GTA IV – Comparing the Consoles

GTA IV

I’ve now spent over 5 hours on the Xbox 360 version of GTA IV. I decided to pick it up considering all my friends are playing on the 360. Even though I’m a decent way into the single player of the PS3 version, I decided to pick up the other. I’ve been running through the missions, skipping cutscenes, and I’m pretty close to where I was on the PS3. I have some more Vlad stuff to do and a couple Roman missions to get to where I was, plus getting to the Russian guy down by the beach.

So here’s my thoughts, and yes I know it’s been a while since the game has been released, but none of us had really spent a lot time with both consoles. The PS3 version definitely looks better. The colors and lighting are nicer and there are definitely more jaggies on the 360 version of the game. The controls are about equal, but it’s easier to use the 360 triggers for aiming than using the awkward triggers on the DualShock 3.

Now on to the freezing, which is plaguing a lot of people. I’ve had one complete system lockup on each version of the game. On the PS3, it was while I was going bowling with Michelle. On the Xbox 360, it was during a Vlad mission. In both cases, I had to power down the system and start back up, which was annoying. I haven’t had any minor hiccups outside the complete lockups.

You really can’t go wrong with either version of the game, but I’d suggest picking up whichever one your friends are playing. I have much more fun playing multiplayer with friends, since most random people don’t participate in game’s objective. There’s nothing worse than trying to play Cops and Crooks have people just run away and not try to kill the other team’s boss or protect your boss. Either way, get the game and play the hell out of it.

Sony Working on Firmware Update to Fix GTA Freezing Issues

GTA IV

Rockstar has thrown the ball back at Sony in terms of the freezing issues plaguing PS3 gamers with Grand Theft Auto IV. Apparently, Rockstar didn’t do any testing with the 60GB console and the extra hardware inside is what’s causing the issue. At least that’s what they told a forum poster over at the official PlayStation forums.

So let me get this straight. I bought a 60GB console so I could have complete backwards compatibility and now there’s issues caused by that SKU? I hope Sony gets this straightened out so these issues don’t ever come up again because of differences in internal parts.

We’ll keep you posted as we hear more from Sony and Rockstar regarding the issue.

GTA IV Easter Egg Video

Just in case you were getting a little bored in GTA IV, I don’t see how thats possible, but here is a video to help you find some of the great easter eggs laden throughout the game. The video is not a spoiler, but if you want everything in the game to be a surprise, you might want to turn away. We don’t want to be that guy.

GTA IV Gets Patched on PS3

GTA IV

Sony and Rockstar today released a patch (v1.01) for Grand Theft Auto IV on the PS3. The update supposedly fixes all those pesky freezing issues that have been plaguing gamers the past week or so.

Along with the freezing fix, the update smooths out online play and also stops the PS3 from rebooting when you hit the PS button and choose Quit Game.

I’ve personally only had the game freeze on my once, so I can’t really say for sure if the freezing issue has been fixed. Online play seems fine as well (again, I didn’t have any issues). Go fire up your PS3 and GTA4 and grab the 18mb patch. Come back and let us know if this fixes your freezing issues.

No word on when a patch will be available for the freezes gamers are experiencing on the Xbox 360 version of the game.

Take-Two Interactive Announces Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto IV Breaks Entertainment Launch Records

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We got word this morning from Take 2 studios about their launch numbers. Are you sitting down. 500 million. That is one-half billion dollars for the first week on GTA IV. Halo 3 has taken a backseat to the highest grossing video game in the first week ever.  3.6 million sold in the first day. Think I’m full of shit. Here is the press release.

Hit the jump for more »

Xbox Live Activity for 4/28

GTA4 Screen 4

Xbox Live supremacy has once again shifted gears. GTA IV is now the top dog. We all knew GTA was going to make noise, but to top COD4 and Halo 3 is a testament to how big this game is really becoming.

Xbox 360 Top Live Titles (based on UU’s)
1 GTA IV
2 Call of Duty 4
3 Halo 3
4 Guitar Hero III
5 Gears of War
6 Rock Band
7 Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six® Vegas 2
8 Iron Man Demo
9 FIFA 08
10 Forza Motorsport 2

[via majornelson]

GTA IV Cheats

GTA IV

Don’t worry. We are not putting any spoilers up here. Here is a complete list of all the cheats you may want to use as you run amok through Liberty City. Now, you need to remember, these can and will disrupt game saves. You will not be able to get some achievements if you use some of the game saves, so do not save if you are going to fuck around. Enjoy.

Take-Two Sues Over Pulled GTA Ads

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New York – May 5th, 2008

Well, we all saw this coming.

So by now you have all read that the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) had given in to pressure from local politicians and the local FOX News to pull the GTA IV ads from all the buses. So in an unsurprising move Take-Two Interactive is now suing the CTA for violating a $300,000 contract.

What on earth did they expect to happen? Seriously. Hit the jump for more »

The Heart of Liberty City

And who says Liberty City doesn’t have a heart? Sure, the inhabitants can be assholes, but the city has a big heart. A real heart. Who would have known the Statue of Happiness would be the home to a real live beating heart. Pretty damn cool.

GTA IV or Ironman?

Iron Man Screen 6

There is much speculation that the Ironman movie, which has been getting stellar reviews, is going to suffer in the box office due to the fact that its greatest demographic audience will be playing GTA IV all weekend. This is what high paid execs get to think about. Well, I want to know. I’m sorry, I thought this was America?

[Poll=41]