Grand Theft Auto Series Discussion

[Anyponedrawn]

We need to give more credit to Rockstar.  Just because one super important person is leaving, doesn't mean it's doom and gloom.  We may see a difference in product and we may not.  But let's be patient.  We've seen no evidence yet of a decline in Rockstar content.  Only continued improvement.

[MasterXtreme]

As Rockstar's Dan Houser Exits, 'Grand Theft Auto Online' Has Its Most Lucrative Holiday Ever.

Revenue from in-game spending improved 15% in Q4, helped in no small part by Grand Theft Auto Online's 54% increase in recurrent spending over the quarter, as well as Rockstar's newer Red Dead Online, which tripled its recurrent spending year-over-year and had its highest player count in December.

In-game spending accounted for 37% of Take-Two's $930 million of revenue, the latter representing a 26% decline that the company attributed to Rockstar's massive launch of Red Dead Redemption 2 in 2018, which has now sold 29 million copies.

Rockstar’s higher-than-expected performance helped buoy that of Take-Two's other mainstay franchises, NBA 2K and WWE 2K: WWE 2K20 was a buggy mess at launch and resulted in lackluster sales, and while NBA 2K20 is selling slightly better than its predecessor with 8 million copies shipped, Take-Two doesn't expect its lifetime net revenues to become a series best.

Two other releases for Take-Two continue to perform well: Borderlands 3 reached 8 million copies sold, while The Outer Worlds is exceeding expectations with 2 million units shipped.

$725 million. That's how much Red Dead Redemption 2 sold within 72 hours of launch.

[Wolfwood]

$725 million. That's how much Red Dead Redemption 2 sold within 72 hours of launch.

That is more than I thought!  I know GTA V did over a billion in less than 48 hours.  I'm glad RDR II was such a huge success too.

[Grapefoot]

Grand Theft Auto IV Is Officially Coming Back to Steam, But Not All of It

The grand mystery of Grand Theft Auto IV's delisting from Steam is nearly over. While the reason -- Games For Windows Live -- has been known since just after the game first disappeared from the digital platform, no resolution had been announced. Until now. It would appear that Grand Theft Auto IV will officially return to Steam in March as Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition, but it's going to be missing a couple important parts like multiplayer.

The new store listing over on Steam has a bunch of details about the new edition of the game, but the most relevant bits are that, as of March 19th, it combines the base game and Episodes from Liberty City, Games For Windows Live is no longer attached to it, multiplayer is no longer available, leaderboards are gone, and several radio stations will be temporarily unavailable. Additionally, current save files will be compatible, so never fear if you've got saves from the previous version.

"Grand Theft Auto IV was originally created for the Games For Windows Live platform," Rockstar said after the game initially disappeared from Steam. "With Microsoft no longer supporting Games For Windows Live, it is no longer possible to generate the additional keys needed to continue selling the current version of the game. We are looking at other options for distributing GTAIV for PC and will share more information as soon as we can."

And it sounds like this new complete edition, with its missing parts, is the option that Rockstar has decided on when it comes to "distributing GTAIV for PC."

Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition is set to debut on Steam on March 19th. It is currently unclear exactly how much this edition of the video game will cost, but it does include the base game and Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City.

[flemishcap]

If you already own GTA IV it will simply let you download this new version at no cost, just so people know.

But I don't want to give up my online access for that.

[RainySunshine]

I guess we will never know why Dan Houser left.  Three weeks later, no new info.

[RainySunshine]

If you already own GTA IV it will simply let you download this new version at no cost, just so people know.

But I don't want to give up my online access for that.

Here is the full info.

On a more positive note, you won’t have to purchase GTA IV: Complete Editing if you already own either GTA IV or GTA: Episodes from Liberty City.

Rockstar says that those who have either titles downloaded from Steam will be able to update their copy to Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition, while players with physical copies not previously activated should be able to use the key on the back of the game manual to update to GTA IV: Complete Edition.

On the other hand, those who purchased from Windows Live Digital Store and activated either game via Games for Windows Live will need to “create and/or link their Social Club accounts in replacement of Games for Windows Live in order update to Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition.”

In addition, any current game save files will be compatible with GTA IV: Complete Edition. So, you should be able to continue with that current game you’re playing on the new version of the game.

Not a Steam user? GTA IV: Complete Edition will also be available via the Rockstar Games Launcher.

[Silverwing]

Big money give aways on GTAO this past week.  Ends Thursday.

Link

[Darrin]

New GTA under development. More and more real news sources are reporting that Rockstar insiders are indeed developing the next GTA game.  Not much more is known beyond that.  It can be expected they've been working on it to some capacity for years now.

Article

[Darrin]

MrBossFTW (Youtube fake news reporter) just got called out by Ned Luke (Michael De Santa) for being nothing more but fake click bait.   Video.

With that aside, I will feature a MrBossFTW video.  Reportedly Rockstar is going to have a new online update that will allow people to OWN police cars.  Now we aren't sure yet, since it it a video from the fake news reporting king himself, so we will have to wait and see.  Take this with a grain of salt.   Players have LONG wanted to own police cars in their garage so they can do role plays.

[Anyponedrawn]

It would be nice I agree.  But it seems like nothing more than speculation and fan theory. 

[Wolfwood]

GTA VI?

[MasterXtreme]

Every month you log on to GTA V Online on the Playstation 4, you will automatically now receive $1 million dollars courtesy of Sony to use in GTA V Online.

This will continue each month until the release of GTA V on the Playstation 5.

As well, GTA Online Los Santos Summer Special!

[Silverwing]

Uh oh.  Another big Rockstar name has left.    Lazlow.


Article

Lazlow Jones, a famous American radio personality, actor, and voice artist has featured multiple times in several of Rockstar's projects, including the GTA franchise.

He has even appeared as a fictional version of himself, mostly in GTA V, as host of the reality TV show 'Fame or Shame.' Lazlow has been extensively involved with Rockstar over the years and has taken part in several of their projects, such as GTA Vice City, Max Payne, and the Red Dead Redemption games.

To newer fans, he is most famous for his role in GTA V. But to older fans of the GTA franchise, he is remembered for his work on many Radio stations in the games.

Lazlow Jones' production company was hired by Rockstar in the early 2000s to produce the radio show segments for GTA Vice City.

His work on the radio stations became one of the most appreciated aspects of the GTA franchise. Jones' brilliant satire and scathing humor has been iconic in the gaming community, and his various appearances as hosts of the radio stations such as V-Rock are goldmines for satire and parody.

Lazlow Jones recently left Rockstar Games, after 19 years of working in the company and overseeing all in-game creative audio and video content. The news of his departure came nearly two months after his long-term collaborator and Rockstar co-founder, Dan Houser, also left the company.

What this might spell for the GTA franchise is still to be discovered, but no doubt, the absence of his signature humor and eye for satire will be sorely missed.

The humor and satire for which the GTA franchise has been largely known for is an integral aspect of the game.

Reportedly, he is now working with Disney and Netflix to produce new shows for the platform. Jones has also been active in the video game industry, collaborating with an unnamed studio.

Whether creative differences or work culture at Rockstar post-Dan Houser's departure from the company played a part in his decision is all speculation at this point.

Fans will surely miss him in the future GTA games, but can only hope the impeccable quality of the series does not dive with his departure.

[Darrin]

That is really too bad but Lazlow Jones gave good reasons for having to leave such as caring for his sick Mother, sister, and many others.  He is giving so much to support his family and even though he is a joke in the game series, he sounds like a real nice person in real life.  Nothing but respect for him and what he provided us fans of GTA all these years.