GTA4 Exclusive Xbox 360 Content: Why Retailers Don't Care

Digital Dreamer writes: "You might be noticing a lot more GTA4 adverts in flyers, websites, and stores of late. You can sometimes see GTA4 plastered on the front pages of some online stores, advertising the game. But I've noticed something. I'm not sure I've seen more than one store, website or flyer that is mentioning that the Xbox 360 version of GTA4 will be getting exclusive content.

Look at these top retailers… No mention of exclusive content for those who choose to buy the Xbox 360 version. No mention of it being the ultimate version for any GTA4 fan. Nothing about only on Xbox 360. Not even a hint of something to come. And then I got to thinking. Why the heck would they advertise the 360 version with episodic content over the PS3 version? Content that the retailers will get a zero cut from? In fact, it's money that the consumer might otherwise spend at their store later down the road. What advantage do stores have by convincing consumers to buy the 360 version when they are there to buy GTA4 regardless? It makes no sense. Why convince people to buy a version that will take away money from the retailer by encouraging them to buy a version that totally skips out the middleman (the store) with content?"

[niall77]

the only thing to come from MS's $50,000,000 bribe is now fanboys have something to fight about in forums.

I would have tought MS would advertise the hell out of it or we would know what it is.

in the end i dont see the 360 version out selling the ps3 version by any crazy ammount, just the same kind of numbers from other big games on both system

[toughNAME]

But in regards to the article -

Let's be honest here, DLC or not we know which version is better.

[deeznuts]

"No mention of it being the ultimate version for any GTA4 fan."

He didn't get that part right. Having the opportunity to pay more to get more doesn't make it the ultimate version for any GTA4 fan, just those that want more. THose that don't want more, might say the DLC is for suckers.

Regarding the original question of the blog, what do you want the advertiser to say?
"Buy the 360 version. It's the Ultimate Version!*

Ultimate version only applicable to those who purchase additional content directly from Xbox Live. Said content is not known, neither is release date. Xbox Live experience may change during release of additional content, due to heavy traffic."

How's that for an ad?

[CrazzyMan]

GTA fan already would know about DLC.
Ordinary consumer wouldn`t care much about DLC.
Since, we don`t know for 100% what will be DLC and are those side mission worth another 30$ or so.
I don`t know many people willing to pay 60$ for game, and another 30$+30$(maybe less maybe more) for DLC.
120$ for a Game? Then GTA4+MGS4 or GTA4+FFXIII is MY choice. =)
It`s like "OMG x360 version will have DLC!", "So what? What the point to be excited, since nobody know, what will be in that DLC and how good".

Only time will tell, for now it`s very doubtful, questionable thing to be excited for uncertainty.

[sonarus]

LOL. How do we know? Bottom line is as far as we know both versions are the same. Only advantage 360 has is DLC and achievements. To be honest i care more about the achievements than i care about the DLC because until i know what that DLC is i am assuming it is just extra missions that i don't need.

On a pure gameplay stand point they are the same.

[toughNAME]

Well we know Live, achievements, rumble etc. And then there's DLC

So gameplay pretty much goes to the 360 version.

Graphics on the other hand we have no idea about. But I'm sure the tinest framerate issue or anti-aliasing problem on either version will be super hot news on N4G.

Watch for MY comment!

EDIT - lol first they were the same...now they're "pretty much" the same?

I have an multiple points which I could bring up, but since you admitted the 360 version has the slight edge...I'll just click "agree" on your comment.

[sonarus]

DS3 is out so you can scratch out rumble. I think psn lets me play online and voice chat with ppl i am playing with(hopefully). Then off course there is hope that GTA4 will have an excellent home space and same "accomplishments" as 360 version so as far as i can see they are still pretty much the same.

[kevoncox]

No need to advertize.
1) 360 users account for about 42% or all software sales.
2) Ps3 users do not.

Retailers know which hand feeds them and I just don't see a need to do it. It's Ms' responsibility. THe reasons I am going to buy a 360 and play this over the ps3 version is due to the controller.

3rd person games control better on the 360 IMHO.
Add that online is team focus and voice chat is a must, i have to go with the userbase that typically use their headsets.

[chaosatom333]

I think you summarized what i was going to say.

Even if the suppossedly xbox version is superior in some sense or another, people Won't care because it's XBOX. There is also a big if.

Also people will look at msgs4 and FFX13 > dlc content.

last thing: rumble is back. And the thing of live and having acheivements. They WEREN'T in ps2, so why would consumer expect it to have in ps3. Ps3 does have online compared to ps2.

[ocha84]

360 + GTA4 = RROD
360 + GTA4 + DLC = ??? explosion???

[MJY2K]

Why are people getting excited about this DLC?

Isn't there a download limit for the Market Place? So the content isn't going to be a massive extra.

[Odion]

oh look another random blog

[CaliGamer]

Either you didn't read it or you didn't want to acknowledge the good point he brought up. As far as blog post go this one is of a decent quality and worth reading but I guess since it's not pro 360 news it must be garbage.
By the way, when the blog is anti Sony I don't see you complaining, kinda hypocritical of you don't you think??

[lodossrage]

the "random blog" is right.

Look at it this way, if YOU owned a store and you had two versions of the same product coming in, would YOU care about which had something extra and which one didn't?

I'd say no if that question was asked to me if I was a store owner. You want them BOTH sold so that YOU can make money. If you promoted ONE then you'd end up with Back stock and loss of money.

[Odion]

no why I consider this garbage, because it is, he post a bunch of online sites and just jumps to a conclusion he has no insight into the industry he has no idea what MS or Sony are going to do, I could counter by showing you guys the flyer from Europe of the 360 bundle which clearly states that it has content only for the 360 coming.

Also link to me some random blogs that bash the PS3 that are on N4G

[SWORDF1SH]

i agree with odion on this. we are 3 weeks away from the game. sony jus recently started promotin the gt5p bundle a week b4 release and thats usually the normal time the promote something. expect ms to promote the dlc stuff pretty soon. ms will probably have a massive tv campaigne to promote this anyway, which is far more effective that promotin it in stores. also expect sony to promote a gta4 bundle on tv too.

[Premonition]

Why dont you and ToughName get a room together. And stay there.

[THC CELL]

it will come down to reviews not some rip off contents

Advice for all get a ps3 and Gta cause it will be a smooth ride
warning x box will fail u finishing the game
fact X box service will have u waiting 2 weeks for a repaired console
do ur self a favor get a ps3

i bet people can list what will happen to xbox
after this game lol many will be put to rest and ps3 will be played
till a smooth end of this game

[LightningPS3]

Not sure how stores can advertise that, since they aren't selling you that. They're just selling you the disc.

You have to buy that seperate from XBOX live in the fall.

[derseb]

only a few will ever notice that there is this DLC. especially nobody that didnt buy a console by now!

the technically superior ps3 version will sell more consoles.

[ravinshield]

yep "only a few will ever notice that there is this DLC" like you and me but only i will get to play it and not you.hahahahahaha

[derseb]

by the time you are playing and enjoying new missions, i will play new awesome games!

[t-0_ot-]

So, are you saying you won't be playing the Online features of GTa4 then? Because you have other games coming out that you will play instead..? For people that want to play online then the extra content will be just like a new game. If it is in fact a big download. When I first get GTA4 I'm gonna play through the campaign and then start playing online.. by the time the DLC comes out, I'll be more than willing to re-play it.
And, yup, there will be other games that I will be playing, not counting the games I get for PS3, instead of GTA4..

[derseb]

there is no doubt i might also play it, if it would be available on ps3. the question is, WHAT will be available.
how come we can buy the game soon and nobody knows what the DLC will be. nobody buying the game will care about about some unknown content being release some time in the future.
everybody looks forward to stuff with previews, pics and trailers available and decides by that what console to buy!

[power of Green]

Rubbish. Retailers don't sell DLC. lol. Now if MSFT decides to pay retailers to showcase the fact thats a different story. We'll see enough ads about it as soon as the ad blitz starts.

#2, it caused the delay lol.

I'm thinking MSFT is going to go all out with ads about the game and content plus a US price drop followed with tons of info about other games.

[LSDARBY]

So your saying MS should pay retailers to advertise the 360 version of the game as the better one to buy? Talk about desperate.

[Danja]

either way im sure most of you bots wont even buy the DLC when it's released you'll be too busy saving ur $$$ for GeOW2...LOL....

But then again you guys really dont have much to look forward this fall..so the DLC....should come in handy.

[t-0_ot-]

Not necessarily.. they want to get as much of games sold as they can, both MS and Sony do.. They know it's a BIG game, and lots of people are going to buy it. If MS got 3/4 or so of the sales of GTA4 then that'd be a big blow to Sony, seeing how the previous games were Exclusive, at least timed, for the PS3. Or, because, the PS3 fanboys say GTA4 is a PS3 franchise.. If MS got the majority of those sales, whether you believe it or not, would still hurt Sony, because they lost GTA4 exclusivity, and ALL the guaranteed sales.

[LSDARBY]

Good point tbh, the retailers one of the most important factors when it comes to people choosing which version to buy. And they have no interest with the DLC. I think MS made a huge mistake putting all theyre eggs in one basket (GTAIV). Oh well

[reccodog]

M$ is stupid.

Thats all im saying.

oh...

Im getting GTAIV for PS3!

PSN: Reccodog

[iHEARTboobs]

they would at least put a sticker on the game box that says "exclusive content coming soon." I'm sure they can come up with something a whole lot better but you get the idea.

[kornbeaner]

Good point, but that means you have to, in a sense train all the retailers on how to sell the DLC. I mean lets faces it we (N4G community) don't know when the DLC is coming and what it will consist of, and if we don't know you can be sure that the guys at gamestop will know less and it only gets worst at other retailers.

[devilhunterx]

So what is the "ultimate version" (tm) of GTA4 anyway?

[LSDARBY]

I suppose it is the 360 if you would buy DLC. If you dont buy DLC then both versions are equal. Except Achievments but the PS3 version is said to get Home support.

So both versions are equal unless you are willing to buy DLC. In that case the 360 version is the better version to buy.

[boodybandit]

Who cares what system it's on? They most likely will be nearly identical in almost every way. Pick it up for the console you own or prefer to play it on. Why does every multiplatform game have to become a flame war?

[JoelR]

and since rockstar has confirmed DLC for the ps3 as well that is exclusive... well who knows which one is ultimate.
I say both - you won't go wrong with either version.

[hotshot127]

nobody i talk to knows the 360 version even has exclusive dlc on the 360....
why? because thier not on n4g everyday getting a sex drive everyday off of one game going to another system...

thats the truth people, live with it

[PSWe60]

The article about a week ago talking about how most non-fanboy gamers will simply ignore the DLC or not even know about it will more than likely spring for the PS3 because Rock* and PS are synonimous with the GTA series.
Brand recognition is a very powerful tool and I think most people will just head on over to the PS3. Keep your DLC bots, I'm sticking with what works, and that's the PS3.

[PirateThom]

Why retailers don't care:

They don't make any money from it, so why would they waste money advertising the fact?

[lodossrage]

The retailer only cares about getting the product into their store (shipped) and getting the product OUT of their store (sold).

It's all about the green stuff(money). So why SHOULD they give a damn about exclusive content?

Nor should they care since they won't be getting any cut from the downloads.

[Nostradamus]

to get the MS points to download the content, you buy a card from the store.

[lodossrage]

But what guarantee does each individual store owner have that the card will be purchased from THEIR store?

Overall, its a moot point regardless. Because people haven't been purchasing those cards JUST for gta

[eagle21]

He doesn't want people thinking that his 100% COMPLETE GTA IV GAME is 80% complete because of DLC.

GTA IV is 100% complete straight out of the box. :)

[Mu5afir]

I mean this "exclusive" content isn't going to be "FREE". It's going to cost you and me money. So, the consumer won't care about this content, since it will look like an additional expense. And who has ever
"really" finished a GTA game?

[gnothe1]

why would you say the consumer wouldnt care because its an added cost!! what about the new map packs for COD4, you dont think people care about them either i guess. as soon as the maps were released i bought them. just like with COD2 i got ALL the map packs for that, also crackdown an many other games. got many packs for GH 2 an 3 so dont say people WONT care about the DLC!! just say YOU dont care about it!!

[Mr_Kuwabara]

Rockstar already got there $$$$$ from the exclusive content so I don't see why they need to promote a game to benefit a console. That's Microsoft job to promote the DLC.

[Bazookajoe_83]

Only those who roam gaming sites or buy game magazine will now that dlc will come to 360.. Does anyone know if Ms will charge for the extra content?

[Spydr07]

After dumping 50 million to get the DLC, I'm sure they'll want some of that back and charging is the only way to do it.

[green]

i actually said the same thing a couple of weeks ago and i got 10 disagrees.If the DLC is as big as some people claim it will be, then expect microsoft to start readvertising the game again once it is available on xbox live marketplace.

They will get a few extra copies sold and they will make loads of money of the DLC.This might be their strategy.If it works well we will just have to wait and see.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

Of course "Retailers Don’t Care" they don't get to sell it. It's only going to be sold on the Xbox Live Marketplace. No retailer in the world has any say at all about the sell or price of this product. But all retail chains still take money for marketing, thats why you see ads for Live, ITunes, and other services. You will see the ads about Exclusive Xbox 360 content because MS payes for it to be put on the posters and adverts. You wan't to see for GTA4 ads for PS3? tell Sony to pay for em, this is capitalism.

Stupid article, it's just a whine fest because the 360's version is getting more hype. Hype = $

[ohnoTheRancor]

also remember that DLC = The End of retail stores, it's direct competition!

it's like saying, "Why doesn't my local record store advertise for 'exclusive iTunes tracks'" or "Why doesn't BlockBuster advertise for Pay-Per-View movies??".

the point of any "retail industry" is to provide the consumer the opportunity to purchase a manufacturer's product. now DLC provides consumers with this opportunity.

[kornbeaner]

But the factor your are not seeing is that the DLC content is suppose to make the decision of "Which one do I get" for you. If the DLC is not being promoted to some extent on the retailer, there is a chance of a potential loss of a sale. There are some people that have both the PS3 and 360 and not all of them know about the DLC. The DLC is suppose to be a selling point of the 360 version over the PS3 version and without some sort of mention the DLC can be forgotten when release comes.

[ohnoTheRancor]

once you're in the store to buy the game and they get your $60, they don't care which system you buy it for. the only way they would ever mention the DLC would be to move unsold 360 copies when they're sold out of PS3 copies - i don't see that happening.

[LightningPS3]

you're whine fest. read your own post.

[Jeebs]

@14.4

We call those kind of people 'Naggers'.

Have a nice day.

[Daz]

you are totally right i dont know why you got so many disagrees. It common sence really.

They want your money and they know it going to sell well because its gta ;0

[Varsarus]

The latest trailer's frame rate problems is because of the 360 version. The delay was meant to make the PS3 version as good as the 360, and Rockstar achieved that and went the extra mile and made it better then the 360 version. But with the game coming out very soon, they didn't have enough time to make the game as good as the PS3 version. As you can see with IGN stating the ps3 version has less anti-aliasing issues & looks better.

"The 360 build is brighter and has slightly more vibrant color while the PS3 build has less aliasing issues"

http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/a...

Also, Take Two THEMSELVES stated:

"Take-Two also said that both the 360 and PS3 version of the game be visually almost identical, with the PS3 coming out slightly on top in some areas."

http://www.palgn.com.au/art...

and ppl, I have a 360 (check bio) and I'm sad.

@below

Suppose you are correct, but still, you didn't say anything about the frame rate problems with the trailers which all of them happened to be played on the 360, and theres only like 21 days until release, and is GTA IV rated?, I heard that when you rate a game, you can't change anything else to it, unless they are bugs.

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/websi...

Now looking at that the trailer was released on March 27, and the game was rated at 31 March, but like I said, if they are bugs then I'll take it for granted.

[InYourMom]

Where are you getting all this misinformation from? Rockstar stated the delays were due to the PS3 version. No biggy because those problems were overcome.

Your 2 links are a nice attempt at validity but come up short. Your first link you need to consider "There are only some minor visual differences noticeable between the two preview versions." Meaning these are preview builds.

Your second link is bullsh!t. Goto the story that this palgn.com site takes the story from which is gamasutra. Look at that article and tell me where they say the PS3 or 360 version is better.

[Kleptic]

InYourMom...no...look back through all the articles (on this site) from August/September related to the GTAIV delay...and nearly all of the official comments from Rockstar reps states that it was 'multiplatform development only' that caused the delay...

its pretty lame in general...both sides flung shat with this...Initially there was heavy focus on them being forced to make the game work on an HDD'less 360, which they fronted as a huge problem...yet 360 fanboys simply acted like they never said that...and still tried to make it sound like it was the PS3 being 'hard to develope for'...

the official ending to this was that its an ambitious game and is being developed for two radically different systems...

[Kaz Hirai]

Looks like Nazisoft's desperate plan is FAILING! Prepare to lose the GTA4 war, you MEAT HEADED PIGS!

MWAH-HA-HA-HA!!!

[Sir Ken Kutaragi 4]

It's funny watching the xBot Lemmings being SOOOOOOOOO desperate!!!
;-D
It's like GTA4 DLC is the only thing they have got left!!!
(Oh it is sorry!!!) ;-D
Even if GTA wasn't on the PS3 it would still WIN!!!
SONY's PlayStation doesn't need just one game to survive!!! FACT!!! ;)

[StormSoldier]

i dont think alot of ppl will buy the content,And the content doesnt give u the full gta experiance the game is how it is 100% on april 29th the extra content is like collector edition extras...

[Ureval]

This is kind of silly.

Microsoft pays for advertising, that simple. Perhaps there was some clause that they couldnt advertise the exclusive content, I dunno, but I think game stores also win because if they do sell more Xbox 360s they make more money in the long run cause MS generally has higher software sales.

[Frances-the-Mute]

true, i was told nothing about content when i went to pre-order it yesterday

[LightningPS3]

hahaha.

[bigcheda]

I have all three consoles now and I preordered the PS3 version. Why? I have a launch Xbox360 and the last thing I want is RROD while playing GTA. I am sure GTA will push the xbox to its limits and that is something I simply will not take a chance on.

DLC? please. the only reason I would have gotten the xbox version is the amount of players on Live. I wonder if GTA and the Ps2 owners upgrading to a Ps3 will help bring the amount of players to PSN. Lets hope so.

[power of Green]

Retailers are going to showcase the fact soon just talked to a few buddies from different shops, one of them said he was looking at one(Poster and cardboard prop)as I spoke to him. lol

[BigBoy2000]

you're just as out there and full of sh!t as he is!!!

Love you PoG ;) HA HA!!!

Edit: I figured you'd disagree with that.

[JadeTyrant]

of course you talked to a few buddies from different shops, of course one of them happened to be looking at one of the posters. C'mon man, that was the lamest post I've read in a while.

[OJ_juice]

PoG, I can't believe you have friends!!! OMG!!!

[cmrbe]

Logic. Yes they won't get money from the DLC but they could get more potential GTA4 game sales if DLC is made know to potential customers. If it cost much to advertise them for their worth then perhaps MS should foot the bill for it.

[zypher]

Games like GTA don't have "potential" customers.

[power of Green]

Its rubbish you PS3 fan fucs stores have billboards with the content being shown not all have them yet. lol

FAKE...

[PimpHandHappy]

POG

good work

see ppl

That 50 million is being spent on adds

[ToastyMcNibbles]

the dlc is cool and all i mean if that content was exclusive to ps3 im pretty sure ps3 fans would be all over the place talking about it...i honestly could care less about it considering the fact that i'll be busy playing other games and im pretty sure the majority of people dont know or even care about the content as well..its only the hardcore that care about it but i feel it is a huge mistake for microsoft to be so dependent on gta 4...they are being dependent on a multiplatform game to help them when they should be busy hyping up all of their exclusives equally...big mistake being dependent on a single game that will be playable on another system as well

[InYourMom]

that retailers don't care. It sold me on the 360 version and that is why I bought it.

I will enjoy this game on my 360 like all the other AAA titles I've enjoyed with no RROD.

[mightydog01]

Don't speak too soon,I said that then what happened rrod, Then when I went through my 4th 360 the last one refurbish that lasted 3 weeks... thats was the last straw as soon as i got it back from repair, I traded it in and games and got ps3 and some games. And I never look back...

[meepmoopmeep]

you were sold to the 360 version because you're a blatant fanboy

[power of Green]

Cyruss is posting flame so he can win money, friggin fighting Decapitator for #1 spot at the 360's expense.

[Darkiewonder]

Will those that buy the game NOW have the game still? It's still hard to figure out as there are some games worth playing for many months. Let's see how GTAIV will do for the 360 with the DLC to come later and will it be worth it then.

[Rugludallur]

And now you lied two times in a row :O
1.You have buddies???
2.Retailers don´t give a damn and M$ won´t pay them off, you are so sad right now, like when you say: But..but..but.. there will be a price cut and loads of info on new games..
Yay new info on a game where you play a bear or a showcase of the outdated Unreal engine showing it´s 5 guys on screen... its about as boring as it sounds!

[PimpHandHappy]

im sorry i mean POG

why does it matter.

Do you really think ppl will buy a game system because it has one game with extra content for sale? If they put the price next to it it would hurt sales. Buy this game then spend 40bucks more to get the full GTA...thats funny. Also sign up for XBL and enjoy

[power of Green]

Stop dissagreeing you fan fucs wouldn't take MSFT that much money to put ads up, it helps retailers sell more copies of the game regardless, PS3 reasoning, go figure.

Look at these foolish morons in here dancing around in here like they have won the lotto.

Your fictional realality on this PS3 fanboy controlled site is commical. LOL trying to make the more complete version of the game some how worse than the PS3 version lol.

EDIT:
Say what troll?. They're morons and they're happy because of this BS post... Its you thats ignorant. If you can't see PS3 fanboys are *and have been* trying to negate MSFT's offerings you calling me ignorant is hypocrisy at its best. It comforts them to hear things that will sooth their biggest fears and thats a PS3 series doing better on the Xbox. We are happy that we get the more complete version you guys are rabid with un-limited malice. Calling me ignorant lol.

The sad things is once this becomes an old ridiculous memory your stupid asses will be trolling threads about how MSFT is boasting the content and how its not fair and how retailers were payed off by MSFT etc etc etc.

[Rugludallur]

Calling other people morons because they don´t agree to what you say make you come off as a very ignorant person.

[HarryEtTubMan]

Ummm why don't you just stop commenting. Your a joke, no one even reads your comments... we just disagree if we feel like clicking to unignore you. This whole site has you on ignore LMAO.

PS3 is going to destroy the Xbox 360. We don't care if Microsft could pay to put ads up.... 360 is still going to get beatin by PS3 in hardware sales either way.

[Denges]

anyone want some whine?

[mightydog01]

You sound upset....Can you not admit that the ps3 doing great gta4 sold out everywhere in the uk. And its getting hard to preorder to get it on the 29th....And you know what its just warming up.....ps3 goner have a great line up of games this year...It reminds me of the ps2 starts of slow then bang (ITS all over iT is now)....lol

[PimpHandHappy]

so angry POG

did someone touch a nerve

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

[Rugludallur]

I´ll let you think that we are the people who aren´t getting the big picture, and get the clue what rockstar and take two have said: Ps3 will get the better version, retailers don´t give a rats ass about the DLC and M$ only has one decent game that could´t shift at it´s best 1000 units ;)

[Stryfeno1]

MS is not stupid. A big corporation made a 50 mil investement like that is not going to make it go to watse. Of course the Retailers dont care, they are not going to get no cut from the pie.

PS3 fanboys will have to wait and see what the DLC about, and I'll bet when it is announced, watch all the fanboy's jaws drop. I have a felling its going to be huge.

You all can disagree but ask yourself this question "would I pay $50 mil for some worthless crap?"

[BigBoy2000]

But are you forgetting the $150 mil that M$ dropped on HD-DVD?! They made that investment and now where is HD-DVD? (on the clearance rack is the answer... in case you were wondering.)

So much for that "A big corporation made a 50 mil investement like that is not going to make it go to waste."

[00]

you mean what the HD-DVD group spent, beacuse as far as i know MS did nothing for hd-dvd besides make an add-on.

[Stryfeno1]

Toshiba spent $150 mil to aquire the two companies not MS. However, MS did not kill HD DVD. The format died because of Toshiba's lack of smarts/resourceful decisions.

Anyway, in that situation MS was backing Toshiba they weren't the front man. Here we have MS in the frontline.

[jessehaysfl]

do you really think 50 million is alot to MS?

[InMyOpinion]

On the article: I don't think retailers care what version of the game sells the most. They just want the money. Should they stop advertising the Wii just because it's selling better than the 360?

If M$(as you fanboys call them) payed 50 million dollars, or whatever, for the exclusive DLC they sure as h3ll will advertise about it in some way. TV commercials perhaps, who knows?

The funniest thing they could do would be to buy some space here on N4G and put up a big banner that read "GTA IV Exclusive DLC, Only On Xbox 360" lol! That would cause a flame nuke.

The smartest thing they could do though, would be to announce what the DLC is about just prior the launch of the game. Say a week before it hits.

[Arriemo]

I don’t think retailers care about putting one version above another. All they care about is making money. A sale is a sale, no matter what platform its on. DLC wont affect the total amount of sales, just the ratios of 360 to ps3 sales.

Other reasons.
You cant sell something, promising that DLC may arrive in the near future. It hasn’t been given a release date. What if DLC doesn’t appear for some reason. The retailer will set sued for mis-selling a product.

They wont profit from DLC, so they dont care

They dont feel DLC will impact your average buyer. (It wont imo)

All retailers are PS3 fanboys in disguise.

[gdguide]

I don't think the article is saying the content is trash or great, worth it or not for the gamer or MS at all. What they are saying is that it's not really worth it for stores at all to push the 360 version. It might even be a better idea to push the PS3 version.

[Alcohog]

Obviously retailers don't give a s***.

[Kareshi_X]

Yo 4real This Article Is Freakin BS seriously ,,,,, I Mean Why Would EBGAMES or GAMESTOP Care About DLC on The 360Version and Advertise It??????? They Sellin The Game On Both Console So They Be Doing Ads for GTAIV thats It + Im pretty sure by Know people who will buy the 360version already know about the DLC so aint no use of Them retailers advertising it and stuff.From Where I Stand This Article is Totally A Playstation Fan Product.DLC or Not People With Ps3s will still get the PS version and Peeps with 360 will get the 360version. DLC is only a Plus for sum people.

[Utalkin2me]

Wow i just have to ignore you, so i dont see that typing.

[gdguide]

That's what the article is saying... LOL. If you read it, you would have read that the author says the content is a great move for MS. The only point they were trying to make is that the place where most people will be buying GTA4, most retailers will probably be promoting it the way MS would hope. They also said the 360 version was the ultimate version for GTA fans.

Man, you got to read the thing before commenting on it. LOL

[mccomber]

and further makes me wonder why MS hasn't thrown money into advertising this "advantage" when they spent to so much to secure it in the first place. I'd think that it would be a big part of the preorder advertising we've already started seeing, so unless MS plans on unveiling something soon, they're going to miss the boat entirely.

[fox02]

"makes me wonder why MS hasn't thrown money into advertising this "advantage""

how can Msft advertise this "advantage", when they don't even know what they are advertising; we don't know anything about the DLC

[meepmoopmeep]

retailers won't care unless they get paid for advertising it. so i just wonder how much $ MS has banked on this DLC thing...

[Utalkin2me]

But it is ok for people to spend 40 bucks for a half a game then spend 60 to 70 bucks to buy the full version? Your thoughts are littered with biased loopholes.

But my thoughts are i and everyone i know is buying it on the 360 for the simple fact we want to play it together. Until i get my Xbox360 fanboy friends to buy a ps3, all online games for me will be bought on 360. Which i dont see happening anytime soon.

[derseb]

i admit the DLC is a nice gadget, but its certainly not worth choosing a console over it.
and its certainly not worth 50 million!

[fox02]

we don't know ANYTHING about the DLC, we barely know a thing about GTA4, but that doesn't really matter, since it's GTA. It's not really Microsoft's fault, it's the hole "rockstar secrecy policy thing that's making the 50.000.000$ "bribe" go to waste

[Whoooop]

DLC will not save the 360...

Way too many PS3 games on our plate these coming months to be thinking about a some crappy dlc which you bots will have to pay for... lol, talking about getting shafted.

Common guys.. get a PS3 and relieve that pain..

[solidboss]

first and foremost im not a ps3 or 360 fanboy both have strengths and weakness but just the fact that 360 version has dlc is enough to say it has an edge against the ps3 version. sure casual gamers wont care cause its gta but think about it...would a GTA FAN want to buy the 360 version that has dlc and more exclusive stuff OR the ps3 version that will prob get the same content but like wat a year later??? it all goes down to #1prefences, #2which console u own and #3how much of a fan u are of the series

[TitanUp]

retailers don't get money from exclusive content offered only online.

[CNIVEK]

So, yet another blogger posts the OBVIOUS, and somehow this is news?? Whatever gets you hits, right News4SonyFanboys.com?

[Expy]

Why would retailers advertise a non-existent product? Hell, they don't even profit from the "DLC", they could care less what the after-purchase actions of the consumers are.

[Nostradamus]

Ever think about that one smarty??

[butterfinger]

We probably wouldn't ever hear about it. That one year head start really gave M$ a leg up, but Sony is really flexing their muscle now. It's sad, but the xbox fanboys are starting to worry that their console has already peaked. GTAIV's dlc is such a hot topic for them, because they have no great games to look forward to after this until GeOW2. Oh well, after I buy GTAIV, I'll buy Haze, then a couple weeks later I'll buy MGS4.

[thehitman]

Why they are not advertising it because YOU DONT HAVE IT WHEN YOU BUY IT. It be CRAZY false advertisement to say you get more or better on the 360 version then buy the 360 version then find out it comes out 3-4 months later and to ADD you gotta PAY EXTRA for it. If thats not a total sham I dont know what it. The only thing the dlc is going to appeal to is the group who have space for dlc that actually dl dlc and ALREADY have 360.

Also retailers are not getting more money for advertising it that way so why do it? GTA is GTA it sells good regardless. Why go through extra hoolahoops for something thats not beneficial.

[Nostradamus]

To get the DLC, you need to buy a points card from the store.

So, yes, the store does profit from the DLC.

When the COD4 map packs came out, the $20 points cards were sold out everywhere in my city. I had to buy a $50 card, so yes, the store profited from downloadable content.

And don't give me that CC BS, i wouldnt put my info on live or PSN.

[resistance100]

'To get the DLC, you need to buy a points card from the store'

Or you can just use your Debit/Credit Card.

[Z501]

"EXC DLC only on the 360 coming in 5-6 months"

Then, a normal person would ask.
What is it?
We don't know.
Do i have to pay for it?
We really don't know.
Then what's so good about it?
We really do not know.

Also i thought a lot of the 360 fans said "Bigger & longer does not always equal better".

Remember that?

And with that said.Should'nt the PS3 ver have (on the box)
"EXC HOME intergration only on the PS3"
Rince and repeat all the same questions.

Something coming 5-6 months from now that people have no idea about on both consoles is a moot point.

[qohelet]

could we have some sort of poll on n4g to see which version will sell most?

[funkysolo]

And the ultimate experiance guaranteed only on PS3 ....how about them apples? Why should retailers go out of their ways to promote the 360 version when they know the ps3 version will be the better version at launch.....DLC what is it going to be? noone knows DLC would only be a factor only if it was available at launch. 6 months down the line do you really want to be playing GTA or something new KZ2, LBP, the getaway....Look at your beloved HALO3 only lasted one month at the top and has sold more copies than COD4 and now COD4 steps all over Halo3...Let's face it we all want something new every few months not the same rehash

[The Closing]

Lock on systems take away all the fun of the challenge. I heard there was still going to be a lock on system, but now you can target different parts off the body, which still sucks. Does anyone know if there's going to be a host settings to take out the lock on system?

[ElementX]

Retailers don't get money from DLC. Why would they advertise it?

[ravinshield]

i hope when GTA comes out, N4g will finally be free of rats and @SSholes atleast for minutes before they realize they cant find any online matches.

[butterfinger]

ALL of LIVE will be barely able to run when GTAIV comes out. I just feel bad for the xBox owners that won't buy this game, but they also are going to have a hard time downloading anything for the first few days upon its release.

[Iron Man 2]

Why would retailers waste their time trying to advertise the inferior version of GTA IV? the only people that care about the exclusive DLC are those Xzombies because they have no good games coming in the next couple of months!;)

[Z501]

GTAIV will be old news to me once MGS4 comes.

Quote me on that.

I'll play it every now and then but ....
It wil have dust on it.

[Groo]

I'm not gonna pay extra money just for a few downloadable cutscenes, I'm sorry....

[Blademask]

fat kid says at IGN/Gamespot for reviews.

shame.

[kewlkat007]

Like some have said, they do not have to care much because they do not get a cut from the downloads but it is all about the BOTTOM line.

Retailers take whats been shipped to them and they try to unload that inventory. The more they sell "Individual Copies" the BETTER. As well as whatever "Extra content" might push in the store.

-If we know this:
Retailer wants to sell all PS3 copies of the game.
Retailer wants to sell all Xbox 360 copies of the game.

-Then:
They are going to try to sell "1 Copy" to each and every gamer they can. These gamers might have different reasons why they want GTA4.
(It might not matter if a Retailer sells 1 of whichever GTA4 to that gamer, that may have 1 or both consoles)-They still sell 1 copy.

But there might be instances where a gamer tells his friend to go buy a 360 and GTA4 because it has Extra content, you think the retailer is gonna downplay the extra content, especially if they can sell a "console" with 1 sales pitch? Probably not!!!

I understand on the other side if they are not making money on the Extra content(which probably won't be free), what about if Gamers actually go out (depending on what this Extra content entails) and buy "XBL membership" and "MS points" from these same retailers because of the Extra stuff? That's money in their pockets right..

There is still money to be made (apart from just the Game) and most Smart retailers won't pass on the opportunity to maximize profits. Especially during the holiday seasons, not that this game will be out in Nov.

-First we say Extra content don't matter.
-Now retailers don't really care about.

Sheesh I would of like to see if PS3 paid for and was getting Extra stuff(whatever that entails). You wouldn't hear all this Jibber-Jabber.

[gnothe1]

it all boils down to the DLC not being important to the sony guys because this content is xbox360 ONLY!! now if it was the other way around an it was the PS3 that was getting the exclusive DLC then the xbox crowd wouldn't hear the end of it!! thats the only reason, an they should blame sony for letting this happen, but they dont want it because that CANT have it, thats all!!

[Spydr07]

Both consoles will get DLC of some sort and I still don't care. For me, a major overhaul is needed to this game before I give a rats @$$. The gameplay was never perfect imo and I just really can't take playing GTAIII coated in a different shell over again for the umpteenth time.

[Salta_nelas]

As far as i know the game is 100% complete right out of the box...DLC is an extra and not all people who get the 360 version will get it.

[HydroBoy]

Funny how they say ..''we've got live, rumble, achievements, blah and so on .. ok you got live.. thats nice...we got psn .. you got rumble? ..yeah we do too .its called DS3 ..you got achievemnts? yeah man we got accomplishments innit?(home?) .. O so whatelse are you trying to bring up to make the 360 look good or to make it the 'better verison' ? since the 360 version has already been defeated in the graphics department ..oops i didnt mean to say that ..

[Angelitos]

It will be just side missions. How is that the ultimate experience?

[Figboy]

responsibility to promote this extra content; it's Microsoft and Rockstar's.

the retailer is simply selling consumers whatever ships on that disc. they aren't paid to advertise the contents of the disc, simply that, "yes, we are selling this product, and at this price; please buy it from us."

if Microsoft truly cared about this DLC as more than just a bullet point over the PS3 version, then they need to put the marketing push behind it themselves.

how they'd go about doing that is entirely up to them.

i think they are under the mistaken impression that GTA is a "hardcore" gamer's franchise. or, more specifically, a franchise that the majority of the folks that play it are hardcore.

i whole-heartedly believe that this isn't true.

i believe that the majority of the GTA fanbase are made up of people that played it due to the immense controversy that it inspires.

don't get me wrong, there are indeed a ton of hardcore gamers that love GTA (i'm but one of them), but the franchise is about as mainstream as it gets. you have people from kids, to teens, to adults, to grandmas and grandpas that know what Grand Theft Auto is. then you have the millions and millions of casual Playstation 2 owners that don't necessarily peruse the internet everyday looking for gaming news, but all they see (especially now; i just drove by a large GTAIV advert at LAX today on my way to work) is that a new Grand Theft Auto game is coming. and, as history has shown us, they immediately think "oh, i better pick this up for my Playstation."

X Box fans will pick up GTAIV for their 360. that's obvious.

Playstation fans will pick up GTAIV for their PS3. that's also obvious.

but the single truth of the matter, is that there are more Playstation fans, and in particular, Playstation 2 owners than there are X Box and X Box 360 fans.

just because all those PS2 fans haven't moved onto the Playstation 3 doesn't mean that they've abandoned the platform. as you can see, they haven't hopped onboard the 360 or Wii either.

so what is a Playstation 2 owner, who has played GTA3, Vice City, and San Andreas on their Playstation 2 going to do when GTAIV comes out? get a 360? and miss out on God of War, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, Ratchet and Clank, Jak and Daxter, Wipeout HD, SOCOM, Gran Turismo, etc, assuming that they are fans of those franchises as well, to name only a few?

i mean, i understand, a lot of X Box fanboys (keyword being "FANBOYS," not "fans;" there truly is a difference between the two) feel that there is only one title that defines a system. i mean, outside of Halo, there really isn't many other titles on the original X Box, and even the 360, that truly give the system it's identity.

the Playstation consoles, on the other hand, are not simply known for just one game. first, second, or third party, there are a lot more games that are synonymous with "Playstation" that there are games synonymous with "X Box."

this isn't a diss, simply fact.

"Final Fantasy"
"Metal Gear Solid"
"Resident Evil"
"Devil May Cry"
"God of War"
"Gran Turismo"
"SOCOM"
"Jak and Daxter"
"Tomb Raider"
"Wipeout"
"Twisted Metal"
"Grand Theft Auto"

a few of those are multi-platform yes, but i bet if you asked a casual gamer to say the console that pops into their head when they hear those titles, i bet you almost unanimously get Playstation. even the hardcore immediately think of "Playstation" when they read these titles.

"Halo"
"Splinter Cell"
"Knights of the Old Republic"
"Psychonauts"
"Fable"

these brands are associated with the X Box and Microsoft.

"Super Mario Bros."
"Metroid"
"The Legend Of Zelda"

associated with Nintendo.

it's just a fact of life that human beings associate things with other things, in particular products with companies.

GTAIV, exclusive content or not, will be a great game for the 360 and PS3. end of story.

but there are a lot of Playstation 2 owners that were just *WAITING for it to hit the Playstation 3.

and on the casual circuit, the moment they find out they have to PAY MORE, for extra content for the 360 version is the moment they tune out the rest of the conversation.

they may still buy the 360 version for whatever reasons (and i know how those Gamestop/EB employees love to talk up ANYTHING 360 over anything else; at least here in Los Angeles they do), but there is no guarantee they will cough up the extra dough for the extra content.

sure, the hardcore gamers might, but my main question is: Is there really $50 million dollars worth of hardcore 360 gamers interested in this extra content?

i have no doubt that there are 360 owners out there that just can't WAIT to get their hands on the DLC for GTAIV, but will it be enough, and worth the $50 million Microsoft spent on it?

i honestly don't think so, especially when the majority of the GTA fanbase is tied to the Playstation, and out of those, the majority of THEM are casual, and pretty much just drive around and shoot sh*t in the GTA games, let alone playing any missions.

the DLC would have to do a few things to really generate the appropriate level of buzz, and ideally capital:

1. New area - an exclusive new area or island would be the PERFECT thing to get GTA fans to pony up the dough. i'm getting the PS3 version, but the promise of more real estate to reek havoc in would be almost enough to get me to consider the 360 version.

2. New story - i don't just mean new missions for Niko, i mean an entirely new mini-story, with a new playable main character. possibly the episodic content would be following a side character through events either parallel, or before and after, the events of the main GTAIV narrative. once again, this would get me to seriously consider the 360 version over the PS3 version; new perspective and insight into this Liberty City story. bonus points if the new main character is either Tommy Vercetti, CJ, or any other classic GTA character from previous games.

i just don't see something like more multi-player modes, or more missions being enough to generate the interest necessary for them to make back their $50 million. of course, i think Microsoft's true goal isn't to break even on that $50 million, but simply convince the 13 million people that have bought GTA games on the PS2 to buy the 360 version instead (GTA3 sold about 8 million on the PS2, Vice City sold about 12 million, and San Andreas sold about 12 million; on the PS2 *ALONE).

MS knows how big the GTA series is, and they want a piece of that pie, especially if it means chipping away at that 120 million unit plus White Elephant in the room that is the Playstation 2 (that thing just won't go away!). MS isn't concerned about the Playstation 3, or even the Nintendo Wii. Microsoft is concerned that they won't be able to release titles that will sway those 120 million Playstation 2 owners to buy 360's as their next gen system, before releases whatever game that will trigger a MASSIVE Playstation 3 purchasing wave like a "time release switch."

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue's release has always awakened a few folks in the UK, and in the US, it's releasing in two short weeks. Grand Theft Auto is considered a big Playstation franchise, so while i can see the game selling more software on the 360, i can see it pushing HARDWARE sales on the PS3 side more. Metal Gear Solid 4 in June is a rather big one, and the success of GTAIV on the 360 is almost vital to combat the release of MGS4. for a lot of people, MGS4 will be another time release. the key thing here, is that Metal Gear Solid is a *WORLDWIDE franchise. it's popular in the US, the UK, AND Japan. even GTA is a popular and sought after series in Japan, and we know how well the 360 is selling over there...

one after another, Sony is preparing to release some rather big, rather classic Playstation titles (Wipeout, God of War 3, SOCOM, Gran Turismo 5), and Microsoft still hasn't swayed the Playstation 2 fanbase yet. that's their biggest challenge, and that's their biggest concern.

already, their lead over the competition is shrinking. the PS2 is already at the 10-11 million unit mark, roughly 6-7 millions away from the 360's current lead. the key difference is that while PS3 sales have been steadily on the increase, 360 sales have either remained consistent, or started to wane.

don't get me wrong, i don't see the doom and gloom for any of these systems the way the die hard fanboys do, but the writing is on the wall, honestly: Microsoft will *NOT be number one this generation. they have too many things stacked against them, and now, the media's completely turning on them (ever since Blu Ray won in January, i've noticed quite a sharp turn in the media's opinion of the "Big Three" console manufacturers), and other, mainstream publications are starting to get wind of things the gaming media has known about for a while (X Box Live problems, Red Rings, Disc scratching, etc), and we ALL know how ridiculously stupid the mainstream media is when it comes to reporting anything gaming related (ie, Fox and Mass Effect, to, sadly, name only one of many, many such travesties).

Microsoft will do what they do; make money and endure, but i don't think they'll be number one this generation. maybe next console, but not this one.

will Sony be number one? it's hard to tell, but the numbers are certainly in their favor (please keep in mind, that the NES and SNES only sold 60 million units each, totallying 120 million between the two consoles; the PS1 sold 110 million units ITSELF, and the PS2 is over 120 million now, pushing 130 million. Sony grew the market significantly, and catapulted gaming into the mainstream; double-edged sword as it is). hell, even if Sony only sold to 75% of the audience it sold to last time, it'd be number one still. Microsoft and Nintendo both would have to sell two to three times their audience last generation in order to match what Sony did, and have a chance of truly being number one.

no matter how you cut it, you can't take away Sony's past successes with the PS1 and PS2, and new success with the PSP. even the PS3 is a success, pushing nearly 10 million units in it's first year, with a high price, fierce competition from Microsoft and Nintendo, and "no games."

[tomfoolery]

They're just a group of Microsoft haters who love to blog and will
do anything to see the 360 lose to PS3 this gen.
In reality,a lot of them could give a sh1t about GTA4.
Possibly Blu Ray fanatics.

That's what me thinks.
Stupid people indeed.
Get lives.
Get games......................... ...oops,
you have to buy a 360 for that.

tom

[Fallen_Angel]

retailers dont care ? the word DUH comes to mind its DLC they make zero money off it why would they care ?

[40cal]

But I am more interested in GTAIV being used in HOME than I am in paying more for DLC. If the DLC was free then that would be another story.

[TheExecutive]

I cant believe some people still think MS paid 50 million of exclusive content.

THEY PAID 50 MILLION TO MAKE THE GAME MULTIPLATFORM. they demanded a little DLC.

Why dont retailers care? why the fvck should they? its not like they will see a dime from it. The only thing that the DLC is going to bring MS is more XBL subscriptions. It WONT sell more systems and it WONT sell more games.

[dale1]

why would retailers cut there own wrists by mentioning d.l.c they don,t get nothink out of it,in fact they would be helping the d.l.c issue which doesn,t make buisness sense

[tatical]

I'm getting the PS3 version because of my RROD, it made me bitter & biased against the 360.

But besides my bad experience with the 360, if the extra content isn't available on day-1 on the disc, then I'm simply not interested in the extra content. By the time the DLC is ready I'll probably be playing MGS4, SSF2THDR, etc.

[jessehaysfl]

there is dlc on both consoles and most likely on pc when it arrives. no one has seen the dlc that is exclusive to both consoles (xbox gets excl. and ps3 gets excl. just diffrent excl.) so how can anyone claim one is better than the other?

[Scuttered]

I work in the printing industry in Ireland and we have been printing a lot of the store promotional material for the 360 recently. We printed the promotional material regarding the price drop and had to sign a confidentiality clause, God knows I wanted to blab about it on here. The past two weeks we have been producing 360 GTA5 promo's and everyone one of them from flyers to stands has a banner splash across the bottom advertising the exclusive content. I really don't think that the Xbox360 marketing team here are blessed with more wisdom than their counter parts overseas so I would have to say this news is BS.

[TheExecutive]

exclusive content will sell games not consoles. But its a good move to advertise it either way for MS.

[jollygoodchap8]

And I am the head honcho at Rockstar, and I say we are selling GTA 4 exclusively to Nintendo...See? anybody can just make up anything on the internet.

Especially a guy with one comment

(You obviously just made this fake account to spead FUD)

[Doctor Phil]

....do you mean GTA4, or is there something new comming from T2 this spring? GTA5 hasn't been announced yet......or at least I haven't heard about it.

[jollygoodchap8]

on what the DLC is, then I'll take interest.

It's really dumb how people are defending the DLC with their lives when they don't even know what it is...console loyalty is really sad.

For all you guys know it could be a few generic side missions, also the DLC is like 4-6 months away...Honestly, will any of you care by then? Most of you are probably only defending this, because of your pathetic allegiance to a console.

Anyway the blogger does have a point. How many of you pre-ordered yours at your store, and the retailer goes "You should buy the 360 version because it has extra content coming." or have stickers on it saying anything about the DLC.

To average consumer isn't gonna know anything about DLC, just a bunch of nerds on the internet going "WE have the complete experience"

Whatever I guess, I'm pretty sure both will sell well, but I'm also pretty sure the DLC isn't gonna make dent.

BTW...I own both systems and I haven't even figured out which version to buy, and honestly, the DLC is not affecting or swaying my decision at all...but after seeing that blogger thing about the controller, that may sway my decision a bit to the PS3. That was just really sad and desperate, on the Blogger's part and the people that approved it.

[belal]

rockstar has said that the ps3 version will have have the edge visually so in my opinion the ps3 version beats the 360 version.

[Doctor Phil]

Where exactly did you read that? Cause I must have missed that one.

[Utalkin2me]

Hmmmmmm....Kinda funny everything i read is that the 360 version is smoother and more colorful.

Just his way to justify thinking his console is superior. But what ever floats you boat.

[Utalkin2me]

Who gives 2 sh!ts, It is just sonyfanboys are upset that is all.

[AZgamerB3yond]

cant wait for the ps3 version!!!!!

[Scuttered]

Alright Jollygoodchap..true I've only made one comment but everybody has got to start somewhere! I merely stated I'm a lowly printer not the head honcho of anything, what is so controversial about my statement that you have to be so suspicious anyhow? Really petty mindset you've got there..slamming a new member of the site, because their information doesn't fit your agenda. Luckily I wont be put off commenting by naysayers like you. And for the record I'm a proud PS3 owner..not that such a thing should matter, but for certain idiots in here it clearly does.