It’s fun to compare consoles, especially when the comparison involves one of the biggest games of this generation. Grand Theft Auto IV has been littered with websites giving their opinions on which version looks best. Surprisingly, most had no inkling of each version’s native resolution.

Eurogamer are the first to speculate that GTA IV on the PS3 runs at 630p. When in fact, it doesn’t… It runs at 640p.

Yes, GTA IV on the PS3 is sub-HD. And if it couldn’t be any more ironic (the traditionally Playstation series runs at a lower resolution) it has the same resolution as Halo 3 on the Xbox 360 – perhaps the first game to receive the sub-HD back-lash.

The man who spilt the news? The now infamous Quaz51 of Beyond3d technical forums. PS3 GTA IV runs at 640p with 0xAA, in comparison to the Xbox 360 version at 720p with 2xAA.

Eurogamer, who base almost all their multi-platform comparisons on Quaz51’s findings, were using opinions from B3D’s technical wizard before he had received a reliable PS3 screenshot. In receipt of a high-res shot, Quaz51 had this to say:

Good news [...] it’s 1152×640p (and no AA) exactly like Halo 3, Perfect Dark [Zero] or Dark Sector PS3.

The resolution itself is unsurprising, but the side by side comparisons carried out by numerous websites tell a more complex story. For example, in IGN’s head to head, the PS3’s Anti-Aliasing is cited as being the better of the two versions, even though the Xbox 360 has 2xAA. This could be due to the upscaling and post-processing effects smoothing the edges on the PS3.

In their review, IGN continues to state that due to the PS3’s mandatory install there is less loading and less pop-in than on the Xbox 360:

For those wanting to know which version looks better, the edge goes to the PS3. The textures and framerate are comparable, but the PS3 has far less pop-in. The 360 has richer colors, but the PS3 has better anti-aliasing making it look a little cleaner. Because GTA IV can preload onto the PS3 hard drive, the in-game loads are faster. Don’t worry Xbox owners, the load times are rarely more than 30 seconds and don’t occur very often.

In another nod to differences between the two versions, EGM mentions that the “PS3 version looks slightly more vibrant and sharp.” You’d think the Xbox 360’s higher resolution would facilitate the sharper look.

Native resolution, thus, appears to have less of an impact than we might have first thought. At least, you are more likely to notice indirect differences, than the lower resolution itself. For example, upscaling on the PS3 appears to have some positive graphical results, which may explain why some websites say it looks better. Eurogamer’s Rich Leadbetter hypothesises:

It’s worth noting that due to the post-processing effects the game employs (there’s a serious amount of stuff being done to the raw frame), the PS3’s lower resolution serves to mask a lot of the nasty after effects.

For example, look at the dithering on the signs in the background on those shots. A bit ugly on Xbox 360, but smoothed and blurred away on PS3, presenting a generally nicer look.

In the end, what really matters is that both versions run extremely well and at an almost locked framerate. There are certainly differences on paper, but many will find it difficult to notice them in the game:

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

Which version of GTA IV should you buy? Due to the game’s impressive multiplayer – buy the version where your friends reside, because you could potentially spend hundreds of hours duking it out online.

The release of Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto IV is coming up fast, and we’re starting to hear more and more about the game. Finally, some info about the game’s mysterious multiplayer component has surfaced. Multiplayer is a first for the series, so let’s take a look at what Rockstar has to offer.

GTA4.net reports via PSM Spain that GTAIV’s multiplayer will support 16 players across 15 modes with fully customizable characters to boot. All multiplayer takes place in Liberty City, same as the single player game. Here’s the full list:

Hangman’s NOOSE
Car Jack City
Bomb da Base
Bomb da Base II
Mafia Work
Team Mafia Work
Deathmatch
Team Deathmatch
Turf War
Cops n Crooks
Race
GTA Race
Deal Breaker
Free Mode

Each, or most, of the game types will have settings and rules chosen by the host to govern various options like police involvement, weapon availability, what vehicles can be used in races and so on.

Race, Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch are pretty self-explanatory. Cops n Crooks is what you might think, one team playing the role of the cops with the other trying to evade them. Mafia Work, and its team variant, has you racing to complete mob tasks.

The cell phone and GPS will play a role in at least some of the multiplayer modes. For instance, the cops can utilize the GPS to track the criminals in Cops n Crooks. PS3 Attitude even writes that the cell phone will initiate the multiplayer, perhaps creating a seamless experience a la Burnout Paradise.

No specifics are given about the remaining modes. The names give you an idea for some. Bomb da Base and Turf War sound like they will involve territory control, while others can only be guesses.

Since this info is out of a PlayStation magazine, none of this is likely “unique” to the Xbox 360, which supposedly will have some exclusive multiplayer elements.

Rockstar definitely looks to be taking multiplayer seriously. The mission Hangman’s NOOSE even features co-op, escort style play.

For a game reportedly sporting an already vast single-player experience, multiplayer will give players yet another way to experience GTAIV and even more to do once they’re through the main adventure.

Source: GTA4.net

123►

It has been confirmed today that Take-Two have refused an offer by Electronic Arts to buy the company. The offer came just a few days after the release date for Take-Two’s most anticipated title, GTA IV was announced, prompting Take-Two to refer to the offer as “highly opportunistic”.

In a statement issued by Take-Two Interactive, Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two’s Executive Chairman said that “Electronic Arts’ proposal provides insufficient value to our shareholders and comes at absolutely the wrong time given the crucial initiatives underway at the Company.”

Zelnick goes on to say that EA have not only “undervalued key elements” but also failed to take into account the future growth of the company, stating that “while we have made substantial progress already, the turnaround of our business which we initiated in June is not yet complete, and we believe its benefits have not been recognized”.

Along with the statement, the press release also comes with the letters sent between John S. Riccitiello, EA’s CEO and Zelnick revealing a very private, and almost bitchy world of negotiations. After EA’s initial offer for $25 per share was outright rejected, they raised it to $26 per share but also chose to give a few words regarding Take-Two’s market value, saying that “Take-Two remains dependent on a limited number of titles, and has limited capital resources. In addition, Take-Two faces ongoing financial, legal and operating issues and a very intense competitive environment.”

Read the full statement and letters here

In a recent podcast featuring Major Nelson (Director of Programming for Xbox Live) and Don Mattrick (Microsofts external adviser), the upcoming Grand Theft Auto IV release was brought up and possibly revealed a bit of information that may leave Playstation 3 owners in a fit of rage.

“… I’m really excited with its downloadable content and online multiplayer support. Again, that’s something that’s unique to 360.” said Don. He went on to say “we think consumers are going to love that and it’s going to create, what I would describe again as the premium experience on our platform.”

None of this has been confirmed yet, however the official GTA IV site, which we reviewed complete with screen captures upon its initial launch, features a link titled multiplayer which was not working at the time of the launch and is still unavailable. For the sake of the PS3 faithful, and gamers in general, we sure hope this rumor proves to be untrue.

Update: CVG states that they have received confirmation from Rockstar that “both versions of Grand Theft Auto IV will have an online multiplayer component”. [Thanks LC]

One of the biggest players when it comes to videogame marketing launched a very simple yet effective flash website today to promote (like it needs promoting) their upcoming Grand Theft Auto IV release.

Get past the age verification, and you will be greeted by a night time New York City skyline laced with tiny white dots (hard to find if you don’t pay close attention during the loading animation) that act as alternative forms of navigation. In terms of primary navigation, the site is separated into two major areas.

The first form of navigation, located in the upper left hand corner of the site, breaks the content into three groupings: people & places, recreation & events, and goods & services. Clicking into one of these sections will display a black and white line art map with glowing dots that signify points of interest.

My personal favorite is “Love-Meet.net”, the service that boasts the promise to “make you whole again”. Love-Meet is complete with a personality test — which is great if you are a man-woman combo with an appetite for self destruction, whose idea of a perfect date involves a hole (to fornicate), dinner (to eat), a movie (to watch), and a throat (to slit).

The second primary form of navigation runs across the bottom of the site, and allows easy access to information, news, videos, screens, downloads. In addition, the bottom bar features links to mutliplayer and music pages, which are currently unavailable.

Whether you are a fan of Rockstar and their games or not, you have to appreciate the humorous approach and sheer marketing genius that fuels the GTA series.

Our Grand Theft Auto IV image gallery below contains 63 images of the game. A handful have been seen before, but the majority are brand spanking new. Enjoy.

Grand Theft Auto IV Images

63 Photos

 

Link: Grand Theft Auto IV Official Site

In a recent article in the Financial Times, the chief executive of Activision Blizzard Bobby Kotick, commented on the future of advertising on cell phones, social networking sites, and video games.

In a nutshell, he’s against it.

The Financial Times quoted Kotick as saying of in-game advertising: “It’s early days. I wouldn’t go in that direction myself.”

The article goes on to say what most gamers could probably tell you: They don’t like ads in their games. But they do like free stuff.

Advertisers cited research showing that consumers found mobile, video game and social network advertising intrusive, but many were willing to put up with it in exchange for free content.

As technology continues to make it easier to avoid advertising, companies are looking for new ways to get their message across to consumers. Part of the process is finding new places to advertise, especially to the coveted 18-30 year old market. This is where sites like Facebook and Myspace come in, as well as video games.

And while seeing a Coca-Cola billboard in Grand Theft Auto IV, or an Adidas sign in the latest FIFA, doesn’t exactly break the spirit of the game, seeing Sonic sporting a pair of Nikes or catching Master Chief slurping down a can of Game Fuel during a cutscene can make a game feel like a sellout.

However, on the flip side, advertisers’ financial support could potentially reduce the inexorable climb of game prices. So perhaps a fragile truce can be struck to ensure that advertisements don’t find their way into inappropriate places.

And as long as people like Kotick are sticking up for keeping games great, we’ll get by just fine.

Thanks to TeamXbox for the image.

Before announcing the delay of Grand Theft Auto IV, Take-Two had revealed exclusive episodic content for the Xbox 360 in 2008.

Even though the game is now delayed, this 2008 content (two episodes) from Microsoft’s initial deal will remain. However, Take-Two have now announced extra episodes for 2009.

Ben Feder, CEO of Take-Two, confirmed that “In fiscal 2009 we’ll also be offering additional episodic content for Grand Theft Auto IV on Xbox 360.”

He also reiterated that the game will be released in the second quarter of next year and that “The game looks terrific and we’re confident it will be every bit as ground-breaking as previous titles.”

We’ll be the judge of that!

Via GamesIndustry

*Update* - Next-Gen.biz have been in touch with Rockstar, and they have stated that there is no new Xbox360 exclusive episodes planned. Instead, because of the delay of the game, the second piece of episodic content is moving into 2009.

A Rockstar rep told Next-Gen Wednesday that the content in question is merely the second of the two previously announced pieces of episodic content making their way to Xbox 360.

While both pieces of episodic content were initially scheduled to hit Xbox 360 in Take-Two’s fiscal 2008, the second piece of content will now be available in fiscal 2009, a delay presumably brought about by the later than expected release of the highly anticipated title, which slipped from a planned 2007 debut to a 2008 fiscal second quarter (February 1 – April 30) release.