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4, grand theft auto, gta iv, iv, ps3, xbox 360Sony and Microsoft battle it out for GTA IV sales

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Stock scarce as pre-orders reach record-breaking levels

Anticipation for Grand Theft Auto IV has reached an all-time high as Sony and Microsoft battle it out to become the console of choice for GTA fans.

Certain retailers have been offering free Xbox Live points and Xbox Live membership in promotion of the 360 version of the game, whereas Sony is set to announce a special GTA IV PS3 bundle. However, retail opinion is divided over which format will emerge victorious.

“Both titles have generated great interest on the Asda website, with strong pre-orders, and the PS3 version is selling three times that of 360, which is surprising and not in line with what we’d expect,” said Asda’s head of games Duncan Cross.

Comet’s games buyer Debbie O’Neill also feels the PS3 will benefit most from GTA’s release on April 29th.

Trolltech

“We have great expectations and believe it is going to be a massive hardware driver – especially on PS3.”

However, HMV’s Tim Ellis has seen more interest for the 360 version: “Demand for both formats is high, but our 1,000 Xbox points offer generated a huge amount of interest.”

Many retailers have sold out of their initial allocation already – even the High Street’s biggest specialist GAME has struggled to cope with demand: “As expected, there is huge anticipation for GTA IV and we are working closely with Take Two to serve as many customers as possible,” said a GAME spokesperson.

“Given the demand, we are unable to guarantee customers who order a copy will receive the title on launch day.”

1

“Concerned...”
Posted by: Jimothy - Apr 22, 2:25pm

I'm a little concerned now, as i never pre-ordered. surely some shops will start the day with some on the shelf?


2
 

“Re: Concerned...”
Posted: Apr 22, 2:34pm

You will have to shop in the right places. Get yourself to a supermarket early. Likewise I just can't see flag ship stores on Oxford St being out of stock when they open


3
 

“Re: Concerned...”
Posted by: est - Apr 22, 2:37pm

Lawl, I don't know about you guys, but in the States pre-ordering is ridiculously. The games will rarely be out of stock, plus if it does there's always another Gamestop or what not a few blocks away.


4

“Re: Concerned...”
Posted by: Jimothy - Apr 22, 2:45pm

Yeah, well i'm planning on being at my local supermarket which opens at 7.30, and they don't take pre-orders so fingers crossed.


5
 

“Re: Concerned...”
Posted: Apr 22, 2:50pm

Our store, demand has been significantly higher for the PS3 version than the 360. But we couldn't satisfy the demand for either version (due to a pathetic allocation).


6
 

“Re: Concerned...”
Posted by: Graeme - Apr 22, 3:45pm

At my store demands been pretty high for both, but higher for 360 but i'm not really bothered about that tbh.

Not quite all pre-ordered out yet as it were but then I guess that comes with getting a nice allocation, would have taken more but as long as the re-stocks come fairly soon I've got a nice ammount for launch day.


7
 

“Re: Concerned...”
Posted by: DanDare - Apr 22, 4:09pm

I have PS3 & 360 but I'm going to get it on the 360 purely for the multiplayer on xbox live. I've more friends on live than I do on the PS3.


8
 

“Re: Concerned...”
Posted by: Rikki - Apr 22, 4:18pm

If you're eager enough to get there at 7.30am to buy it, why not pre-order it?


9

“Re: Concerned...”
Posted by: Jimothy - Apr 22, 4:30pm

@Rikki

Don't trust pre-order's any more. Long story but ended up not getting a game because of it.


10
 

“Re: Concerned...”
Posted by: John - Apr 22, 4:33pm

Not surprising that pre-orders are greater on the PS3. After all IT IS a playstation game, and many many 3****ty gamers are not hardcore GTA players unlike their PlayStation counterparts. I've got TWO pre-orders YEAH BABY!! Sure to play on the day.......... see u online boys!!


11
 

“Re: Concerned...”
Posted by: Mr Confuso - Apr 22, 4:39pm

I'm getting it on the PlayStation 360! Cant wait to run round Liberty Town


12

“Re: Concerned...”
Posted by: Jimothy - Apr 22, 4:49pm

@John

Grow up. No Fanboyisms.

And I am a hardcore GTA player who is getting it for the 360.
Can't you see it's great for all platform owners? we all get to play such a great game? jesus.... as i said.. grow up.


13
 

“Re: Concerned...”
Posted by: Michael in London - Apr 22, 5:02pm

360...exclusive download content worth 500 million of Microsofts dollars...if there was a big difference on graphics then maybe the ps3 version could have an advantage but its not, it looks like a 360 port :(
Being an owner of both consoles im not biased in anyway so no "oh youre a fanboy comments please ;)"


14
 

“Re: Concerned...”
Posted by: Brett Stocks - Apr 22, 5:08pm

As has been said before. The 360's GPU is stronger (albeit marginally) than the PS3's so by saying it looks like 360 port, you're being a fanboy.

It would look exactly the same on both consoles regardless of which it was primarily designed for. Also, if anything, the fact that an install is compulsory on the PS3 should raise concerns about its ability to play the game off the cuff, unlike the 360 which doesn't need it.

Either way, the point is, it's not the strength of the console that will decide which is better. It's the little extras like achievement points and friends lists.

After all, if GTA's multiplayer is as popular as say Halo of COD4, then it is more likely to be people's friends lists that dictate what console they buy it on.

Where that is on the 360 or PS3, it will be down to personal situations.


15
 

“Re: Concerned...”
Posted by: Evil Awkeye - Apr 22, 5:41pm

Asking Asda about pre sales? why not ask Game or Gamestation for a true picture of sales. Take Two and Rockstar are the winnings, with both formats comin out. No mention of the delay either


16
 

“Re: Concerned...”
Posted by: TORC - Apr 22, 5:42pm

I'm buying both versions,then going out to shoot an eastern european in the face,then take a whore up the wrong 'un,then nick a car and do some pigs......Now thats livin'!!


17
 

“@ John No. 10”
Posted by: Graeme - Apr 22, 6:04pm

GTA is a PC game really, Came out on PC first iirc :)

I wonder if GTA IV will run as badly on thePS3/360 as GTA III/GTA VC/GTA SA did on the PS2 if it did I think there would be 'public outrage' as it was frankly shocking.


18
 

“Re: @ John No. 10”
Posted by: TORC - Apr 22, 6:20pm

Graeme I too wonder,like why were you put into exsistence?Rockstar must be so worried about the frame rate that your £5 grand PC can achieve-I can see the headlines now-"New sick,twisted,sex game out,outrage as frame rate is slamed by Byron".Me is shuddering at your uncanny forsight.


19
 

“Re: @ 14”
Posted by: yarn - Apr 22, 7:15pm

Good god, this will never end.

"My version of GTA is better than your version of GTA!"

Grow up, the lot of you.


20
 

“Re: @ 14”
Posted by: TORC - Apr 22, 7:26pm

Yarn?Did you work at skill?


21
 

“Re: @ 14”
Posted by: SvenOf9 - Apr 22, 7:33pm

... and GTA started development as an Amiga game, so really lets not get started *buggers off to play on Super Stardust HD....*


22
 

“Re: @ 14”
Posted by: threesixtypos - Apr 22, 8:57pm

Microsoft fanboys acting desperate as ever I see. No surprise I guess, as they know that GTA4 is 360 's final chance for a genuine big hardware pushing title this year, and going off sales for 2008 so far, they seriously need one of those. Whereas on PS3 you know what GTA4 is? A mere starter before Metal Gear 4, with a Haze flavoured taster in between.

People won't be buying a 360 for any of it's exclusives THIS year folks. Ninja Gaiden 2...lol

GTA4 is 360 's last stand.

Oh,and FYI, PS3 version has no compulsory install, and still runs great from what I saw in our store today. Haven't bothered checking 360 version, as our display console is RRODing right now. Great timing!


23
 

“Re: @ 14”
Posted by: Sam - Apr 22, 9:08pm

Sadly for you, Haze is quite average.

Poor fanboy.


24
 

“Re: @ 14”
Posted by: JC - Apr 22, 10:01pm

@threesixtypos

No offense, but your comment reeks with fanboy-dom. 360 players don't care about "pushing hardware sales" just so you know, they just care about the games. And, "PS3 version has no compulsory install"? What internet have you been reading?? Go check out the 100+ sites that seem to say the opposite to that.

GTA IV FTW (on any console)!


25
 

“Re: @ 14”
Posted by: Weezer - Apr 22, 10:04pm

God, the fanboy drivel… Just. Never. Stops.

threesixtypos - why are you SO defensive about a friggin' games machine? It's truly pathetic.

I own all three systems and I've had loads of entertainment out of my Xbox 360 (more than PS3 so far) - but you don't find me secretly shagging it when the missus isn't looking.

Jesus, get a life dude.


26
 

“Re: @ 14”
Posted by: Hypnos - Apr 22, 10:54pm

I previously played the GTA games on my Playstation and would say im a hardcore GTA fan, but im getting it on the 360 this time purely for the DLC.


27
 

“Re: @ 14”
Posted by: ruf1 my ps3 online name - Apr 23, 12:01am

add me if u got ps3 and if u are serious gamers. i feel sad for u lots cas i might be gettin my gta early or u got to do is bribe the workers its works trust


28
 

“Re: @ 14”
Posted by: ruf1 my ps3 online name - Apr 23, 12:01am

add me if u got ps3 and if u are serious gamers. i feel sad for u lots cas i might be gettin my gta early all u got to do is bribe the workers its works trust


29
 

“Re: @ 14”
Posted by: woodins - Apr 23, 12:13am

I think its brilliant that even on trade sites, the fanboy war raises its head. I think whatever system you have, i pity the poor sod that tries to get an unreserved copy on release day. One thing i will say, although 360 piracy is in its infancy, i wouldn't be surprised if the ol' torrent sites dont get there hands on it a few days early (remember halo3?) and that could effect sales.


30
 

“Re: @ 19”
Posted by: Brett Stocks - Apr 23, 12:15am

@ 19. Did you actually read my post or did you just spit your dummy out after the first sentence. I was stating a tangible fact. The 360's GPU is more powerful than the Nvidia GPU, HOWEVER, it's so marginal that it barely makes a different. What the point of that comment was to discredit 13's comment: "If there was a big difference on graphics then maybe the ps3 version could have an advantage but its not, it looks like a 360 port :(
Being an owner of both consoles im not biased in anyway so no "oh youre a fanboy comments please ;)." (sic).

Notice exactly what I said: "So by saying it looks like 360 port, you're being a fanboy."

And at what point did I even allude to me stating: "My version of GTA is better than your version of GTA!" If you read my comment nowhere do I even allude to that.

What I DID say was that consumers - and unlike you, from the sounds of things, I work in the industry in a position that I simply can't be biased to one console or the other - would decide on their purchase, not because one console was better or not, but on factors such as the console the majority of their friends would be getting it on. That applies to both the PS3 and Xbox 360.

After all, the two services aren't compatible, so IF the game's online service is going to be a major part of the it like Call of Duty 4 is on both consoles, then a person with both consoles isn't going to buy it on the PS3 if all their friends are buying on the 360 and vice versa. Also, achievement points might influence a gamer to buy it on the 360 over the PS3 in the same way that exclusive content might; but then again, someone might buy it on the PS3 because it's the first title that genuinely justifies what is still an expensive console.

Either way, it's people like you, who aren't part of the industry, and is a fanboy in denial that me and my friends and colleagues in the industry laugh at at the weekend. I mean, I understand why you are like that - hell, my dissertation was on the psyche of the fanboy - but seriously, there is a difference between trying to justify your purchase and being so deluded that your opinion counts to the industry when in reality, it means jack ****. Granted, without revealing my identity - no, my name isn't actually Brett Stocks, it's a psudeonym - I risk the same judgement, but I simply can't because if I do, I risk idiots like yourself thinking that my opinion is the opinion of the company I work for...

Also, just out of curiosity, where you one of those people that when they first started science at secondary school that fell for the 'I am a Donkey' trick? Wouldn't surprise me... after all, you didn't read my comment all the way through and I very much doubt you'll read this one all the way through either. Pity really, because you might learn something.


31
 

“30”
Posted by: wow - Apr 23, 1:00am

wow 30, what a lying hypocrite you are.

Agendas are my life indeed.


32

“Re: 30”
Posted by: Jimothy - Apr 23, 8:22am

@29

Well I'm walking into a store on release date getting my unreserved copy, it's no big deal, the store opens at 7.30am, they don't take pre-orders and they'll be stocking loads. with me being there at 7.30 it really isnt going to be a problem.


33
 

“Re: 31”
Posted by: Brett Stocks - Apr 23, 9:21am

Lying hypocrite? Look mate, the only agenda I have when it comes to the consoles doing well is to make as much money from both of the consoles as is possible.


34
 

“@21”
Posted by: matty - Apr 23, 10:17am

"buggers off to play on Super Stardust HD...."

Oh I LOVED that game on my old A1200 sooo much! I wish they would just port the old game to Live and PSN, the music was so cool! That and the entire Alien Breed series, whatever happened to games like that?

I wish I'd never chucked my old Amiga out now (sobs...)


35

“Late entry”
Posted by: ADE_1977 - Apr 23, 10:25am

Somehow i managed to convince myself that i didn't want to pre-order GTA. I was happy playing Mario Kart and thought i'd just wait for the shops to have supply back on the shelf. But no, how wrong i was, I want it bad.... real bad. So fingers crossed i can still get a copy for launch day. And by the way it'll be the 360 version, not cos i,m a fanboy, rather because i'm poor and much as i'd love a PS3 i can't help but feel a price reduction cannot be far away.


36
 

“360 vs PS3”
Posted by: Beelzaboss - Apr 23, 10:46am

Personally I'm getting the 360 version because of the DLC, free points and Xbox live, both versions will be almost identical so these three factors decided it for me. However, I do think that it will sell more because of kids and chavs, they love PS3s because they're a fashion accessory and would get their parents or the state (through child benefit or JSA) to buy them one even if they didn't have any games on it. Don't get me wrong I think the PS3 is a great machine I just haven't got one yet because their are no good exclusives out yet, I may get one for MGS4 and GT5 but probably not unless there are some more decent exclusive titles coming out.


37
 

“Re: 360 vs PS3”
Posted by: Rayne - Apr 23, 11:00am

This game is a total fail, and one of the most over-hyped games in history

..yawn

I'd rather play pong than play this


38
 

“Re: 360 vs PS3”
Posted by: john ashby - Apr 23, 3:07pm

gotta say 360 not High def it actually upscales ,ps3 is HD as its blue ray disc, ps3 free online, xbox £40 a year lag, achivements mean what exactly? ps3 has 8 processors, 360 has 3 cpu. i had 360 1st 2 years loved it but then lag was too much and games dont really look next gen, 3yrs on 360 looks dated, plus MGS4, killzone 2,Little big planet, God of war 3, GT 5, 8 Days and many more, no fan boy i just like online for free and solid games, without 3 red lights,


39
 

“Re: 360 vs PS3”
Posted by: lee johnson - Apr 23, 3:16pm

it makes me laugh with extra content, GTA is always massive its not a selling point for me, 360 does look dated for me now, i used to love it till i got 3 red light and microsoft wouldnt fix the console, so i went to p3 and it just looks next gen, it makes me laugh when anyone uses fan boy, i suppose im a fan boy just cause i now dont like microsoft but in my personal experience they are crap and even Gears of war 2 cant help them,


40
 

“Re: 360 vs PS3”
Posted by: Watch the trailer - Apr 23, 3:29pm

Looks much better on 360.


41
 

“Re: 360 vs PS3”
Posted by: leigh beynon - Apr 23, 3:33pm

Not when its in true HD on ps3, and not upscaled on 360
i heard about the instal time and this really isnt something to knock the ps3 for, it keeps the drive cooler and makes for smooth faster loading, the 360 maybe needs to take note due it its vast over heating issues,
paying for xbox live is a problem its not what i used to be in my view, i will trade my 360 for the ps3 bundle, wireless is built in not £59.99 extra, charge ya pad free, not £14.99 4 play n charge, + at least you can plug any usb hard drive into a ps3 rather than have to pay £130 for 120gig ! day light robbery !! but thats microsoft !!


42
 

“Re: 360 vs PS3”
Posted by: clearance games - amazon - Apr 23, 3:35pm

i dont want to go into this too much but ive seen it running on both systems side by side and have to inform you all,
it is much more polished and detailed on PS3
depth of field is much clearer on the blu ray, sorry but game play is very similar


43
 

“Re: 360 vs PS3”
Posted by: Brett Stocks - Apr 23, 5:20pm

Blu-ray does jack **** for any game. It's a marketing ploy. Much of the extra space used on the disc is the same information found elsewhere on the disc so that the PS3 doesn't suffer from seek times (anyone remember Barry's infamous "Oh my god it's a... (loads for 30 seconds while it tries to find the information on the CD) ...zombie." in the original Resident Evil?)

Neither game is in full HD... both games run at 720p and are upscaled to 1080p.

The read times (the PS3's drives have a read time 1x) mean the extra space is wasted by having to duplicate data. It won't be till the next generation of consoles when read times pass 5x that the extra space will come into play.


44
 

“Re: 360 vs PS3”
Posted by: a game developer - Apr 24, 12:17am

@42

I don't care about the console war. I have no preference over either console. They're both good consoles, and each has flaws in different areas. But seriously... if you're going to be opinionated about computer hardware, do some research.

Blu-ray is simply a larger storage medium allowing developers to have more graphical assets. It won't make the slightest bit of difference to depth-of-field. That's purely down to the GPU and how the pixel-shader is programmed.

It's like saying your car windscreen is more see-through because you've got a bigger fuel tank. They're two totally different things.


45
 

“I'm a 360 fanboy”
Posted by: fanny360 - Apr 24, 6:10am

My 360 get so hot that I became a 360 fanboy. I'm a loud fanboy too so I turn my GTA up real loud.


46
 

“Re: tossers”
Posted by: Nathan - Apr 24, 10:53am

your all a bunch of losers, just buy the game play it and ****ing enjoy it!


47
 

“Re: tossers”
Posted: Apr 24, 2:17pm

You can install onto the 360 too.

I just think the 360 pad's superior for these types of games.


48
 

“Re: tossers”
Posted by: superdynamite - Apr 24, 4:38pm

The PS3 version of GTAIV runs in native 1080p. I will deffinitely be going with that one!!! HD all the way.


49
 

“Re: tossers”
Posted by: TORC - Apr 24, 7:03pm

Is it rape if you "surprise!!"? Discuss....................


50
 

“Re: tossers”
Posted by: Si Pie - Apr 24, 7:34pm

I'm worried I'm turning into a fanboy - not because I think my PS3 is the nutz but because I spent a fricking fortune on it and want it to start proving it's worth. Sure it's got games on I want to play and looks nice with the free TV Sony gave me with it on launch night, but I own a game for every two months I've owned it. Thats 6 games purchased in the last 6 months, and it's not like I haven't had the money, time, or desire to play more...!
Also, if the downloadable content turns out to be worth it, I'll probably buy a 360. If it's just a few cars or whatever, I won't bother. Simple.


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