[360] Who will be getting GTAIV? [Archive]

Gecko Phantom

04-23-2008, 10:51 AM

I'm a "no" for now, but I'll be looking to see what happens after the hype falls away and the game itself is out. I never got into any of the others in the series (though I appreciated Vice City's 80's love), so I don't have a deep connection to the franchise. Meanwhile, though there does look to be a lot of multiplayer options, as far as I've seen there isn't just a way to play the game co-op with a friend, which is what would have gotten me most intrigued. As is, I have Mass Effect and Rock Band to eat my life, so I don't need GTA4. ;)

ghost whistler

04-23-2008, 10:55 AM

Jorjowsky

04-23-2008, 01:42 PM

Me, me, me!

I've preordered my copy (X360 version for those who care) and I'll be picking it up on monday the 5th of May, about a week after the release, and just at the start of an off-work week for me. :D

I'm a serious GTA fan, and this one looks like it's going to be the best yet... by a biiiig margin. :)

Jigglypuff

04-23-2008, 01:48 PM

Since the game is being shoirt shipped (according the shops i spoke to today) and there's nothing left for chumps (like me) who didn't preorder probably not me. Shops also seem totally unaware of when they will get more stock in. Not bad for a game that's the biggest sale of the century.

Game shops in Britain are beyond shite.

If they're anything like gamestop here I can feel for ya. Gamestop regularly says junk like this just to get people to preorder next time. This is why I get all my games from Wal Mart at midnight now. Not to mention my fathers 10% discount :D

Donald K.

04-23-2008, 01:49 PM

Jack

04-23-2008, 02:35 PM

I pre-ordered it, pre-paid, and one of the advantages of being one of the favorite customers at my local shop means that I'll get it even if they get short-shipped. That, and I already promised I'd be there at midnight to keep my friends who work there company.

I'm pretty damned excited. GTA:SA is on my favorite games ever list and all the others rank up there as well. I need to get some stuff done so I can devote some serious playing time but I think it's doable.

Jack

04-23-2008, 02:37 PM

P And I don't even have to tell the person selling me the game to shut the hell up and sell me the game.

I never have this happen at my Gamestop. Or any of the ones I've ever been to. I wonder what the difference is at certain stores in the chain?

Of course I literally get hugged at my Gamestop, so I'm probably not the best person to ask.

Jack

04-23-2008, 02:40 PM

Gamestop regularly says junk like this just to get people to preorder next time.

To be fair to the most of the folks who work there they are often told that by the higher ups. And sometimes they are short shipped...or worse, one store gets all the product for an area (this happened with a few big releases recently in the Chicago area, resulting in some of the managers having to tool around town playing Santa to the other stores).

Donald K.

04-23-2008, 02:41 PM

I never have this happen at my Gamestop. Or any of the ones I've ever been to. I wonder what the difference is at certain stores in the chain?

Of course I literally get hugged at my Gamestop, so I'm probably not the best person to ask.Yeah, from what I've heard the employees have to (each) sell a certain amount of pre-orders a month, or they can lose their job. This is because the head-office apparently demands that they get a certain amount of pre-orders every month.

Now, I've never worked there, but that's what I've heard, and it fits with what I've experienced.

Whenever I go there they bug me about pre-ordering a game as I browse. When I get to the counter they ask me. After they grab whatever game I'm looking for, they ask me. As I'm paying, they ask me. After I've paid, they ask me. And then, I can finally leave.

Whereas at Fred Meyer I ask somebody to open the case, get the game, pay and leave. Maybe make some small talk if I want.

Edit -This is my experience at four different stores; three in two malls, and one stand-alone building.

Jack

04-23-2008, 02:44 PM

Yeah, from what I've heard the employees have to (each) sell a certain amount of pre-orders a month, or they can lose their job. This is because the head-office apparently demands that they get a certain amount of pre-orders every month.

Now, I've never worked there, but that's what I've heard, and it fits with what I've experienced.

Oh yeah. That. That's a fairly crap policy and I know too many places (not just Gamestop) have it or some variation. I also know it varies a bit on who regional is on how much that's enforced. Or how well the store does (successful stores tend to be left alone under a "if it ain't broke" policy in many chains).

That's probably the reason then. My local store is one of the more successful in the area and I believe the manager is largely left alone because of it. As such he tends to hire good people who tend to stick around. But I could see that really being different if they were constantly being shoved around by the home office. I also get the impression the regional guy for Chicago is pretty decent, which I know from my time in retail hell can have a major impact.

admiralducksauce

04-23-2008, 05:13 PM

Preordered, but I might get one day to play it on launch week as we're leaving for a friend's Disney wedding that weekend.

Quasar

04-23-2008, 06:12 PM

Maybe. I've never even had an interest in GTA before, but I am slightly curious about this for some reason. I expect I'll rent it first though.

ghost whistler

04-23-2008, 11:21 PM

If they're anything like gamestop here I can feel for ya. Gamestop regularly says junk like this just to get people to preorder next time. This is why I get all my games from Wal Mart at midnight now. Not to mention my fathers 10% discount :D
Unfortunately the specialist retailer (singular) in the UK is a total con merchant.

Timicus

04-24-2008, 02:12 AM

Me! I just bought a 360 this week to play it.

GTA is my World of Warcraft.

ghost whistler

04-24-2008, 02:31 AM

The more i hear the hype and the more i hear bullshit from the shops avbout stock and preorders the less i can be bothered with it.

Now it seems the shops are asking for extremely strict (as in I don't have it) ID from EVERYONE. That includes the people who, like me, are considerably more than 18. Now while I'm flattered, I don't look anything close to being under 18. But itseems the retailers have gone overboard for fear some chav will get the game (which they will anyway), beat their teacher up and blame them for it.

Madness.

Benny the Gnome Bard

04-24-2008, 02:39 AM

Unfortunately the specialist retailer (singular) in the UK is a total con merchant.

Just out of interest, which specialist retailer are you on about here?

Murazor

04-24-2008, 03:15 AM

I've bought the hype and made a reservation for a copy.

Samaritan

04-24-2008, 05:07 AM

Now it seems the shops are asking for extremely strict (as in I don't have it) ID from EVERYONE. That includes the people who, like me, are considerably more than 18. Now while I'm flattered, I don't look anything close to being under 18. But itseems the retailers have gone overboard for fear some chav will get the game (which they will anyway), beat their teacher up and blame them for it.

Madness.

Ah, a phenomenon my brother instituted while working at 7-11 (after an ABC fiasco involving the store) that he dubbed "Global ID". :D

Jigglypuff

04-24-2008, 05:24 AM

To be fair to the most of the folks who work there they are often told that by the higher ups. And sometimes they are short shipped...or worse, one store gets all the product for an area (this happened with a few big releases recently in the Chicago area, resulting in some of the managers having to tool around town playing Santa to the other stores).

I don't have to be fair to them at all. If they want me to buy from them I shouldn't have to put up with them trying to sell me all kinds of crap with the game either (tip books come to mind). A number of times I saw stacks and stacks of games sitting in boxes at their store and I was told "Sorry we have to make sure we can cover preorders, should of preordered if you wanted it". Yet when I told them can't you just see how many you have then look at pre orders to determine if you have enough? They answered me with a "sorry we can't do that". The last straw for me was Mass Effect which they did the exact thing I just described. Wal mart and Best buy will get all my patronage now.

The more i hear the hype and the more i hear bullshit from the shops avbout stock and preorders the less i can be bothered with it.

Now it seems the shops are asking for extremely strict (as in I don't have it) ID from EVERYONE. That includes the people who, like me, are considerably more than 18. Now while I'm flattered, I don't look anything close to being under 18. But itseems the retailers have gone overboard for fear some chav will get the game (which they will anyway), beat their teacher up and blame them for it.

Madness.

Preach on brother. I try to find stores that want to interact with me the least and just check me out and get me on my way. I don't need to be carded (I do look very young for my age) and told about the latest releases, or asked if I want "officially licensed doodad" from the game I'm buying, I just want to buy my game and go.

*Back on topic*
The more I read about the game the more I can't wait for Tuesday. The changes to wanted levels and the upgraded cell phone sound really cool. I never understood why the police chased me so vigorously for a hit and run. Thankfully I no longer have to worry about that. Sounds like cars got a big overhaul too. You can shoot drivers through windows now, tires still flatten, and their gps systems show the best routes to take for quests.

Juriel

04-24-2008, 07:01 AM

I'm not a fan of the series, but I do want to see next-gen sandbox games... So I'm very interested in GTA4. However, the main character's appearance just annoys me a lot, perhaps too much. I still haven't decided whether to get it when it's out or not, but I guess it's possible - the multiplayer options in that environment sound delicious, especially because then you can look like someone less ugly.

Juriel

04-24-2008, 07:32 AM

I've just spent the afternoon watching gameplay videos that have erupted on the internet (check out http://www.lunchtimebanter.com/).
Thanks for linking to that. It was interesting to see the gameplay, which looks remarkably, well, less realistic and more like old GTAs than I expected.

Edit: Although, the police-fighting antics from the middle of this video onwards - http://toru.ee/view/bb327bf75802 - were faith-affirming. I liked the bullet hits on the car and the blood on the windshield, as well as how people reacted to just being 'bumped' by the car.

ghost whistler

04-24-2008, 07:40 AM

Just out of interest, which specialist retailer are you on about here?
'Game'.

Juriel

04-24-2008, 08:04 AM

Having watched a few more gameplay videos (there's always a store that sells a game early), I am unreasonably bothered by how Nico, when running and turning to a side, LEANS that way at a 60 degree angle. Instead of, you know, turning to step that way like a human being, our potato-nosed protagonist leans that way like a motorbiker...so bizarre.

Benny the Gnome Bard

04-24-2008, 08:11 AM

'Game'.

Hmm, interesting.

ghost whistler

04-24-2008, 09:41 AM

Hmm, interesting.
Why is that interesting? They've been shit for a very long time.

Benny the Gnome Bard

04-24-2008, 10:04 AM

Why is that interesting? They've been shit for a very long time.

Not my personal experience, but YMMV

The SkaerKrow

04-24-2008, 10:10 AM

I was going to pass, but if this co-op online multiplayer with fully customizable characters is half as good as it sounds, I'll have to pick it up.

Garry G

04-24-2008, 11:10 AM

darktalon

04-24-2008, 11:38 AM

ghost whistler

04-24-2008, 11:54 AM

I have absolutely no intention of going near a specialised game retailer on the day of release. After work me and my mate Jamesie will head up to my local Blockbusters which will probably have it but if not there's another few places to go to. Like I said I scored Halo 3 for £35 pound doing this so I think I'm in with a chance.
I'm hoping Tescoes might come good. There aren't many local alternatives for me and I'm not paying over £40 for it, which is what places like Smiths charge.

ghost whistler

04-24-2008, 11:54 AM

Amazon is your friend. I do most of my game shopping either on Amazon or legal download sites.
Too late for Amazon, they will be well out of stock by now.

ghost whistler

04-24-2008, 11:55 AM

Not my personal experience, but YMMV
Well try charging customers £42 for Burnout Paradie and see how much their mileage varies then.

Cultist of Sooty

04-24-2008, 11:59 AM

I have absolutely no intention of going near a specialised game retailer on the day of release. After work me and my mate Jamesie will head up to my local Blockbusters which will probably have it but if not there's another few places to go to. Like I said I scored Halo 3 for £35 pound doing this so I think I'm in with a chance.
I'll have a look around, too. There are so many places that sell games (I can think of at 10 offhand, just within 20 minutes' walk of my home) that I've never failed to get a game on the day of release if I wanted it.

ghost whistler

04-24-2008, 12:05 PM

I was wondering if some of the non-specialist retailers will actually stock it given the fad for political correctness and commesnruately hating violent video games (ie GTA).

YerMum

04-24-2008, 12:06 PM

Tescos like money, they'll stock it.

Cultist of Sooty

04-24-2008, 12:15 PM

I was wondering if some of the non-specialist retailers will actually stock it given the fad for political correctness and commesnruately hating violent video games (ie GTA).
I can't see them having a problem with it myself. None of the other versions of GTA have discombobulated any UK retailers. And, as YerMum says, they all like making money and GTA IV will sell like hot cakes.

Count_Zero

04-24-2008, 01:27 PM

Probably getting it.

I didn't pre-order it, but I've discovered something amazing. I can pre-order games at Gamestop, and tell the dude behind the counter 37 times that I don't want to pre-order anything else, in addition to dealing with the crowds and other general annoyances of the mall. Or I can just go to Fred Meyer, pick it up the day it comes out, not have to worry about large crowds, parking, etc. And I don't even have to tell the person selling me the game to shut the hell up and sell me the game. Seriously, they even seem to carry more copies than Gamestop.

It looks pretty cool. I've been avoiding game hype for awhile now, so as to avoid building up expectations, but if this is Grand Theft Auto, with the improvements they seem to add every time they release a new one, I'm gonna be happy.

I haven't bought a video game in a big box retailer (like Freddie's) in a while, in part because they never stock the games that I want (you'll never find, say, Persona 3: FES in a Fred Meyer's unless you special order it, and I don't think they even do that - I'll bet a $5 gift certificate to either DriveThruRPG or Fred Meyer's - your choice - on it).

Juriel

04-24-2008, 01:55 PM

After now spending a few hours of watching a guy play GTA4, I'm still not any more certain of purchasing it. It just looked...not boring as such, but, well, like it made no great strides beyond what GTA3 already had, except visually. Perhaps the online multiplayer is the most remarkable difference...

Ineti

04-24-2008, 02:11 PM

ghost whistler

04-24-2008, 02:13 PM

I think it's the little things that will make the difference. All the trailers I've seen frankly are not particularly attractive. But I like things like being able to edit the time of day and weather in the online matches, for example.

d23

04-24-2008, 02:20 PM

I might get it. I'm bitter about my 360 dying so if I get it, I'll get it for the PS3.

problem is, my friends that own 360s are the ones getting the game. My friends who own PS3s aren't, as far as I can tell.

Jack

04-24-2008, 03:51 PM

I don't pay any attention to the hype. I enjoyed the hell out of the previous games in the series, so I preorded GTA4 based on the strength of the series. If it sucks, I can exchange it or sell it. No biggie. :)

It's interesting how that is the sentiment of so many people I know who have played the others and enjoyed them.

"Hype? There's hype...I haven't noticed, I just had my preordered months ago because I love the series."

Jack

04-24-2008, 03:54 PM

I don't have to be fair to them at all. If they want me to buy from them I shouldn't have to put up with them trying to sell me all kinds of crap with the game either (tip books come to mind). A number of times I saw stacks and stacks of games sitting in boxes at their store and I was told "Sorry we have to make sure we can cover preorders, should of preordered if you wanted it". Yet when I told them can't you just see how many you have then look at pre orders to determine if you have enough? They answered me with a "sorry we can't do that". The last straw for me was Mass Effect which they did the exact thing I just described. Wal mart and Best buy will get all my patronage now.

Fine, you're right. You don't have to be fair to them. You're setting yourself up for karmic hell if you work retail, but you don't have to be fair.

But I find the idea that you're going to Wal Mart and Best Buy because of bad customer service elsewhere really funny.

Jack

04-24-2008, 03:56 PM

I have absolutely no intention of going near a specialised game retailer on the day of release. After work me and my mate Jamesie will head up to my local Blockbusters which will probably have it but if not there's another few places to go to. Like I said I scored Halo 3 for £35 pound doing this so I think I'm in with a chance.

Assuming that's a good price for the UK (I have no idea and can't be bothered to do the conversion rate :D), you actually have stores which offer discounts on video games on or near their release dates? Wow.

PyroGod

04-24-2008, 04:08 PM

Yeah, from what I've heard the employees have to (each) sell a certain amount of pre-orders a month, or they can lose their job. This is because the head-office apparently demands that they get a certain amount of pre-orders every month.

Now, I've never worked there, but that's what I've heard, and it fits with what I've experienced.

This, I am telling you right now, is a stone cold, fact. In the backroom, there is a whiteboard and/or printout with everyone's preorder percentage, discount card / mag percentage, and product replacement plan percentage. Last I knew they were aiming at 5% for each of them. If you consistently go under, you'll either get fired or your hours will spiral into a land of nothingness.

Whenever I go there they bug me about pre-ordering a game as I browse. When I get to the counter they ask me. After they grab whatever game I'm looking for, they ask me. As I'm paying, they ask me. After I've paid, they ask me. And then, I can finally leave.

That is retarded. Back a few years ago when I worked there, I only asked once, and tried to customize it (i.e. someone is buying NBA 2007, "So, you got Madden preordered?").

Fine, you're right. You don't have to be fair to them. You're setting yourself up for karmic hell if you work retail, but you don't have to be fair.

But I find the idea that you're going to Wal Mart and Best Buy because of bad customer service elsewhere really funny.

I think it's shitty to blame the associates, but blaming Game Stop as an organization is so fucking reasonable it's scary. They have so many shitty policies.

Jack

04-24-2008, 04:10 PM

I think it's shitty to blame the associates, but blaming Game Stop as an organization is so fucking reasonable it's scary. They have so many shitty policies.

Agreed. I often think my local store is good in spite of the company and not because of it.

PyroGod

04-24-2008, 04:22 PM

Agreed. I often think my local store is good in spite of the company and not because of it.

Yeah. That seems to be my experience. The quality of a Game Stop is inversely correlated with how much they let corporate get their evil mitts on the day to day workings.

One employee on another forum noted corporate made them change their highly effective sell pitch for the card just because (it was either to highly emphasize the discount, or the magazine, I don't remember which, and corporate made them do the opposite).

Garry G

04-24-2008, 04:24 PM

Assuming that's a good price for the UK (I have no idea and can't be bothered to do the conversion rate :D), you actually have stores which offer discounts on video games on or near their release dates? Wow.

It was £5 cheaper than buying it pre-ordered from Game which would work out about $10 cheaper in the US. I picked it up at 4pm on day of release and there were plenty there.

I'm another one who, whilst enjoying the hype, is going to buy it because of the quality of the previous games. That it originated in Dundee helps as well though.

Jack

04-24-2008, 04:27 PM

One employee on another forum noted corporate made them change their highly effective sell pitch for the card just because (it was either to highly emphasize the discount, or the magazine, I don't remember which, and corporate made them do the opposite).

My guess would be the discount. I like the magazine for the previews they sometimes have, but the discount and trade in value increase is what seems to me at least to be the better deal.

Jack

04-24-2008, 04:28 PM

It was £5 cheaper than buying it pre-ordered from Game which would work out about $10 cheaper in the US. I picked it up at 4pm on day of release and there were plenty there.

I'm another one who, whilst enjoying the hype, is going to buy it because of the quality of the previous games. That it originated in Dundee helps as well though.

That's so odd. Virtually nowhere I've ever been in the states does sales of big releases. Even around the holidays prices are generally about the same. A few weeks later you can sometimes find a sale but even then it's relatively rare.

Maggie

04-24-2008, 04:47 PM

That's so odd. Virtually nowhere I've ever been in the states does sales of big releases. Even around the holidays prices are generally about the same. A few weeks later you can sometimes find a sale but even then it's relatively rare.

But the UK charges exorbitant amounts for games, so it's not like they're really getting any boons.

Consider, http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product//B000FNDYWI/ref=br_fq_. Now realize that 1 jolly old pound is worth 2 bucks (http://www.xe.com/). Twenty dollars off of 100 dollars is still twenty dollars more than we're paying.

I'm generally a real meany and would say something like "haha, you don't like it, fix it," but this it's really just sad and I feel sorry for them. :(

Garry G

04-24-2008, 04:56 PM

But the UK charges exorbitant amounts for games, so it's not like they're really getting any boons.

Consider, http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product//B000FNDYWI/ref=br_fq_. Now realize that 1 jolly old pound is worth 2 bucks (http://www.xe.com/). Twenty dollars off of 100 dollars is still twenty dollars more than we're paying.

I'm generally a real meany and would say something like "haha, you don't like it, fix it," but this it's really just sad and I feel sorry for them. :(

You'll find that many shops will start at the £40, or $80, mark. I really don't expect to be paying more than £40 for the game.

Maggie

04-24-2008, 05:01 PM

You'll find that many shops will start at the £40, or $80, mark. I really don't expect to be paying more than £40 for the game.

That's still much more expensive than here. :(

Donald K.

04-24-2008, 07:38 PM

I haven't bought a video game in a big box retailer (like Freddie's) in a while, in part because they never stock the games that I want (you'll never find, say, Persona 3: FES in a Fred Meyer's unless you special order it, and I don't think they even do that - I'll bet a $5 gift certificate to either DriveThruRPG or Fred Meyer's - your choice - on it).Hmm. I don't like betting, but my Fred Meyer seems to kick your Fred Meyer's ass. I've never had a problem with them not having a game in stock. Hell, they had four copies of Guitar Hero 2 when Gamestop informed me that nobody in town had it, and if I didn't pre-order it I was out of luck.

Now, I realize that Guitar Hero 2 was a popular, mainstream game, so that's not quite the same thing, but I'm pretty sure that my Fred Meyer would have a copy of Persona 3 in. They've had every game I've looked for so far.

Unfortunately, even if I didn't dislike betting, I don't have any money to spare on it right now.

Also, pretty sure that if I asked them to order a game, they would.

I'll go in tomorrow and see if they have any though. If they do, I'll take a picture with my phone.

Just to be totally clear though, I'm not betting goods on it. I will, however, change my avatar and title to something of your choosing if I'm wrong, for two weeks.

Edit -Uh-oh. I didn't realize this just came out. I might be in some trouble here. Oh well, we'll see.

Mostlyjoe

04-24-2008, 07:53 PM

I just miss the days of EB Games and Gamestop. They had to compete. It was awesome. Now it's Gamestop vs Walmart. Godzilla vs Mothra. It' sucks.

Olive

04-24-2008, 07:58 PM

You think you've got problems? The Aussie dollar is at 95c US at the moment - and we're paying A$120 for it! Plus it's edited and they won't say what they took out.

So I ordered mine from Hong Kong - $65 delivered.

Quasar

04-24-2008, 09:21 PM

Plus it's edited and they won't say what they took out.

One cut scene. At least thats what take 2 Australia supposedly has said, and apparently Rockstar took it out before even submitting it for rating (I guess to speed up the process).

Beri

04-24-2008, 09:57 PM

Overstock.com?
Cheap, fast shipping, save a buck on the game itself, and don't have to even look at a GameStop?

Durandal

04-25-2008, 12:08 AM

It may well be the first GTA I actually pick up on any system. Not that I've never liked them but I never get around to the storyline and end up spending all my time wandering around blowing stuff up and getting into trouble.

Murazor

04-25-2008, 12:21 AM

It's interesting how that is the sentiment of so many people I know who have played the others and enjoyed them.

"Hype? There's hype...I haven't noticed, I just had my preordered months ago because I love the series."

Well... yes. I have played GTA1 and all the three GTA3s, so I'm not a hard sell.* But innovation is cool, and I became more sold after reading about the new things they're doing; all the stuff aiming to make the world feel more alive and immersive.

*This is the first in the series I'll actually buy, though.. :o

Olive

04-25-2008, 01:00 AM

One cut scene. At least thats what take 2 Australia supposedly has said, and apparently Rockstar took it out before even submitting it for rating (I guess to speed up the process).

My understanding is that the cut scene was a rumour rejected by Rockstar, at least that's what Kotaku said after they printed the rumour. The Taking it out before they submitted it is confirmed.

I don't care about the censorship per se. More that we don't know what it is. But mostly, I care about the $120 price tag.

Jack

04-25-2008, 02:04 AM

Well... yes. I have played GTA1 and all the three GTA3s, so I'm not a hard sell.* But innovation is cool, and I became more sold after reading about the new things their doing; all the stuff aiming to make the world feel more alive and immersive.

*This is the first in the series I'll actually buy, though.. :o

I distinguish between that and "hype" though. Telling me about new features is...telling me about new features. Talking about how this is coolest thing ever and its so fantastic and telling me about new features is telling me about new features while hyping.

Doing it instead of telling me about new features is hyping.

At least that's me. :) YMMV.

Quasar

04-25-2008, 02:18 AM

It may well be the first GTA I actually pick up on any system.

So I'm not the only one. Huzzah.

I'm not sure why I never played or had any interest before. Part of it might have been subject matter (typically I'd much rather had played a cop in that setting). Not being a console player might have also been an issue (and the lack of promotion of the PC versions).

Juriel

04-25-2008, 03:32 AM

I'm actually pondering whether to go buy the game at Monday midnight, since I've wanted to participate in a communal thing like that for ages, queueing for a game. :D

Would feel silly to do it for a game I'm not THAT intrigued by, just vaguely interested, though, just so I could grin at americans who are a few hours late for everything.

Maggie

04-25-2008, 04:33 AM

Would feel silly to do it for a game I'm not THAT intrigued by, just vaguely interested, though, just so I could grin at americans who are a few hours late for everything.

Surely Finland can't be that crappy.

Juriel

04-25-2008, 04:54 AM

Surely Finland can't be that crappy.
Of course not, as we're in the FUTURE.

Although there've been a few comments about how it seems there may be problems with the number of PS3 copies of GTA4 available at launch here...

Murazor

04-25-2008, 03:40 PM

I distinguish between that and "hype" though. Telling me about new features is...telling me about new features. Talking about how this is coolest thing ever and its so fantastic and telling me about new features is telling me about new features while hyping.

Doing it instead of telling me about new features is hyping.

At least that's me. :) YMMV.

But but... if you don't tell me about new features or anything about the game, there's ... nothing left except hot air and empty words! Why would that convince anyone to buy something? :confused: :confused: ;)

But jokes aside, I think you have an overly strict definition of hype. Most if not all publicity about a game not yet released can be counted as hype, even and especially stories about features that are supposed to be in the finished game. Media push = hype.

Quasar

04-25-2008, 04:56 PM

I distinguish between that and "hype" though. Telling me about new features is...telling me about new features. Talking about how this is coolest thing ever and its so fantastic and telling me about new features is telling me about new features while hyping.

Doing it instead of telling me about new features is hyping.

At least that's me. :) YMMV.

Yeah. In some cases its just come to mean hyping for me. The hyping of certain techs in Force Unleashed being a prime example. It has me rolling my eyes whenever the LucasArts being start running at the mouth talking about euphoria and whatever that other one was.

Jack

04-26-2008, 05:11 AM

But but... if you don't tell me about new features or anything about the game, there's ... nothing left except hot air and empty words! Why would that convince anyone to buy something? :confused: :confused: ;)

But jokes aside, I think you have an overly strict definition of hype. Most if not all publicity about a game not yet released can be counted as hype, even and especially stories about features that are supposed to be in the finished game. Media push = hype.

I can go the other way and say your definition is too loose. If it's by all accounts in the finished game and the features are reported more or less accurately then its a preview. It might also be hype, or have some hype, but it's quite the same.

I think there's some crossover between hyping and previewing, but I do think they are different things. For example, though I like his games, Peter Molyneux tends to hype. He usually does it in the form of a somewhat informative preview but its still very hype heavy.

Or to use comics as another example: Telling me Chuck Dixon is back on Nightwing and writing a story that handles Dick's early career in the costume and showing me some sample art is a preview. And interview with Dixon saying how it felt to be returning to the book and what he'd like to do is also a preview.

A long rambling interview gushing over Dixon as the guy who helped define the character as a solo hero and how he's going to revolutionize the way we look at the character is hype. A scathing piece by a Devin Grayson fanboy "slyly" taking shots at Dixon's old work on the book, his politics, and trying to complain about stuff before it even comes out is also hype...just fan-produced anti-hype.

Both of those types of hype are why I don't as a rule go to Newsarama for comics and related reasons are why I don't put much stock in the obligatory "this game seems to be shaping up well we're looking forward to it" statement at the end of every gaming preview ever. That said, I will look at previews for actual previews and in the better written publications you can find them. Is there hype? Well, sure. But there is a difference between the two.

ghost whistler

04-26-2008, 05:27 AM

Well I'm gutted really, no one seems to be selling to people who didn't pre order. 'Limited stock' - yeah right, in the plastic age as well where it costs tuppence to make a disc!

Jack

04-26-2008, 05:33 AM

Well I'm gutted really, no one seems to be selling to people who didn't pre order. 'Limited stock' - yeah right, in the plastic age as well where it costs tuppence to make a disc!

It still costs a bit more to ship, package, and distribute. And while they don't often do a great job at it, companies have to guess at demand and balance that vs. visibility of their product and overstocking and how it leads to long term sales dips and the rather sad fact that a notable number of folks tend to judge quality by scarcity.

So if every chain had tons of copies you'd likely see a sales dip as folks who thought about buying and whose buying was anticipated walked in and saw a bunch of copies and said "well, if there are that many it must not be good! I won't buy!"

And yes, that is rather stupid in a lot of cases, but it happens.

nonsense

04-26-2008, 05:38 AM

And yes, that is rather stupid in a lot of cases, but it happens.

Hereabouts, stores have taken to keeping all their copies behind the desk, in crates, in the back, etc. and only putting Yes-We're-Selling-This empty cases on the shelves. Presumably, it's mostly an anti-theft measure, but I wonder if this might have anything to do with it.

Jack

04-26-2008, 05:49 AM

Hereabouts, stores have taken to keeping all their copies behind the desk, in crates, in the back, etc. and only putting Yes-We're-Selling-This empty cases on the shelves. Presumably, it's mostly an anti-theft measure, but I wonder if this might have anything to do with it.

I suspect it might be at least a consideration. It would make sense. I kinda like that tactic anyway since I don't have to hunt for the game I can just head to the counter and buy....which now that I think on it is also probably a reason why they do that.

Phantom Stranger

04-26-2008, 08:33 AM

Well I'm gutted really, no one seems to be selling to people who didn't pre order. 'Limited stock' - yeah right, in the plastic age as well where it costs tuppence to make a disc!

Y'know, the HMV near me is still taking preorders. And guaranteeing to fill them on a £10 deposit. The UK is not, one would presume, as short-shipped as you're worrying.

I'll be picking it up around Thursday, myself. Tuesday I have work all day then a game all evening, no point grabbing it then. Thursday my working week ends and I can settle down to it.

ghost whistler

04-26-2008, 09:17 AM

Y'know, the HMV near me is still taking preorders. And guaranteeing to fill them on a £10 deposit. The UK is not, one would presume, as short-shipped as you're worrying.

I'll be picking it up around Thursday, myself. Tuesday I have work all day then a game all evening, no point grabbing it then. Thursday my working week ends and I can settle down to it.
Well I'm only reporting what i was told. I spoke to the local shops and they all have no idea when they wwill be getting more stock and what they do have covers only their preorders.

Donald K.

04-26-2008, 12:15 PM

I'll go in tomorrow and see if they have any though. If they do, I'll take a picture with my phone.

Just to be totally clear though, I'm not betting goods on it. I will, however, change my avatar and title to something of your choosing if I'm wrong, for two weeks.Didn't make it yesterday, but I went in today. No copies. :(

I would like to state, however, that this is the first time they haven't had a game I was looking for.

Anyway, as I said, you can pick my avatar and user-title for two weeks starting whenever you decide.

Bignose

04-26-2008, 12:26 PM

Didn't make it yesterday, but I went in today. No copies. :(

I would like to state, however, that this is the first time they haven't had a game I was looking for.

Anyway, as I said, you can pick my avatar and user-title for two weeks starting whenever you decide.

Donald, chill out. It's out on Tuesday.

Donald K.

04-26-2008, 12:58 PM

Donald, chill out. It's out on Tuesday.Not GTA, Persona 3. I know GTA isn't out yet.

Sorry, that was a bad quote-job. I was responding to Count_Zero, who I'd made a bet with.

Garry G

04-26-2008, 01:30 PM

Well I'm only reporting what i was told. I spoke to the local shops and they all have no idea when they wwill be getting more stock and what they do have covers only their preorders.

Keep the faith mate. I'll drop by Toys'R'Us and see if it's there then try the Tescos and Blockbuster. The whole preorder thing is generally hype so I remain confident.

Phantom Stranger

04-26-2008, 01:33 PM

Keep the faith mate. I'll drop by Toys'R'Us and see if it's there then try the Tescos and Blockbuster. The whole preorder thing is generally hype so I remain confident.

Hell, I'm confident I'll be able to find a copy on Thursday.

True Blue

04-26-2008, 01:36 PM

I'll be hitting up my local Wal-mart. "Supposedly" any Wal-marts open past 12am are required to have the game available for sale at midnight.

Supposedly.

Garry G

04-26-2008, 01:45 PM

Hell, I'm confident I'll be able to find a copy on Thursday.

What I find funny is that Game is probably the least likely shop to have it and probably the dearest.

Phantom Stranger

04-26-2008, 01:49 PM

What I find funny is that Game is probably the least likely shop to have it and probably the dearest.

Ghost Whistler and I have had this discussion before. I always recommend places like HMV (big stock, standard discount for new releases) and, if you can wait, Amazon or Play.com.

Bignose

04-26-2008, 01:52 PM

Not GTA, Persona 3. I know GTA isn't out yet.

Sorry, that was a bad quote-job. I was responding to Count_Zero, who I'd made a bet with.

Oops, sorry Donald! Good luck anyway.

Keep the faith mate. I'll drop by Toys'R'Us and see if it's there then try the Tescos and Blockbuster. The whole preorder thing is generally hype so I remain confident.

One of my Independant dealers told me he was having problems with short stock too but I think that may only be because everybody and their mum is going to be stocking this game. The other independant reckons he's getting loads and he's flogging them on Monday. Normally he does get everything early unless it's something that you actually want so I'll wait and see.

ghost whistler

04-26-2008, 02:13 PM

Keep the faith mate. I'll drop by Toys'R'Us and see if it's there then try the Tescos and Blockbuster. The whole preorder thing is generally hype so I remain confident.
That's great but I don't have any of those (except Tescoes who told me that didn't know whether they were getting it or not) locally. My choices are dominated by Game and Gamestation.

Whats the RRP? I'm also being told it's £45!!!

ghost whistler

04-26-2008, 02:16 PM

Ghost Whistler and I have had this discussion before. I always recommend places like HMV (big stock, standard discount for new releases) and, if you can wait, Amazon or Play.com.
depends where you live.

as i said, I won't be using Amazon at this stage. It's too late in the day. They won't have any in stock and knowing Amazon I'll be waiting even longer than normal.

I would normally agree that the preorder stuff is hype - it was for Halo 3. But GTA is a different matter altogether, this game really is in big demand and is the biggest release ever. Not even Halo comes close. It's probably only matched by the release of a console itself.

Murazor

04-27-2008, 02:53 AM

I can go the other way and say your definition is too loose. If it's by all accounts in the finished game and the features are reported more or less accurately then its a preview. It might also be hype, or have some hype, but it's quite the same.

I think there's some crossover between hyping and previewing, but I do think they are different things. For example, though I like his games, Peter Molyneux tends to hype. He usually does it in the form of a somewhat informative preview but its still very hype heavy.

(...)

Okay, that's fair. Some forms of hype are clearly more hyperbolic than others. And certainly; previews are a legitimate way to gain attention for games in production. But they can also be a very important part of the hype machine - the most important part in that they lend substance to the hype.

I don't believe we really disagree on this; I'm just more inclined to assess hype based on the degree of media content produced (by the game's PR people) rather than the kind of content.

lonegunman

04-27-2008, 04:19 AM

Kinda disappointed that there is no Split Screen for multiplayer. The wife and I play most games together (Halo 3, Army of Two, Gears of War), so being just one person per Xbox and multiplayer being only over Live is a little bit of a let down. However, seeing how complex it all is, and how much is going on in multiplayer, it's understandable that it doesn't crash the machine with just one player going, never mind two.

It's looking great though. The video review on IGN just about sold it for me.

Garry G

04-27-2008, 08:22 AM

That's great but I don't have any of those (except Tescoes who told me that didn't know whether they were getting it or not) locally. My choices are dominated by Game and Gamestation.

Whats the RRP? I'm also being told it's £45!!!

Where do you live?:eek:

I live in Dundee, a very small city in the NE of Scotland, and I have access to Game, Gamestation, HMV, Savvi, Toys'R'Us, Blockbuster, ASDA, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Woolworths and t'internet for my game buying needs. There are probably a couple of places I've forgotten as well. If you live in the country it may be awkward but you saying that you have access to a Game store implies that you might have access to others. You should have a nosey around at what shops might be accessible to you.

Rezolution

04-27-2008, 01:15 PM

I'll probably be getting it soon, though not right away. I'll be very eager to read the reviews of the first people that get it.

I am disappointed that they took out stuff I liked from previous games (no tanks or fixed-wing aircraft, and a more limited ability to change his appearance? come on!) and it sounds like they are moving the gameplay away from the traditional GTA style, but I still think it will be a game I enjoy.

durecellrabbit

04-27-2008, 01:46 PM

Where do you live?:eek:

I live in Dundee, a very small city in the NE of Scotland, and I have access to Game, Gamestation, HMV, Savvi, Toys'R'Us, Blockbuster, ASDA, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Woolworths and t'internet for my game buying needs. There are probably a couple of places I've forgotten as well. If you live in the country it may be awkward but you saying that you have access to a Game store implies that you might have access to others. You should have a nosey around at what shops might be accessible to you.

I wouldn't say Dundee has a good choice of games. The selection they have seems completely random at times.

Tohya the Witch

04-27-2008, 02:15 PM

Sadly I can't get it yet (No PS3 :( ), so I'm awaiting the doubtless forthcoming PC version :)

Garry G

04-27-2008, 02:54 PM

I wouldn't say Dundee has a good choice of games. The selection they have seems completely random at times.

I'm not quite sure what you mean. Can you mibbee elucidate a little?:confused:

durecellrabbit

04-27-2008, 03:18 PM

I'm not quite sure what you mean. Can you mibbee elucidate a little?:confused:

The shops hardly ever seem to stock the same game except for a few big releases. On release day only one shop will probably have what you want even Gamestation and Game tend to have different games. This is especially bad for DS games for some reason. Also Virgin Megastore and whatever it became have a random bunch of US imports for some reason.

Juriel

04-27-2008, 03:41 PM

Hmm, 22 hours to go...

I think being able to activate the cinematic view and slow down time in it has sold me on getting it. So shallow.

JonAcheson

04-27-2008, 03:43 PM

I'm picking it up at midnight on the 28th. I was wandering the mall and saw that Game Stop was doing a midnight release, and I said "Why not?"

This is the first midnight release I've ever gone to, it will be interesting to see what the crowd is like. I expect to be kind of bored waiting in line. I have the next day off, as I'm sure I will be getting to bed late.

I'm picking it up for the PS3.

Murazor

04-27-2008, 04:00 PM

Eurogamer's review is in (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=134493).

The reviewer had no problem filling three pages describing what's good, but clearly had a problem trying to find something to critisise. It has a little bit of pop-up, apparently.

10/10

1 May is a day off. I don't think I'll be spending it marching for workers' rights.

Garry G

04-27-2008, 04:13 PM

The shops hardly ever seem to stock the same game except for a few big releases. On release day only one shop will probably have what you want even Gamestation and Game tend to have different games. This is especially bad for DS games for some reason. Also Virgin Megastore and whatever it became have a random bunch of US imports for some reason.

Hence my recommendation of all the alternate stores. Loads of shops have what you want as long as you look further than the Marketgate.

Bigwood

04-27-2008, 04:25 PM

I'll be getting it Tuesday, and I am frustrated for I am closing on a house on Wednesday and moving in Thursday. So yeah, I'll be setting up the entertainment center right quick.

Menteroso

04-27-2008, 05:32 PM

According to amazon, my copy will be here friday.

of course, i will be working until at least next friday. out of town. away from my 360. dagnabbit.

ghost whistler

04-27-2008, 11:47 PM

Hence my recommendation of all the alternate stores. Loads of shops have what you want as long as you look further than the Marketgate.
I intend to ring around today to see what the state of play is in the non-Game high street. However their prices are usually worse than Game's!

I've no desire to spend tomorrow traipsing around on buses trying to find a store to buy this one bloody videogame!

The whole thing is crazy.

Juriel

04-28-2008, 03:24 AM

IGN video comparison of PS3 vs 360 version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqDVLa2bnLQ
(basically, no notable differences)

Mostlyjoe

04-28-2008, 03:38 AM

This upcoming Saturday...I'm inviting everyone to the 1st annual GTA Bar Fight. We all meet up, go to a local bar, get drunk as a skunk, and duke it out!

darktalon

04-28-2008, 03:49 AM

I can't see them having a problem with it myself. None of the other versions of GTA have discombobulated any UK retailers. And, as YerMum says, they all like making money and GTA IV will sell like hot cakes.

Yes. It happens now and again, but it tends to put people off refusing to stock a game on moral grounds when they know they'll have questions like "how many millions did you throw away?" to answer at the next shareholders' meeting.

Cultist of Sooty

04-29-2008, 02:40 AM

I popped out and got it this morning. Oh, the time it took me! I had to go into, oh, it must have been at least one shop. And it took me getting on for four or five seconds to find a copy.

What with the shop being quite literally several yards out of my way, I reckon I spent probably a whole two minutes hunting for the bloody thing! Maybe even three! :eek:

What's wrong with these people to make it so difficult? :mad: I had to have a sit down to get over the ordeal.

Murazor

04-29-2008, 03:34 AM

What's wrong with these people to make it so difficult? :mad: I had to have a sit down to get over the ordeal.

I'll hazard a guess that the chair will be in front of the TV. And that you'll be holding a controller. Just for the comfort of it, of course ;)

Cultist of Sooty

04-29-2008, 04:12 AM

I'll hazard a guess that the chair will be in front of the TV. And that you'll be holding a controller. Just for the comfort of it, of course ;)
I'm heading for home in a couple of minutes, so I will be soothing myself with violence by about 1pm.

Jigglypuff

04-29-2008, 07:44 AM

I don't understand standing in line for hours. I had to goto the mall last night and what did I see a huge line of people standing outside gamestop at 7pm est!!! At 1145est I walked into walmart and there were 3 other people waiting for it. They had 180 copies, 90 xbox, 90ps3. I got my game and went on my merry way.

I have more trouble getting small time games then any big hype games. In fact I can't even remember the last time I didn't get a game on release day that I wanted to get that day. Sure I had Gamestop turn me away a few times for not preording, but walmart/target/bestbuy is just a few steps away.

nonsense

04-29-2008, 07:47 AM

Yep.

I stopped preordering a good long time ago, after realizing that it's never actually necessary. I'd much more happily wait a day or two and avoid the line-ups in any case, though I can't say I've really had much trouble with release-day purchasing lately (outside of the actual Wii console, which was, of course, an epic pain in the ass to get once upon a time).

durecellrabbit

04-29-2008, 08:19 AM

There were loads, so much for sold out.

Juriel

04-29-2008, 08:25 AM

I stopped preordering a good long time ago, after realizing that it's never actually necessary.
I never have preordered, exactly for that reason. There's always enough copies at a nearby store. Which is why I most vehemently would never preorder online - pay for the priviledge of likely getting the game later than others? Doesn't seem that peachy.

Anyway, I did go to a midnight selling of the game, because I'd never been to one. Wanted to see what people there were, though the only amusing part was the only women in the group being a young boy's mother and her friend, there to get him the game. I did talk to two guys as we waited (didn't take that long) and was out after exchanging gamertags.

Garry G

04-29-2008, 10:04 AM

I intend to ring around today to see what the state of play is in the non-Game high street. However their prices are usually worse than Game's!

I've no desire to spend tomorrow traipsing around on buses trying to find a store to buy this one bloody videogame!

The whole thing is crazy.

I got mine in Woolworths for £40 which was £5 less than in Game. Wasn't any real trouble as the Kiwigirl nipped out and picked it up during her lunch break.

Phantom Stranger

05-01-2008, 04:49 AM

And having posted all that time ago that I was confident there'd be copies to get today, an update:

There were copies to get today. Not in HMV (though apparently a lot of preorders still haven't been collected there) but elsewhere.

Jorjowsky

05-01-2008, 01:39 PM

I've preordered my copy (X360 version for those who care) and I'll be picking it up on monday the 5th of May, about a week after the release, and just at the start of an off-work week for me. :D

I'm a serious GTA fan, and this one looks like it's going to be the best yet... by a biiiig margin. :)
Well, at the end I couldn't resist and picked my preorder up wednesday morning at EB games... they price-matched with BigW's $78, which made the purchase ever so sweeter. :D

The verdict? It is, indeed, the best GTA ever. And I've loved every GTA so far. :)

Have to go to work now. But I do get a week off next week, and there's gonna be a lot of GTA-lovin' in this house. :)