Gotta question IGN, egm & 1ups credibility ?

Oh noes XBOT doing damage control!!!!! That should save some kids time. The recent article I posted about IGN's GTA 4 review questioned IGN's and Hilary Goldstein's credibility. To add more fuel to the fire it seems the PS3 version does not have an edge such as IGN, egm & 1up claimed. According to joystiq.com the PS3 version is running in 630p to where the 360 is running in 720p. http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/ps3-grand-theft-auto-iv-is-640p-nobody-cares/

Before you start hunting for your fancy pitchfork, let us remind you that until 17 seconds ago this problem didn't bother you at all. And because of some of the processing effects, some people even insist that the PS3 version looks better to them! But hey, if you need something to get angry about, far be it from us to take that from you.

Well apparently judging by recent message boards joystiq this bothers a few people. Lots of PS3 fans are bitching about the graphics and honestly are not seeing this edge IGN, EGM, & 1UP did. It would also appear that the PS3 version does not have AA( anti aliasing ) just blur, which explains why objects in focus look jagged compared to the smooth look of the 360 version. But not only is the 360 version running at a higher resolution with better AA but its doing so with a better frame rate according to kotaku.com http://kotaku.com/384422/which-version-of-gta-iv-should-you-buy-we-compare-the-ps3-and-360-versions

Frame Rate
The Grand Theft Auto series has never been synonymous with a rock solid frame rate, something it generally seems to get a pass for. While GTA IV is smoother in general than it's predecessors, it can expectedly suffer during chaos. The Xbox 360 version seemed capable of achieving a smoother frame rate, peaking higher in certain circumstances, such as in confined spaces or during light traffic, but both versions seemed to regularly run at a similar clip.

This doesn't mean people who bought the PS3 version are enjoying it any less or that "TEH OMG TEH 360 VERSION IS SUPERIOR" either. It just mean some big gaming news sites just dropped the ball on their credibility, but it will get over looked by fans everywhere much as it usually does. Fact is these review sites for some reason or another just did not want this one multiplat game to be better on the 360, so they lied for lack of a better word and its come full circle to bight them in their bias ass.

Follow up:
Gametrailers has released a comparison video showing the difference between the two and frankly one now has to wonder even more about IGN, EGM, & 1up giving the edge to the PS3, though the reason is becoming quit clear. http://www.gametrailers.com/player/33470.html#comments_top

IGN's biggest SONY fanboy reviews GTA 4.

Although IGN gave the game a perfect 10( as if that wasn't enough to show their impartial ability to actually being secure enough to review a game past fanboy logic ), they did so while taking a cheap shots at the 360 version of the game. It completely baffles me why IGN would allow Hilary Goldstein to review such a momentous game? He has proved on more then one occasion he is against MICROSOFT and all for SONY. IGN itself has a podcast called "three red rings" which is a direct shot at the 360, which would explain why they let Hilary review the game( which no longer leave me baffled ). Follow the link to see Hilary in action. http://gamersvue.wordpress.com/2008/02/07/hilary-goldstein-ign-360-editor-bashes-xbox-360/

The PS3 version has "less aliasing" (a plus) while the Xbox 360 version has a "brighter picture and more vibrant colors.

Apparently IGN and Hilary have an agenda. ROCKSTAR has stated since the start that both versions of the game are identical. Yet Hilary apparently has genetic freak X-man eyes because he is the only one who can see these "mythical" differences in the two games. Fans have a strong reason to question this mans reviews and even more so question IGN's professionalism. Throughout Hilary's review he praised the game like a brain dead fanboy while throwing out subtle and not so subtle shots at the 360 version.

For those wanting to know which version looks better, the edge goes to the PS3. The textures and framerate are comparable, but the PS3 has far less pop-in. The 360 has richer colors, but the PS3 has better anti-aliasing making it look a little cleaner. Because GTA IV can preload onto the PS3 hard drive, the in-game loads are faster. Don't worry Xbox owners, the load times are rarely more than 30 seconds and don't occur very often. The slight visual edge goes to PS3, but the 360 is no slouch. Either version will do you proud.

His statement above he is simply "trying" to hide his bias against the 360, basically covering his ass. Throughout the review he throws out these remarks and anytime it seems like he's giving props to the 360 version, he takes it away by proclaiming the PS3 does something better. This guy is seriously delusional. But many PS3 fans have grasped onto his statements like flies to shit, its sad really. The only argumentative proof that dip shit fanboys have to "claim" their version is better is comments from another dip shit fanboy in a higher position.

While GTA IV is pushing the PS3 and 360 to the limit, it also runs amazingly well. Sure, there are framerate hitches here and there and (particularly on 360) there is some texture pop-in, but it actually runs better than I expected.

^ Case & point. I'm not declaring the 360 version is superior nor am I saying the PS3 version is, but frankly ING has no credibility and have a serious agenda, or SONY signed check, or both. You also have to question if the 360 version will get a fair shake by any site. After all their are many and I mean many who feel GTA should only be on the PS3, and these people are the ones working at these sites. Put honestly SONY needs GTA 4 to be more successful on the PS3, what better way to drive sales then to grease a few sites and their reviewers to proclaim PS3 superiority. Hilary Goldtein should never have been allowed to review this game, hell IGN should have never been allowed to even touch it. Hilary is a complete biased asshole only overshadowed by the dip shits who hold his leash and apparently knows more about the games then the developers themselves.

ING's bias for SONY is not unfounded. Its rumored ROCKSTAR will be using Gamespy's servers for the PS3 version of the game, gamespy and IGN are merged. Lot of avenues to take there.

As for what Sony is doing to prepare—their fate lies in the hands of Rockstar (who rumor has it is actually using Gamespy's servers). Because they don't offer a backend to host games like Xbox LIVE, they avoid the headache for a trade-off of a little risk, and almost no say in fixing potential problems that may arise.

http://kotaku.com/383885/xbox-live-preps-for-gta-iv-server-riot

GTA 4 will be an awesome game on either system but for those of you using Hilary's remarks as a point for your " my version is better" argument, seriously get a goddamn clue! To think this game would be shitty on either system is wishful thinking on both sides of the field and it surely doesn't help when you have a MAN named Hilary instigating.


FOLLOW UP: http://ps3.ign.com/articles/869/869564p1.html

At 43:30 they say that the ps3 has less pop in and that the 360 is running at a higher resolution but has more pop in.

Yeah, very credible review, now running damage control.

Michael Pachter should be fired.

For months now PS3 fans( the really stupid ones ) proclaimed that the PS3 version of GTA 4 would come with the "exclusive" XBOX 360 Down loadable content( DLC ) already on the disk. Smarter PS3 fans knew this to be untrue, hell anyone the intelligence of rock knew this to be untrue. Well our good pal the over paid guesser Michael Pachter is at it again, though this time I think he is completely gone retarded! Michael Pachter is now saying that each version of GTA 4 will be different and that the PS3 version will have MICROSOFT's $50million dollar exclusive DLC already on the disk and will be longer with extra songs & extra side missions.

analyst Michael Pachter, tells about how he was told/heard that both versions of the upcoming GTA4 for multiple platforms will have differences between each version, he predicts possibly the PS3 version may be longer and have the 360's content already on the disc.

Possibly extra sound tracks (Radio stations), extra side missions, or even little differences like posters on the wall. Like the trailer contains a poster that has a phone that was called the "Nano 360"

This really has to take the cake on this mans credibility only a goddamn moron would think this to be true. See the podcast here: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/21337.html?type=flv

The man claims that he was told this to be true. Really! I've read this shit all over Internet forums since it was known MICROSOFT had exclusive DLC. Mr. Pachter should definitely know better then to spew such moronic delusional fanboy rhetoric. I really want to know why the gaming industry continues to humor this idiot? Although this is old, I myself just learned of it and needed to vent.

GTA 4 advertising only for the XBOX 360.

Advertising for the juggernaut game that is GTA 4 is starting to flood out. The first ad's out in the U.K look as if the game will only be advertising for the 360. Its likely this could be part of Microsofts DLC deal?

http://darkzero.co.uk/asset/2008/04/gtaadvertfirst_news1.jpg

The ad also mentions the DLC will be arriving "exclusively" on the 360 in Autmun 2008. Single system advertising can affect sales in a huge way, this is a pretty devastating blow against SONY( cheap shot at Chris Stead ) but we will have to wait and see the end results.

Chris Stead panicking for SONY and the PS3

Its bad enough when you have legitimate gaming news sites taking sides between MS & SONY, but when 13yr olds start buying domains and creating "gaming news" sites just to have an outlet for their insecurities it gets downright pretty goddamn pathetic. One such primary example is the low end site gameplayer.com which appears to be run by one Chris Stead. Chris has written two articles of pure stupidity that on any level probably makes you dumber after reading them. Both articles deal with....you guessed it, Grand Theft Auto 4. In the first article Titled "Microsoft in GTA 4 panic" Chris faults microsoft for their marketing strategy( buying EEDLC for $50million dollars ) as being desperate and panicking yet praised SONY's marketing strategy as being professional and smart.

Microsoft is shitting itself. The console war has been raging hard for over two years, and it is all set to come to a head on April 29th. The day GTA IV releases. At that moment Microsoft could lose the fight… and they know it!

They don’t care which format has the best games, offers the superior online service, or has the more proficient hardware. They see GTA, and they think PlayStation.

We heard something the other day, a line of dialogue that must scare Microsoft to death. It came from the mouth of a twenty something electrician as he installed a car stereo for a mate. He said “I bought my PS3 to play GTA IV”.

And they’re not going to: it was a waste of money. They spent 50 million clams on something only gamers are likely to understand or appreciate, the audience they don’t need to reach. Your casual gaming fan probably won’t even connect their console to the Net, and just as few will even have a basic understanding of the concept of DLC, or episodic content

The we’ll-pay-you-to-opt-for-the-Xbox 360 option. You would have heard over the last few days that if you pre-order the XBOX 360 version from selected retailers across the country, Microsoft will hand you 500 Microsoft Points. They’ll give you $8.25. It’s an act that reeks of desperation, masquerading as a generous gesture.

And what of Sony? By comparison, they haven’t spent a cent on episodic content, nor handed out cash. They’ve got a much better way of ensuring that the millions of casual gamers that fell in love with their brand last generation remain true to their cause. Free online for everyone, and a deal where you get one of those new-fangled HD Sony Bravia TVs with your PS3. That’s called experience

You can see from the few pieces above this guy is seriously scared that his chosen console won't succeed. The argument he makes is beyond laughable and should be passed around on 420 so the weed heads have a starting point. It truly is funny just to see lengths some insecure fanboys will go. I wrote a similar article about SONY but mine was more about SONY being arrogant assholes then being desperate or panicking. However as much as many feel my article may be one sided it pails on every level in comparison to Chris Steads moronic grasping articles. His second article is titled "Rockstar screws Microsoft on GTA 4, April looking good for SONY", it really is amazing the level of insecurity and stupidity that can exist in one person. He outlines that because SONY struck a deal with Rockstar to bundle GTA 4 with the PS3 in Europe( where it really matters......) that Microsoft is now doomed and Rockstar has screwed them. Wow! Maybe Chris would like to explain why there are more pre orders for the 360 version?

As you have no doubt read, it has come to light that a new version of the PS3 will be made available in time for the launch of GTA IV. It is the 40GB model of the console, but it comes bundled with GTA IV. This is a big, big deal. Especially as the package doesn’t cost any more money than the unbundled version of the console.

This is a massive blow for Microsoft, who has already lowered the Xbox 360’s price point in Europe, and paid US$50 million for downloadable content in an attempt to lure the 12 million-odd PS2 owning GTA fans away from the Sony brand.

I guess the Internet's a beautiful thing where any asshole with an agenda can make a point( take me for example ). But when its done on such a level as above it really is sadly pathetic, even more so that he tries to mask the site out as a legitimate gaming news/media site when its just a low end insecure outlet trying to generate traffic. Chris Stead is defiantly panicking for SONY and the PS3, which truthfully he doesn't need to both systems will prosper from GTA 4. But apparently Chris can't stand that Microsoft got the better end of the deal, I mean seriously you are going to argue that a bundle is a devastating blow to "EXCLUSIVE EPISODIC DOWN LOADABLE CONTENT".......someone call Corky and inform him he no longer holds the title "Stupidest person in the world".

The PS3's equivalent to the 360's RROD.

The 360 has been beaten by SONY fanboys, one side journalist and pissed off gamers for a while now about the dreaded red ring of death( RROD ) problems that happen in some XBOX 360's. However they turn a blind eye to the fact that Microsoft stands behind their product by fixing the 360 for completely free even if there is no warranty. Now it seems there may be a new wide spread problem for the PS3 on the horizon which would take away its title of being a stable machine( which it is ). The problem thats rearing its ugly head is an error code "80010514" which relates to a faulty sector on the harddrive and firmware installation. Apparently your PS3 will need replacing if the error occurs so now might be a good time to buy the extended warranty if you haven't already because it would more then likely take a severe widespread problem( even more so then the 360's RROD ) and SONY being dragged to court before they would even admit the problem or do anything at their expense to help the customer( if history teaches us anything ).

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=131209

This is why I have never liked the idea of SONY using firmware updates for the PS3, whether people admit it or not they are temperamental and can easily turn your nice PS3 into a big ass paperweight.

SONY panicking?

You hear that crying on the other side of the playground? Its not Microsoft. It seems SONY doesn't like the idea that the winning of blu-ray did not automatically catapult them to the number one position in the gaming console wars or that while they were dicking around with greasing retailers to solely support blu-ray Microsoft was acquiring sweet deals on the gaming side of things. Now that blu-ray has won the format war SONY can focus on gaming.....but it might be too little too late?

One of the main example here is Grand Theft Auto 4( GTA 4 ). For those of you who don't know, GTA is probably the biggest/most popular game there is amongst casual consumers and hardcore gamers. The series is credited with launching the PS2 into super stardom, so much so that SONY took notice and struck a deal with Rockstar to delay each GTA title of last gen for the XBOX by six months. Things are different this time around with Microsoft acquiring exclusive episodic down loadable content( EEDLC ) while SONY sat on their asses expecting Rockstar to remain loyal. I don't need to tell you how arrogant or stupid that is. But regardless, reality is setting in for SONY on all fronts and they are scrambling!

Recently SONY exec Scott Steinberg gave an interview where he tried his best to downplay the 360's GTA 4 EEDLC. http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/sony-exec-downplays-xbox-360-gta-iv-dlc/

Steinberg believes anyone who's played GTA: San Andreas knows there's plenty to do in a GTA game without adding extra content, but he really drives the point home with a zinger saying Microsoft "spent the GNP of several small Latin American countries to get that [content].

Very laughable and foolish on Steinbergs part. Maybe he should have explained while DLC( something that ADDS to the actual game) isn't important packing the game with your system in the form of a new bundle is? It would appear that the only deal SONY could manage to get with Rockstar after snubbing their noses at them was to be able to bundle GTA 4 with the PS3 in Europe. Its an act of desperation by SONY to now try to sway their fanbase to buy a PS3 for games and not movies or an act to hopefully tip the scale since preorders are double on the 360 compared to PS3. Maybe they should give away more T.Vs for every PS3 sold?. SONY's trying their damnedest but it doesn't seem to be working.

In the latest circus of desperation SONY's VP of product marketing Scott Steinberg( don't ya just love this clown ) was recently interviewed by Gamepro where he basically says Microsoft has blown their chance at beating SONY this gen. Maybe someone should by this moron a clue, Microsft has been beating the shit out of SONY this gen plan & simple! SONY's arrogants and desperation know no bounds I guess?
http://gamer.blorge.com/2008/04/07/sony-claims-ms-has-blown-it-already-ps3-to-beat-xbox-360/

“I think [the Blu-ray win] is a huge momentum builder for us and I think it is part of why we believe 2008 is going to be a monster year for the PS3. When you incorporate games like Gran Turismo 5, Metal Gear Solid 4, Little Big Planet, and Resistance 2…there will a great mixture of new IP and proven PlayStation brands.”

“I think these factors are timed perfectly because our competition has already leveraged all their big assets in the first couple of years and may have punched themselves out of the fight. We are the [HD movie] standard and now we have the creativity and the products, so I think that formula is going to drive consumers to the PS3.”

To give an interview where not only do you make some bullshit claim but at the same time make yourself look completely mentally challenged takes real skill that only SONY knows about just take a look at some of their former president Ken Kutaragi's past quotes.

"I believe we made the most beautiful thing in the world. Nobody would criticize a renowned architect's blueprint that the position of the gate is wrong. Its the same as that."


"The playstation 3 is not a game machine. We've never once called it a game machine."

"The XBOX 360 is more of an XBOX 1.5 than a next generation console."

"[PS3] is for consumers to think to themselves 'I will work more hours to buy one'. We want people to feel that they want it, irrespective of anything else".

"You can communicate to a new cybercity. This will be the ideal home server. Did you see the movie 'the Matrix'? Same interface. Starting next year you can jack into the matrix".

The list goes on. SONY has definitely got things on lockdown on the movie side of things but may have blown any chance they had at locking down the gaming side. They need to deliver on the games and give the PR spin a rest, every big title SONY has touted and hyped at the expense of the competition has came & went and done absolutely shit for the PS3. The better get with the program but whether they do or don't acting like a little pissed of kid who just realized he doesn't own the G.I Joe with the kung fu grip like the other kids does not help their image. SONY is not a bad company, but they need to lay to rest the political mud slinging.