...seems fishy at best to me. They admitted the Christmas problems and swiftly dealt with it, move on. I have been flying through Call of Duty 4 for the last month and a half WITH ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS AT ALL, so I don't see how GTA will be a problem for Xbox Live. You would have to think that whatever the issues were at Christmas, MS has assigned more people and resources to make sure it doesn't happen when GTAIV hits? The 360 has a lot riding on GTAIV having a smooth blockbuster releas...
...than multiplayer maps, like for Gears and Halo 3. This DLC cost MS hella money, and for all that cash, you can bet that it will be more than just MP maps. The phrase "episodic content" is key here. I'm thinking more 'expansion pack' a la Elder Scrolls Oblivion than just MP maps and side missions. If MS/R* get this DLC right, it could be huge for the 360 and Xbox Live as well....
...what DVD storage space has to do with DLC that most likely hasn't even taken shape or form at Rockstar yet. R* probably wants to see what the initial reaction to the games (Ratings AND Sales) is before really getting to work on the DLC. If 360 fans make the game an overnight smash, expect them to go all out for the DLC. None of this stuff was intended for the April release, so DVD is a non-issue....
...to get in on that 500 MS Points deal I here you guys across the pond are getting for pre-ordering GTAIV. MS should partner up with Circuit City or Gamestop over here... bet that would spur pre-orders....
...I really respect your opinion on getting GTAIV for the PS3, and as an owner of both the PS3 and the Xbox 360, I have to admit that I am a bit torn on which system I should get GTAIV on.
However, I am leaning towards the 360, for mainly the same reasons you are going with the PS3 version.
1. FRIENDS ON XBOX LIVE. The majority of my friends are on Xbox Live, and I'm looking forward to possible co-op missions...
2. DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT. This is a...
...Bubble for you on the idea that MS would basically be making a PS3 if they undertook all of the ideas I had for upgrading the 360. And yes, it's quite a trip that Sony has turned the tables on Microsoft. Sony took a gamble on the Blu-ray Trojan Horse and it paid off.
Still, if MS wants to stay competitive and relevant for the next few years until the Xbox 720, some or all of those upgrades might be necessary...
BTW, lovin' that avatar of yours Sev. I've got...
...by its own prices. The discs are still too expensive, and the players are still out of reach for many. In the current economy, you cannot expect Blu-ray to suddenly soar, despite defeating HD DVD. Because of PS3, Blu-ray rentals should skyrocket, but in sales? Nah. I have read several articles on the 'net that say average Blu-ray player prices have been going UP since beating HD DVD....
...one before GTAIV (already in Europe) and one before GEARS OF WAR 2 for the holidays. Unless MS is prepared to make some major changes to the 360 (Blu-ray? STANDARD HDD? Free/Reduced Price Xbox Live?) than there is going to have to be a price cut in the US and everywhere else, and more than one, since Sony will probably respond to the first cut. And you know that Sony has a new version of PS3 (Silver? Please?) with DualShock3 waiting in the wings....
...sharp comments ISA_Scum! I agree that it's Sony who has the "perfect storm" coming this year, and that a price cut alone won't be enough to win the year.
Maybe MS is transitioning to the next Xbox, and just wants 360 to remain profitable until its successor is released in a few years. It would take some big changes for MS to blunt Sony's momentum, and I could understand if they may not want to undertake all of that and risk losing the profits they are making righ...
...MS is now making a profit on 360, and they have addressed RROD with not only the $1 billion repair write-off last year but also with the Falcon and upcoming Jasper units. 360 is cheaper to make now, and so another price cut won't affect the profit 360 is making now. And that continued profit is key to MS and the successor to the 360....
...Microsoft is trying to stay relevant here, and price cuts are the way to go on both fronts of the console war, vs. Sony (their main competitor) and Nintendo (their casual competitor).
Sony has not only survived their Blu-ray gamble but is now surging from their victory over HD DVD. PS3 has all the buzz as the console that is technically superior, with the next-gen high definition disc format built-in. Its internet service is free, it has wi-fi built in, and it has a murdere...
...more like a hugely open-ended action game. Crackdown MMO? No. Crackdown Evolved? Yes! BTW, when is this game coming out? Could be huge for 360 if its guaranteed 2008, and Summer 2008 could be even more tremendous....
...unless GTA IV on the 360 outsells its PS3 counterpart 5:1. Even then I could still see a scenario where Rockstar would make GTA5 for the PS3 as well. Rockstar is extremely loyal to Sony, as it should be seeing what a devastating combo PlayStation and Rockstar have been in the past. And by the way, I don't think the 360 version is a lock to double or triple the sales of the PS3 version, even with the DLC. I think MS needs the DLC to push sales of their version, and if they are smart the...
...you misunderstand. Think Oblivion DLC, not an entirely new game, but expansions to the current game. MS may sway many a gamer with exclusive episodes to their version. PS3 will get DLC, but the more common guns, cars, etc. MS paid 50 mil for episodes that will NOT make it onto PS3. Not enough to get PS3 owners to get an Xbox 360, but enough to sway those on the fence between the two systems...?
...preparing a slate of changes concerning its hard drives. I expect that the 20GB will soon be $49, the 120GB around $99, and a new 200-250GB drive (standard in the 360 "Ultimate" edition?) for $179. I also think that when the "Jasper" units come that the Arcade will be HDD (20GB) standard. MS is going to have to make changes like this for the 360 to remain competitive with the PS3 for 2008 and beyond....
...it probably won't make a difference to those who have only a PS3, but this move by MS isn't to sway Sony fans. This "investment" is for going after those on the fence who don't have either system but are itching to "Jump In/Play B3yond," and for going after neutral gamers who haven't picked a side. Don't discount 360 fans either, who buy multiplatform games at a rate higher than anyone else; 360 fans will eat this up like candy. The prospect of more missions--- exclu...
...for me. Waiting for an official Microsoft announcement. Multiplatform games are going to be the biggest battleground for the next-gen systems in 2008, bigger I think than the "exclusives." The exclusive AAA titles will just space themselves out enough not to run into each other. As owners of both an Xbox 360 and the PS3, I will really be doing my research as to which game is better on which system. Rainbow Six Vegas 2, Saints Row 2, and of course GTA IV. Xbox has been killi...
..."for a girl like you..." No, not the classic Foreigner song, but this game, APB. I LOVED Crackdown (Crackdown 2 please?!), and have been eagerly anticipating this game for a long time now. Not sure that it is an MMO; think huge co-op instead. The graphics look amazing, and I think it's an Xbox 360 exclusive as well. With Gears 2 announced and APB coming, as well as the Ninja Gaiden demo, things might be looking up for MS, especially if they can get that price cut worked out....
...I'll be busy renting GT5 Prologue, KZ2 & ROM2 for my PS3, and Fable 2, Halo Wars, & Splinter Cell Conviction for my 360, to see which ones are worth buying. MGS4, Ninja Gaiden 2, & Gears 2 are solid pre-orders. Too bad you can't enjoy the BEST OF BOTH WORLDS...
P.S.: The real question is... which version of Rainbow Six Vegas 2 and Grand Theft Auto IV and Saints' Row 2 should I get, the 360 or PS3 versions?
...but those games didn't have the impact financially and on gaming history that Grand Theft Auto has, and MS knew that full well when they paid whatever price for GTAIV. Don't think that gamers who are strictly Sony fans wouldn't be crowing all over the Net right now if GTAIV was a PS3 exclusive. This game is as major as major gets, and MS was willing to pay whatever it would cost to get it, and only Rockstar's loyalty to Sony kept this game from being the most expensive Xbox 360 exclusive...