GTA IV PC - Will you buy it?

[Karnov]

So, GTA IV PC keeps tempting me, even though I already own it on 360.
I think mostly it's the 32 player online and easier access pc would give me, also my 360 keeps throwing random disc read errors on every game.
Anyway, if a bunch of the steam regulars will get it it will surely make my decision easier. So what say ye?

[Rogue_hunter]

No, since the regular version was so underwhelming. Multiplayer was also blah, so there's nothing compelling me to buy it again, especially when I haven't even beat it on console.

[axion]

Yes since I don't own a 360 or PS3.

[Chill]

Yes since I don't own a 360 or PS3.

Ditto.

Hope it runs ok. Early reports are comparing it to Crysis in terms of performance. R*/T2 always drops the ball with the PC ports. GTA3 is among the few games that were totally unplayable for me at launch.

[axion]

I heard somewhere it ran quite well on a dual-core and 8800GT, which is exactly my system so I'm hoping it'll be fine. Source. (http://www.gta4.net/news/4144/gta-iv-pc-reviewed-by-pc-gamer/)

[Wackman3000]

If it has much better draw distances and solves the TERRIBLE aliasing problems, I will download it.

[Jackel]

I'll probably pick it up as I never played it on 360 or PS3.

[Chill]

I heard somewhere it ran quite well on a dual-core and 8800GT, which is exactly my system so I'm hoping it'll be fine. Source. (http://www.gta4.net/news/4144/gta-iv-pc-reviewed-by-pc-gamer/)

Well, I hope so.

This (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=322028)what I saw earlier.

I had to knock down the default graphic options quite a bit on my PC (dual-core 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 640MB GeForce 8800) until I got an acceptable rate, and even then there was the occasional really nasty drop.

[Disgustipated]

That guy is using a 640 MB 8800, which is quite a bit slower than an 8800 GT. Around 25-30% slower, at least. This game MIGHT play pretty well on a 4870/GTX 260.

[Chill]

Ah, missed that it was 8800GT that was ran the game well. That makes me feel better about my Q6600/8800GTS (G92) setup.

[EternalGamer]

Anyone who hasn't already bought GTA4 should learn from those of us who did. There are much better ways to spend your time and money regardless of your gaming platform of choice.

[fitbabits]

I said no. I think I'm done with PC gaming...

[biosc1]

Put me in the "maybe" category. I lent my GTA4 (360) to my buddy (you know, that friend who never returns stuff, yet you still keep lending him stuff)...so I may just get the PC version...maybe a few months down the road, if and when it drops to the $29 range.

[The Iron Weasel]

If i get a new video card maybe, but 30 gigs is a little steep.

[LordDon]

I said no. I think I'm done with PC gaming...

I've tried to love my 360 but deep in my heart I can never leave my flexible-as-a-yoga-instructor PC.

[TheKeck]

Yes since I don't own a 360 or PS3.
I said yes for the same reason, but I'm not sure if I'll really buy it or not.

[KingGorilla]

No, GTA sucks. Plot ripped from Oliver Stone and Scorsese, gameplay ripped from Driver. It takes about an hour for that pony to show you all of its tricks: Assasination mission, Fed Ex Mission, Assasination mission in a car, Fed Ex mission in a car, Fed Ex mission ending in an Assasination, Assasination mission in a car leading to a fed ex mission, etc.

[Dukefrukem]

No Maybe option? I havent decided yet. I also own it on PS3, but would love to try the multplayer. I think I'm going to eventually buy it on steam, but not any time soon.

[KingGorilla]

Let me add something. If there is a compelling Mod, the chances go up.

[axion]

How about the amazingly cool (http://www.totalvideogames.com/GTA-IV/preview-13402.html) video editor?

[mesh]

Not unless securom is removed.

[Hemalin]

I'm going to say no. I'm more interesting in the complete GTA collection(minus the fourth) for $30 off Steam.

[axion]

Not unless securom is removed.

For me that's a "don't really care" issue. I've installed tons of games with Securom, Starforce and the like, and never had any issues. I guess I'm lucky but I won't let something like that prevent me from enjoying a game I want. I respect your decision not to buy it though.

[Commissar Rob]

Does the control scheme work well on the PC? I suppose since I've played all of these on a console, a controller just feels the most natural. But to the question at hand, I've already played through this on the PS3, so I don't think I'd pick it up on the PC...

Unless, as Gorilla said, some really interesting mods come out...and it's on the cheap through Steam or some such...

[H.Bogard]

Well, I hope so.

This (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=322028)what I saw earlier.


That reviewer should be shot in the penis. You don't review a fucking modern PC game on a piece-of-shit Geforce 8800GTS 640 (G82). Fail.

[Commissar Rob]

That reviewer should be shot in the penis.

Serious business indeed!

[MachEnergy]

That reviewer should be shot in the penis. You don't review a fucking modern PC game on a piece-of-shit Geforce 8800GTS 640 (G82). Fail.

Cuz every gamer can afford to upgrade their rigs every 6 months?

[Crowe]

Sadly, this GTA was only worth one play through. So I won't be buying it for PC like I planning too, before I played it on console.

[Ancalagon]

That reviewer should be shot in the penis. You don't review a fucking modern PC game on a piece-of-shit Geforce 8800GTS 640 (G82). Fail.

Wow.... I own an 8800 GTS 640, does pretty good with recent games like Race Driver GRID and Fallout 3. For the price I paid for it, and the amount of time elapsed since purchase, I dont think its unreasonable to expect games to run decently on it. If Crysis runs better than this, I think I'd be justified in calling this a bad port.

When have Rockstar done a good port to the PC?

[Lint of Death]

I only ever got Vice City for PC. I'm not as interested as I once thought I might be.

[Widgetcraft]

At one time, I planned on buying it, but it has just taken so long, and everyone seems to be pretty down on it anyway... It sounds like they stripped out most of the things I liked about GTA, and replaced it with the shit that I hated. They can keep it.

[H.Bogard]

Wow.... I own an 8800 GTS 640, does pretty good with recent games like Race Driver GRID and Fallout 3. For the price I paid for it, and the amount of time elapsed since purchase, I dont think its unreasonable to expect games to run decently on it. If Crysis runs better than this, I think I'd be justified in calling this a bad port.

When have Rockstar done a good port to the PC?

When they ported Vice City, GTA3, Midnight Club 2, Manhunt and whatnot.

Also, the 8800GT came out very shortly after the GTS640 and was far better bang-for-buck than this card, so don't give me that 'upgrade every 6 months' crap just beacause you made a bad purchasing decision.

The above paragraph was directed at MachEnergy.

[MachEnergy]

When they ported Vice City, GTA3, Midnight Club 2, Manhunt and whatnot.

Also, the 8800GT came out very shortly after the GTS640 and was far better bang-for-buck than this card, so don't give me that 'upgrade every 6 months' crap just beacause you made a bad purchasing decision.

The above paragraph was directed at MachEnergy.

Ok, that's fair I suppose. However, I personally know plenty of PC gamers who are knowledgeable enough to purchase and install their own video card, but know nothing about generational gaps and whatnot. Their purchasing decision is based on buying the most expensive card they can afford.

Hell, I've become so lazy with my PC gaming that I've almost turned into them. Fortunately, I at least know how to do my research first.

So yeah, I wouldn't say it's "crap".

[Ancalagon]

When they ported Vice City, GTA3, Midnight Club 2, Manhunt and whatnot.

Also, the 8800GT came out very shortly after the GTS640 and was far better bang-for-buck than this card, so don't give me that 'upgrade every 6 months' crap just beacause you made a bad purchasing decision.

The above paragraph was directed at MachEnergy.

I played GTA3, Vice City and SA, thought Vice City and SA were passable ports but GTA3 was horrendous.

Soon after? It came out end of October 2007, 3 months after I bought my PC, and nobody had any idea it was coming out. And when I bought my PC in July last year, the GTS 640 had already been out for ages, in fact since the launch of the 8800 series (the 320 came later, the 640 was launched immediately). So dont give me "bad purchasing decision", it was the best card for the price, for the time, and I didnt have any info that waiting longer would be a good idea. Hell, should I tell 8800GT owners that they should have waited for the 9800GTX+? Or the 4850? No, they didnt know about those cards.

In any case, the 8800 GTS 640 is by no means a terrible card. It still has 96 shaders procs and a healthy amount of ROPs. It still beats 9500GT and 9600GT cards I think. Some also report that, due to its higher amount of RAM, its more suitable for higher resolutions than the GT.

[Smoof]

Yeah, I'm not seeing what you're on about, H.

The 8800GTS 640 is a dandy card and will serve people well for a few more years at least, assuming they're gaming at less than 1920x1200. I bought my 8800GTS 640 maybe...two years ago now and I've still got it. Works fantastically still, but I do want to upgrade, since it tends to choke here and there at 1920x1200. But if I was still using my 19" at 1440x900, I wouldn't even be considering upgrading for at least another year or so, considering I could play Crysis on high at that resolution.

Either way, I'm playing Fallout 3, Clear Sky, Warhammer, etc all maxed out at 1920x1200 just fine with my 8800, so what's up your bum?

Also, if you consider a year "very shortly", then I suppose you have an odd perception of time.

[Deadend]

I have it on 360.. it's kinda disappointing.

Wait for Saints Row 2, that game has fun in it.

[Hotcod]

ya after all the hyper died down and people came back with honest feelings about the game that where less than impressive i think i can;t wait until i can pick it up cheap

[Hotcod]

hmmm that said it's $40 on steam which is only £27 which is almost as good as online retail.... which makes it tempting

[Chill]

Well, I've been playing GTA4 for about 2 hours and can report it is indeed a poor port. Performance is ok. Running at 1680x1050 with a Q6600/8800GTS (G92) is playable...mostly. Graphic options are restricted depending on the amount of video card memory you have. Having 512MB restricts me to Medium graphic settings (devs say this is equal to the console version) and a 42 for view distance (I think the devs say 21 is equal to consoles). I was able to max out everything else, including car population density. There may be someway to change that from the console, but I've been unsuccessful.

Other things. From what I see and have read briefly on the GTA forums is that you cannot save progress when offline. You have to be logged into Windows Live and R* Social Club to save progress in the game. Finally, you cannot sign into Windows Live and R* Social Club and launch the game, the game will crash. You have to launch the game and then sign in. That appears to be a universal problem.

But, all in all, I'm having a blast with the game. I've played the 360 version, and it looks loads better on my rig. The slowdowns might even be comparable between the two.

[J Arcane]

Wow.... I own an 8800 GTS 640, does pretty good with recent games like Race Driver GRID and Fallout 3. For the price I paid for it, and the amount of time elapsed since purchase, I dont think its unreasonable to expect games to run decently on it. If Crysis runs better than this, I think I'd be justified in calling this a bad port.

When have Rockstar done a good port to the PC?

GTA:San Andreas was great. Vice City looked like dog vomit upscaled from PS1 resolution.

No, GTA sucks. Plot ripped from Oliver Stone and Scorsese, gameplay ripped from Driver. It takes about an hour for that pony to show you all of its tricks: Assasination mission, Fed Ex Mission, Assasination mission in a car, Fed Ex mission in a car, Fed Ex mission ending in an Assasination, Assasination mission in a car leading to a fed ex mission, etc.

Well, but missions always suck balls in GTA games. That's why I don't do them. I wanna know how the sandbox is compared to SA's.

I'm going to say no. I'm more interesting in the complete GTA collection(minus the fourth) for $30 off Steam.

But the only one worth buying is San Andreas, and you can get that for like $20, and the original two can be had free from Rockstar's website.

[Hemalin]

Vice City isn't worth while? From what little I've played of it, I thought it was quite fun.

[J Arcane]

Vice City isn't worth while? From what little I've played of it, I thought it was quite fun.
The port is awful, really, awful. Bad controls, bad camera, and laughably bad graphics.

If you want some Vice City, pick it up on PS2 or Xbox. It is a pretty good game, I like SA better, but it's still pretty fun, it's just the PC port that's bad.

[Seika]

I accidently clicked yes...

I won't buy it, frack this shit! (http://hellforge.gameriot.com/blogs/Random-Ravings/20-Easy-Steps-to-Starting-GTA-IV-on-Your-PC)

You know there's something wrong with a product when it is easier for a pirate to play it than a legitimate owner... :mad:

[H.Bogard]

Children, what is the definition of HORSE SHIT?

This:

The port is awful, really, awful. Bad controls, bad camera, and laughably bad graphics.

[muddi900]

There is no reason to play GTA on a PC, besides mods. The console versions are always better.

I accidently clicked yes...

I won't buy it, frack this shit! (http://hellforge.gameriot.com/blogs/Random-Ravings/20-Easy-Steps-to-Starting-GTA-IV-on-Your-PC)

You know there's something wrong with a product when it is easier for a pirate to play it than a legitimate owner... :mad:

People can just go and download the crack. In fact don't call it a crack, call it a "fan patch" until R* comes up with the solution. Of course, we wouldn't have that funny link if they did.

[Telefrog]

I accidently clicked yes...

I won't buy it, frack this shit! (http://hellforge.gameriot.com/blogs/Random-Ravings/20-Easy-Steps-to-Starting-GTA-IV-on-Your-PC)

You know there's something wrong with a product when it is easier for a pirate to play it than a legitimate owner... :mad:

Well, except for the fact that the full level of protection on GTA IV hasn't been cracked yet. Apparently, the game code has hooks in the software that call for SecuROM checks every so often which have to be identified and shunted manually by an enterprising pirate before anyone can really play the game. This info comes from my pirate buddy that downloads everything that hits the web. I laughed at him. :D

Edit: I should mention you can download all sorts of files that claim to crack the game, but they all result in random crashes because of the DRM hooks.

[tacitus]

All polls like this need to have one or more maybe catagories. As it stands now probably no, for me to deal with securom DRM the game needs to be one of the select few - and GTA series is not one of them.

[roboninja]

I voted no, as I still have not even played past the cousin's apartment on my PS3 version.

[Smoof]

With that invasive DRM and the Rockstar social club/windows live bullshit? Hell no.

I'll play a game with DRM, but not when it's that excessive.

[biosc1]

The port is awful, really, awful. Bad controls, bad camera, and laughably bad graphics.

If you want some Vice City, pick it up on PS2 or Xbox. It is a pretty good game, I like SA better, but it's still pretty fun, it's just the PC port that's bad.

I quite enjoyed Vice City and GTA3 on the PC.

To deal with the bad controls, I had the mouse and keyboard for the walking and shooting, and a PS2-PC adapter for using the PS2 controller for the driving. If I recall, bad camera was not the fault of the PC, but just a general fault of the game.


I won't buy it, frack this shit! (http://hellforge.gameriot.com/blogs/Random-Ravings/20-Easy-Steps-to-Starting-GTA-IV-on-Your-PC)


Ouch...I guess I will be waiting until this drops in price...by that time, the game should be properly patched. Unless they give up due to not enough people buying the game, they then blame piracy for ruining the PC market...

[Seika]

Well, except for the fact that the full level of protection on GTA IV hasn't been cracked yet. Apparently, the game code has hooks in the software that call for SecuROM checks every so often which have to be identified and shunted manually by an enterprising pirate before anyone can really play the game.


...and it has been cracked.

I just saw it be played without a problem. :)

[ShivaX]

...and it has been cracked.

I just saw it be played without a problem. :)

From beginning to end?

Cause that was kind of the point he was making.

Regardless, this sounds like the worst piece of software ever devised by man. It should be held up as an example of whats wrong with DRMs and where things have been heading for the last decade or so. Theres no excuse for all the crap involved in trying to play. The mountain of coaster creating bugs at the end of that rant says they put more effort into the DRM/anti-piracy crap than they did in making the damn thing actually work.
For those who didn't go look:
* The crash-to-desktop bug is rampant, a "fatal zlib20 error". No known solution yet.
* Securom must be running at all times while the game is running. Closing it results in the game closing too.
* SecuROM will often crash, resulting in your game not starting at all.
* The reason the menu screen was black for me for so long is because it must download a file every time you start the game, since the menu background is actually an online updating news page.
* The newest Geforce Drivers: version 180.48, are not compatible with GTA IV.
* The Windows Live update supports Vista 32bit only. If you have Windows Vista 64bit, you can not play.
* The game does not support, nor recognise, SLI card set ups of any of the Geforce 8600 or 8800 card series.

[H.Bogard]

Atleast when they implement so many applications as mandatory in order to run a game, maybe they should... uh... you know, play ONCE to see it works?

And I'm baffled by the pre-historic retard age Rockstar and Microsoft are stuck in here. GFWL doesn't update itself? The game doesn't install .NET framework from the DVD on its own? Really?

And Microsoft is fucking DARING to go against Steam while pulling horseshit like this? I can't wait to see them fail. This is the internet, not a street fight with Sony or Nintendo.

[Hemalin]

The port is awful, really, awful. Bad controls, bad camera, and laughably bad graphics.

If you want some Vice City, pick it up on PS2 or Xbox. It is a pretty good game, I like SA better, but it's still pretty fun, it's just the PC port that's bad.
Did they change the controls form GTA3? I never had a problem with them and they worked quite well.

[J Arcane]

Did they change the controls form GTA3? I never had a problem with them and they worked quite well.
Maybe it was because I played San Andreas first, then went back to VC to see what the PC version was like, but I found them to be not nearly as responsive, and the camera controls far too limited.

[Karnov]

All polls like this need to have one or more maybe catagories. As it stands now probably no, for me to deal with securom DRM the game needs to be one of the select few - and GTA series is not one of them.

I kept it to yes/no because I was mostly interested in who would buy it on release, just slipped my mind to put that in the question.

[cp#]

No because it is bad and I have it for 360 (and it is bad)