1UP has an interesting interview posted with Rockstar’s co-founder Sam Houser. As we’re leading up to the release of GTA IV and while the stupid media embargo seems to still be in effect, some things are dribbled out here and there. Gameplay footage is hitting YouTube and GameTrailers, only to be removed minutes later, reviews are being leaked then squashed. For folks that truly want to know the differences between the two versions of the game on the 360 and PS3, it’s a bit frustrating. I’m not talking the known differences such as Xbox Live support and exclusive DLC, I’m talking about the performance of the game itself.
Does one version look, feel, or play better than the other? Sam Houser has an answer for us…
When 1UP approached the topic of comparing the PS3 to the 360, Houser tried to stay diplomatic. When one compliment was given, he ensured it wasn’t a slight against the other platform like a true PR person should. His careful wording did admit to graphical differences between the version of the game, and the actual descriptions of the differences… Well, let’s just say it surprised me.
Houser was quoted as saying “There’s a slight difference in the way they look. I think that’s to do with really low-level technical stuff that I’m not the guy to explain. The 360 games have a certain look to them; PS3 games have a certain look to them. I like the way [the PS3] renders. There’s a certain kind of softness without being blurry — some warmth to it — and then there’s a certain more clinical element to how the 360 looks.”
What we can take away from that quote is that Houser likes the way the PS3 renders (but he doesn’t say he dislikes the way the 360 renders.) He describes the PS3 version as having “softness without being blurry” and having “warmth.” The 360 simply gets described as having a “more clinical element” to its looks. We can sit around and debate semantics all day long over whether “warmth” is better or worse than “clinical,” but in the end, it drives home the fact that I hate, hate, hate media embargoes that last up until release day. Does the 36 hour window Rockstar’s giving us make much of a difference? Barely… Now, more than ever, I want to read multiple hands-on reports comparing the two versions of the game, so I can make my purchasing decision.
I hate spending money, without being able to have time do my own due research. Occasionally, I like to get all caught up in the hype that is a “midnight launch,” or “day one purchase,” but the ever demanding media embargoes are at direct odds with that increasingly only giving me a day or two (sometimes nothing at all.) Will I still buy the game on launch day? Yeah, I probably will. Am I happy about STILL not knowing for sure today that the only real differences between the two versions are things I don’t really care about? Hell no I’m not! It’s not just Rockstar or GTA IV either, there were several big name titles last fall that had similar roll outs.
I understand the purpose of NDAs and such, but how do you guys feel about media embargoes? Do you like knowing up front that anything you read about a particular game has been filtered through a system where the content creator gets to approve or reject exactly what your gaming media can tell you? Even if there is absolutely nothing bad being covered up, it gives me the sense that the system is in place solely to keep me from learning something they don’t want me to know. My paranoid mind immediately skips to thinking about all the bad things they don’t want me to know, because why wouldn’t a company want me to know positive, interesting, or amazing things about their game?
At the end of the day (well, today at least) we’re left with what Rockstar deems acceptable to talk about. Apparently, they felt comfortable choosing the words “warmer” and “clinical,” because those for whatever reason weren’t deemed objectionable. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to take away from those comments either. In one sentence he’s claiming he’s not giving anyone anything to use to compare the two systems to each other and in another sentence he’s making me think of a warm summer nap in a hammock compared to a stressful session in a vinyl dentist’s chair. Objectively, I think “warmer” is BETTER than “clinical”, but I guess that’s their problem, not mine… they’re still controlling the media (for a few more days.)
![[Post to Twitter]](http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this-small.png)
Tweet This| Related Posts:
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
26 responses so far ↓
1 Doc // Apr 23, 2008 at 3:20 pm
test
2 NoneOfYourBusiness // Apr 23, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I really don’t like the embargo on information as it is now, mainly pertaining to the technical aspects of the game, but I do like it what there are embargos preventing content of spoilers from being released about a game.
But you know when the game does hit, there will be countless geeks who buy multiple copies to compare the two versions. Some will say the PS3 looks better some will say the 360 looks better. There will never really be a decisive choice because fanboys will spends days on end trolling all the forums spouting halve truths and denouncing websites as being paid off.
3 Sean "Rothbart" Workman // Apr 23, 2008 at 3:46 pm
@NoneOfYourBusiness: Agreed on the spoilers, and I have no qualms with NDAs on story content, really. That said, we’ve seen ZERO official footage released other than cutscene-filled trailers.
4 slik_1000 // Apr 23, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I think that the embargo is more to stop the fox news outlets of the world from dropping on it like a metric tonne of bricks.
5 jeebert // Apr 23, 2008 at 4:15 pm
You could be right about the news outlets. But what negative spin could anyone put out on a 10 second gameplay clip of Niko running/driving around the city harmlessly.
6 jeebert // Apr 23, 2008 at 4:17 pm
At least we could get a small taste of the GTA juices to quench our thirst.
7 JakubK666 // Apr 23, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Well there are some videos from leaked version.And imo, this game doesn’t seem to live up to the hype.Think GTA3 with Next-Gen Technology.
8 cell // Apr 23, 2008 at 4:34 pm
so, is “warmer” better then “clinical”?. is it???. I mean this guy gives out 2 positive facts about the PS3 version,yet only one for the 360 version. Does that make sense???. I guess Im going to have to buy it for PS3, I dont like blurriness in games.
9 Phoenix // Apr 23, 2008 at 4:36 pm
There have been so many videos having more than 3:36 minutes of actual game footage but most of videos seem to focus on the driving with one beat up without the use of any guns. Its all hand to hand. Now the way the game looks to be is, as Jakub said a next gen GTA3. Now im sure online will change that but you’ve got to know what it essentialy is.
10 Frank // Apr 23, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Where do you draw the line though? I think what they are trying to avoid are lies and slander about one system vs another by just banning all talk at all.
Although I only have a 360 so the choice is clear, I have to assume if I had both I would get it on the PS3 just because nothing would piss me off more then my HD or system failing while I’m in the middle of a play through. All I believe the DLC “exclusive” means, is for a few months. Then everyone will be able to get it I’m sure.
11 mashedPenguin // Apr 23, 2008 at 5:21 pm
I can’t stand Embargo’s. I think that they start turning media outlets into mere marketing tools. If companies aren’t comfortable with people knowing about their game. Then they shouldn’t show it to people.
I don’t know how many times I have listened to the 1Up show when they go on about all this cool stuff that they have seen but that they “are not allowed to talk about yet”. It seems to me that this is a lot more prevalent in gaming than in other forms of journalism.
Take film critics for example. They are given preview screenings of movies in advance of the films release. And their reviews come out often well in advance of a films release.
I think that game reviewers need to decide whether they are content to just be another part of the game industry’s marketing department. Or whether they should in fact grow a pair and stop going along with this sort of crap.
12 frazer369 // Apr 23, 2008 at 5:29 pm
I’m looking forward for this game, like many people the choice is clear, I’ll be getting it on the ps3. Not bothered about DLC just want the game, the graphics well of coarse i want them to be at the very least on par with the 360. Due to the two systems nature you will see lighting differences, Rainbow six vegas on the ps3, even RSV2 the lighting is different, definitely better on the 360, but thats due to Ubisoft laziness in not making it work better though.
13 Riki // Apr 23, 2008 at 5:40 pm
The story does need to be protected and that can conceivably mean preventing the distribution of info and images with seemingly insignificant and relatively tiny little details that may tie into the story at some point.
And part of the fun of a game is the surprises and the little details, and the way the experience unfolds and grows as you play. So it makes sense to try and protect at least some of the gameplay elements.
But technical details? Well, that’s a bit different. Assuming that the final game has nothing to hide, the only reason I can think of to hide technical details is to avoid pissing off either sony or microsoft by letting people know that one is clearly better. Not much of a reason, but it’s the only reason I can see for wanting to hide technical info if there isn’t something that needs hiding.
Early on however, it makes a lot of sense to hold back technical details. I know I wouldn’t want to see framerate issues or other such things being mentioned in early coverage of a game I was making. Towards the end it should be dealt with, so there should be nothing to hide, but early on it can be unnecessary bad press.
It does however make sense to just hold back everything. It’s much easier to control information when virtually everything is off limits. They have established the brand to the point that they don’t need to give everything away, and this way, they don’t have to worry as much abut leaks and rumors, because there is so little to work with, and it’s easy to find and remove leaked content.
Nice for us? Not really. Understandable? I think so.
Really though, I wish people would stop making such a big deal about graphics. As long as they are good enough to get the job done and don’t interfere with experience, what the hell does it matter? whether they are “warm” or “clinical” is irrelevant as long as they are “functional.”
14 Jason // Apr 23, 2008 at 5:53 pm
No one forces you, the author, to purchase this game on day one. If you’re truly torn between which version to buy, wait just a tad longer to get the run down and then make the purchase.
15 PopTrogdor // Apr 23, 2008 at 5:57 pm
for reasons such as being away, i will not be able to play the game from the first day, therefore, i will not be talking to my mates who are getting it, watching tv, looking at this website, or kotaku, or gcn, or 1up, just because i dont want some bastard ruining the whole experience for me, i want to play this game knowing very little about it, or being told what is going to happen.
16 xboxftw // Apr 23, 2008 at 5:57 pm
@frazer.
You sound like a sony brainwashed person. You clearly state that you hope that the graphics of ps3 version are at par with 360 version but since you dont care about dlc then ur’e getting it for ps3. I belive u only hv a ps3 so dont pretend that you hv an xbox but still prefer ps3. For what fkgin reason?
17 xboxftw // Apr 23, 2008 at 5:58 pm
BTW i’m dl the torrent version so i can play on my modded ntsc/j console. but when the games released will buy the pal version for my unmodded pal console to play online.
18 Matchgrade // Apr 23, 2008 at 6:10 pm
@xboxftw
Don’t call someone a “brainwashed person” if your username clearly establishes you as a fanboy. There’s nothing wrong with what he said. He didn’t say he didn’t care about DLC, he just said he didn’t mind not having it. It’s clear that he only has a ps3 because he says “his choice is clear” and that he hopes the graphics are on par with 360 because ps3 is his only choice.
Also, way to admit internet piracy, dumbass.
“BTW guys i’m pirating a game LOL!”
19 AdammadA // Apr 23, 2008 at 6:15 pm
You complain, but you’ve fallen into the hype trap just like the rest of us. I mean look, you just penned a 300 word blog with the bait as the topic! A media embargo serves to do 2 things
1.) gives you just enough information to form an opinion based on other peoples’ opinions
2.) lets your imagination run wild with all the features/secrets/etc. they’re not telling you about.
Congrats, you’ve just hopped aboard the GTA train! Welcome, we will be serving punchNpie in the dining car on Tuesday!!
20 Bunyon // Apr 23, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Rockstar and 2K both always seem to favor Playstation. It goes way back.
21 GTA IV Embargo Destroys Consumer Choice // Apr 23, 2008 at 8:11 pm
[...] Siliconera wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt1UP has an interesting interview posted with Rockstar’s co-founder Sam Houser. As we’re leading up to the release of GTA IV and while the stupid media embargo seems to still be in effect, some things are dribbled out here and there. Gameplay footage is hitting YouTube and GameTrailers, only to be removed minutes […] Read the rest of this story at SarcasticGamer.com [...]
22 JV Andres // Apr 24, 2008 at 2:34 am
Clinical, from dictionary.com
3. extremely objective and realistic; dispassionately analytic; unemotionally critical: She regarded him with clinical detachment.
Is this a cloaked word describing slightly sharper textures that are unnoticeably different to the naked eye?
23 balaamsafe // Apr 24, 2008 at 3:40 am
i also think the embargo is to stop media blaming everything inb the past few montshs on GTA. Did you see how they made a massive issue of non-violent or prevocative adverts on busses, it was a complete joke.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/206011.html?playlist=popular
24 Mattyftm // Apr 24, 2008 at 3:42 am
I really don’t see what harm it does to the game, or sales to release the embargo about a week before release. I know the great thing about GTA is discovering things for yourself, but no-one is forcing anyone to look at them.
25 TOO KINGS // Apr 24, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Embargo’s, you know Rothbart, are there because of media competition. They may have a deal with a magazine or site for an EXCLUSIVE. I’m pretty sure it’s not to torture you personally, besides, we all know which version you’re gonna buy anyway.
26 Sogard // Apr 27, 2008 at 12:24 am
Well, its been a few days but IGN just confirmed that the PS3 version does have better graphics (ie anti-aliasing, faster load times, frame rate, etc) However, its not a vast difference, like an EA port. Also, the 360 version has brighter colors, which all should enjoy before Grays of.. I mean Gears of War 2 launches.
Leave a Comment