Rumor: GTA IV DLC may include entirely new cities

by Griffin McElroy { Apr 19th 2008 at 9:00PM }

We're vehement followers of the logic that if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is -- still, in cases like these, that doesn't stop us from wishing and hoping hard enough to make our noses bleed. The latest, Microsoft-endorsed, Grand Theft Auto IV special edition issue of Computer and Video Games magazine suggests that the 360 DLC is to the perfect scoring GTA IV as "Vice City or San Andreas were [to] GTA III," and later, in simpler terms, "Rockstar is clearly hinting at new downloadable cities" for the title.

While this infinitely awesome feature might be technically and fiscally possible, we must keep a firm grasp on our cynically-tinted monocles until official confirmation arises. Still, it's tough not to wonder what cities Rockstar could build knock-off replicas of to add to their latest title -- perhaps an Atlantic City clone? A geographically-appropriate rendering of New Jersey? A mock-up of the bustling metropolis of Mud Lick, KY? The possibilities are endless!

Tags: cities, dlc, grandtheftauto, grandtheftautoiv, gtaiv, rockstar, rockstargames, rumor, sanandreas, take-two, vicecity

Reader Comments (Page 2 of 5)

MN Guy @ Apr 20th 2008 12:05PM

It is quite possible that R* and MS don't yet know what will be in the DLC for sure. They have busted ass I'm sure to get this game out and might not have put together DLC yet.

Whether it adds city area is irrelevant to me. I just want a lot of quality new gameplay at a reasonable price. If the DLC is just more of the same with new cutscenes, I could care less if it takes place in a new city.

nmezib @ Apr 19th 2008 9:56PM

I highly doubt new cities. New missions, new people, MAYBE a new district, but I think new cities are better left to full-on sequels.

Just like the difference between GTAIII, Vice City and San Andreas, I think there will definitely be new cities using RAGE, but not as DLC. New cities require a HELL of a lot of playtesting, mapping, building and creating, so if the DLC was in fact new cities, we'd be waiting years for the first release. I'd rather have smaller DLCs and a new city in a full-on sequel.

just my two cents

Arttemis @ Apr 19th 2008 11:01PM

"Just like the difference between GTAIII, Vice City and San Andreas, I think there will definitely be new cities using RAGE, but not as DLC. New cities require a HELL of a lot of playtesting, mapping, building and creating, so if the DLC was in fact new cities, we'd be waiting years for the first release. I'd rather have smaller DLCs and a new city in a full-on sequel."

-------

The ENTIRE game of GTA:Vice City took 9 months to create, and was released exactly 1 year after GTA3.
GTA3 - 10/22/01 (PS2)
GTA:VC - 10/27/02 (PS2)

I don't see how it would take "years" for a new city to be created via DLC, especially since it could reuse a lot of in-game textures found elsewhere to create the remaining burrow or more of NJ.

The engine is created, tons of textures would be readily available, and they've already been paid by Microsoft for some DLC... doesn't sound like it will take all that long....

nmezib @ Apr 19th 2008 11:09PM

ah yes, a convincing point you make. Well played, it was.

Zeus.:God @ Apr 20th 2008 2:48PM

Arttemis, that also included reproducing everything that was required to make the game work on it's own, advertising, packaging, and so on.

New cities definitely would be a relatively quick task.

Slayer @ Apr 19th 2008 10:00PM

If this rumor is true, I'm screwed. I only have a ps3 at the moment.

Matt B @ Apr 19th 2008 10:13PM

You are not screwed at all. The PS3 will have its own DLC not to mention the list of other great games coming out this year.

Look at it this way:
360 pro + live + GTA4 = $460
40GB PS3(plus BR, wifi, reliability, and 20 more GB) + GTA4= $460

Don't give me any of the arcade is cheaper shit. The 360 version has an optional install to increase performance. And who wouldn't want that? Oh, maybe those without a HD in which case add more to the total of my 360 equation not to mention where are you going to put this DLC.

Knight Marquise @ Apr 19th 2008 10:19PM

SDF to the Rescue!!

Oh well, Matt B will do!

Exo @ Apr 19th 2008 10:22PM

lol nice try sony fanbot.

try using some real reasons then your messed up fanboy math

tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 19th 2008 10:27PM

The optional install is just a rumor right now and likely started by sony fanboys like yourself. I haven't seen any reports from any big sites like 1up or IGN saying there's an optional install (if they somehow did then I missed it). Also, when has a 360 game ever had an optional install?

Yes PS3 will likely get DLC, but there's a couple problems

1) It will be relatively small

2) They have no exclusive deal with rockstar, so whatever does happen to come to PS3 will also find its way to 360.

copa @ Apr 19th 2008 10:31PM

"The PS3 will have its own DLC"

Yeah, that's it. Plus, GTA4 will have another city in Home. And over 100 Accomplishments. Plus, support for crippled waggle in the Sixaxis. Also, 1080p Niko will jump out of the screen and fellate Matt B.

Eww. You have some weird fantasies, Matt.

Ninjakamster @ Apr 19th 2008 11:09PM

Yeah, Sony fanboys are totally unwelcome here, totally shot down at first sight but 360 fanboys can pass through no problem?

Is it so wrong to defend the underdog?

Man, PS3 is getting raped in multiplatform games and content. My brother really wants one for the great exclusives coming out, I can only afford one console (time and money).

I really don't want a 360 but damn Microsoft, you make it tempting and I'm a Windows/Zune fanboy. : )

Come on Sony, come on PS3! I'm rooting for ya!

tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 19th 2008 11:17PM

"Yeah, Sony fanboys are totally unwelcome here, totally shot down at first sight but 360 fanboys can pass through no problem"

It's not like that at all. Almost all of what Matt said was stupid, asinine and totally fanboy driven (not to mention incorrect) so he got called out. It's like that for everyone.

Ninjakamster @ Apr 20th 2008 12:27AM

Whats wrong with Matt's comment? You do get more with the 40gb PS3 than with a 360 for the same price. but then again, the 360 is better in gaming I will admit whereas the PS3 is more all-rounded.

ThePremierAssassin @ Apr 20th 2008 12:45AM

@ Slayer

I feel bad for you...

There is eBay and they've lowered their listing fees...plus the 360 Elite is down in price too.

Join the Light Side...you know you wanna.

Ninjakamster @ Apr 20th 2008 1:02AM

It is ironic the 360 has so much content and stuff to download yet they are the ones with only 20 and 120gb HDD options, whereas on the PS3 you can swap it out with like a 300gb HDD. But then that is offset by our games needing installs. : (

Do you guys think Sony will improve in the future, catch up just like Nintendo did after their relative failure with the N64 and Gamecube?

Mez Jr @ Apr 20th 2008 1:21AM

@Matt B

Dude, the PS3 40gb does not have WiFi.

http://www.us.playstation.com/ps3/about/specs

Trev @ Apr 20th 2008 1:55AM

@Mez

PLAYSTATION®3 40GB system
Communication
Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) IEEE 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi

It says it right on the page you linked to.

Slayer @ Apr 20th 2008 2:41AM

Well, I'm going to end up with all the consoles eventually.

Ninjakamster @ Apr 20th 2008 3:33AM

Okay, someone please tell me what the fuck was wrong with my comment to get it voted down, I was being objective.

John @ Apr 20th 2008 4:33AM

I'll give you a hint:

Comparing prices and features on the console to make your preference "win" makes you sound like an asshole.

klitorisaurus @ Apr 20th 2008 4:47AM

HAHA! You people bump up an erroneous post about the 40gb not having wi-fi, and then continue to point fingers at people for being fanboys. Oh the hilarity!

Tranando @ Apr 20th 2008 10:12AM

Nah, the PS3 will have DLC too, different DLC.

Am I bothered? Not at all, the PS3 is the better version (I have played them both), the 360 has some nasty framrate issues, and the enviroments are not as well populated, and the textures seem less detailed.

tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 20th 2008 10:49AM

Tranando give up you're not fooling anyone.

Mr Khan @ Apr 20th 2008 10:50AM

If anything, they would have to worry about size constraints for the 360 DLC, having to cater to that lowest model and all that

Unless you mean "small" as in "low-key," then it could be true

Matt B @ Apr 20th 2008 3:16PM

The truth hurts, you'll see.

Will @ Apr 24th 2008 6:54AM

Yes, Matt, we'll see. and until that magic day when we all "learn our lesson" ... we'll just have to occupy ourselves with exclusive content... not to mention, you know, actual *games*

modified @ Apr 19th 2008 10:06PM

Why is this hard to believe? I find it harder to believe Microsoft threw down $50 million for a few more missions.

embassy @ Apr 19th 2008 10:10PM

i wouldnt call 10 hrs of extra gameplay a "few more missions", also its not 50 mill upfront cash.

Matt B @ Apr 19th 2008 10:17PM

Being that MS gets to keep the first $75M from the sale of DLC, R* better make it to be epic to get the cut after the first $75M. Look for each episode to cost $30+, mark my words.

embassy @ Apr 19th 2008 10:27PM

no way, it wont cost more than 20 bones...theres no way MS could charge more and not get ridiculous backlash from the internet.

tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 19th 2008 10:29PM

@ embassy:

Shivering Isles for Oblivion is $30 on live (and psn) for about 20 hours of extra content.

If it's an entirely new city I would expect to see it around $25-30.

embassy @ Apr 19th 2008 10:36PM

ah, my bad. i thought shivering isles was around 20.

then 30 wouldnt be SO bad..i just cant see the GTA DLC making some precendent in XBL (over)pricing..that'd be stupid imo

also, modified..i apologize for my onslaught of your email inbox.

gcountach @ Apr 19th 2008 11:48PM

@embassy

I can easily see GTA DLC making a prescient in pricing. If you can't bleed the GTA franchise dry, then what franchise can you bleed dry (that isn't already dry... EA...)?

Arttemis @ Apr 20th 2008 12:22AM

I don't see why they'd set a 'precedent' in prices when analysts are debating the userbase of this DLC to begin with. The higher the prices goes, the smaller the amount of people will buy it.

Unlike EA, they seem to be packing an awful lot into the retail game. Perhaps R* will set a precedent for a reasonably priced expansion pack?

modified @ Apr 20th 2008 9:33AM

@embassy

You totally failed to understand what I was saying. My point was Microsoft isn't going to pay a large amount of money for a few missions. That's why this new info shouldn't come as a shock to anyone. Microsoft may not have given them the money up front, but they did make a deal.

j.howlett @ Apr 19th 2008 10:12PM

if they put something like my homtown of AC in it i don't know how crazy i'd go.

Nicholas @ Apr 19th 2008 10:14PM

Well, 50 million dollars sure as shit gets you more than a few "exclusive cars and skins" or whatever. 50 million covers the development and marketing cost of most AAA titles, so might as well say that Microsoft paid for a huge chunk of GTA IV itself.

Money-wise, whole new cities are perfectly conceivable. Technically-wise, we'll have to see what exactly Rockstar can put on our hd's. Then again, Shivering Isles was no small DLC so I guess all options remain open.

John McPoop @ Apr 20th 2008 2:08AM

You make a good point but I think microsoft probably outbid its self and offered 50 million ... I don't know what the negotiations were buy you 360 fanboys (not you Nicholas) need to thank Sony because they actually let Take 2 out of their timed exclusivity agreement for GTA Iv in exchange for lA Noire to be a PS3 system exclusive title ... BTW from what I have seen of LA Noire it looks bad ass ... I think it is a mistake to let T2 out of the agreement BUT in the end they don't want to burn any bridges and I am sure like others do I associate the GTA series as a Playstation game ... Just like I do Devil may Cry (4) & Metal gear Solid, Gran Turismo, Final Fantasy ETC ... Like how I associate Mario, Zelda & Metroid Nintendo games and I wouldn't play them on a Sony console ... Like I do with Gears Of War & halo for the 360 ... I understand it is different with those Sony games I mentioned because they are not developed by Sony like the Nintendo games ... Anyway

NESv1 @ Apr 19th 2008 10:16PM

Wait a second... I live in Kentucky and I've never heard of Mud Lick o_O

gcountach @ Apr 19th 2008 11:50PM

Living in KY too, I haven't heard of it either. From what I've seen, we like stealing other state's towns instead. Paris, Springfield, Utica... I could go on if I had a map in front of me.

OMGOMG @ Apr 19th 2008 10:22PM

In other news, my Mavericks can't hold a 12 fucking point lead at halftime. Dirk played pretty well, but nobody showed up. WHY MUST WE CHOKE IN PLAYOFF GAMES?? WHYYYYYYY?

OMGOMG @ Apr 19th 2008 10:22PM

When I say nobody, I'm referring to the rest of the team.

tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 19th 2008 10:30PM

way to stay on topic champ

Shmil @ Apr 19th 2008 10:47PM

...you really picked the wrong place to talk about basketball.

Donald @ Apr 19th 2008 10:48PM

Do you have no one else to talk to about this?

embassy @ Apr 19th 2008 11:22PM

being a die-hard heat fan since 1992, i actually feel quite sorry for the mavs. i really want them to do well in the playoffs...but they're just so damn soft it kills me...and they seem to get de-moralized very easily..mainly cuz they have no true "leader". i thought they showed a lil toughness during the end of the season, hopefully they can turn it around.

im really interested in this series..not like i have anything to lookin forward to in the east.

:sigh:

damn heat...through thick and thin.