GTA IV Dev Talks Delay, Violence And Whether There Will Be Another Hot Coffee

In exclusive chat, Rockstar Games' Jeronimo Barrera says game is about the immigrant experience and PS3 is partly to blame for delay.

GTA games haven't missed their announced release dates before. When the delay was announced in August, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick told investors that "the reason it is being delayed is almost strictly technological problems - not problems, but challenges." Barrera offered a little more detail to MTV News this week: "It's really no surprise to anybody that the PS3 was definitely a contributing factor to that. Now, we're neck and neck. That's not an issue anymore. But back then that was something we were taking into account. That's not to say there's anything wrong with the PS3 version. It's awesome. They're both identical."

Barrera wouldn't talk about the game's multiplayer modes, its music or the planned downloadable bonus content for the Xbox 360 version. Much of the game just isn't being shown. He did shoot down the prospect of a free trial version of the game: "We usually don't do demo."

[PirateThom]

Turns out the PS3 was causing problems, that said, this game didn't even look remotely ready on any platform before Christmas, so a delay would have no doubt happened anyway and probably for the best too. It does seem to have a hell of a lot going for it.

[Kleptic]

this article makes it a little one-sided...I vividly remember the fallout of that interview back when the delay was announced...and in that same interview the lack of a standard HDD, and only having DVD9 to work with in the 360 was causing just as much of a hiccup...

interestly, this article doesn't point to that part of that interview...

EDIT @ Hugh...possibly...I never read that...I know this guy has been the victim of attempted rail-roading in several interviews from both camps...in the end is stressed that the biggest degree of difficulty they have faced was almost entirely because its the first huge game they have simultaneously developed on two platforms...

he went on adding that both systems have strengths and weaknesses...the PS3 has radically different hardware that is vastly different to squeeze...yet has plenty of media space and the luxury of a standard HDD for caching...the 360 on the other hand has familiar hardware and development tools, yet does not have the luxury of media space or a standard HDD...

back before the delay there were rumors of Rockstar approaching MS to allow them to make the game require a HDD (meaning it would only play on HDD equipped 360's)...and that they would be open to the idea of a bundle for 360 owners looking to get the game and the HDD simultaneously at a bargain price or something...and other devs have requested similar things...and MS said no way...

different interviews put emphasis on one system over the other being to blame for the delay...one thing is for sure though...if I was a 360 owner or fan for that matter, I would just feel lucky that I was getting it at the same time as a Playstation console in the first place...as a PS3 owner, I could care less who caused the delay...or which system is inferior...there were plenty of great games back in GTAIVs original release window that it was hardly missed...

but people on a 360 campaign to say that the PS3 is holding everything back (not saying this is you, Hefner...just in general) is rather pointless...be happy with what they have in the first place...if anything, its multiplatform development that caused the delay...and who paid big money for it being multiplatform in the first place?

[Hugh Hefner]

I remember then mentioning early that the 360 issue (lack of standard HDD) wasn't a big deal anymore, but they kept their mouth shut on the PS3 issues. I guess the PS3 was giving them a significant degree of trouble.

[AceLuby]

Bubbles for you. As an owner of both systems I just want the game to come out...

[AngelOFDeath]

you are 100% correct of the one sidedness, because like MANY multiplatform games, they could have just released the 360 if the ps3 was the one that was causing the delays, no excuses the game was not ready to come out at all, so Barrera can suck on that

[TheXgamerLive]

There was however ps3 fans who continued to say that there was, but that was just throwing insilts and never a confirmed issue.

The problems with the ps3 is still a none issue b/c the game is up to snuff and will be coming out for all very very soon.

DLC will make the Xbox 360 the version to buy if you have a choice, however anyone should be stoked about getting this game, damn, I'm even still looking forward to playing Saints Row 2 very soon.

I'm moving in march and after that a 50" LCD is coming my way and I'll be ready for GTA IV:))

I HOPE AND PRAY THAT ROCKSTAR MAKES A VICE CITY 2 FOR NEXT GEN. CONSOLES. "TOMMY MAN YOU GONNA LOVE THIS":)))

[ThaGeNeCySt]

game definately wasn't ready for October 07... even the latest trailer i seen had some framerate issues (unless the video capture was choppy)

anyhoo.. the games will be identical and will be releasing on April 29th (I hope)

so cheers

[Antan]

At least they appear to be "neck and neck". The delay of course will of helped in further optimisations, extra features and general spit n polish. Gamers on both sides can be happy knowing the truth of why the initial delay, and of course that both versions are now on course. Now lets start talking about the game itself rather than the politics of the past 4 months or so. After the previews this week im quite looking forward to it now.

[Meus Resistance]

Screw you Sony for making the most badly designed console in history.

[sajj316]

you are truly sad. I guess for every id there has to be an ego.

It makes you wonder why they didn't release the 360 version first if they weren't 'neck and neck'? Truly the investors would have been happy to get this title out by Christmas. The truth is that although they were not 'neck and neck' at the end of last year, the game was no where near ready for release. Early demos given to game site editors like IGN supports my reasoning. It was a heap of framerate hell so it was NOT ready for October 07.

If the PS3 version had issues, so be it. I'm more concerned about getting a quality product that arguing over which version is better. Same thing applies to my stance on The OrangeBox and Assasin's Creed. I just want a quality product. If it means a delay, I'll wait. Just make it right.

[Regret]

Meus /sarcarsm? Lol.

[Meus Resistance]

When Microsoft spent money to get exclusive content. Sony spent money to get a simultaneous release.

[Yi-Long]

Honestly, that's the only thing I'm worried about: I want to play this game the way they intended us to play it.

I really REALLY hope they (Rock*, Goverments, watchdogs) arent gonna enforce censorship or whatever on this game. I wanna throw (digital)grenades under (digital)cars and into groups of (digital) people, to watch it all blow up. Yeah... that sounds juvenile, but it's usually also lots of FUN. :)
I cant wait to climb a tall building, grab my sniperrifle out, and zoom in on some guy 7 blocks away, and shoot him in the ankle, or zoom in on a tire, hit it, and watch it crash into people on the sidewalk. (again, all digital ofcourse :) )

I wanna see limbs fly, I wanna shoot heads off, I wanna set people on fire, I want big giant pools of blood whereever I roam the streets. (yeah... dig... you know by now...)

I want freedom and fun in my games, dammit. :)

[Coke-a-Cola]

.

[sak500]

Try playing Soldier of fortune payback for these kind of things. Anyway, make it a freaking 30 rating but we want it uncensored.

[Chris_GTR1]

damn.. looks like everyone just got owned cause the ps3 sucks.. damn it! they should of just delayed the ps3 version. damn homos

[Yi-Long]

Everyone WINS, cause the 360 version that got previewed at the time also had pop-ups and frame-drops I believe... so they had an extra 6 months to make both versions the very best possible, AND now it will get released in a period that's a lot less filled with other great games.

I'm very happy the game got delayed so they had extra time to make it all even better and polish everything up...

[marcdz1]

That was freaking funny but I feel the same way. GTA is the king of freedom.

[Hydrollex]

umm, shame on me. R* now you make fun of Sony ? Just watch the second trailer. The second trailer was on 360 and it shows how the game is
sh!tty with full of jaggies and bad draw distance.

[OpiZA]

Games are infinitely more complex than nailing "sh1tty frame rate and draw distance". There's AI, Physics and a million other things we don't see. I'm sure the problems stemmed from there.

Glad it got delayed cause both systems needed it

[Chris_GTR1]

yea thats true. 3rd trailer was kinda laggy.. however, it was made on 360 which is pretty apparent is the superior version as its the one they always demo and make the trailers on.

[etownone]

i remember back then every ps3 fan was screaming the delay was due to the 360 lack of hard drive... its good to know the FACT that the delay is due to the PS3.

and i believe this is 360 biggest game of the year, not only because it takes alot of thunder away from the PS name, because everyone knows GTA was a franchise that was synonymous with PS, but also becasue its getting the exclusive content. Now M$ needs to promote that (and obviously the much needed price cut)and educate the millions of GTA fans that the complete GTA4 experience can ONLY be played on 360.

(by the way, i never liked this game, and wont be buying it... but then again, i'm a cop)

[mistertwoturbo]

It's not the PS3's fault for delay, it's they're decision to make the game multiplatform. If they would have just took the time to develope soley on the PS3 as an exclusive, they would have much better results. Look at games that were developed on PS3 only or PS3 first with excellent results. Like Burnout Paradise, Uncharted, Ratchet & Clank, Devil May Cry 4, Gran Turismo 5, Killzone 2, MGS4, etc.

It's all resources and budgets when it comes to video game making. Not necessarily which system is "at fault" for a delay.

Heck, if GTA IV was a 360 exclusive and they just devoted all the resource and time into that one console, we'd also see better results.

Quite simply, by making the game multiplatform is where the true fault is. Not a specific system.

[etownone]

umm.... it is the PS3's fault for the delay... same with many games being made for PS3. because although PS3 is a highly advanced piece of machinary, its a also the biggest pain in the arse to code for.

why do you think the 360 gets most demos first, and timed exclusives by default.... once the developers know how to program maybe the delays will stop, and we will see same day releases without delays like last gen.

[wageslave]

If they had a PS3 exclusive they would have spent more money (for development) to achieve the same result as they would for the Xbox 360 and ended up with less game.

Evidence for this? Every Multi-plat game that isnt the same, is better on Xbox 360, graphics, features or gameplay.

Secondly, becuase the PS3 was delayed and has sold poorly the install base is vastly smaller. PLUS, for some reason, the PS3 owner doesnt buy as many titles as his Xbox 360 peer.

So, more money to produce for a smaller market that buys fewer games. You fail at business son.

For all the reasons I described, I'm surprised they didnt go Xbox 360 exclusive. But, as we know, Rockstar is bringing the whole game to Xbox 360 alone. So, while your playing with GTAIV-Lite, I'll be playing the entire title.

[sak500]

Its not ps3's fault, its ken's fault

[Salvadore]

Well, at lest they got more time to polish the game and didn't release a half-ass PS3 version.

[AngelOFDeath]

not giving a rats ass who fault it is, i just want the bloody game already geez

[eddierivera]

The only time I ever hear about games being hard to code for the ps3 is when people who are on microsofts payroll say so. This game has always been on the ps3, so you xbots can shut your face. The devs from rockstar are probably just a bunch of idiots anyways who dont know how to work on the ps3 cause its there first game on it. Burnout Paradise didnt have a problem multi platform, and neither has Devil May Cry. I swear this is the only game I would ever buy that is multi platform in the future, Im so sick of the biasism from devs. If they made it soley for the ps3 first then there probably wouldnt be any problems and would be out by Q1 this year. Thank microsoft the delay. There wouldnt be so many issues if they didnt have all of these payouts. They are so desparate to not let the ps3 win the console war they would rather be broke.

[bohemian 23]

Are mentally challenged ? Don't answer that please I don't want to knowinglly make fun of a retarded guy but no it hasn't been on ps the whole time cause the Ps3 hasn't been out for 10 years. The whole hd -dvd thing was new for Rockstar to so i'm sure it was a little more dificult doing something new the first time around.

[Snukadaman]

I mean no one can come up with some sort of conspiracy theory like this and think they are competent...ok..where are the cameras? AND..the next time you want too type a word like "biasism"....bias would of worked kid...bust out that dictionary next time so you dont look like a jackass...

[zonetrooper5]

Lol so you telling everyone on N4G that Rockstar hired Xbots ahahahahahahhahahahahahahahhah ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahhhahahahahahha hahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhah ahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhaha hhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahah hahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahh ahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahha hahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhah ahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhaha hhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahah hahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahh ahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahha hahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhah ahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhaha hhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahah hahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahh ahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahha hahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhah ahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhaha hhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahah hahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahh ahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahha hahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhah ahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhaha hhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahah hahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahahh ahahhahahhahahhahahhahahhahah

Sorry but your dumb....

[GITPWNED]

""It's really no surprise to anybody that the PS3 was definitely a contributing factor to that. Now, we're neck and neck. That's not an issue anymore. But back then that was something we were taking into account. That's not to say there's anything wrong with the PS3 version. It's awesome. They're both identical.""

---L......M..........F....... ...A.........O.............

Then why not show the PS3rd version at all? Why only the 360 version? Sucks to own a PS3 right about now. I know I'd be scared.

But in reality, I'm glad the PS3 sucks so much. Cuz now my 360 experience will be even more polished than it would have been before. Thanks PS3! thanks for sucking! =]

[BigBoy2000]

"But in reality, I'm glad the PS3 sucks so much. Cuz now my 360 experience will be even more polished than it would have been before."

-That's assuming your 360 lasts until GTA4 is released.

[Lex Luthor]

I remember when sony fanboys were saying it was because of the 360 why GTA 4 got delayed, now we know the truth.

PS3 was holding the 360 version back big time.

[etownone]

yeah i remember too... the sony fanboys screaming it was the 360's fault because of Hard Drive.

It's great to know the truth, and for all those little fans to crawl back into their hole or at least admit they were wrong instead of using the defense, "more time means a better polished game"

[sak500]

I'm sure haze, MGS4, Home all got delayed cuz of 360 as well.

[Ri0tSquad]

Were going to have a more polished game. Damn you PS3!

[wageslave]

No. The PS3 development problems will only mean that Xbox 360 owners have to wait while they bring the PS3 game up to the same standard.

Dont be ridiculous.

[Snukadaman]

that would be one scottie123 or whatever his nickname is...this ones for you pal...enjoy this douchebag

[GITPWNED]

So many droids just got owned HARD. LOL.

[wageslave]

This could also be why the Xbox 360 is getting the exclusive content or, The Whole Game.

Perhaps the testing / development time would have delayed the game more if they wanted to bring the whole game to PS3?