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Cristiano · 12-03-2008, 05:17 PM

Another PC title rushed out the door before it is even close to ready. The PC version of GTA is a complete mess, but Rockstar shoved it out the door before Christmas. Buyer beware - you're better off springing for the console versions, which perform flawlessly. The system requirements of the PC version are ridiculously high - and if you have less than the recommended requirements, the experience is so substandard it's not worth bothering. What an incredible disappointment.

I won't even get started on the confusing, stupid integration with Rockstar Social Club and Games for Windows LIVE. Bleh, the whole thing is a mess. Save your $49.99.

Verkin Raven · 12-03-2008, 05:24 PM

And it'll still be "piracy's fault" when the game sells poorly because of this.

I was actually ready to buy it on Steam tonight, but reading through multiple forums of disaster... not so much.

Guess I'll donate my $50 to Bay 12 for Dwarf Fortress.

Bams · 12-03-2008, 05:28 PM

Well mutha.... I was so on the way to buy this for Bunnie she's been waiting all year.

/me wanders off to give Bunnie a hug.

Edav Nomad · 12-03-2008, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cristiano

Another PC title rushed out the door before it is even close to ready. The PC version of GTA is a complete mess, but Rockstar shoved it out the door before Christmas. Buyer beware - you're better off springing for the console versions, which perform flawlessly. The system requirements of the PC version are ridiculously high - and if you have less than the recommended requirements, the experience is so substandard it's not worth bothering. What an incredible disappointment.

I won't even get started on the confusing, stupid integration with Rockstar Social Club and Games for Windows LIVE. Bleh, the whole thing is a mess. Save your $49.99.

Sounds like they took a cue from EA's Crysis. In putting out a game that is only good with future hardware upgrades. Not many people have Quad processors at the moment so why even have it as an requirement to run the game well.

The integration with Games for Windows Live wasn't a problem for me but the Rockstar Social Club integration sucked big time as I couldn't even log into it without crashing the game.

Dancien Graves · 12-03-2008, 05:36 PM

Yes well PC games have these things, called patches...

Eirik · 12-03-2008, 05:36 PM

Thanks for the warning.

I'll just wait until I got a 360 before I buy GTA IV (even though I still believe for many other games, the PC is superior)

Cristiano · 12-03-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edav Nomad

Sounds like they took a cue from EA's Crysis. In putting out a game that is only good with future hardware upgrades. Not many people have Quad processors at the moment so why even have it as an requirement to run the game well.

The integration with Games for Windows Live wasn't a problem for me but the Rockstar Social Club integration sucked big time as I couldn't even log into it without crashing the game.

Actually the reverse happens for me - when I hit the Home key to bring up LIVE, it crashes - I was able to sign into the Social Club thing.

As far as my system, I have a Core 2 Duo (2 ghz, 800mhz FSB), 2 gigs of RAM + 1 gig of Intel Turbocache memory, with a Geforce 8600M with 768m of memory. With that configuration, dropping it down to 1280X760 resolution, I could get 7 fps with most of the settings turned down.

Cristiano · 12-03-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dancien Graves

Yes well PC games have these things, called patches...

So do console games, actually.

Bams · 12-03-2008, 05:55 PM

Code:

 Minimum System Requirements
* OS: Windows Vista - Service Pack 1 / XP - Service Pack 3
* Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8Ghz, AMD Athlon X2 64 2.4Ghz
* Memory: 1.5GB, 16GB Free Hard Drive Space
* Video Card: 256MB NVIDIA 7900 / 256MB ATI X1900
 Recommended System Requirements
* OS: Windows Vista - Service Pack 1 / XP - Service Pack 3
* Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4Ghz, AMD Phenom X3 2.1Ghz
* Memory: 2 GB (Windows XP) 2.5 GB (Windows Vista)
* 18 GB Free Hard Drive Space
* Video Card: 512MB NVIDIA 8600 / 512MB ATI 3870

I just saw the system requirements...

Edav Nomad · 12-03-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cristiano

Actually the reverse happens for me - when I hit the Home key to bring up LIVE, it crashes - I was able to sign into the Social Club thing.

As far as my system, I have a Core 2 Duo (2 ghz, 800mhz FSB), 2 gigs of RAM + 1 gig of Intel Turbocache memory, with a Geforce 8600M with 768m of memory. With that configuration, dropping it down to 1280X760 resolution, I could get 7 fps with most of the settings turned down.

I had no problem logging into the Social Club, but after I pressed play it would start up the game but right before it got to the Rockstar logo it would crash the game.

I have an AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5000+ (2.4 GHz), 2 GB RAM and a NVIDIA 8800 GTS with 256 MB. The game wouldn't even let me get it up to 1280X760 resolution. The best I could get it up to was 1024X768. I got about 20 fps but the graphics, except for the characters, looked like crap from even a short distance and don't even get me started on the crappy shadows. When I did the autoconfig it knocked my resolution down to 800X600.

The part with the Games folder in Vista says the Recommended rating is 5.0 and my current system is 5.2, but that rating is almost never right.

Cristiano · 12-03-2008, 06:13 PM

Some other people with similar comments:

ThoughtMechanics » Blog Archive » My Review: GTA4 for PC sucks. Also has bad reviews on Amazon.

Edav Nomad · 12-03-2008, 06:23 PM

It looks like Rockstar has been getting a quite a few people telling them about problems with the game and that they are looking into it.

Planet Grand Theft Auto - Maps, News, Cheats, Downloads

Cris, did you click on the update for Games for Windows Live on the Social Club app. Maybe that is your problem with using it.

Cristiano · 12-03-2008, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edav Nomad

Cris, did you click on the update for Games for Windows Live on the Social Club app. Maybe that is your problem with using it.

Yeah, I did update it before I even played the first time.

Edav Nomad · 12-03-2008, 07:34 PM

I tried again after updating my video card driver and closing all non-essential programs and the results are still the same. Now I need to decide on whether to uninstall the game or wait a few weeks to see what Rockstar will come up with to help with the problems.

Fmeh · 12-03-2008, 07:39 PM

The pc version will always have advantages over the console versions in the sense that you can modify the pc versions. You can't do ANYTHING to the console versions except use the in-game cheats or use equivalents to "game sharks". You can't edit the game files on the console versions.

I won't be able to play the game for quite some time as I have a 3 year old computer, but when I do it will be a fun experience.

Cristiano · 12-03-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fmeh

The pc version will always have advantages over the console versions in the sense that you can modify the pc versions. You can't do ANYTHING to the console versions except use the in-game cheats or use equivalents to "game sharks". You can't edit the game files on the console versions.

I won't be able to play the game for quite some time as I have a 3 year old computer, but when I do it will be a fun experience.

It's not particularly compelling if you can't even play the fucking game. It's not a PC vs console thing. Call me crazy, I like the game I buy to actually work.

Lordfly Digeridoo · 12-03-2008, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fmeh

I won't be able to play the game for quite some time as I have a brand new computer i bought three months in the future, but when I do it will be a fun experience.

fixed.

Fmeh · 12-03-2008, 10:07 PM

Points well taken.

However, I just happen to agree with the "there will be patches" element. A game that doesn't work and doesn't get fixed will hurt them badly--it WILL get fixed.

Lordfly Digeridoo · 12-03-2008, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fmeh

Points well taken.

However, I just happen to agree with the "there will be patches" element. A game that doesn't work and doesn't get fixed will hurt them badly--it WILL get fixed.

There's no guarantee of that. I remember buying one of the other GTA ports on PC... it had some really weird framerate issues that were never, ever fixed.

Bams · 12-03-2008, 10:13 PM

I'm so sad I have it sitting here but I'm afraid to install it because I don't think it will run on my notebook and that makes me sad in pants.

Fmeh · 12-03-2008, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lordfly Digeridoo

There's no guarantee of that. I remember buying one of the other GTA ports on PC... it had some really weird framerate issues that were never, ever fixed.

Their games certainly are picky about settings.

On GTA San Andreas and GTA3 I get fantastic framerates when I adjust the settings right. When I don't, the framerate is horrible--and I'm not talking about resolution, it's the other settings. I'm trying to remember whether I had to adjust the prefs file by hand or not....

Yeah, you bring up a good point.

Edav Nomad · 12-03-2008, 10:59 PM

Apparently Rockstar made the top requirements for the game so high that only future hardware can use it. My question is why? It needs to work for the majority of computers now not 6 or more months from now. By then a lot of people won't even play it because of the new games that'll be out by then. EA did the same for Crysis and I'm not sure many people are playing it now. I know I uninstalled Crysis and I'm not even sure I know where the disks are nor do I care. It seems like some of these game companies are in cahoots with the hardware manufacturers.

Mecha Dinosaur · 12-03-2008, 11:26 PM

The easier it is to distribute patches/updates the more broken the product that is released. Back in the 90s, games came out as rock solid as could be, given that it was hard or impossible to get patches/updates for those games. Now with 5 seconds in a search engine (or an patch checking feature built in) a patch is ready to be downloaded; while we're stuck with shit and crap pushed out to meet deadlines.

Richie Waves · 12-04-2008, 06:12 AM

I'll tell you in 3 hours after the games installed what I think... but I'm optimistic.. Farcry 2 I could play on ultimate settings so I'm pretty certain I'll be able to play this too.. we'll see.

Richie Waves · 12-04-2008, 06:41 AM

I'll say this much.. the install is a pain in my arse..

12-03-2008, 05:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dancien Graves Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 6,860 SL Join Date: 12/2006 Business: Club Baby Seals My Mood: Awards: 1	Yes well PC games have these things, called patches... __________________

12-03-2008, 05:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
Eirik Wodenborn Noch ein Bier Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Occupied People's Republic of Flanders Posts: 2,806 SL Join Date: May 2007 My Mood:	Thanks for the warning. I'll just wait until I got a 360 before I buy GTA IV (even though I still believe for many other games, the PC is superior) __________________ Never compromise, not even in the face of Armageddon.

12-03-2008, 07:39 PM	#15 (permalink)
Fmeh The Fourth Dimension Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Tacoma, WA USA Posts: 4,432 Blog Entries: 25	The pc version will always have advantages over the console versions in the sense that you can modify the pc versions. You can't do ANYTHING to the console versions except use the in-game cheats or use equivalents to "game sharks". You can't edit the game files on the console versions. I won't be able to play the game for quite some time as I have a 3 year old computer, but when I do it will be a fun experience. __________________ The Fourth Dimension club and hangout http://slurl.com/secondlife/Meribel/205/171/104/

12-03-2008, 11:26 PM	#23 (permalink)
Mecha Dinosaur CS Violator I play Mabinogi, do you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,098 SL Join Date: 6/13/2006 Blog Entries: 3 My Mood:	The easier it is to distribute patches/updates the more broken the product that is released. Back in the 90s, games came out as rock solid as could be, given that it was hard or impossible to get patches/updates for those games. Now with 5 seconds in a search engine (or an patch checking feature built in) a patch is ready to be downloaded; while we're stuck with shit and crap pushed out to meet deadlines. __________________

12-04-2008, 06:12 AM	#24 (permalink)
Richie Waves 50/50 Is Three apples Tall Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Between Iraq and Israel Posts: 8,318 SL Join Date: 27/06/2005	I'll tell you in 3 hours after the games installed what I think... but I'm optimistic.. Farcry 2 I could play on ultimate settings so I'm pretty certain I'll be able to play this too.. we'll see. __________________ My lastfm Hello, I'm a recovering crackhead and this is my retarded sister. Can we have some welfare please? -Dennis

12-03-2008, 05:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
Verkin Raven vs. Godzilla :D Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,034 SL Join Date: 1/4/05 Blog Entries: 2 SLShopper Ads: 3 My Mood:	And it'll still be "piracy's fault" when the game sells poorly because of this. I was actually ready to buy it on Steam tonight, but reading through multiple forums of disaster... not so much. Guess I'll donate my $50 to Bay 12 for Dwarf Fortress.

12-03-2008, 05:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bams Banned You can't give up on the World... of Warcraft! Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,448 Poker Drop Champion! Frogger Champion! Bubble Bobble Champion! Bomb Jack Champion! Blog Entries: 1 My Mood:	Well mutha.... I was so on the way to buy this for Bunnie she's been waiting all year. /me wanders off to give Bunnie a hug.

12-03-2008, 06:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
Cristiano Bleh! ¡el administrador! Yes mine is bigger Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 9,511 SL Join Date: Dec 2002 Business: ANOmations Blog Entries: 16 XBOX Leaderboard: 21^st SLShopper Ads: 4 My Mood:	Some other people with similar comments: ThoughtMechanics » Blog Archive » My Review: GTA4 for PC sucks. Also has bad reviews on Amazon.

12-03-2008, 06:23 PM	#12 (permalink)
Edav Nomad Mystic Knight of Death and Terror Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: L.A. (Lower Alabama) Posts: 3,658 SL Join Date: June 12, 2003 XBOX Leaderboard: 4^th My Mood:	It looks like Rockstar has been getting a quite a few people telling them about problems with the game and that they are looking into it. Planet Grand Theft Auto - Maps, News, Cheats, Downloads Cris, did you click on the update for Games for Windows Live on the Social Club app. Maybe that is your problem with using it.

12-03-2008, 07:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
Edav Nomad Mystic Knight of Death and Terror Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: L.A. (Lower Alabama) Posts: 3,658 SL Join Date: June 12, 2003 XBOX Leaderboard: 4^th My Mood:	I tried again after updating my video card driver and closing all non-essential programs and the results are still the same. Now I need to decide on whether to uninstall the game or wait a few weeks to see what Rockstar will come up with to help with the problems.

12-03-2008, 10:07 PM	#18 (permalink)
Fmeh The Fourth Dimension Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Tacoma, WA USA Posts: 4,432 Blog Entries: 25	Points well taken. However, I just happen to agree with the "there will be patches" element. A game that doesn't work and doesn't get fixed will hurt them badly--it WILL get fixed.

12-03-2008, 10:13 PM	#20 (permalink)
Bams Banned You can't give up on the World... of Warcraft! Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,448 Poker Drop Champion! Frogger Champion! Bubble Bobble Champion! Bomb Jack Champion! Blog Entries: 1 My Mood:	I'm so sad I have it sitting here but I'm afraid to install it because I don't think it will run on my notebook and that makes me sad in pants.

12-03-2008, 10:59 PM	#22 (permalink)
Edav Nomad Mystic Knight of Death and Terror Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: L.A. (Lower Alabama) Posts: 3,658 SL Join Date: June 12, 2003 XBOX Leaderboard: 4^th My Mood:	Apparently Rockstar made the top requirements for the game so high that only future hardware can use it. My question is why? It needs to work for the majority of computers now not 6 or more months from now. By then a lot of people won't even play it because of the new games that'll be out by then. EA did the same for Crysis and I'm not sure many people are playing it now. I know I uninstalled Crysis and I'm not even sure I know where the disks are nor do I care. It seems like some of these game companies are in cahoots with the hardware manufacturers.

12-04-2008, 06:41 AM	#25 (permalink)
Richie Waves 50/50 Is Three apples Tall Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Between Iraq and Israel Posts: 8,318 SL Join Date: 27/06/2005	I'll say this much.. the install is a pain in my arse..

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