@Lazlo:

The game is special becuase unlike you, the majority of people feel the story is interesting and the world is worth exploring. When you fell that way then the gameplay doesnt feel repeptive. Because though youre doing the same missions or actions, as with any game, its the added context that drives you. Since you enjoy the world and universe youre playing in you dont mind being asked to keep playing in it.

Since you dont feel that way about the world and story you feel its repetive. No one is stopping you from feeling that way, rather youre the one wondering why everyone else doesnt agree with you.

Modus_Operandi

@Edge of Blade:

Thats another way too lok at it I guess. Again subjective opinion. For me the controls, on the PS2, mind you didnt feel precise. And it felt like Zelda: TP. I mean the wolf and everything.

I will use the up its own ass and graphics issue with Braid though.

Modus_Operandi

I would love to see the breakup by console. It would show us how a proper [non-gimped] multiplatform sells across systems.

talk2sk

@Modus_Operandi:
Dude, don't try to tell me to be subjective because you're refusing to let me have my own opinion right now. I never said anyone who liked this game is a moron, of course I'm only speaking what I believe to be true. I'm also not saying this is the only game with repetitive gameplay. Never once did I even insinuate that. I am making a statement about how much praise and money an incredibly repetitive game is getting. There are much worse games out there, but they don't make the money that this one does. Why is it so special?! I don't know, and honestly I don't think you do either. This game is excellent at one thing, and that is immersion.

Now that's MY OPINION.

Lazlo

@Modus_Operandi: @Lazlo: Umm... Okami got no love because it's an art title that was so far up it's own ass, it was damn near unplayable. The screen was WAY too busy, and I couldn't play it without getting a headache.

Edge of Blade

@Modus_Operandi: I agree... no, wait...

Edge of Blade

@spacecoffin2: And how is this christmas any different from any other christmas.

Edge of Blade

@Comments 'rnt Us (usually):
Hmmm, I am not familiar with that one.

Lazlo

@Lazlo:

No. I think sounded like myself. As I always do.

Here's a major spoiler alert for you. All games consist of repetive gameplay. FPS's? All you do is shoot things. Constantly. RPG's? Its just fighting, level up, cutscene, repeat. PLatformer? All you do is hop around. Fighting games? All you do is beat people up.

Honestly Im so sick of people using that excuse. You dont like GTA4? Fine. Everything is subjective. But please dont try to isolate it as some grand example of repetive gameplay and then hold up any other game and not relaize the irony of your statement.

Modus_Operandi

@Modus_Operandi:
I guess your citing the Wii version, cause the PS2 handled fine. I never played the Wii version so I'll have to go on faith with that one.

Also I'm not slamming it cause it's popular, I'm slamming it cause I didn't like it. I own it, beat it and enjoyed it a lot...for the first couple hours. Once it got to be me doing the same thing over and over and over I got a little annoyed.

Lazlo

@Lazlo: What you're saying sounds like if the late 90s game Kingpin became a sandbox game.

Comments 'rnt Us (usually)

@Modus_Operandi:
It's not the controls that make the game a little weak. It's the story, the repetitive gameplay, the pop-in, the framerate shudder, the repetitive gameplay, and the repetitive gameplay. :) Seriously though, presenting the player with "limitless options" is only fun if those options are worth doing.

Also, you know you sounded like a parrot of every gamer who thought the game was TEH AWE$OME!!1! just then??

Lazlo

You can't drive the train in this one, so I don't think the Japanese will be all that interested.

AndroidKing

@Lazlo: Yeah, I'm with you on Okami. :( It did actually get praise from the press, but the gaming masses ignored it.

deadjesterx

@Lazlo:

Okami. Oh yea. I wish there were more Zelda knock offs with imprecise controls also.

See what I did there. Lets not going around slamming games that are popular, just because they are popular.

Modus_Operandi

GTAIV FTW

dj_fantastica

I'd be curious to see what the platform breakdowns are, as well as the sales of the limited edition (also per platform).

When I finally get a 360, this will be on my list.

thespyderboy

@MOP88:

Newbies have problems with control in general. That doesnt mean the controls suck. Ive had friends who couldnt play Halo. Doesnt mean Halo has a bad control scheme.

Crashing always sucks but I dont know how this can be a problem if you play the game for an extended period. Once you assimlate the contols and understand how the "feel" of it it shouldnt be a prob. I think they went with this scheme because the game has alot more staged cinematic chase sequences and the controls add to the visceral feel of those.

Modus_Operandi

Man, I wish I would release a really old feeling sandbox title, with lots of bad language and and the promise of deeper gameplay with those kinds of results.

In all seriousness though, I'm not surprised, but it's disappointing to see such great titles (Okami) get no love when I very average game gets such praise and sales.

Lazlo

@Modus_Operandi: The driving is great, but it's complicated for many newbs to perform a slick drift turn at high speeds. Plus, crashing sucks ass.

MOP88

An expected figure, considering it's multiplatform nature.
*cough-whore-cough*

MOP88

@Lorrr:

Youre in the minority on that one. I hear alot of people bemoan the driving, but honestly I dont see it. Its typical with gamers to just parrot shit others complain about.

Modus_Operandi

@spacecoffin2:

Youre thinking as a hardcore gamer, which is why youre on here. For people who arent that hardcore and have been holding out the news that the 360 will be cheaper, and GTA4 will have some added content will drive sales. MArketing FTW.

Modus_Operandi

If the game controlled a little better, not just the cars, this would seriously cause people to never buy any other games again.

I am still a little bitter that the controls are whack.

Lorrr

15 mil! That's a lotta Mars bars!

LISA FORWARDS

I'm not surprised at all, GTAIV is probably as big (if not more) as Halo, it seems.

And with good reason, too!

I only wish that had added more to SA's formula for GTAIV, not taken out copious amounts of the features. Until Saints Row 2, it's gonna be GTA:SA on my xbox. :(

Coquiton

"A cheaper Xbox 360 and forthcoming episodic content sure won't hurt GTA IV's chances this holiday season."

And all the other games hitting this holiday does not help it, plus its rare I ever see someone buy a system and game just so they can then buy download content :/ Teh marketing.

Anyhow yay! GTA4 sales?

spacecoffin2

Thats not surprising at all, the game is great now I just need to sit down and actually finish it... game pissed me off after the bank robbery mission

phantomlink

Wow. More than $600 mln in sales. Just... wow.

DaPress

@Modus_Operandi:
You're exactly right, only I don't wonder why nobody agrees with me, I merely raise my "hate flag" and see if anyone salutes. I don't expect to be agreed with, quite the opposite, but I am hoping that I am not alone. I had such high hopes for the game, nobody wanted the game to be more amazing than me, but I might have raised them too high for anything to meet. In retrospect I see my preconceived view of the game as a mistake, but that still doesn't change the fact that I was let down by it.

Thank you for being done assuming that I'm some trouble-starting assface and that I merely felt a different way than you (and most everyone else) did. I'm happy everyone is enjoying it, and I'll probably buy the next ones, just with a little smaller expectations. :-)

Lazlo

And that, my friends, is why exclusivity is dying.

Count me as waiting anxiously for the PC release, one more unit sold there.

mva5580

It wouldn't surprise me if it hit the 15 million mark. It will probably sell well at christmas too. All those stupid parents buying it for their 12 year old children, making their children grow up to be serial killers.

Anaralia

@TheTimeisback: San Andreas was great because of the PC version, mostly. The mods were fantastic. (Insert Hot Coffee joke here)

But vanilla San Andreas, while an amazing game, had a lot of almost unforgivable design flaws that make GTAIV's issues look like nitpicks.

But either way, it's apples and oranges. GTAIV is too different from past titles to really make a fair comparison.

ShaggE

Well, when the PC version comes out, they have sold one more copy here. I have made quite an effort to not purchase, play, watch gameplay footage, etc....just so I can have (hopefully) a clean PC experience with GTAIV.

I am kind of thinking if MS paid $50 million for DLC it should come to the PC version, as that is essentially another MS platform for gaming. Wishing is more like it, but hey...................;)

homernoy

Well, i feel that GTA4 was boring after about 15 hours. I've put over 100 hours into games like Diablo 2,starcraft, and even pokemon. I think that rockstar should have focused a little less of presentation, graphics, and even the main quest. I like long games but really. 90 missions was too much because most of them felt the same or didn't really felt inspired (cept for three leaf clover, that was awesome) and i didn't see anything else I could really do. They have a great physics engine that could had some wacky FUN game modes that game out of it instead of the boring races and capture things. Cmon Rockstar, put more heart into it and make the gameplay make me forget the fact that a good chunk of GTA is gone. Free mode wasn't fun because the city wasn't done well enough. There are barely any minigames and there are no game modes that take potential of the physics. Cmon who doesn't want to play some kind of car crashing battle in the junkyard or rob a bank in as a chicken suit?

I guess all these current gen games focus more on style and not substance.

ninjadude14

Wow! Whenever Take-Two announces something like this, I always wonder how come they are still in the red most of the time. I mean they should be up there with EA,Activision even Ubisoft. They have their established IPs (GTA,Bioshock,2K sports line,etc) and a lot of people think highly of them.

I'm not even halfway through this game. I admit sandbox games aren't really my forte.

Makes me wonder what else can the sandbox genre bring to the table...

excaliburps

@TheTimeisback:

You live in a funny universe. No wonder you laugh so much.

Modus_Operandi

@phantomlink: Wow you haven't finished it.
The games boring. Put it like this, if GTA:San Andreas came out on XBLM & PSN, HD remake the works, no one will be playing GTAIV. Wait till Saints Row 2 Hits. U will see.

MUHAHAHAHAHA

TheTimeisback

10,000,000 x 60 = 600,000,000 How much does Take-Two get of that?

BrotherNick

@Modus_Operandi: Not really Im thinking as someone that does not see many people walk into a store to buy a physical product because of or so they can buy a download.

Yeah there will be marketing for the download but do you think retail is going to market online content? Nah buy a xbox360 and get your preorder for Fable 2 Gears 2 Deadspace Halo Wars Street Fighter 4 and yeah and we have a copy of Grand Theft Auto 4 you want that new or used you should really get it used cause its the same game and given they sold 10 million of them I'm sure I can find you a shiny never been touched disc for 10% off making it 22% less then the new copy so is that cash or credit thanks can I see your ID have to make sure your over 17 wink wink flatter flatter blah blah blah I'm excited for China Wars on the DS oh you dont have one of those well you should get one its got lots of games on it ( hahaha suckers buy buy buy ).

spacecoffin2

Isn't it great when the best videogames ever made sell deserving well?

sixonedoesitall

@Modus_Operandi: Yeah I agree. I feel that Rockstar got the driving mechanics/physics near perfect this time. Yes, it takes time getting used to, but once you get it, its badass. I never understood the "They broke the driving" crowd.

People are so quick to turn on a game that they have grown tired of, especially when cool internet people are doing it!

Lysergio

@Modus_Operandi: No, the driving physics model is flat-out wrong. And it makes it a lot harder than it should be because you can't drive the way you're accustomed to in real life (or even other games that take more liberties with the physics).

In real life, putting on the brakes *helps* turning. The reason being you're shifting the weight from the back and middle of the car to the front, where the wheels doing the turning are. Putting that weight on those wheels *increases* their traction, it doesn't decrease it as it does in GTA4.

It's true that some cars do tend to understeer when pushed, but we're talking about driving at high enough speeds to where traction with the road is broken. It's also true that brakes can lock in real life (though not on a car with anti-lock brakes!), but again, only really at high speeds and only when you slam them. In GTA4, you literally cannot turn while braking at any speed and with any pressure on the brakes. In reality, you should be able to speed down a straightaway, apply the brakes and turn at a higher speed than if you were not applying the brakes. In GTA4, if you try to do this, you will just keep going straight - until you lift off the brakes, and only then you will begin to turn.

It makes it impossible to drive at all realistically (or even satisfyingly arcade-style), because you can neither just speed around corners, nor can you brake around corners. You need to slow down to about 20mph well in advance, then coast through corners. This also affects trying to avoid objects or other cars that might dart in front of you - putting on the brakes and trying to turn simultaneously just doesn't work, so more often than not, you're just screwed. As this happens multiple times on every trip, it's way too easy to wreck your car when you should be able to navigate around obstacles pretty easily. It's something I've never been able to get used to in about 60 hours of gameplay.

That said, it's a good game. Does it deserve to sell 15 million copies? I dunno, probably not. But it's a good game.

badasscat

Lazlo, sorry I think you're wrong. MS and Sony both take about a $10 cut of every disc sold. Then there's production costs, so you're looking at maybe $45 for a $59.99 game.

Powie

@Lazlo: [en.wikipedia.org]
[uk.pc.ign.com] (not a lot of reviews left for the game :/)
Though the wiki article says it was great, I don't recall it being that great, it had a few annoying bugs though some unique concepts for the time. Had it been a sandbox game, it would've prolly fared better. Also if Xatrix wasn't forced to close shop.

Comments 'rnt Us (usually)

@BrotherNick:
Don't forget to take into account limited editions. Also, Take Two gets all of it, because every game sold has already been bought from Take-Two by the retailer to sell. So actually Take-Two gets around $55 for every game sold, not including limited editions.

Lazlo

I really need to go back to GTA and finish the game. I just wish they could have done the pacing of the story a little different. Niko's story shouldn't have taken a backseat so early to the other character's story or maybe that's how it felt for me. Also the social system is a little annoying especially when I'm two steps away from a mission start marker and Roman or Brucie calls me to go to the strip club for the hundredth time. Seriously you would think there would be more then two strip clubs to drive to in the entire game or they would live closer to one since they love the place so much.

Kantwon

I'm still pissed that those gloves weren't in the game. :(

Poo_and_Weeeee

10 million that is just insane, but we all can understand why. i still haven't played it yet and i have a xbox 360 lol. have to wait for my mom to get some cash(only 17)

dipsetboy17

10 million is a big number, but remember that is between 360 and PS3 worldwide.
Games like Halo, Mkart, and MGS4. That can sell 6 million on one system is more impressive.

TheWon

Hot game. Hot sales. WIN!

HaydenTenno

@Coquiton: With it being on three platforms vs. One it has a much greater potential as well.

Barf#1

I think my game stop has 9,999,999 of those.

Cornerb0y

@spacecoffin2:

periods would make the 2nd part of ur statement much more comprehensible.

@Lazlo:

wait just curious but where did u get the number 55? it seems kind of odd that the retailer only gets a $5 markup from how much they paid for a copy.

maraxusofk

I had posted a comment on the previous GTA post and stated that i would rebuy the game used if not for the DLC. But I totally forgot about the PC version coming out soon. I will be buy the PC version so that I can see the true visual beutiful graphics. PC games just look a whole lot better than any 360 or PS3 can do. I love playing Gears, Assasins, Bioshock, Mass Effect, Oblivion and soon GTA4. I connect my rig to my 47" 1080p set via HDMI. I can't wait. Is there a solid release date for GTA IV for PC?

JorgieX

@Modus_Operandi:

You seem to be getting a little confused here.
The repetitiveness you speak of in FPS and RPGs are the core gameplay mechanics. Every game obviously consists of a basic gameplay mechanic that is repetitive.

The repetitiveness in GTA4 is that entire sections of story (missions) are pretty much the same as each other.

On a side note; did anyone else notice similarities between the movie Taken, and GTA4 (ie. going to a construction site, shooting everyone in sight, then escaping with a stolen car, meanwhile the police are completely useless and unable to catch him)?

khdownes

meaning almost 10 million unsatisfied customers wondering where the heck the rest of the game is

Filthy_O_Bedlam

@JorgieX: It's should be out around November 18th of this year.

homernoy

@Filthy_O_Bedlam:

I don't know why, but I lol'd.

I almost feel left out that I'm not one of those 10 million. I just never got into the GTA hype to care much about it.

Rauzaruke

@spacecoffin2: Can you share any of your meth with me? No really what the hell are you even trying to say?

paeper

@Ra is on Sports Night:
For a pretty much terrible game.

Filthy_O_Bedlam

@Rauzaruke:
Trust me, you're really not missing much. While I will admit that the world they have created is awesome, It feels like they forgot to make a game to go with it. Gameplay-wise it's a very large step backwards from GTA3, Vice City, and San Andreas. Almost none of the buildings can be entered, the phone makes me want to murder people, and the online freaking sucks. Pick it up used for under $40 and MAYBE you won't feel like you've wasted your money.

Cheers

Filthy_O_Bedlam

@Filthy_O_Bedlam: what a terrible over generalization...

Ra is on Sports Night

Look at that picture! Where the hell do I find those gloves that Niko's wearing! I WANT THEM! :D

Nightsearch

I'm one of those ten million and I feel like a right 'unit' for buying it.

Ira Lazerburg

you know what awesome feature they added in GTA4, that they totally ruined?

the bullet-time feature when your driving. you press square, or whatever, and everything slows down to a crawl.

but the thing is... it changes the camera to the cinematic cam, which makes using the feature fucking impossible!

its certainly never practical to use it!

but if they just left the camera alone, it would actually be REALLY helpful for navigating between cars during chases!

fuck.

WHY the goddamn cinematic cam! that camera is never EVER practical.

joeloliol

@maraxusofk:
I work at Gamestop, that's how I got that figure, for one. For two, why do you think they push used sales so much. Yeah, new sales are great, but they don't get near the revenue that used do because that is pure profit. Gamestop makes about 5 dollars for every new game/console sold. It's true, a little ridiculous but like I said, they're don't care about new sales.

Lazlo

GTA bashers, all aboard the Bash Train! Next stop, Spore and Fable 2!

Comeback209

10 million sold to stores, 6 million sold to customers.

TheFlyingGerbil