Support NeoGAF

[sonycowboy]

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/news/news_story.php?id=109387

Lots more to this article. Huge writeup with lots of nice info. Nice read.

The GTA countryside comes to life as Rockstar tells us "this is a bigger leap than we moved from 2D to 3D". Who's to argue?
17:10 It's all very good sounding hot on paper, but having lots of cool features means absolutely zip if it plays like a limbless turkey when put into practice.

When Rockstar announced the latest countryside details for GTA: San Andreas the other week, we were like "there is no possible way this is going to work on PS2."

Haircuts, yes, fitness/fat ratios, maybe, puking on fast-food diner's floors, okay, but a sprawling state environment split into towns and cities with their own individual look, people, vehicles, terrain and weather, including an entirely separately countryside on the outskirts?

No chance, we said, arms folded, disinterested eyes now focused towards the good-looking blonde at the end of the office. This is just far too ambitious to work.

Laughing at our cynicism, Rockstar promptly dragged us into its London H.Q. demo room to give us an in-depth demonstration of San Andreas' countryside settings. Not only did we re-emerge with egg on our face, we seriously felt we'd just been on holiday. It looked that good!

....

 

[RevenantKioku]

I'm sorry, I just don't get what's impressive there. What am I missing?

 

[bogg]

The game is currently due to release on October 29 in Europe for PS2. A PC version has been announced for Q3 next year.

I think im gonna cry...

 

[levious]

I didn't know there was planes. Good lord this game sounds crazy.

 

[Go Go Ackman!]

Okay, so you can drive out to the farm. Why am I supposed to care?

 

[Mrbob]

I know I like to kid with this game, but between the EGM write up and this I gotta say I'm a bit excited to try this game out. Sounds like the extra development is being put to good use and this game is just going to make the other games seem tiny by comparison. Vice City was just like GTA3 but in a new setting. This game seems to have its sights set way and beyond just barely building upon the last game. It looks like it is going to obliterate it.

 

[bishoptl]

Considering it's been in development parallel to Vice City (ie. almost immediately after GTA 3), I'd expect nothing less from the INTERSTELLAR SPACE GODS at Rockstar.

 

[levious]

Okay, so you can drive out to the farm. Why am I supposed to care?

You're not supposed to care... this game is strictly F.U.B.U.

 

[Xellos]

The game sounds awesome, but that's expected for this series. Only one month to go.

Couple questions: Has Rockstar announced who will do the voice acting yet? Also, any word on an Xbox version, or should it just be expected for around the same time as the PC?

 

[IJoel]

I sure hope the controls have been tightened up significantly. It's the #1 issue from the previous games that has completely turned me off from the games.

 

[Mrbob]

Considering it's been in development parallel to Vice City (ie. almost immediately after GTA 3), I'd expect nothing less from the INTERSTELLAR SPACE GODS at Rockstar.

Interesting.

So what did Rockstar do after GTA3... Split the team in half, with some working on Vice City and the rest on San Andreas? Then pull the Vice City team back together with the San Andreas team after Vice City was done? Or have they been working on a next gen GTA for awhile?

 

[bishoptl]

They pulled some of the team onto SA while the majority worked on Vice City, according to my colleague who used to work there, Mrbob...

 

[shpankey]

You are all "falling for the hype".

Just so ya's know's.

 

[Rhindle]

I'm sorry, I just don't get what's impressive there. What am I missing?

COUNTRYSIDE SETTING RENDERING IS NEXT REVOLUTION IN CONSOLE GAMING. IT'S BIGGER THAN 4D OR SOMETHING

 

[sonycowboy]

They pulled some of the team onto SA while the majority worked on Vice City, according to my colleague who used to work there, Mrbob...

So, what you're saying is that GTA:SA has been 3 years in the making?

 

[bishoptl]

Vice City will not outsell GTA 3

*saves thread*

So, what you're saying is that GTA:SA has been 3 years in the making?

Yep.

 

[RevenantKioku]

COUNTRYSIDE SETTING RENDERING IS NEXT REVOLUTION IN CONSOLE GAMING. IT'S BIGGER THAN 4D OR SOMETHING

THANK YOU. NOW I THINK I WILL GO BUY FABLE AND PLAY HALO ON LEGENDARY.

 

[Bob White]

Which may mean that GTA 4 is already in production! GAF exclusive!!!!! GTA 4 half way done!!!!

 

[Chittagong]

This breakthough innovation is only possible with Emotion Engine!

 

[Mrbob]

You are all "falling for the hype".

Just so ya's know's.

I dunno. Maybe. Even in previews, Vice City sounded just like GTA3 but in 80s Miami clothing. The early write ups suggest this is something much bigger. Have you read the EGM article yet?

 

[jett]

Heh, still no impressions on how the game actually plays. I want to know if the camera and the controls are still garbage.

 

[doncale]

I expect an improvement over GTA3 and Vice City, sure, but I don't fall for HYPE

 

[kaching]

You are all "falling for the hype".

Just so ya's know's.

Do you do this in all threads where games are getting hyped?

 

[8bit]

Which may mean that GTA 4 is already in production! GAF exclusive!!!!! GTA 4 half way done!!!!

Umm, it is. What do you think the VC team went on to do?

GTA:Luna. 2006.

 

[Shinobi]

GTA on the moon?!?

 

[Gek54]

Do you do this in all threads where games are getting hyped?

Just PS2 game threads

 

[Burger]

Does this guy actually work for sony ? Or is he one of those viral forum infiltrators ?

 

[kitchenmotors]

The hype train is at full speed, the breaks are off, I hope it hits sonycowboy first.

The statement that "this is a bigger leap than we moved from 2D to 3D" is so fucking stupid. I really hope Rockstar does not think this. They may have made Grand Theft Auto from a franchise that nobody wanted to touch to a hot selling mainstream title, but that means jack when you start pumping out new versions ever 2 years. Sooner or later it's going to get old, and everything in that quote is nothing that is revolutionary or new. Shenmue did half of that years ago.

A GTA game won't get respect from me until it's polished to extreme, and not a clunky mess thrown together in a box.

BTW sonycowboy, I hope you realize the quote means 2D to 3D for the GTA series, not for all of gaming. But looking at the title, you seem to think otherwise. Figures!

 

[bishoptl]

nobody bought Shenmue

 

[Funky Papa]

I think im gonna cry...

Why :?

 

[kitchenmotors]

nobody bought Shenmue

They would have if Ryu was able to knock old asian men off bikes, ride around with a shot gun in hand and shooting every NPC that was clueless as to where the sailors where!

 

[Shinobi]

nobody bought Shenmue

One million copies worldwide is "nobody"? Sure, it doesn't compare to the 97 million that's bought the last two GTA games, but compared to games that sell at normal levels, it sold quite well.

 

[DIrtyWeasel]

Most of Sega's recent games don't even sell close to a million.

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

You are all "falling for the hype".

Just so ya's know's.

Obvious.

 

[AssMan]

A lot of trolls out in the early morning here.........

 

[bishoptl]

One million copies worldwide is "nobody"? Sure, it doesn't compare to the 97 million that's bought the last two GTA games

Sorry, I should have posted "nobody of consequence".

 

[Warm Machine]

Okay, so you can drive out to the farm. Why am I supposed to care?

Knowing GTA there is probably a subset of the game that has you able to do farm like activities like Harvest Moon. Just like the Taxi and Vigilante mission in the previous games.

 

[Goreomedy]

Sorry, I should have posted "nobody of consequence".

Hey! I bought Shenmue! And even liked it to a point.

But the comparison is quite asinine, like putting a bovine art film next to a summer blockbuster.

"But CJ uses a bike! And he learns new moves at dojos, boxing rings, and gyms!" And he's got a hell of a lot more freedom and gameplay variety than Ryu, an objective system that leaves nothing to ambiguity (Journal entry # 12 "This mission system sucks. And where ARE those sailors."), and what's sure to be a superior plot with memorable characters and a wild sense of humor.

It aint just the "bang bang" that separates these two.

 

[Fixed2BeBroken]

I didn't know there was planes. Good lord this game sounds crazy.

it showed the main character flying a plane in the teaser commercial...

 

[snapty00]

Sounds interesting. I just hope they can keep the new additions and still have it be fun and fresh.

I hope the controls are a bit updated.

 

[bishoptl]

Hey, I bought Shenmue, and Shenmue II...TWICE. It's just that kitchenmotors' comparison was so laughable I had to throw a snide remark into the mix.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Okay, so you can drive out to the farm. Why am I supposed to care?

My fo'-fo' make sure ALL your kids don't grow.

 

[StrikerObi]

Which may mean that GTA 4 is already in production! GAF exclusive!!!!! GTA 4 half way done!!!!

More like GTA VI.

You do realize that San Andreas was code named GTA V right?

Vice City is GTA IV now, and San Andreas is V. The just don't put the number on the box anymore.

 

[SolidSnakex]

More like GTA VI.

You do realize that San Andreas was code named GTA V right?

Vice City is GTA IV now, and San Andreas is V. The just don't put the number on the box anymore.

They made sure to point out when VC was in development that it wasn't GTA4.

 

[sonycowboy]

The hype train is at full speed, the breaks are off, I hope it hits sonycowboy first.

The statement that "this is a bigger leap than we moved from 2D to 3D" is so fucking stupid. I really hope Rockstar does not think this. They may have made Grand Theft Auto from a franchise that nobody wanted to touch to a hot selling mainstream title, but that means jack when you start pumping out new versions ever 2 years. Sooner or later it's going to get old, and everything in that quote is nothing that is revolutionary or new. Shenmue did half of that years ago.

A GTA game won't get respect from me until it's polished to extreme, and not a clunky mess thrown together in a box.

BTW sonycowboy, I hope you realize the quote means 2D to 3D for the GTA series, not for all of gaming. But looking at the title, you seem to think otherwise. Figures!

Hey ftard, it's cvg's freaking title. Maybe if you bothered to actually click the link you'd realize that.

 

[Laguna X]

More like GTA VI.

You do realize that San Andreas was code named GTA V right?

Vice City is GTA IV now, and San Andreas is V. The just don't put the number on the box anymore.

They've said in the past that both VC and SA were GTA III expansions. GTA IV was said to appear on a next gen console.

 

[Bluemercury]

I think im gonna cry...

Why???Because pple now dont have to buy a ps2 to play it???

Protect the hive....lol

 

[Laguna X]

Why???Because pple now dont have to buy a ps2 to play it???

Protect the hive....lol

Actually, I think he's sad that he has to wait an entire year before he can get the PC version.

 

[cja]

Actually, I think he's sad that he has to wait an entire year before he can get the PC version.

Good news for him then, CVG got it wrong. PC version is due in Take-Two's financial Q3, not calendar. May to July, just like the previous PC conversions of 3D GTAs.

 

[Dujour]

Kind of like how GTA London was just an expansion of the first game, IV's not due for a while.