Sony disregards GTA 360 exclusive content

PALGN News | GTA IV is big enough on its own, according to Sony man.

Microsoft might have splashed out a lot of money for exclusive episodic content in the upcoming Grand Theft Auto IV, but Sony doesn't really see it as a terribly big deal.

Speaking to GameDaily, Scott Steinberg, VP of marketing at Sony Computer Entertainment America, doesn't see many players jumping into the exclusive content when they are still playing the main game.

"[Microsoft] spent the GNP of several small Latin American countries to get that [content], and if you've ever played San Andreas...there's a lot of game to Grand Theft Auto and there's going to be a lot of game to Grand Theft Auto IV to the point where I think most people will have that Grand Theft Auto experience on the PS3, day and date, same core game shipping on the 360," said Steinberg.

"Perhaps they'll be shipping some episodic content in the fall, but there is a whole lot of product shipping on the PS3 in April and I personally don't think there's going to be a huge percentage of folks who jump into downloadable content for another price when they're still playing through the core product.

"So while I do think having that brand on their system was a move for them which they felt they needed to make because they cut a big check for it, I think PlayStation fans know the Grand Theft Auto experience on the PS2 is how they grew up playing Grand Theft Auto."

Steinberg then jumped into a full blown PS3 sales pitch, citing popular brands like Gran Turismo as reasons for success.

"I think the clear exclusive message that we have is that the PS3 is where, not only do you get Grand Theft Auto, but you'll get MGS, you'll get Gran Turismo and these are also brands that have moved hardware units. It's the elite of the elite products that actually enable hardware to be sold with software and we'll have three of them."

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43 Comments

Karai Pantsu

4 years ago

Oh, so because the same core content is being shipped at launch everyone is going to flock to the PS3? Convincing!
Hell, I might just go and swap my 360 preorder for a PS3 preorder just so that months down the track when I've cleared the main atory and just piss-farting around I won't be able to hook my claws into more content for the game... oh wait...

Quote

"So while I do think having that brand on their system was a move for them which they felt they needed to make because they cut a big check for it, I think PlayStation fans know the Grand Theft Auto experience on the PS2 is how they grew up playing Grand Theft Auto."

No, damnit! They would have grown up playing Grand Theft Auto III! The series did not start at 3!

[/raging redantry]

arbok

4 years ago

^^ agreed. He wasn't at all convincing - but I guess he HAD to say something.

For me its the price difference - $70 at Play-asia for the PS3 version versus the $100 for the 360 version in stores if its not region free. If I were to add $20 on top for the extra content, the extra content for me isn't worth the $50.

I think anything around $100 and over is too expensive for a game now (unless you need to get a peripheral.)

Felonioustub

4 years ago

Well the exclusive content made the decision for me so I don't know what he's talking about.

littlemo

4 years ago

He's got a point though - how many people actually ever finish a GTA game? Sure your average forum stalker probably does but I personally don't have any casual PS2 owning friends who have... one of my friends even thought GTA 4 was going to be released on the PS2 for crying out loud... as funny as that is its how most of the PS2 user base will respond when GTA 4 comes out and they see it in a PS3 box, they won't be taking the time to read about extra content that they'll more than likely have to spend more money on.

Unless the D/L content is marketed to death most casual GTA fans are never likely to know it even exists.

Karai Pantsu

4 years ago

Launch sales are fueled by the 'hardcore' audience (I hate that term... lets just say 'gamers') though, not the casuals, and it's the launch (or thereabouts) figures that both sides are going to be watching ever so carefully. So yeah, I think the DLC is a pretty big draw for many of those who'll be day-one buyers.

Casuals will get it a little later, after hearing people talk about it and discovering that its out or seeing it at a friends place (/similar).

Eitherway the case was closed long ago for me - even if the DLC hadn't come about, I would have defaulted to 360 just for the better multiplayer support.

RXWAG

4 years ago

does M$ think everyone is online?? what about people who dont have access to online, how do they get the extra content? have M$ ever used the word free content? seriously im just asking the question?

Felonioustub

4 years ago

I'm not really thinking of the downloadable content as after the game things. I expect it to just be extra mission packs that you'll be able to access during the main story so for me, it's not important that I finish everything in the game, I'd just like to be able to access everything that I could possibly do in the game.
You never know, if Sony somehow manage to get some exclusive content for the PS3 version, then I might try to hunt down a cheap copy if possible.

Qbert

4 years ago

RXWAG wrote

does M$ think everyone is online?? what about people who dont have access to online, how do they get the extra content? have M$ ever used the word free content? seriously im just asking the question?

Well this is Rockstar's downloadable content, not Microsoft's. It would be good if the rumoured $50 million took the price for the DLC down though (I know it won't).

ManeKast

4 years ago

Its simple for me, being on my FIFTH 360 (yes it gets repaired, comes back, and breaks again in a matter of weeks) I just want the game to work. I know the ps3 WILL WORK, at least.

Also, I have never even FINISHED a GTA III/VC/SA game. Let alone done everything in it. If this ones anything close to the size of SA, I could care less. Ill shelf the game before the DLC hits. Im with Sony on this one.

For the hardcore, sure, the 360 version is the go. No doubt.

Toastfarmer

4 years ago

The funny thing is you know that if the tables were turned and it was Sony's exclusive content they'd be raving about how fantastic it was that they had it and how they were delivering a more complete experience etc etc. Sounds to me that they're just sore that Microsoft got one up on them.

ittekimasu

4 years ago

I'll be naturally getting the ps3 version, simply because I don't normally finish these games and would probably never get to the point where the DLC could be worth anything for me, unless it introduced new characters to play or weapons etc.

Also, since the 360 in the house isn't mine I don't normally support it by purchasing games/accessories, wonder if it will get back from repairs for him to enjoy it on that console thou.

RXWAG

4 years ago

Toastfarmer wrote

sounds like another HD DVD v Blu Ray arguement coming on!!
sour grapes this and sore losers that....

im in the boat of never finishing a GTA game 100% something about taxi missions etc just seem to get boring...im just in it for the story and handing out a few beatings and maybe shooting some heads off

arent we all?? cant we all join hands in our love for GTA!!

if the DLC is that good that everyone starts foaming from the mouth when they play it ill buy a 360 version as well, im just getting a special edition PS3 one for all the gear that come with it then ill wait for the reviews!

Cameron

4 years ago

I have never finished any version of GTA, kept getting distracted by all the pointless crap I could do.

Either way, I'll still wait for the reviews and get it for whatever system the core game runs best on. DLC is, well, unless it's a game like rock band or a multiplayer map pack I don't really see the point or all this DLC stuff. For most games it's just not worth it IMHO. If they're going to add whole new sections to the city via DLC then it might be worth it, but I can't see that happening, it'll just be additional missions and maybe a few cars and stuff which probably won't spur me to buy it.

RXWAG

4 years ago

^^^agree totally if the PS3 version comes out with massive drops in frame rate, as its been prone to ill get another copy on 360...

Gizmocreative

4 years ago

Call me crazy, but i slightly agree with the sony guy but thats just my opinion and I know that it isnt the majority opinion. But i am a fan of the old days like the super nintendo etc where the game you got in the box was the final and complete content where you could slave away until every level and hidden area was found out.

downloadable content/patches make me feel like im not getting the full product and its just bolting on something extra and makes me feel the game i bought was incomplete to start with, but that just me.

Toastfarmer

4 years ago

I think that if they want the DLC to be 'must-have' it should fit in at the end of the story rather than slotted in the middle as a non-specific event. I'm assuming each bundle will be a strand of missions, probably 6 or 7 a piece.

If the Mass Effect DLC continued the story rather than inserted a chapter into the middle I would have been all over it. Since it is just an extra chapter thrown in that has little to no bearing on the story arc (as far as I know) then it becomes less crucial.

On the other hand people would argue that it would be cheap of the developers to extend the story artificially and sort of force people to download and pay for DLC to see a more conclusive ending.

ADiscoMassacre

4 years ago

It's not the matter of if i'll get the downloadable content or not, cause i don't know if i'll ever get to the end of it, or i'll even like GTA IV that much (overhyped anyone????).

It's more the fact that i "Have the option" of downloading it if i love the game so much i want more.

BurnZ

4 years ago

I'll be getting the PlayStation 3 version of the game and I'm not too worried about not having downloadable content. The only thing I really care about is that they will release patches to fix problems in the game if anything occurs.

Back when Grand Theft Auto III was released it was great, playing in a 3D world and whatnot. Then when you go to save the game it freezes and you are forced to reset your PlayStation 2 and corrupt your save file which then results you in starting the game again with the risk of the bug biting you on the arse for a 2nd, 3rd or even 5th time.

So yeah, where I was going was as long as there are patches to fix any problems that occur, I'll be happy.

john_solids

4 years ago

who cares its gonna be a great game and it doesnt really need extra content to make it better does it?

mipac

4 years ago

I think he makes a good point. The hardcore gamers are going to be into the 360 version for the DLC, but for the schoolkids and Average Joe, they won't care, at all. Personally, I'm getting the PS3 version because I don't pay for Live anymore and want to play online.

Giggs

4 years ago

I got a PS3 purely for this game. I bought it right before they announced the price drop of the PS3 and right before they announced the delay in release of the game...DOH!

But I really loved the GTA3 series and weighing up the extra content vs the probability of buying a 360 and having it break regularly, it was a no brainer for me to get the PS3. When I made my decision, I didn't even know you had to pay for Xbox Live. So I am happy with my decision.

ugh the boot

4 years ago

I was actually pretty confident about getting the 360 version and now i'm wondering if free online is a better incentive. In all honesty I probably won't be getting the extra content for the 360 version unless it's free and even though I always have live gold my mates don't so there might only be a small opportunity for me to play multiplayer with them (when they first get it) and if I end up loving the multiplayer so much I play it regularly....then I might have to buy a second Ps3 version.

As popular as the 360 version might seem on internet forums which are mostly browsed by 'hardcore/more frequent gamers' none of this will mean jack to guy who plays games casually who probably got into gaming when GTA: III came out on Ps2. I honestly think if you weigh up all the positives and negatives (ps3 = free online and possibly no problems during gameplay, 360 version = extra content & probably a more streamlined/better intergrated online mode) each version caters to a different crowd almost (bob no job I guarantee will opt for free online whereas jhonny hardcore will go extra chapters etc).

Aftershock

4 years ago

Ill be getting the PC version.

In october.

littlemo

4 years ago

Karai Pantsu wrote

Launch numbers make for nice PR at the end of the first month but launch numbers pale in comparison to the long tail sales on offer with casual players.

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Grand Theft Auto IV

Pre-order or buy:
PALGN recommends: www.Play-Asia.com

Australian Release Date:
  29/04/2008 (Confirmed)
Standard Retail Price:
  $119.95 AU
Publisher:
  Rockstar Games
Genre:
  Action
Year Made:
  2007

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