GTA V is nice Rockstar, but what about AGENT?

Today is a big day for Grand Theft Auto but what about AGENT? Two and a half years ago AGENT was announced at Sony's E3 presentation. Now it's two and a half years later and on the official AGENT site there is still the image with 'coming soon' under it.

[omi25p]

Maybe its for next gen?

[Kingsora]

Well Sony is then suddenly quite ridiculous on the e3 stage.

[buddymagoo]

Didn't people think LA Noire was vapourware, then it popped out of nowhere. Don't worry R* like to play their cards close to their chest.

[RememberThe357]

I don't think anyone here thinks Agent is vaporware. The question is about timing. If they announced GTAV then they'll probably be aiming for a holiday 2012 release. With new connsoles supposedly due in 2013, why would Rockstar want to put a game on PS3 when the PS4 is close to launching around that time?

[raztad]

@above

Because PS3 installed userbase would be 60+ millions by the time the PS4 is released while PS4 one non existent?

I dont think Rockstar want their games to be launch titles. Less than a multimillion seller is failure for them.

[PhantomT1412]

Devil's Third, Insane and Rainbow 6 Patriots have all been announced (on Xbox 360 & PS3) for 2013 so we can assume this gen of console will last until that year.

[SoulramonNL]

It's announced for PS3 so..

[Laxman]

Duke Nukem Forever was announced as Nintendo 64 wasnt it?

Too Human was announced as PS1 with like 6 discs or something. Then PS2. Then Xbox. Then 360.

LA Noire was announced as PS3 exclusive.

Much like LA Noire, Agent is going to cost a ton of money to finish, so I could see Rockstar doing the same thing they did with LA, and finishing it off as a multi-plat to cover costs, because for a high profile game taking 5-6 years to make at one the industries top studios, it will end up having to be one of the PS3's best selling exclusives to make back its money. As much as I hate to see it happen so often, new IP's generally dont sell well.

[Lyr1c]

Sony was dissatisfied with LA Noire's production so they decided to strike a deal for Agent exclusivity, allowing LA Noire to go multiplatform.

Agent can NOT go multiplatform. It is bound by contract.

Unless that contract changes, it will never see another console.

[SoulramonNL]

It was a PS3 exclusive?

[PirateThom]

Yes, Rockstar North owe Sony a game due to their funding of LA Noire for most of its development.

[Kingsora]

Are you serious? So Sony payed partly for a 360 game...?

[red2tango]

Sony was supposed to publish it and put money into it's development. 360 development was added at Rockstar's cost.

[Thecraft1989]

Well its under question

when asked on wether or not Rockstar Games Agent is still a PS3-Exclusive. He instead say

“I’m not sure exactly where we’ll land on that, that’s more something for Rockstar to decide, but i’m sure we’ll have a great offering on Agent for Ps3″.

http://www.rockstarbase.com...

[BlackPrince 42]

The full story is this.

Originally Grand Theft Auto IV was a PS3 exclusive. But Microsoft was banging down their door with money and the costs for making the game were getting out of hand (100 million dollars).

In order to make money on GTA IV R* and Sony worked out a compromise. That was that a future R* game would be a Sony exclusive. That future game was either going to be LA Noire or Read Dead Redemption. But R* decided to make those multiplatform. In order to fulfill their contractual agreement with Sony, R* announced Agent as a PS3 exclusive.

To be completely honest though, it seems like R* is jerking Sony around. Three of their PS3 "exclusives" (GTA IV, LA Noire, RDR) have gone to, and sold better on, the 360. I don't know what was in that contract language, but it looks like as long as R* appears to be developing an exclusive that's all they need not to get sued for breach of contract.

Or Sony has no balls, that's possible too. There aren't many developers that can dictate terms to publishers, but R* certainly can.

Regardless, if Agent isn't vaporware, which it may not be since LA Noire wasn't, expect it to go multiplat unless some legal action is taken by Sony.

[kaveti6616]

I don't think RDR was ever going to be exclusive to PS3.

[jdfoster]

Wasn't 'The Agency' involved too? But that got cancelled to I remember.

[SonyStyled]

"I don't think RDR was ever going to be exclusive to PS3"

There was a title from R* code named "Old West Project" a good 4 years ago. Clearly it was the sequel to last generations Red Dead Revolver. At the time, early in its development, the PS3 was the only console it was in development for. Blackprinces story is accurate.

[SonyStyled]

@ jdfoster

The Agency, which is a totaly seperate game from Agent, was a first party title in development by Sony Online Entertainment for PC/PS3. It was cancelled a few months ago yes, but that has nothing to do with the Sony/R* fiasco

[forevercloud3000]

@Kingsora

Kind of. See the situation goes like this...
-Sony and Rockstar were under CONTRACT that they would get the next GTAIV exclusive, just as they had for every other entry(at least timed).
-Microsoft paid an unsurmountable sum in order to convince R* of breaking said agreement with Sony.
-Sony allowed the GTA to go MP but under the clause that R* owed them one exclusive title of equal calliber.
-That game was suppose to be LA Noire. Yet after GTA DLC did not make up enough profit to pay MS back for their "donation" of about 20mill in addition to what they already gave R* had to give up more. GTA DLC was made MP to recoup loss and LA Noire was deemed unfit of anymore funding from SOny due to...
-Sony put in upwards 60mill into LANoire or something, yet the game was still no where near finishing. I believe some other 3rd party publisher(cant remember) was suppose to take it but that was like another 10mill down the drain with no sign of recoup. TakeTwo decided to fund it themselves but development was in hell with bad time management assunder. R* put another pretty penny into the game, strong handing the entire team with supposed "slave laboring". Yet at this point this game needed to make a decent amount of sales so it was made MP.
-R* promised Sony a gem though so they then went into agreement for "AGENT".
-We have not heard about this game since original reveal but there are quite a few rumors. One being is that once again MS is trying to impede sony's progress by offering to pay R* SO MUCH MONEY that they will either not make it at all or make it MP. This is struggling with their business sense vs their belief that word is bond(all rumour of course).

[archemides518]

dude.......just forget it......like resident evil psp

[Commander_TK]

Yeah, what the fuck happened to that?

[gazgriff2k12]

think its the 3ds game now

[Pikajew]

It can always come to the PSvita

[SoulramonNL]

It's still a PlayStation exclusive if that is going to happen

[Ninver]

My thoughts exactly. GTAV is all good but i'd rather a ps3 exclusive.

[kaveti6616]

Why? So you can have something to gloat about and be "proud" of?

[Laxman]

Yeah I dont understand people who are proud of exclusive games either. Its like saying only a certain group of people can look at a great painting, or read a good book.

Games are a work of art, and the more people that get to experience the good ones, the better.

[BaneWilliams]

@Laxman I couldn't agree more. Due to financial issues, I couldn't get a PS3 until last year. I still am yet to play Uncharted 1 and 2, and I know that I will love them when I get to.

It's seriously a pity that it's an exclusive, if only for the fact that more people would get to enjoy the game itself, rather than the console its played on.

And then we wouldn't need to own two consoles just to play everything. I don't need a mac to play any 'apple exclusives' now do I?

[forevercloud3000]

because an exclusive game doesn't pander to the least common denominator, thats why.

[Lyr1c]

Exclusive titles receive more support. There's a greater chance of the game being top-quality.

[tehnoob3]

no because exclusive=more console sales= more developer support=more and/or better games

[kma2k]

Well its listed on gameflys website as a game & its in my q. Gamefly is anal about adddings games unless they know they are confirmed.

I am still excited as hell about agent! Come on R* giving us gta v & agent in the same year though would be insane!

[Mr_cheese]

I really can't see it happening, would be fantastic! but they've already potentially got GTA V and Max Payne for next yea. I reckon Agent will be announced when one of these release or close to it.

[Laxman]

Haha, you said anal.

[anonymous92348]

With long development time and Sony uncertain about whether Agent is still an exclusive or not it's pretty clear this title has become multi-platform.

[NiKK_419]

And THAT'S how you've come to that conclusion?

Below: That is possible. Because if GTA V was exclusive to the PS3 it would definitely sell a lot of PS3s, which would be an incentive for Sony to give R* even more money. But, I highly doubt that they would make GTA a Sony exclusive again.

[younglj01]

If GTA V looks that good think about how good AGENT is going too look.I think AGENT is still under development because Rockstar owns Sony atleast 1 exclusive.

But tha really kicker will be if GTA V is exclusive too tha PS3 and AGENT becomes multiplatform.

[gazgriff2k12]

not gunna happen

[ksense]

it is possible to be honest. rockstar might have said gta 5 is a known quantity and people will buy it no matter what. even if it is a ps3 exclusive majority will go out and buy a ps3 to play it. agent on the other hand is a new ip and it needs to be established so it needs to be multiplatform for the costs to be covered. i love when people keep saying their games sold more on xbox than on ps3 because there was a choice.... if there is no choice people would just buy the ps3 version or get a ps3 to play it and that is the power of GTA.

[younglj01]

I didnt say it would happen I said it might happen.No one including me knows what R* have planned for GTA V unless you can tell tha future...

[SDF Repellent]

Why the H*ll would Rockstar want to make one of the best selling, most popular franchise in the History of gaming a one platform exclusive even though it sold more on X360 and make them alot of money? Unless Sony threw in $100 million dollar and 2 real street hookers to R* to get exclusive rights, it is not going to happen.

The only reason that Grand Theft Auto 3 was console exclusive to Sony was due to the huge install base of the PS2 at that time compared to the other consoles at that generation. Even then it was only timed exclusive as the series made its way to the original Xbox as well.

@ksense - "i love when people keep saying their games sold more on xbox than on ps3 because there was a choice.... if there is no choice people would just buy the ps3 version or get a ps3 to play it and that is the power of GTA."

I am scratching my head right on your quote because it makes no common or economic sense. I can say the same about Call of Duty, Skyrim, etc..etc..

[younglj01]

If R* decided too release GTA V on PS3 only it would sell even more copies then GTA IV combine.GTA have one of tha best fanbase after MGS and GT.

You really think people wouldnt buy GTA V just because its on tha PS3.If GTA V was an 360 exclusive even I would buy an 360 just for that game.

[forevercloud3000]

its the egg and the chicken dilemma.Which came first?

Who is to say PS2 was not successful due to GTA games appearing solely on thier consoles first? Or was GTA sales so high simply because it was on the larger fanbase system?

FACT1: PS3 and 360 combined make up about 80 million consoles combined.
FACT2: PS2 sold upwards 140million
FACT3: GTA IV and GTA SA sold comparable, i think GTA IV just surpassed it in total sales though

So if the idea that install base somehow equals immediate fanbase, GTAIV should have sold a LOT less but its not true. The truth is that fanbase migrate and or stay as the franchise has taught them. If a game has been exclusive from jump, if it goes MP it will be larger on the console it was usually exclusive to. IE:Tekken, FFXIII,DMC4. GTA has always been timed exclusive to PS2,and 360 had the head start with more systems in homes than PS3 by a mile. Not to mention 360 ver was advertised as having massive exclusive dlc.

So in conclusion...
PS2 sold so well BECAUSE games like FF and GTA were always exclusive(or at least timed). There was nowhere else to go to get the biggest franchises in gaming rly. Naturally PS2 outsold competition. Yet Devs had to put faith in the console(cuz sony didn't pay them shit to do so then).

also
FACT: Making a game on a single console is cheaper than making a game on 2, just fact.

Basically what I am saying is GTA would have sold 20mill if it was Exclusive still, fanbase would have succumbed. AND the game would have overall cost less to make. The truth of the matter is this MP bs is MS scare propaganda to convince all these 3rd party to leave Sony exclusivity.(Although PS3's dificulty for devs to understand could have also played a part in it defecting at the time, still it was mostly the strong MS dollar that did it).

[kaveti6616]

Not much better.

Texture resolution is based on RAM. The 360 and PS3 both have about the same amount of RAM with the PS3 having it split which can cause problems.

Lighting-wise, I think you would see an improvement, though.

[BonhamZ0S0]

What about it?

[Laxman]

Where is it?

[LolololRumz]

Be pretty funny if Rockstar suddenly just did a U-Turn and GTA V became PS3 exclusive. Probably not going to happen but not having the consoles at the end of the trailer raises some supissions (Exclusive/Wii U/Next Gen)

Hate to say it but Agent has been under wraps too long :/ I think it's either on the waiting list or multi-plat

[Sgt_Slaughter]

Well, if you own both consoles, then you win either way.

[rattletop]

ahaha. when maxpayne 3 was revealed it was where the hell is GTAV. now that GTAV is revealed, -where the hell is Agent?. LOL

[Laxman]

People are never happy.

[Godchild1020]

Isn't this the same as when Square Enix announced FF13-2 and everyone asked where is versus 13?

For me it's a different story I'm waiting for Versus 13 and want it more than Agent, since I know more about Versus 13 than I do about Agent. That doesn't mean I won't buy Agent when it releases.

[Adolph Fitler]

Agent is not what Rockstar want to show to blantantly be c%ckheads & undermine what minimal media hype & attention THQ were managing to garner with Saints Row 3.......all I know is that I had a lot of respect for Rockstar until they decided to be complete wankers & spoil Saints Row 3's parade, when THQ are up against it enough, as merely being competition to GTA is a David & Goliath-esque contest, & when Rockstar use bullying tactics like this, to steal the thunder of THQ's upcoming game, when there own game is obviously 1-2 years away, at least, just shows that they are either insecure a-holes, or just enjoy making fun, poking the ribs, purple nurpling, or wedgying there only competition (if you could call it that, as GTA really has no competition, as sales no's compared to one another show that Saints Row has laughable, horrendous sales no's, as opposed to the big boy of open world games).

So seing as Saints Row is the only game franchise that is remotely considered as competition to GTA, there really is no competition, as Saints Row get sat on, squished, rolled up into a little heap, & thrown against a wall by Rockstars franchise, in EVERY area, except FUN of course, but who gives a crap about fun anymore hey, certainly not reviewers, previewers & most all game sites & mags as evidenced by the fact that GTA4 can get the perfect score on darn near every site, mag & such, as well as media coverage & hype when any bit of material, news, or rumor is bandied about about the series, then the whole interweb goes gaga over something we know dick about & don't even know if it's a year off, or will be a 2nd gen game on the PS4 & 360.

Saints Row 3 looks awesome anyway, & Saint Row 3 I will get straight away, Saints Row 3 really has a helluva lot more positives to it than all previous versions, Saints Row 3 has certainly improved & tidied up all rough edges previous iteratons were guilty of.

Saints Row 3 basically deserves our undivided attention , Saints Row 3 also looks to have amped the fun factor, which is no small feat considering Saits Row 2 was so out there, outlandish, & all round, good ol' fashioned fun personofied.

Saints Row 3 already has my dosh at the cash register & I hope millions upon millions of other do the same, as Volition deserve all the success finacially for this, one of there many great franchises, & considering the hard times developers (in fact all business are pushing sh#t uphill in a square wheeled wheelburrow. The Red Faction IP is a goner due to one bad inings apparently.
Saints Row 3 is the open world game everyone should be talking about, right now....Saints Row 3 is the open world game that a very talented, very funny bunch of game designers have slaved over, prided & invested themselves on to make the game as great & fun as possible.
So as gamers we owe to ourselves to support Volition & this game, as well as owe the develpers or hard earned cash for having the cahonees to emphasize destruction, over the top, pure un adulterated plain stupid fun, over some pseudo serious, dialogue heavy, trying to be realistic to the point of repetative boring-ness that most all other games are aiming for in this day & age.

Saints Row 3 4 The Win.....Winning.

[Der_Fuhrer]

Shut up Adolph, you effing Nazi

>8^0

[Hands Up For Games]

China called. They want their wall back.

[RememberThe357]

Wow that was one pathetic rant. Find something more important to be passionate about. Unless you worked on it, you should not be so emotionally invested in Saints Row 3. Besides they looks like completely different games with the only similarity being that hey are open world games and you shoot stuff.

[Godchild1020]

With GTA V being announced, this might help Boost sells for Saint's Row the third. People are waiting for an over the top GTA and Saint's Row is the cure for those people. I see this a PR boost for THQ and not not a bullying tactic. Whether Rockstar thinks of it like that or not.

Also it's not like GTA V is releasing this year. Also SR has a fan base already. It will sell!

Also take a look at this... http://www.escapistmagazine...

[TXIDarkAvenger]

Well since GTA V is announced, I'm not craving for Agent to come out.

[RioKing]

Yeah same here :/

I know this is a long shot at best...but...it would be cool with me if R* canceled Agent, and instead released exclusive GTA5 dlc for the PS3.