GTA V on Xbox 360: "For Optimal Performance Don't Install Play Disc Data" says Rockstar

Gamers who will be getting GTA V on Xbox 360, Rockstar Games has an important message for you.

[retrofly]

Say whaaaaat.

[DxTrixterz]

Usually for all of games, developers RECOMMEND to install games on HDD. I don't care what they say I will fully install my GTA5 on my Xbox 360 HDD as I do not want my precious GTA5 to get scratched and maybe it will even fix some of the pop ins people has been saying the game have.

[retrofly]

There must be an issue with installing the disc that makes the game worse or breaks something.

Whatever it is they said they'll have more information at launch.

Very strange.

[Spinal]

Hmm... strange request, but i'll still be installing to the hard drive. I don't want the loading times hampered by reading the disc.

[Adexus]

That's what causes severe pop ins, I assume it's because you have to install a mandatory 8GB to the HDD and if you install the second disc the HDD is doing double the work and can't keep up, hence it being far worse, I've been running it off disc and it's been running absolutely fine.

[DARK WITNESS]

my guess would be for them to say something like this they are aware of some of the issues that have come up in the leaked videos which is why they are saying to play it like this.

[dmeador]

Haha. Yeah, bc you know better then the people who made the dang game. Why would they have any reason to tell you something that would make you like their product less? Shouldn't get scratched bc it shouldn't ever come out of your 360 :)

[fossilfern]

Its probably to do with caching data on drive. If you have the hard drive reading and caching it can slow things down. Thats what im guessing anyway.

[Tskales]

That's bullshit.

So i have to put up with my 360 sounding like a helicopter if i want to play the game?

[hankmoody]

Dude. If Rockstar themselves are advising against it, why in God's name would you do the exact opposite?

[bulleteddy]

Wow, now I see why so many people have bricked consoles.If the MAKERS of the game, say to not install it on the HDD and yet people do despite the clear warning, those are idiots in action.

"We've lived through tornados befo' and no sir we aint 'vacuatin' no matter what the gov'ment sayz."

"I've installed games to my HDD befo' and yes sir I'm gonna install this one too, I don' cur what the game manufacturer says."

Same difference.

[ThanatosDMC]

The pop ups are really bad. Just check out the jet video someone uploaded. I mean, you could kill youself because the damn skyscrapers havent loaded yet but you'll hit an invisible wall.

[crxss]

it's just like skyrim was, game looked better without installing

[Kleptic]

I don't think this is something that is going to destroy the 360...its just the way the asset streaming works...

Both consoles can simultaneously stream data from two sources...the optical drive, and the HDD...while both consoles do not have particularly fast or modern HDD's or optical drives (speed wise), 2 sources can in some cases be better than one...

thats all this is about...looks like, with the release code, having everything on a 360's HDD and not using the disc maxes out the bandwidth of the HDD in some cases...so delays on LOD...while using the play disc, it doesn't happen...

choice is yours...

[fattyuk]

@DxTrixterz

"do not want my precious GTA5 to get scratched"

Blu ray says hi

[jatakk]

Installing to a USB flash drive appears to eradicate the performance issues found when both discs are installed to the Xbox 360 hard drive.

http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

[JohnS1313]

Maybe the graphics look better if you use the DVD. They must not install the best graphics on the hard drive so it doesn't take too much space. Maybe they should give options on how much space to use and how good you want the graphics.

[gaffyh]

The game is probably coded to cache data to the HDD, so if you install it to the HDD, it is reading and writing from the same source, so might be slower than if you just run from the disc. I think Halo 3 was similar to this as well? Can't remember exactly, but I remember it was either that or ODST.

[pinkyxyz]

considering they are the developer in question, why wouldn't you follow their recommendations?

[HurtfulTimez]

Sigh... Some people just do not listen do they? Well I hope u continue to ignore their advice and hope your machine breaks as a result of your ignorance.

[mcstorm]

I remember this being said about halo 3 that the game works better from the DVD than the HDD.

[Danniel1]

Yeah that's a sensible attitude mate, they have specifically told you how to enhance the performance of the game and you are going to purposefully ignore it.

[BlackTar187]

Dr,

you deserve the ignoramus award.
"Usually for all of games, developers RECOMMEND to install games on HDD. I don't care what they say I will fully install my GTA5 on my Xbox 360 HDD as I do not want my precious GTA5 to get scratched and maybe it will even fix some of the pop ins people has been saying the game have. "

Lol this is absurd sounding. The 8 people who agreed with you OMG

[No_Limit]

@jatakk

Great link to the USB installation solution. I will be putting my Disc 2 on my 16gb USB drive and problem solve. No high nosie and save wear and tear on the disc. Ingenious solution. Cant wait to play this tomorrow.

[Haki1112]

I Did I have no problems with mines

[HardcoreGamer]

damn some people living in the past, i have over 80 ps3 games and i have non of them scratchd, heck iv even thrown them around a little. because blur ray ownz , new tech baby, dvd is soo old

[-SIXAXIS-]

You do realize that the reason they load the other disc on HDD is to allow it to load from DVD and HDD at the same time right? Putting them both on HDD slows it down by half and will cause pop-ins, loading, etc.

[Gamer1982]

This is because it reads the map already from install disc so installing makes it read from 2 separate parts of the HDD. It's possible to do obviously its a HDD however your gonna get slowdowns because the maps already running from the HDD, when you add the game on top of that as well you run into problems. HDD installs work great for single disc games or games where you have to physically swap the discs but you should never use them for install based games like GTA V. Also if you care that much about scratched discs you should have gone PS3 blurays are a damn sight harder to scratch (not impossible)thanks to their scratch-proof layer. Oh and don't stand your 360 up that helps.

[harrisk954]

Ummmm... ok.... well, I guess if the *DEVELOPERS* are recommending it, I would ABSOLUTELY ignore the advice... I mean, what would R* know about the game anyway?? /s

I just don't understand some people. I guess you know better than the people who created the game. Obviously, there is an issue with installing the game disc.

[DeadlyFire]

They will patch up any issue with the install.

[JackVagina]

^^^^ Are yous crazy?

If Rockstar says don't install it, then don't...

[MestreRothN4G]

I played with it installed. Runs very nice. Could be better? IDK. The worst problem I had was with pop ups, about which I don't mind at all.

That said, there's another problem: X360 disc reader is WAY TO EFFIN LOUD. It's been years since I played a game not installed and I don't intend to do it again. At least while the console is in the same room as I am.

[Blaze929]

Since the entire disc 2 is installed to the HDD and used, streaming disc 1 at the same time would probably crash the thing

[showtimefolks]

install the 2nd disk but don't install the game disk, RS are working on it

its a huge game guys, have some patience. I only have ps3 but i don't think not being able to install the game disk is a huge issue

as long as you get to play the game

some of the comments are pathetic, i am a sony\/ps brand fan but that doesn't mean i should be happy when a game has some issues on xbox360. its pathetic that some of you can only get happy when other gamers on other consoles are having issues

nothing wrong with supporting sony like i do but don't hate on competition, because without it we won't see companies try as much

[3-4-5]

IT runs better with it NOT installed.

[kraigslist_killa]

So wait....there are two disk? I thought multiple disc was a last generation thing...im confused.

[Hellsvacancy]

I wonder if the people who leaked the gameplay clips had it installed

[Queasy]

Considering that many of those were probably illegally downloaded copies, probably all of them.

[porkChop]

The game didn't get leaked on torrent sites until after the gameplay had been posted online. Some even showed the game case in their videos.

[THamm]

They could do it either way. Even with the copied disc, they could install it on the hdd just like a regular copy or play it off the disc. Others can simply play it off a usb thumb drive or install off an external drive.

[ramiuk1]

most jtag these days dude,very little still use disc

[ThanatosDMC]

They probably had to. There's torrents out all ready for the game.

[Jubez187]

Game shoulda just been PS3 exclusive. 360 too outdated to be running games like this tsk tsk

[Queasy]

PS3 requires a hard drive install too, genius.

[eldeladi]

PS3 has bluray so doesn't need install since the whole game can be loaded from BD as you play. 360 has DVD small size, plus not guaranteed HDD on every console to install 2nd disk.

[Software_Lover]

@Eldeladi

Blu-ray has nothing to do with HDD streaming. You guys just spout out everything you hear or read. I guess Kojima needs to redo MGS4 because you know that game had installs?

[Queasy]

@eldeladi: Try again, genius.

http://www.rockstargames.co...

"In order to provide the best possible experience for such a massive and detailed world, the game will have installation requirements on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation®3 systems..

For PlayStation®3, the game ships on one disc and will install content as soon as you insert the game. The install is roughly 8GB, and players will be able to play as soon as the install is complete."

[danowat]

PS3 has a 8500mb MANDATORY install........

[hankmoody]

PS3 needs an install as well, you goon.

[Gr1mmyshadows]

some idiots say things just to say it.

[okmrman]

i just have to lol

[No_Limit]

smh. Not another one.

[KRUSSIDULL]

Microsoft said the same things about Halo 3 when we were able to install games. Halo 3 used the Harddrive for cache or something.

[My_Name_BTW_Is_Dante]

For Optimal Performance wait for the PC version.

[MasterCornholio]

I thought they only discovered code for the PS4 version not the PC version.

Motorola RAZR i

[steve30x]

They discovered code for PC version too and Nvidia said that the PC version is coming too

[CalamityCB]

In the code it said "ORBIS" and "PC".

[Kleptic]

^ha yeah Nvidia blew that one...listed it on an open investor conference call a few weeks ago...

rest assured...PC version, as well as next gen console versions, are coming...just a matter of how soon...

[porkChop]

@steve30x

What I find interesting about that is that they found code for PS4 and PC, but not the Xbox One apparently.

Even though they found the code, that doesn't necessarily mean that GTA V will be released on next gen. It's extremely likely, and I do expect them to, but it could just mean that the latest version of RAGE is next gen ready.

[Gamer1982]

Yeah it loks like its been in production for the PS4 from when it was still called the ORBIS so no doubt they are working on it and have for a while and PC codes been found, not to mention the nvidia leak. No Xbox leak yet though it will probably come but rockstar owe Sony right now for a game so maybe they could change that deal to timed exclusive for next gen? As they are gonna get the bulk of sales from current gen anyway and porting from ps4/pc to xbone shouldn't take too long.

[Count]

It's a shame not everyone can afford a PC.

[ion666]

alot of ppl dont understand there are bills to be paid in the wack ass real world.damn i got save for 400 bux let alone a p.c. gaming rig.

[porkChop]

That is true, though you really don't need a top end rig. If you already have a decent monitor (720p+), keyboard, mouse (1600dpi+), case (f/r fans) etc, then you could get a pretty good gaming PC for about $400 to $500. It is worth it to get a gaming PC in addition to a console, there's lots of great exclusives on PC just as there are on PS/XB.

Building your own PC probably sounds very difficult and complicated, but it's actually really simple to put it together. There are some really great, easy to understand tutorials on YouTube that will show you how to put it together fairly easily.

[Gamer1982]

PCs are cheaper than next gen consoles especially over a 10 year period. So if you can afford ps4/xbone you can afford a gaming PC. As you only gotta add up console premium on games, replacement console over the 10 years and xbl/ps+ and PS4/xbone goes well over £1000 buying only 3-4 games a year.

[DxTrixterz]

Optimal Performance? PC version? Not to be rude but have you ever played GTA IV on PC? I really hope PC version comes out eventually but please Rockstar optimise GTA V better this time. GTA IV was very badly optimised and back in the 2008-09 you needed a monster PC to run that thing.

[steve30x]

Yes I have GTA IV on PC and it plays perfectly on my three year old hardware. The only thing I've updated is my graphics card which is a GTX680.

[boing1]

And wait another year for that gameplay awesomeness that is available today?? Hell no!!

[KonsoruMasuta]

The PC version of GTA 4 was poorly optimized. If this is anything like that, I'll get it on consoles.

[MxRBrobaFett]

I'll think about that while I'm playing it in 4 hours

[Starbucks_Fan]

Does anyone know if this will be on Games on Demand soon for XBL?

[dvfaa]

Judging by this article, it may be a long while before it is released On Demand since they have to optimize it to be read completely off of the hard drive

[ramiuk1]

well preorders are available on demand so im unsure what the issue is.

if R* are saying only install 1 disc for better performance ,then what about the people who download it over live or psn

[okmrman]

the way on demand works and disc based games work are a whole different folder structure.

[JohnS1313]

There isn't a problem with the PSN version. Rockstar was only talking about the 360 version.

[Gamer1982]

Yeah its not gonna be on demand thanks to this issue. I doubt it will be cleared up either as they will be too busy right now either fixing initial bugs or getting the next gen versions ready.

[Golden_Mud]

This is not the real Rockstar Games twitter

[Kryptix]

"Official Rockstar Games technical support on Twitter. Also check out our support site and knowledge base for answers."

With 33,000+ followers.

It's one of their Twitter accounts.

[Nintenja]

They are talking about a specific disc. So I am guessing there is an option for a partial install. If that is the case it lets the console get data from the disk and hard drive simultaneously.

For example rather than try to funnel all the graphics and audio from the the hard drive. You ca pull the graphics data from the hard drive, store sound FXs as needed from the disc to the RAM and buffer the radio station from the disc.

[Fasttrack76]

Ssshhhhhhhh eldilaid, your make us look stupid, I'm ps3 and we do have to instal 8gb worth, check before u comment

[Fasttrack76]

@ eldilaid. Ssshhhhhhhh eldilaid, your make us look stupid, I'm ps3 and we do have to instal 8gb worth, check before u comment

[Muigi]

Good thing I got it on ps3.

[llMurcielagoll]

TOMORROW Y U NO COME QUICKER!

[RE_L_MAYER]

Dont do it-they wont just say that out of their ass-they must have a reason

[dyolF]

"For Optimal Performance Don't Install Play Disc Data"

I guess the system is reading game files from HDD and DVD/BD at same time making loading times shorter

[Animal Mutha 76]

Whatever you say R*

No problem.

[brewskiebob]

oh glad i got the ps3 version

[FragMnTagM]

You literally have to do the exact same thing. Except on the PS3, the install disc is the play disc because Blu Ray holds more data.

You have a mandatory 8gb install just like the XBOX 360. The disc needs to load data along with the HDD same as the 360.

I'm guessing Rockstar didn't make an announcement about it because it didn't need to, as you don't need to change the disc after you install.

[JamieL]

Yeah the only REAL difference will be the 360 will be done installing it an hour before the PS3 will.

Edit: Man I feel bad for the PS3 only guys that have to wait for a 8GB install before they can even play it. That sucks, bad. I like my PS3 but I don't care what anyone says, it is so slow at this stuff. I get an update on the 360, I'll sit there and wait for it, most the time. I get the update message from the PS3 I start it and go find something else to do for a while.

[Hicken]

And thanks to it all being on one disc, there aren't the same issues the 360 version has. So...

[FragMnTagM]

@Hicken,

What? switching the disc one time is an issue?

[Hicken]

... I'm saying that the issue on 360 EXISTS because of the need for multiple discs. It's not something that's a problem for the PS3.

Yes, mandatory install and all that. Great. But the comment you responded to is someone glad they have the PS3 version, where this issue will not be a factor. Your response was about the installs, which isn't anything anyone can really argue with, but it's kinda irrelevant to what you're responding to.

[windblowsagain]

For optimal performance.

Buy the PS3 version.

i kid i kid.

[jackanderson1985]

digital foundry provided a decent explanation of it... check out eurogamer as i'm unsure if i can just post links to it here

[devwan]

linky:

http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

[jackanderson1985]

ha i knew the link but wasn't too sure on this place with posting links to outside sites not linked through N4G first... well there ya go people the link above

[BattleTorn]

WTF - optional disc installs are mention to make the run game run better!

Installing play discs usually saves the Xbox from noise, and heat.

Sounds like R* didn't optimize the Xbox 360 optional install, and thus are having HHD reading issues.

This is just like when Skyrim came out, and Bethesda said only Xbox 360 WITH disc installed were having texture loading issues. And then a month later they improved it, and told everyone to opmtimally install the play disc for the best experience.

I smell a patch.

[frankiebeans]

cant believe how stupid people are on this site I mean seriously people its coming from R* say DO NOT INSTALL THE GAME FOR OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE and you have stupid people here saying im still going to be installing the game....I mean seriously were you people dropped on your head at birth?

[BattleTorn]

I will install the game, after R* says it's OK to.

Just like Skyrim's launch. Only Xbox 360's WITH disc installed had texture issues. (even tho the game was supposed to be optmized for HHD install)

Soon R* will announce, just like Bethesda did, that they've fix the HHD reading issues, and it's OK (and, once again, better) to install the 2nd play-disc.

Untill then, everyone listen to R* - don't install.

[JackVagina]

Digital Foundry has a explanation for this

"Now, there's absolutely nothing stopping you installing disc two - the 'play' disc - onto the hard drive too, using the Xbox 360's dashboard to do so. It takes up an additional 7.8GB of storage. However, doing so impacts the game's ability to stream texture data, resulting in regular pop-in of in-game objects and textures."

Full Article: http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

[KRUSSIDULL]

So downloadable version is inferior? They should warn people who is going for the downloadable version then.

[ziggurcat]

it might not even be an issue for the downloadable version...

[Gr1mmyshadows]

regardless we are all going to be to busy tomorrow playing this game and im sure we are all going to fap to it

[dazzrazz]

Just one of many reasons i can wait for this game on PS4

[CrossingEden]

People saying they are going to install it anyway should REALLY watch the video on the site. In fact, here it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[cyclindk]

Weird, considering even the slowest HDD is many fold faster than any optical disc drive... very odd indeed. Something messed up code-side surely.

[BattleTorn]

Yes, your spot-on correct. It is odd. But it just comes down to HHD reading optmization that hasn't been perfected.

In a month or so, R* will say that installing the game is now better.

[Kidmyst]

Surprised R* delivered a game with a big problem like this. Glad I got it for PS3 now.

[GTAallday]

Simple solution for 360 owners, buy the GTA PS3 bundle. :)

[steve30x]

I might just do that. Trade in my Xbox against it. I will be able to play GT6 too.

[steve30x]

I will install both disks and deal with the popups. I would rather deal with it than have a noisey Xbox360

[b-dash]

X-change

[fffan9391]

It should say "For optimal performance, play the PS3 version."

[jatakk]

Installing to a USB flash drive appears to eradicate the performance issues found when both discs are installed to the Xbox 360 hard drive.

http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

[HarryB]

Bottom line for optimum performance buy for ps3. Sounds easy for me.

[DxTrixterz]

My Xbox cause a lot of scratches on my game discs so I install all games that I currently play. So if I do not install GTA5 and my disc becomes totally broken and unplayable will Rockstar give me new copy because they told me not to install game on HDD?

[GiantEnemyCrab]

All the single player content is on Disc 1 so if you've installed that and are launching from Disc 2 you will not have any drive noise. Not sure about MP.

[Badassbab]

Just install the play disc on a flash drive and the install disc on the HDD and you'll be fine. No pop up, quicker loading, no noisy disc spinning...will be the best version since with no texture streaming issue PS3 version will lose it's main advantage while 360 version retains its advantages i.e has better graphics :-D (foliage, texture filtering, shadows).

Well...we will see in tomorrows DF face off which on is best.

[kingPoS]

GTA5 works best when streaming from both the HDD & optic drive.

It's as simple as.

[cunnilumpkin]

this game looks TERRIBLE on console

covered in jaggies, low res, tons of pop-in

I can wait for pc version!

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Here's our experience:

Xbox 360: Install disc + Play off disc two is the same as the installing on the PS3 and playing off that disc.

However with the PSN only digital version we noticed many of the same problems mentioned on the 360 version if you install both discs.

Finally if you install disc one on the 360 and disc two on a decent flash drive (over 8GB) that gives you the best performance out of all the available options.

[GAMExxOVER]

intstalling both discs to your 360 can over strain it and cause lag and close/slow object renders.

I saw a leaked video of a guy flying a jet over the city for GTA5 and saw how shitty the world rendering/popup distance was and thought it had to be some kind of GTA3 mod because the draw distance was so bad, trees and cars not rendering until they were maybe just a hundred yards away.
I guess this is why.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

It's a bottleneck issue which is why the PSN version has similar problems.

[GAMExxOVER]

Yes, that is exactly what I have come to understand. There is a massive amount of info that has to move in this game (Massive for consoles). And it is indeed a bottle neck issue. The game can move and process info faster by using the HDD and DVD drive at the same time to take in more info then having to wait on the HDD do all the work. The HDD is just not getting all the info to the Processor fast enough, so by installing disc 1 on hdd and letting DVD jump in to help out by playing disc 2 on it, And the game will run much better.

[misterssippi]

This is a Non-issue. Disc 1 clearly says install. Disc 2 clearly says Play. Its written on the frickin discs. Its not rocket science.

[romancer]

I haven't been able to find any reference to this issue at the Rockstar or Social Club site.

It seems odd to make this cautionary comment merely as a tweet.

[steve30x]

What I done is installed disk 1 on HDD and installed disk 2 on pen drive. I dont have any problems with popins or textures not loading and my Xbox 360 isnt loud

[GAMExxOVER]

As long as the HDD does not have to move all the info to the processor by itself, you should be good.

[GAMExxOVER]

A SSD would eliminate the issue all together.

[GAMExxOVER]

You can see the difference in these 2 videos, the first you do not see any pop ins. the second you can see how cars and full textures and some objects to not become visible until the player gets close to them, especially at end of video you can see how highway is empty then suddenly cars pop in.
1. HDD and DVD together
2. both discs installed to HDD so processor has to depend on speed of HDD alone to deliver the game info.

Ignore that one video is higher res on youtube.

1. http://www.youtube.com/watc...
great render distance

2. http://www.youtube.com/watc...
Bad render distance

Here is an even better video showing side by side the same scenes, one with play disc installed and one with it in DVD. Check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[Dfooster]

Probably because data from the game disk you installed is being streamed from the HDD at the same time as data from the DVD drive. If you install both disks, hence running both from the HDD it could slow the game down too much and cause performance issues.