Rockstar admits Xbox 360 storage problems create limitations for GTA IV

[hobbzinio]

Xbox 360's lack of a guaranteed hard-drive, with some gamers having opted for the stripped-down Core version, and its use of DVD discs, will create limitations in Grand Theft Auto IV's development, Rockstar has acknowledged.

During an interview with Official PlayStation Magazine, Rockstar's creative vice president Dan Houser was posed this question: "On PS3 you've got a guarantee that every machine is going to have a hard-drive and, with Blu-ray, you've got plenty of storage, whereas on Xbox 360 there's no guarantee of a hard-drive and you're working with the DVD format. Does that create limitations?" To which he simply answered, "Yep."

"To be honest with you," Houser continued, "we haven't solved all those riddles yet." Although the difficulties aren't limited to working with Microsoft's console, as he explains that "both [platforms] have enormous challenges" and that "there are problems on both ... both have their own particular pleasures and pains". If anyone can make the most of what's available, though, it has to be Rockstar.
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thoughts?

[Jordan]

Well both consoles are tough to program for.
The 360 should have always had a HDD from the start, like the original XBOX. Who the hell buys a Core anyway? Any people who have, have got a HDD by now anyway.

On the other hand, the PPU's and PPE's on the PS3 make it incredibly difficult to code for rather than just having single cores doing whatever you want them too, you're stuck with rather complex and unchangeable 'cores' that the PS3 uses.

Basically, both consoles have weaknesses in totally different areas. My advice to Rockstar? Use the 360's quick DVD drive to constantly read from the DVD and have the PS3 store data on the HDD cache space. Its not that difficult... surely?

[flameboy]

See this is another reason why Microsoft should get rid of the Core SKU, especially with Elite on the way. Because the way it works, Microsoft do encourage companies to create games that can work on core as well and from a developer point of view they want their games to be played on as many systems as they can so to rule out the 360 core would affect sales (although it could be such a small degree as so few own the core pack..)

[Mr. Bananagrabber]

No one owns a core. And if they do, they should already know that a lack of an essential piece of hardware is always going to hamper their enjoyment of the console.

[McPhee]

They should just slap a Hard Drive Required sticker across the front like the Football Manager games have, problem solved. With the Elite coming out there will be a lot of 20GB HDD going cheap so it shouldnt be too expensive for the few HDD-less Core owners to get a hold of one.

The majority of Core owners are kids who shouldn't be playing the game anyway!

[Cube]

Hopefully this will convince them to make a smaller city.

[Tellyn]

How big are the saves for this?

[McPhee]

How big are the saves for this?

The problem isnt save games. If all 360s had Hard Drives then they could be relied upon for caching, increasing the amount of data the console could handle.
The 360 Core is basically holding back all versions of GTAIV :red:

[Kurtle Squad]

Getting the Core console is pointless; it's like buying a 1/2 eaten sweet for full price which has the persons teeth marks and saliva in/on it.

[Nintenchris]

This weekend i say we should hunt down and smash every Core we can find with sledge hammers, then the problem will dissapear.

[kav82]

Getting the Core console is pointless; it's like buying a 1/2 eaten sweet for full price which has the persons teeth marks and saliva in/on it.

I absolutely love this quote!

On topic, bit of a shame for GTA, but it'll still be great even with these "problems".

[hobbzinio]

They should just slap a Hard Drive Required sticker across the front like the Football Manager games have, problem solved.

problem solved?

[McPhee]

Yeah, as in "Don't buy this game if you don't have the HDD" A.K.A. "Don't be such a cheap c***!"

[AshMat]

"HDD Required" Stickers. People shouldn't buy Cores anyway, they shouldn't sell them.

[Ant-Shimmin]

Wish their was some way you could connect your 360 to the PC and let the 360 games run off the PC hard Drive :P

[rokhed00]

I don't see why a hard drive is required anyway, does Crackdown run OK with just a memory card, if so why can't GTA4?

[Jordan]

I don't see why a hard drive is required anyway, does Crackdown run OK with just a memory card, if so why can't GTA4?

Crackdown was cell shaded, they limited the graphics to have that huge draw distance. Not to mention it was coded specifically for the 360.

[Jimbob]

Just make the game with the Premium 360 in mind and slap a HDD required sticker on the box. That way, people will be aware that this game will require a HDD drive to play the game.

It would be similar to Perfect Dark and Donkey Kong on the N64 that required the expansion pack to fully play the games, stickers or labels were placed on the box and in DK64s case, an expansion pack was included with the game.

[rokhed00]

Crackdown was cell shaded, they limited the graphics to have that huge draw distance. Not to mention it was coded specifically for the 360.

And aren't both 360 and PS3 versions of GTA4 being developed specifically for each console? They might not get the insane draw distance of Crackdown, but there still shouldn't be any real problems.

I'm thinking this statement has been made purely to stir up the fanboys.

[BlueStar]

And aren't both 360 and PS3 versions of GTA4 being developed specifically for each console? They might not get the insane draw distance of Crackdown, but there still shouldn't be any real problems.

I'm thinking this statement has been made purely to stir up the fanboys.

Basically I've heard they're developing for the 360 and porting over. Anything they haven't got the hang of on the PS3 yet will be gimped. Seems like it's going to be more solid and stable on the 360 with the bonus of downloadable content.

[Ant-Shimmin]

I heard the same Bluestar, wether Sony like it or not the 360 seems to be the place for games developers to create excellent games with ease.

[ZeldaFreak]

Basically I've heard they're developing for the 360 and porting over. Anything they haven't got the hang of on the PS3 yet will be gimped. Seems like it's going to be more solid and stable on the 360 with the bonus of downloadable content.

Apart from one small teensy weensy problem

Both PS£ and 360 are geeting different exclusive downloadable content for each specific version.

[Ant-Shimmin]

Apart from one small teensy weensy problem

Both PS£ and 360 are geeting different exclusive downloadable content for each specific version.

They said that with Oblivion and look what happend their...

I won't believe anything until the game comes out reguarding Bonus Content, However I thought it was pretty much nailed on the 360 would be getting more...

But as I said, we shall find out in due course

[Calza]

Nah is it not the 360 version is the only one getting the downloads, I'm sure thats what Microsft got by exclusive terms.