360) episodes," he said.
But it's "an experiment" they're quick to add. Right now Rockstar doesn't seem sure that there are enough users with access to online content on the 360 to make it worthwhile for them to continue pumping out episodes.
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
Cameron
Posted February 12, 2008 12:19 PM
I can't see why these 'episodes' would be 360 only. Seems to me making DLC exclusive will only hurt the game in the long run.
If they were avaliable on both the 360 and PS3 then they'd have 26 million potential customers instead of just 16 million. After all, if you're going to cut out 40% of your audience from the get go then I can't see them committing the same amount of resources to extra content creation that they might have done if the DLC was fully cross platform like most other titles.
anon.
Posted February 12, 2008 7:05 PM
don't mess up Metroid Prime, it's an awesome game with a riveting storyline!
john
Posted February 12, 2008 9:01 PM
Dont worry, they will make episodic content for the PS3 as well. I AM SURE OF IT!! They wont be the same episodes as the 3shitty, but they'll be newer and probably just as good if not better. So never fear my PS3 lovers for we shall receieve GTAIV and episodes in FULL!! And yes we ALL know ANY GTA starting from GTAIII in the a pure PlayStation game!!
lafond66
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
I love how GTA take forever to play, and you can quit the story line, and just go run over some people and blow up the city whenever you feel like it. I'm not a huge fan of episodic content. I did like COD4 though, but typically, I like being able to do what I want, and not being led through the game. Some missions in GTA games are long, but even then, you can make a turn, the mission fails, and your free. I hate when it forces you to do something.
lafond66
Amazing-Steve
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@UmaroLovesMilk: That limit's for XBL Arcade. There's lots of content that goes WELL over 150 meg on XBL.
Amazing-Steve
DARTH_TIGRIS
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
The 360 has a better chance of getting MGS4 than this episodic content going to the PS3.
Folks, MS gave Rockstar an reported $50 million advance for MAKING these episodes. MS basically FUNDED them. They are going to be the definition of exclusive for that reason.
Please, stop spreading FUD about this just because you've committed to the PS3. You're still getting the game, for crying out loud.
DARTH_TIGRIS
neojam
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
I really hate episodic content...Cant stand it.
Its like: You're sitting there, playing, having fun, the story seems to be great, and then BAM!-> "To be continued..." Seriously WTF?!
Oh and by the time they make the next episode, you've already forgotten what the previous episode was all about. (see HL2 lol)
neojam
Demaar
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
I reckon if they advertise it enough, GTA is THE GAME to get people buying DLC off the Internet that haven't already done so. The key is how well they publicise the fact that extra stuff is out there for people to download.
Crap, just made myself lose the game from my own post :P
Demaar
joelface
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
i've said it before, and i'll say it again.
if the 360 episodes are STORY/missions... then thats fine, i can accept the 360 having that over the ps3 version.
HOWEVER, if the episodes have new cars/weapons/areas
...well than us ps3 owners have 2 words for rockstar
FUCK YOU.
joelface
PlayerX
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
I won't be too bothered by owning a PS3 and not a 360; the two games are said to be identical except for those downloadable missions or episodes or whatever.... I play GTA to unlock things and explore, not so much for the missions.
I like missions, but this doesn't bug me much. Like most things, they'll probably cross over to the other platform and come out on PS3 eventually, anyway.
PlayerX
PSN: Lp47
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
360 can have the episodes... us Sony PS3 owners get the next franchise from R* EXCLUSIVE to the Playstation 3.
Don't get me wrong. I still want to play GTA4, but you do have to look into the near future. Console wars dont last 2 years.. so with the Playstation 3 having such a concrete future ahead of it. Things can only look upward for the success of Sony's console.
PSN: Lp47
dowingba
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Rectangle: The PC had quite a bit of downloadable content before MS started offering it.
dowingba
Sparth
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
must... resist... stealing... a car!
Sparth
Gustavo
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Brian Crecente: What the hell, dude? My comment wasn't "LOL YOU MADE MISTAKE!" or "THIS IS NOT NEWS!" It was an honest (even complimentary!) question, so get some thicker skin. You're the head honcho of one of the biggest video game sites on the internet and you can't stomach a kindly worded "The opening of your piece confused me, please explain it BTW I enjoyed the rest very much" without snarking at the messenger?
Gustavo
chickenplucka
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@UmaroLovesMilk: The original Vegas add ons were around 700mb and 800mb respectively...
chickenplucka
Lanhoj
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
360 FTW
Lanhoj
Barf#1
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Crazyeyez15: Not trying to start a flame war but i personally recommend a PS3. I think it's a better system value wise for the money. 360 has a lot of great games but hopefully in the coming monthe both ps3 and 360 will be about equal on the software side of things. When it comes to hardware and features the ps3 is superior to 360. 360 has more games as of right now and thats it's only advantage in my opinion.
Barf#1
gogators88
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Rectangle:
Same with those downloads for Ghost Recon and Rainbow Six. One of the downloads for Rainbow Six was like .9 or 1.1 gigs.
gogators88
KEELr
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
If I complete GTA4 and feel that the extra episodes is worth whatever MS decides to charge for It, I'll buy it, If not I wont. I dont get the big deal.
KEELr
froog
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
The Chateau Marmont is non-descript? Non-descript? The Chateau Marmont? Are you out of your fucking mind? It's a fucking castle in the Hollywood Hills, jammed full of starlets and movie bigwigs. You can't describe that?
John Belushi died there! Almost every other movie and/or rock star in the past 100 years nearly died there! And it's famously quite charming! The Chateau Marmont may in fact be the single most described hotel in all of American History!
Also, it's not hard to find, unless you're an idiot.
froog
Hatchetforce
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
With Sony getting 2 exclusives from Rockstar I for one am happy with their plans.
Hatchetforce
Ra on the Moon.
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
The episodes are going to be around ten hours of fun each.
Ra on the Moon.
I_Hate_This_Place
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
I hate not being able to see updated comments until I post again
I_Hate_This_Place
k!dman
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
ps3 was to get DLC episodes but then MS stepped in and got both (the one, whic was originally for 360 and the ps3 episode) of them. money talks
k!dman
mnml10387
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
Keep these previews coming! Woohoo.
mnml10387
noamjamski
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Lot krotan (wut?): Are you sure? That was from July 2007. I thought the MSFT deal was done in 2006.
Either way, I didn't mean to come across as confrontational with anyone. It just seems, like other people have pointed out, that there is enough chatter to support the logic that R* isn't going to leave PS3 purchasers out in the cold while the 360 is basking in tons of extra episodes.
noamjamski
I_Hate_This_Place
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
push
I_Hate_This_Place
Lot krotan (wut?)
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@noamjamski:
you fail to release that was said before microsoft gave $50 million to Rockstar to keep the content exclusive...
Lot krotan (wut?)
cmcginn
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Baukie:
You need to know what you are looking for ...
cmcginn
JorgieX
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
Episodes can work perfectly if there and proof of how Oblivians add on were intergrated. Totally new mission quests new weapons and no need to start over you could basicly bay Oblivian on the same day download the new quests and go right to the new areas and complete those before even starting any of the actual game. I also laugh at the notion that there aren't enough people with 360s and that are connected to the internet. lmfao
When the downloads come down the pipe I want to see what they have to say about the amount of downloads that are done.
JorgieX
Sparx88
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@noamjamski:
In all fairness to I_Hate_This_Place this is also why R* is making one or two new exclusive games for Sony. Whether or not that's what he's referring to it remains to be seen, but I'm fairly certain that information was out before that interview.
There's still over a year left before any DLC even hits the market so anything is possible right now. Nothing is really confirmed for either side as of right now
Sparx88
I_Hate_This_Place
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Sparx88: @noamjamski: Like I said, I hope the PS3 gets some content, competition is badass when it comes to pricewars for gamers. I just saw nothing official. I guess you can say the Phil Harrison one, but (even though he probably has too) it seems like he's just hinting that there could be something, or it could be just PR nonsense(which all the mouth jockeys for the big 3 are good at).
I_Hate_This_Place
Crazyeyez15
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
both games will get DLC. 360 will get the episodes though ps3 will not. thats confirmed btw.
Crazyeyez15
noamjamski
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@I_Hate_This_Place: I think Phil Harrison is pretty darned "official."
His quote: "As the head of the [internal Sony] studios, it's hard for me to comment on the third-party relations, so I don't know the details of that -- we deliberately keep those separate -- but we have a great relationship with Rockstar and we're actually working closely with them on a number of initiatives, so I do know some things that are going on, but I'm not able to share those with you now."
That isn't a no comment or a we'll see. He blatantly says "I know some things that are going on, but I'm not able to share those with you now." (If you read the article this is directly in the context of DLC)
Anyways, Rockstar is a business that is not directly invested in console wars so I'm sure by some means they will make sure everyone who buys it feels taken care of regardless of the console they purchase it on.
noamjamski
Sparx88
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@I_Hate_This_Place:
No offense taken. But of course there's no word from R* in that article because it's about a year old since it still lists the game for October 2007. While most items are taken with a grain of salt its hard to argue against close connections.
--According to a source close to Rockstar North, the team is working on exclusive supplemental content for both systems, which will be made available for download via Microsoft and Sony's respective online services after the game's release next year--
Also Phil Harrison has been one of the most trustworthy people in the gaming business, not just for Sony. When he says that they're working on something people are inclined to believe him.
While I agree with you that they're not "primary sources" and should be taken with a grain of salt there are certain believable qualities
Sparx88
I_Hate_This_Place
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@noamjamski: Sorry my friend, but none of those links provided "official word". None. I do hope the PS3 gets extra content though.
I_Hate_This_Place
TheHun
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@I_Hate_This_Place: Hence why I said "hope". I don't think it's going to happen, but now i can see where they are coming from.
TheHun
noamjamski
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@ssjmichael: That was just the first one I saw from Google with a lot of detail, but as you can see from the add'l links Sparx88 provided there is a lot of official word that the PS3 is getting something.
All the more difficult it makes the choices for those of us that are console agnostic.
noamjamski
I_Hate_This_Place
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@TheHun: Read the articles, no sources are given. It's nothing but speculation. Hopefully it's true, as content is good for all gamers, but don't get your hopes up as nothing even close to official has been announced
I_Hate_This_Place
I_Hate_This_Place
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Sparx88: The Eurogamer article states that there is no official word from Rockstar, just some unknown source(about as reliable as Surfer Girl) and the DBTechno lists NO SOURCE whatsoever. I have no issues with PS3 getting DLC, but please back up statements with actual sources, or it is nothing but speculation. No offense intended.
I_Hate_This_Place
TheHun
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Sparx88: Thanks for the links, looks like theres some hope for PS3 owners.
TheHun
UmaroLovesMilk
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
Thanks for the replies everyone.
I have updated the data in my head now :-)
I was lumping XBLA/expansions into the same category and won't do it again.
Cheers
UmaroLovesMilk
Chilly Hollow
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
Microsoft claims there are 10 million xBox Live users if you lump gold and silver memberships together. Surely that's enough folks to tempt Rockstar to try episodes on Live? Even if the figures are inflated 50%?
Of course I'm not one of them and naturally that gives Rockstar pause....
Chilly Hollow
Sparx88
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@TheHun:
either of these should suffice although euro should give a better explanation:
[www.1up.com]
[www.eurogamer.net]
[www.dbtechno.com]
Sparx88
thegreatseal
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
WTF is wrong with some of you people? If you don't want to read Kotaku's journalism, kill yourself.
..Or just go read something else.
thegreatseal
I_Hate_This_Place
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Sparx88: I'm in the same boat, I have never finished a GTA. Ever. So even though exclusive episodic content is good for MS and huge GTA enthusiasts, it won't effect me on bit.
I_Hate_This_Place
TheHun
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@noamjamski: Thanks!
TheHun
Sparx88
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@I_Hate_This_Place:
Probably, but heres the thing: Money is MS's solution to everything and since they were so concerned with decimating everything that first year, a little green wouldn't be too much to waste. Nobody even knows what these episodes contain so it could be just a major fleecing on R*'s part. R* is a smart company and I know they have some legal loopholes to use should it come to that. Not that it matters because I have enough trouble finishing the game anyway and it seems like a lot of other people do as well. Plus if there's a decent on-line you know people will be busy with that as well.
Sparx88
Vecha
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@balla4real:
They are equal...the 360 has no edge over the ps3 or vice versa(maybe minuscule differences...but only differences fan boys would get fussy over)
Vecha
I_Hate_This_Place
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@ssjmichael: Again, if you read the article, there is NO OFFICIAL WORD FROM R*, so it's just speculation.
I_Hate_This_Place
ssjmichael
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
I just realized that article was from October 2006 :|
ssjmichael
ssjmichael
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@noamjamski:
Interesting! I wish Rockstar will just come out and give us all some solid details on the damn game already!
ssjmichael
I_Hate_This_Place
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@noamjamski: That link says "according to a source close to R* North" and "no official word from R* as of writing" . Basically just speculation.
I_Hate_This_Place
Vecha
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
"But it's "an experiment" they're quick to add. Right now Rockstar doesn't seem sure that there are enough users with access to online content on the 360 to make it worthwhile for them to continue pumping out episodes."
Release expansions packs...like oblivion did with shivering isles?
Just after, say, 5 episodes...release a hard copy...
Are they NOT doing this for the ps3 as well?...I could have sworn they were...
Vecha
Akmed
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@balla4real:
Volatile state as in possibly getting the RRoD which would suck when getting addicted to GTA.
graphics are EXACTLY the same -_-
you only think that from GT comparisons...
Akmed
noamjamski
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@TheHun: Link about PS3 getting its own DLC [www.eurogamer.net]
noamjamski
Vecha
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Crazyeyez15:
Whichever one you enjoying playing on the most? They will be almost identical...isn't ps3 also getting its own content?
I'm thinking of getting both...heh.
Vecha
noamjamski
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@parad0x360: It is true I do need to play with this more. I have a Sony XBR4 40" and I have put the 360 in via component and VGA and neither look nearly as good as the PS3 via HDMI. I have tried all of the "extended settings." Blah, it is probably me.
@cocktoe: What MSFT is getting is exclusive DLC. They confirmed earlier on that the PS3 will be getting its own DLC separate from the exclusive 360 episodes. They just weren't clear on the details, probably because they don't know them yet.
noamjamski
TheHun
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Sparx88: The PS3 is getting it's own content too? can you provide a link, I've always just assumed that people claiming this are misinformed.
(plz no flamez)
TheHun
Akmed
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
i don't even care anymore. GTA is GTA. i still play San Andreas and it never had DLC. GTA IV should be the same damn way. sure an extended story is ok, but then again, it's just an extra. not like you "need" it to know what happens after the ending of the game... GTA IV has enourmous replay value in itself. plus MultiplayerMadness added on to that. that's probably 150+ hours in it alone! :O
Akmed
balla4real
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
what do you mean the volatile state of the 360, the 360 is better than the ps3 the only thing that the ps3 has going for it is blu-ray, hell the graphics on 360 look better for games like c0d4, assaissins creed, and rainbow six vegas. Jesus tits
balla4real
Hiero Glyph
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Rectangle: Please don't feed the trolls! They are apparently too ignorant to understand the difference between an XBLA download and an XBL download. Also notice how they only reply to each others' posts and avoid making any acknowledgement of the numerous replies that clearly state there is no file size limit for XBL downloads.
So please DO NOT feed the trolls!
Hiero Glyph
sascha23
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
Due to the volatile state of my 360, I'm picking up the PS3 version. Also, I want a Niko mask when I'm in Home, so I can terrorize fellow gamers. ;)
sascha23
I_Hate_This_Place
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Sparx88: @noamjamski: All I've heard is speculation in relation to PS3 downloadable content. Nothing concrete yet. Also Sparx88, I seriously doubt this content will go to the PS3 at all with as much as it cost MS. If it does, good for PS3 owners, but highly unlikely.
I_Hate_This_Place
Rectangle
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@dowingba: "This is why I refuse to ever buy these "map packs" and things that, until Microsoft came along and arbitrarily changed things, were always free. I've said it before and I'll say it again: No company ever charged money for a map before unless it came with an otherwise huge expansion pack."
What consoles had downloadable content before MS started offering it?
Rectangle
Rectangle
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@UmaroLovesMilk: Only XBox Live Arcade has a 150MB limit.
There is no limit on downloadable content size for a full game on the 360.
The Gears of War maps are pretty damn big, for example.
Rectangle
dnez
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
you know I'm torn with this. I mean I love my 360 for the games and Live but I hate Microsoft business models - From the way they approach gaming and even console design. Unfortunately, the 360 has all the games I enjoy. So if I want to play I gotta pay.
Anyway, I hope with the DLC they change and approach it in a way that doesn't push potential consumers away. By that I mean that the content better be worth the price they charge. The current model seems to be charge a higher premium and sell to less people. I think making it more accessible to a wider audience would make more sense and provide more continued interest and thus longevity. If they charge too much and don't generate the numbers they hope for they'll assume there isn't a market when the truth is that that market exist if the price is fair.
dnez
Islandkiwi
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
MS paid a pretty penny for that exclusive downloadable episodic content, so I don't expect that it will be just a minor addition to the game, and I certainly wouldn't expect it to show up on PS3's...even as a GoTY version.
I do find it interesting when people have both the 360 and the PS3, which version of the game they decide to get. For GTA, I see no benefit to getting it for the PS3.
Islandkiwi
coktoe
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@noamjamski.Is this true?Is the PS3 getting it's own DLC?And if so what is the signifigance of the MS/Rockster cash deal?It seems moot now.
coktoe
bkN00b
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Lot krotan (wut?): I haven't played mass effect, which was what was meant by saying "from what I've heard". My gripe is more with these guys talking DLC before the game is even out. Why even bother making a "stand-alone" game when you've already figured in that i'm going to spend xxx amount of dollars on your DLC - pretty soon we'll all be signing up for monthly subscriptions in addition to the 60-70 bucks we already have to put out to get what should be a complete game from a day 1 purchase. I don't think it sounds crazy but that's only cuz it's just me telling it to myself.
bkN00b
elementary
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Brian Crecente:
In fairness to Gustavo, I also thought it was intentional. As if to say that nondescript hotels are the type that are hard to find, but the Chateau Marmont is not nondescript. It's one of those non-nondescript hotels that are hard to find.
elementary
parad0x360
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@noamjamski: in terms of video quality hdmi and component are identical. Check your 360 dash display settings and see if it will let you change the reference level. That should tweak the picture and colors a bit
parad0x360
Sparx88
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Setzer IIDX:
PS3 has no DL size limit whatsoever
Sparx88
noamjamski
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@comedy: Rockstar already stated earlier there will be DLC for PS3 but it will be different than the 360 episodes. They owe MSFT exclusive content as per their arrangement, but they are going to give PS3 something, they are just not sure what right now.
I am in the same boat as many others on this thread. I want to put in a pre-order but I'm a bit nervous about which system to commit to. I am tending to lean towards the PS3 only because I have an original 360 and prefer the look of the HDMI out. Hopefully there will be more info about the two versions in the coming weeks to help us multi-system people decide!
noamjamski
parad0x360
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@UmaroLovesMilk: there is no 150 mb dlc limit on XBL. Thats the limit on live arcade games. I downloaded tomb raider via xbl and thats like 2.4 gigs.
parad0x360
Setzer IIDX
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@dead_red_eyes: Does PS3 have that limit?
Legit question actually, not trying to start a PS3/360 thing here. Kinda curious.
Setzer IIDX
dead_red_eyes
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@UmaroLovesMilk:
I'm thinking the same thing. XBLAs 150MB limit isn't going to cut it right?
dead_red_eyes
sadkermit
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
Impressive write up - it even makes me want to play this game.
sadkermit
Crazyeyez15
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@dip: i got no money either so ya im with ya on that. ya maybe the ps3 will be better in the long run... i never finshed a gta before so thats y im thinking this content is useless to me.
Crazyeyez15
Brian Crecente
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Gustavo: it's called a typo. I mention that because it looks like you were struggling to find the right word.
Brian Crecente
Sparx88
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Sparx88:
this just kind of shows what happened during the happily ever after part which really doesnt add anything to the basic story
Sparx88
ph15h
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
I used to be all for episodic and downloadable content... Until ATT capped my bandwidth! Now I'd just rather spend my money and tax on buying a retail game. Or If I'm too busy to stop by a retail store, pay for shipping online. Episodes... I don't really think a game like GTAIV would need episodes to expand the story seeing as many would just go sandboxing when the game is done and try to complete other little side missions.
ph15h
Sparx88
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@comedy:
the story is not "incomplete" the game itself has an ending no matter what. These episodes could be more or less unimportant as they either don't pertain to the main story or are just an afterthought.
Think of it this way: in the old fairy tales they always ended with "they lived happily ever after." A
Sparx88
Hyperlite
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Gustavo: "non-nondescript" is a typo...should be just nondescript. Otherwise it's a double negative.
@Crecente: Don't listen to these guys...a little imagery never hurt anyone.
Hyperlite
Sparx88
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
Personally I really dont believe this content is as "exclusive" as what it appears. That term has been thrown around so much over these last two generations that its lost all meaning. Frankly I think it could be written up where the episodes are only a timed exclusive but with the stipulation that its kept really hush hush so MS can unload more systems/copies on their side. Besides, most people seem ignorant to the fact that PS3 gets its own content too. Lets not forget that a lot of these developers are really liking the built in HDD and are starting to utilize it
Sparx88
Lot krotan (wut?)
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@bkN00b:
did you really finish mass effect thinking "This game isn't complete, they're gonna add more content later"? I think Mass Effect and Oblivion were great stand alone games, and the developers decided to add onto those worlds instead of just raking in the money and sitting around.
Also, games cost $60 now because of inflation, games are always going to be costing more and more. It as nothing to do with how much content is put into them.
Seriously, Blizzard and other companies were doing expansion packs over a decade ago that added nothing but new units and maybe a semi-interesting side story, yet no one seemed to care...
No one seems to complain when Half Life 2 started coming out with episodic content.
Why cry about GTA4 or Mass Effect doing the episodic thing?
Lot krotan (wut?)
comedy
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
well i guess if the 360's version actually ends up with more in it then it's a trade off between cost/content
yes, it will suck hard if the story is less complete on ps3... oh well. i dunno, i got bored of gta half way through vice city (long time ago).
still i played gta2 just the other day, awesome game.
comedy
elementary
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
Episodic content is still in its infancy, but I have high hopes. Take a game with a winning formula, and make a two or three hour episode with a compelling story.
Sometimes I don't want a whole new game, or a whole new world to learn. And yes, episodic content should be designed to play through in one sitting - akin to spending an evening watching a movie.
elementary
Fyren
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Fyren: Nice Freudian there, "your wii will..."
Fyren
snakepliskin
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
If i had to pick a version id get the 360 version right now for dlc. But i agree with the other people that think ps3 will get some sort of dlc.
snakepliskin
Streeks1984
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
I will be getting the ps3 version...I am not that easily guillable and I dont want to pay more for the game when I already paid $65 for it in the first place.
Streeks1984
Fyren
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@TheNumchucks: Your will will laugh at you and proceed to nunchuck you
Fyren
ssjmichael
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@UmaroLovesMilk:
Is it really limited to 150MB's though? I know that's the cap for XBLA games, but it's not the cap for all content though right?
ssjmichael
Akmed
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@DigitalHero:
yeah, it would sure suck to be addicted to a game like GTA IV and then having your system break. just sayin....
Akmed
dowingba
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Huxleyhobbes: This is why I refuse to ever buy these "map packs" and things that, until Microsoft came along and arbitrarily changed things, were always free. I've said it before and I'll say it again: No company ever charged money for a map before unless it came with an otherwise huge expansion pack.
No, I'm not so "cheap" I can't afford $3 or whatever. It's a matter of principle. All of a sudden we're expected to pay for the same amount of content we used to get for free. We're already paying $10 more for games all of a sudden with absolutely no justification.
dowingba
TheNumchucks
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
Bring this to wii dammit!.
TheNumchucks
comedy
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
i dont' get it, are the dlc bits in the ps3 version or not? if not, why not? they will have made the game for both versions, making dlc for both wouldn't take any effort at all.
comedy
SAKY
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@SAKY: I'm sure Rockstar will make enough money to justify these "episodes".*
SAKY
El Patricko
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Gustavo: Agreed. I don't in any way care or want to hear about some hotel with an obnoxious sounding name, or anything other than the interview and the game for that matter. Crecente, what did you have for dinner that night?
El Patricko
itsburnsie
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@UmaroLovesMilk:
The file size limit is for Arcade titles only. Game expansions and downloadable full retail games can be however big they need to be.
Shivering Isles expansion for Oblivion was well over a gig, as I recall.
itsburnsie
bkN00b
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@pagancollective: I agree with you whole-heartedly here and it's a point I was trying to make regarding the Mass Effect DLC but I got shut down because people interpreted it as me saying mass effect sucked, which, from what I hear, wasn't the case at all. My point was then and is now, I don't want to end up paying a hundred bucks for your "experience" when I'm already paying 60 bucks for your game. I wanna pay 60 bucks and get the game which should encompass the whole effing experience - not simply an invitation to spend more money later, which is what a lot of games are turning into.
bkN00b
Playstation
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
So, in general what makes this different than the previous GTA series in terms of gameplay (honestly seeking answers)? Does this one has some cool and awesome new features? Or pretty much the same.. like get a mission, rob a car, get the job done, collect the money, and spend it?
I'm quite excited although I'm not a GTA fans, but knowing how gorgeous the world is, I hope it would be backed up by a great gameplay too.
Playstation
SAKY
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
I think Harmonix and RedOctane have made a lot of money with the download packs for their games I'
m Rockstar will make enough money to justify these "episodes".
SAKY
DigitalHero
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
I'm going with the 360 version on this one for now. I'll get the PS3 version if its not a gimped version though. I really want to play on a system that won't break on me and doesn't sound like a helicopter taking off when I can.
DigitalHero
coktoe
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
I'm a little jealous that the 360 is getting exclulsive
GTA4 content.I can only assume that the huge cash deal with MS will rule out such DLC on the PS3,even if it's different than the 360's.Oh well.
coktoe
UmaroLovesMilk
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
Quick Question,
Please don't flame the Yeti for ignorance.
Will rockstar be bound to the 150mg limit for XBL content?
Doesn't seem like a lot of new additions can be added in 150 mg space.
UmaroLovesMilk
Witzbold
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
Another good read on GTAIV thanks Crecente!
Id be for episodic content if its actually a fair amount of gameplay / things added to the world itself.
Witzbold
Akmed
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
PS3 will get DLC one way or another too though... although i would love to have both kinds of DLC. ironically both being exclusively different.
why do they have to fuck consumers over like this? "oh yeah, we got 360 version with achivements and awesome DLC"
what about PS3 version? Home trophys please? some special DLC, even a small, new island? or mini-missions?
it's just Downloadable content ater all, except for HOME. that would be cool. also if you could use your home in GTA as a safehouse. that would truely be kickass.
yes, i'm a little jeleous, and pissed off. GTA has always been on PS first. but they should be the same...
Akmed
dip
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@dip: My spelling r fail.
or* the* months*
dip
ssjmichael
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Seruza:
Money talks, and Microsoft paid Rockstar 150 Million for that content. So it's not going anywhere unfortunately. Well maybe to the PC for Live owners there.
ssjmichael
Huxleyhobbes
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@pagancollective: It scares the hell out of me that I almost literally forgot the days when you got updates beyond bug-fixing patches for free.
Huxleyhobbes
dip
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Crazyeyez15: Same here. I don't have the cash of desire to purchase either at thhe moment but 6 monthes from now might be a different story. I'm thinking PS3 might be the better purchase for the long run... at least for me.
dip
Seruza
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
Make them for PS3 also. There, problem solved you just doubled your potential download base.
Seruza
Baukie
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
@Gustavo:
i think he says that its one of those places you need to know where it is in order to find it.
if that makes sense...
Baukie
greyhoundbus
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
Side stories to fill out elements of a game's story... that's the way to go. Don't leave things hanging at the end. The original game itself should feel complete. As good as Half Life 2 was, I always thought the major cliff-hanger ending and the subsequent continuation of that game's story in an episodic format was not the best way to go.
greyhoundbus
pagancollective
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
I used to be a supporter of DLC, but I hate getting the feeling of being shortchanged by all of these companies that nickel and dime their customers for small amounts of new content.
Remember when companies used to release updates for their products - new content and all - for free (ie. map packs a la Unreal Tournament, any Blizzard product ever, etc)? Now companies have little to no incentive to do this, the "why not charge three bucks" mentality.
(Oh, and I'm tired of hearing people say "It's only x amount, no big deal". All of it adds up, and it sucks to pay more on top of 60 bucks.)
pagancollective
ssjmichael
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
Interesting. I think the biggest factor here is money. By releasing the full game in retail stores you'll make a lot more money than you would from providing it digitally. Keep in mind that there are still some 360 owners without an HD even so they can't even take advantage of such episodic content.
I also feel like Rockstar has done episodic content but in retail form. Take "Liberty City Stories" and "Vice City Stories" for instance. Those are tie-ins to the original game with some of the same characters. They could provide those as DLC to the original game and call them episodes too.
ssjmichael
Fyren
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
Episodic content. Couple of hits and misses; can't really put a conclusion to it.
It could work really well with GTAIV. How about just multiplayer maps devoid of stroyline; sniper perches, air combat, sort of city section CTF?
Fyren
Crazyeyez15
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
ps3 or 360 i still dont no 100% which 1 to get...
Crazyeyez15
Gustavo
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
"The Châteaux Marmont is one of those non-nondescript hotels that you need to know where it is to find."
I know you're a very touchy guy when it comes to people pointing out mistakes/errors at Kotaku, but honestly I have no idea what you're trying to say there. Non-nondescript? Is that intentional, like it's a REALLY nondescript place? And don't you need to know where most things are in order to find them?
I really enjoyed the rest of the piece, and episodic GTA is certainly news to me, but I could've used more talk with Barrera and less preamble.
Gustavo
Atrocity
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
If they pulled the DLC fast enough, I am sure they could get good profit and great ratings in return. IF it's an episode every so many years like VALVe I don't think it's going to go over as well.
Atrocity
Kj719
Posted 5:03 PM 16/2/08
I hope the main game feels complete and the 360 "episodes" are like side missions. I will be pissed if the PS3 version feels incomplete!
Kj719