Author Topic: Grand Theft Auto V - Update: FREE on Epic Store (Reply 128)  (Read 41246 times)

Offline W7RE

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update: LOTS of high reviews rolling in.
« Reply #40 on: Friday, September 20, 2013, 09:57:58 AM »
I've always found the GTA series more annoying than fun. San Andreas seemed alright from what little I played, and I skipped 4. GTA 3 and Vice City seemed like janky, broken messes where missions would break half the time, and immersion was nowhere to be found due to bad AI. (Specifically I remember the cops having boring, predictable, and difficult AI that made getting stars not fun at all)

I fucking love GTA 5 though. There's obviously still some limitations on how realistic things are, but it is so much better as a world simulator than any open world game I've ever played. (Though I'll admit I haven't played a lot of them.) Having 3 characters helps give the game variety. Franklin feels like living the thug life, I can't help but think of Michael as a Max Payne type character (over the hill and apathetic, but good at what he does), and Trevor is a fucking redneck psychopath. (Which is great!)

BTW you can change the aiming reticle to "complex" in the options. It's still hard to see, but not as bad as the default one. Part of the issue is I think it goes semi-transparent when you start shooting. The assault rifle reticle is the most visible out of the guns I've used, so maybe just use that gun more often once you can.

Offline MysterD

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update: LOTS of high reviews rolling in.
« Reply #41 on: Friday, September 20, 2013, 02:37:47 PM »
ONE freaking billion $ USD in 3 days:
http://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/20/grand-theft-auto-5-sales-surpass-1-billion/

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Take-Two Interactive announced today that based on internal estimates it believes Grand Theft Auto 5 sales have surpassed $1 billion during its first three days at retail. According to the company, the game is the fastest product to achieve that milestone.

If the estimates by the Rockstar Games' parent company are correct, it will have beaten the already ridiculous achievement by Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 last year, which hit the billion milestone in 15 days.

Take-Two announced on Wednesday that Grand Theft Auto 5 had sales of $800 million in its first 24 hours (compared to CoD: Black Ops 2's $500 million).

Also, we're just using Call of Duty here for comparative purposes. Don't you worry. Call of Duty: Ghosts is still going to do plenty fine, with GameStop recently noting it as the "most pre-ordered" game of the year.

Offline idolminds

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update: LOTS of high reviews rolling in.
« Reply #42 on: Friday, September 20, 2013, 05:04:32 PM »
Well good, that probably pays back the marketing budget. Well...most of it, anyway.

Offline MysterD

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update: LOTS of high reviews rolling in.
« Reply #43 on: Saturday, September 21, 2013, 05:53:41 AM »
Well good, that probably pays back the marketing budget. Well...most of it, anyway.

Word is they spent $265 M to develop the game.
I think they did EXTREMELY well for themselves to hit $1 Billion so quickly... ;)

Offline Xessive

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update: LOTS of high reviews rolling in.
« Reply #44 on: Saturday, September 21, 2013, 10:50:10 PM »
The heists are awesome. Definitely the highlight of the game so far.

Thank God for auto-aim; I already have a hard time aiming with analogue sticks, add to that the tiny-ass crosshair and there would be no hope for me otherwise.

Offline Quemaqua

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update: LOTS of high reviews rolling in.
« Reply #45 on: Sunday, September 22, 2013, 10:42:58 AM »
Trevor is awesome. Opening his stuff up is just... yay. And flying is fun, plus I'm excited to be able to buy property now. My luck in the stock market has been... iffy.

天才的な閃きと平均以下のテクニックやな。 課長有野


Offline W7RE

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #47 on: Tuesday, October 01, 2013, 06:42:48 PM »
Yea, I've been trying to play all afternoon. I'm hearing that if you can just get past the required intro tutorial mission (a street race) things smooth out a lot, but I can't get to the point where the race even starts.

Offline W7RE

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #48 on: Wednesday, October 02, 2013, 12:44:21 AM »
I finally managed to get in. The thing about things working mostly fine once you get past the tutorial race seems to be true. As soon as I finally got in and it let me choose a car and start the race, I was able to connect to games and such just fine.

It feels a bit more like an MMO than I expected, which I guess is a good thing (for me). You create a character with unique looks and stats (though I'm pretty sure you can eventually max out all the stats). You earn XP to level up and weapons/equipment/clothes are in some cases tied to your level, plus need to be bought with cash. When you go online, unless you specify to join a private or friends only game, it puts you into a game with up to 15 other people. You can run around and rob stores, attack other players, shop, etc, or you can go to any of the icons on the map to start activities/jobs. When you do this, it matches you with the number of players needed for that activity (I'm not sure if it grabs there players from your game or any players. I've gotten invites to jobs while free-roaming because a player in my game wants to start one.) Most of the activities from single player seem to be in there, plus deathmatch, team deathmatch, and a horde type mode where you fight off waves of computer controlled enemies.

If you're worried about getting griefed, you can go into an invite only, friends only, or crew only game. You can also pay $100 (not much) to enter passive mode. In this mode you can't be attacked or attack anyone. You can steal or buy a car and customize it, then put a tracker on it to sort of make it yours. It will show up on the map when you're not in it, and you can set permissions on who can get into it (I'm assuming this means you can set it so no one can steal it from you? Or maybe they can jack you if you're in it?). You can also rig it with a bomb that goes off when someone else gets in and starts the engine, or rig it with a remote bomb that you detonate when you want.

Another little cool thing is that you can change your hat/glasses/mask on the fly, without going to a safe house or store. Also because your online character doesn't have a special ability like the SP characters do, you get an emote instead, which you can also change on the fly, with like 6-7 ones to choose from.


Offline gpw11

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Re:
« Reply #49 on: Sunday, October 06, 2013, 10:31:03 PM »
This is now officially the only GTA game I've ever played through until the end of the story.   The three character mechanic really worked for me.

Offline MysterD

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #50 on: Friday, October 11, 2013, 06:55:26 AM »
Eurogamer -> Daz (formerly from Dogg Pound & formerly w/ Death Row Records in the 90's) offers a "cease & desist" letter to Take-wo & Rockstar b/c he claims two of his songs are in there w/out his permission.

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TMZ reports the ex-Dogg Pound member has sent a cease and desist letter to Take-Two and Rockstar because, he claims, tracks "C-Walk" and "Nothin' But the Cavi Hit" are in the game without his permission.

Dillinger claims Rockstar offered him an "offensively low offer of $4,271.00 for both songs", which he turned down. But, for whatever reason, the songs turned up in the game anyway.

He now wants the company to make him a better offer or recall and destroy all unsold copies of the best-selling game.

Yeah.

Dillinger told TMZ the case is about "respecting an artist's work. Rockstar didn't do that here and I can't let them get away with it".

He's given Rockstar 14 days to comply, which is a lot longer than ED-209 would have given them.

Offline W7RE

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #51 on: Friday, October 11, 2013, 07:15:22 PM »
http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/51565/grand-theft-auto-online-half-a-million-gta-stimulus-package-this.html

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Given some of the recent technical issues during these first days of GTA Online, and now that things are starting to look much smoother (touch wood!), we are planning to provide a special stimulus package for all who have played or will play Grand Theft Auto Online this month. We will be dropping a cool half a million GTA$ in the GTA Online bank accounts of all players this month, starting as early as next week.

Offline Cobra951

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #52 on: Thursday, November 14, 2013, 08:06:56 PM »
I finally picked this up a few days ago, along with a 16GB Kingston USB stick to install the play disc.  (The data disc is installed to the hard drive.)  It works as advertised, with no texture issues and no spinning optical disc.  So I'm happy with that.  I'm not so happy with the bullshit about the documentation.  iFruit app?  Suck my iDick, Rockstar.  I don't have a smartphone of any kind, let alone an iPhone, and your PC port throws an exception immediately on Win XP.  It never even launches.  So I have no game manual, and no way to get one.  There is no PDF or other text version, only the app.  After some digging, I found this mobile web page.  I can't get it to work right in Firefox, even after adjusting the window to be about twice as tall as it is wide.  The inputs are all funky with the mouse.  I assume they're intended for a different kind of input technique.

I can't do the Chop training either.  It has to happen in the app.  Here's a game component that doesn't work in-game.  As if the lack of a manual wasn't bad enough. Fuck these douchebags.

I found the Brady strategy guide, but it doesn't seem to have just a basic manual section, explaining basic stuff without spoilers.  It goes right into them.  Gah!  Frustrating.

I still only have the black dude, and he annoys me even more than the San Andreas guy.  That is just not my scene at all.  Niko Belic at least was someone I could relate to.  I hope I find the other characters soon.  Right now, I'm back to Borderlands 2.  I needed a break.

Offline gpw11

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #53 on: Thursday, November 14, 2013, 08:42:52 PM »
I finally picked this up a few days ago, along with a 16GB Kingston USB stick to install the play disc.  (The data disc is installed to the hard drive.)  It works as advertised, with no texture issues and no spinning optical disc.  So I'm happy with that.  I'm not so happy with the bullshit about the documentation.  iFruit app?  Suck my iDick, Rockstar.  I don't have a smartphone of any kind, let alone an iPhone, and your PC port throws an exception immediately on Win XP.  It never even launches.  So I have no game manual, and no way to get one.  There is no PDF or other text version, only the app.  After some digging, I found this mobile web page.  I can't get it to work right in Firefox, even after adjusting the window to be about twice as tall as it is wide.  The inputs are all funky with the mouse.  I assume they're intended for a different kind of input technique.

I can't do the Chop training either.  It has to happen in the app.  Here's a game component that doesn't work in-game.  As if the lack of a manual wasn't bad enough. Fuck these douchebags.

I found the Brady strategy guide, but it doesn't seem to have just a basic manual section, explaining basic stuff without spoilers.  It goes right into them.  Gah!  Frustrating.

I still only have the black dude, and he annoys me even more than the San Andreas guy.  That is just not my scene at all.  Niko Belic at least was someone I could relate to.  I hope I find the other characters soon.  Right now, I'm back to Borderlands 2.  I needed a break.


The iFruit app never worked on Android while I was playing.  I can't even think of why I'd want to train Chop now.

Offline W7RE

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #54 on: Thursday, November 14, 2013, 11:06:44 PM »
I finally picked this up a few days ago, along with a 16GB Kingston USB stick to install the play disc.  (The data disc is installed to the hard drive.)  It works as advertised, with no texture issues and no spinning optical disc.  So I'm happy with that.  I'm not so happy with the bullshit about the documentation.  iFruit app?  Suck my iDick, Rockstar.  I don't have a smartphone of any kind, let alone an iPhone, and your PC port throws an exception immediately on Win XP.  It never even launches.  So I have no game manual, and no way to get one.  There is no PDF or other text version, only the app.  After some digging, I found this mobile web page.  I can't get it to work right in Firefox, even after adjusting the window to be about twice as tall as it is wide.  The inputs are all funky with the mouse.  I assume they're intended for a different kind of input technique.

I can't do the Chop training either.  It has to happen in the app.  Here's a game component that doesn't work in-game.  As if the lack of a manual wasn't bad enough. Fuck these douchebags.

I found the Brady strategy guide, but it doesn't seem to have just a basic manual section, explaining basic stuff without spoilers.  It goes right into them.  Gah!  Frustrating.

I still only have the black dude, and he annoys me even more than the San Andreas guy.  That is just not my scene at all.  Niko Belic at least was someone I could relate to.  I hope I find the other characters soon.  Right now, I'm back to Borderlands 2.  I needed a break.


I never even thought to look at the manual. I just checked, and a basic paper manual did come with the game, along with a map. The manual has a picture of the controller, and lists the controls for both vehicle, and on foot. Most other things you need to know sort of came naturally to me, or I was given in-game instructions.

It's a little annoying that you have to use the smartphone app for Chop, until you realize he's useless and might as well not exist. I mean, you can take him out with you into the city, but I never have. Playing the super bad mini-games on the app just allows you to teach him useless tricks in the main game. The only thing I used the app for was to get my custom license plate (for both the main game and online). I don't have a smartphone either, I borrowed my brother's iPod touch.

Offline Cobra951

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #55 on: Thursday, November 14, 2013, 11:35:34 PM »
Yeah, I saw the controller layout on that 2-page insert.  It's in the game's menu screens as well.  But that's pretty much it.  No printed description of the HUD, or the mechanics of the game--the basic stuff that's normally expected.  I know I can figure it all out as I go.  That's not what's pissing me off.  It's the assumption that everyone has an iPhone or Windows 7 and up.  It's being treated like an outsider if you don't.  If I wanted to game on iPhones, tablets and new systems, I'd have those, and buy games for those.  But I don't.  I have a console.  That's where I do my gaming--ALL of my gaming.  I expect every facility that explains or enhances the game to be available to me as a paying customer, on the system for which I bought the game, or in the box.  I can live with having to download a manual, but I don't much like it.  Here, I can't even do that.

Offline Quemaqua

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #56 on: Friday, November 15, 2013, 01:41:13 PM »
People read manuals for games?

天才的な閃きと平均以下のテクニックやな。 課長有野

Offline idolminds

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #57 on: Friday, November 15, 2013, 03:20:44 PM »
Games have manuals?

Offline Cobra951

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #58 on: Friday, November 15, 2013, 05:26:20 PM »
Not anymore.  And not anymore.  :P

I'm glad to hear that the Chop training is not important, though.  I'll get back to the game, eventually.  Borderlands 2 has all my attention at the moment.

Offline Quemaqua

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #59 on: Friday, November 15, 2013, 06:56:23 PM »
Chop is super cute and stuff, but yeah, he was I think more a marketing gimmick as far as the app goes. Actually, the thing is purported to not even work. I couldn't get it to work even when I had it.

天才的な閃きと平均以下のテクニックやな。 課長有野

Offline Cobra951

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #60 on: Thursday, April 17, 2014, 07:36:11 PM »
I played this game for a bit last year, until some typical Rockstar incompetence pissed me off.  In addition to my other rants, the game was hanging when manually loading a save.  I tracked this down to being online, and possibly also related to having some of the free GTA-Online DLC present.  Going offline allows save-file loading from within the game again.  (This is now made easy by rejecting a GTAO-related update to the game, which kicks me off of XBL.)  And a screen was asking me to sign into a profile when I was already signed in; but this screen is frozen--no response to any input.  I tracked this one down to the code stupidly looking at the 2nd controller.  Unplugging it solved the problem.

I played several other games in the interim, but finally I went back to GTA.  Once I got into it, I could not let it go for weeks.  While some obtuse design remains, much of the hair-pulling frustration of previous iterations has finally been solved.  The checkpoint system for missions is terrific.  No longer do lengthy sequences need to be repeated when a mission fails.  And saving progress can be done instantly from the cell phone.  The only reason for saving at a safe house is to advance the world's time by 6 hours (which helps mission progress sometimes).  These improvements pretty much cure rage quitting, and have kept me chasing the mission path a lot more closely than on any previous GTA.

I finished the story a couple of nights ago.  All 69 missions complete, in fact.  That was quite a trip.  They really outdid themselves with the writing and acting.  The 3-character mechanic adds a whole new dimension to the freedom of the open world.  My favorite character was Trevor, until I discovered Franklin's special ability, which completely outshines the other characters'.  It's funny that it took me nearly 100 hours of game time to realize just how terrific it is.  I spend most of my time in GTA games whipping some vehicle or other, and this slo-mo plus enhanced response is the tits.  Plus once Franklin buys LS Customs, it's too much fun modding every car he comes across, for free.  Trevor still wins as my perverse alter ego, though.  Michael brings up the rear by a fair margin.  He's so vanilla.

Technically, the thing is a marvel for such old hardware.  Looks terrific, with rich detail, and the frame rate holds up most of the time (though it does get chuggy on occasion).  Except for the problems I already complained about, the game did not hang on me once, in well over 100 hours of play time.  For an open-world game, that perfect record is unmatched in my experience.  I will guess that installing the whole game (half to the HDD, half to a memory stick) aided that stability.

I love the variety of vehicles and the many truly different things to do.  Every day seemed to bring something new.  It kept the experience from getting stale.  I'm still trying to tackle some unofficial challenges, like parachuting into Fort Zancudo, and making off with a fighter jet.

The only other complaint I can come up with is the limited and dodgy saving of vehicles.  Rockstar should learn a few things from Saints Row IV, where anything you ever used can be recalled later from a list.  If that's too much, then at least take the time to fix the disappearing stuff, and give us much, much more garage space.  This is LA.  I want Jay Leno's garage.

Offline scottws

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Re: Re: Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #61 on: Monday, April 21, 2014, 05:31:38 PM »
Yeah, I saw the controller layout on that 2-page insert.  It's in the game's menu screens as well.  But that's pretty much it.  No printed description of the HUD, or the mechanics of the game--the basic stuff that's normally expected.  I know I can figure it all out as I go.  That's not what's pissing me off.  It's the assumption that everyone has an iPhone or Windows 7 and up.  It's being treated like an outsider if you don't.  If I wanted to game on iPhones, tablets and new systems, I'd have those, and buy games for those.  But I don't.  I have a console.  That's where I do my gaming--ALL of my gaming.  I expect every facility that explains or enhances the game to be available to me as a paying customer, on the system for which I bought the game, or in the box.  I can live with having to download a manual, but I don't much like it.  Here, I can't even do that.


Yeah, I saw the controller layout on that 2-page insert.  It's in the game's menu screens as well.  But that's pretty much it.  No printed description of the HUD, or the mechanics of the game--the basic stuff that's normally expected.  I know I can figure it all out as I go.  That's not what's pissing me off.  It's the assumption that everyone has an iPhone or Windows 7 and up.  It's being treated like an outsider if you don't.  If I wanted to game on iPhones, tablets and new systems, I'd have those, and buy games for those.  But I don't.  I have a console.  That's where I do my gaming--ALL of my gaming.  I expect every facility that explains or enhances the game to be available to me as a paying customer, on the system for which I bought the game, or in the box.  I can live with having to download a manual, but I don't much like it.  Here, I can't even do that.
To be fair to Rockstar, Microsoft has ended Windows XP support only several months after you made this post and there have been what... four Windows desktop OS releases since XP, if you count 8.0 and 8.1 separately.  XP is ancient at this point. Is it functional for the most part even today? Sure, but Rockstar won't be the first deserter and you are done with Windows security updates which is a major problem with today's malware threats.

You can't really expect a third party to support an OS when the OS manufacturer doesn't.

That said, I hear what you are saying regarding a dependency on other platforms for something as simple as a manual that goes through all the game basics.  I haven't played GTA V, but that stuff does sound pretty dumb to me.

Offline Cobra951

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #62 on: Monday, April 21, 2014, 07:21:14 PM »
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Despite Microsoft’s urgings, which began in earnest nearly two-and-a-half years ago, a sizable portion of the world’s PC users are still actively using Windows XP. During March 2014, close to 30 percent of all Internet-connected PCs worldwide were running XP, according to Net Market Share. Only Windows 7 surpassed XP in PC usage.
PC World

XP is, and I think forever will be, the best Windows OS for older 32-bit hardware with a fraction of a GB of RAM.  I'm not sure what all the vulnerability talk is about, other than convenient spooking to get people to spend massive amounts of money on new hardware and operating systems.  I have never been hacked, and I don't even run resident antivirus bloatware.  I use simple prudence which includes a whitelisting firewall, a script blocker (also whitelisting) and an ad blocker (blacklisting), as well as virus checking any executable code I download.  (In other words, the default is that nothing can dial in or out, and no script at all can run.)

With such a massive number of connected PCs running XP, somebody will be supporting them.

Offline scottws

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #63 on: Monday, April 21, 2014, 08:34:03 PM »
What percentage of that 30% of computers running XP are in markets where the OS was rampantly pirated, such as China?  Rockstar's customers are PC users in the Western world.  The XP numbers for that region are all that matter to them.  I'm sure that number is greater than zero, but it isn't as close to 30% as you think.  Especially if you further slice it down to PC gamers.

You might have never have experienced a drive-by-download but then you run all these protections and are a savvy computer user.  The average person isn't doing any of that.  So sure, you will probably be alright but that doesn't mean that newly discovered security flaws in XP aren't a real problem for other people.  I wouldn't discount them so easily.  IT is my career.  Trust me, security vulnerabilities are a major, major problem today and that's even with software that is actively supported and updated.

XP is over 12 years old.  Even venerable Windows 98 SE didn't last anywhere close as long.  You should be glad you got the life out of the OS that you did.  Nothing else has come close.  If you want to keep using it, no one is stopping you.  Just don't be surprised by companies dropping support.

For me, I'm still using Windows 7 at home but I like the behind-the-scenes optimizations apparent in the Windows 8.1 I use at work (with Start8) and I'm probably going to switch to it once I resign myself to the weekend project of reinstalling everything.  With Start8, Windows 8.1 is like a faster Windows 7. I'll admit it, I like it.

Offline gpw11

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #64 on: Monday, April 21, 2014, 09:07:53 PM »
I think the thing is you just can't expect widespread support for XP at this point. I'd assume that most everything would work with it but that there might be exceptions due to older drivers or compatibility issues stemming from not having access to later libraries (which, in turn is pretty much MS's fault for not releasing DX runtimes outside of operating systems anymore).   It's a pain but I can't hold it against publishers or developers for not putting the extra time in.

The instruction manual thing, though - well that's just bullshit.  I don't know why they wouldn't just do what Sony does with some re-releases and just have it install as a PDF to the console that you can access.  Put that PDF on your website as well and BAM!  Instant solution.

I do agree that Rockstar kind of blew it with the manual and meta support. I might have tried iFruit when the game was released but by the time it came out for Android/windows I really just didn't care.




Wait a second...I'm jumping back on Microsoft here. They fucking suck. Windows 8/8.1 is a piece of shit without a touch interface or tweaks and that's a pretty big fuck up.  Microsoft is getting dangerously close to alienating their OS market in an attempt to grab a hold of the mobile market and they don't really have much of a hope there.    My work PCs are all Windows 7 or Windows XP.  I don't even know what the fuck will happen as we start getting new PCs because no one will want to deal with Windows 8 at all unless they've fixed something major.  And the fact that I don't know whether or not they have is a clusterfuck in itself because I SHOULD know if it's now an OS that the average person without a touch screen on their laptop or desktop can easily use.  As it is, I now just recommend family members looking for new computers to move on to OSX - I don't know anything about it, but I'm sure they'll have an easier time with it.

But here's the thing - Microsoft is doing this ass backwards.  If they want to promote their mobile platform, they should be doing it the OTHER way - touting easy integration with the ecosystem people are comfortable using rather than forcing them into the new ecosystem.  They walked into this fight with an advantage that they've severely squandered and can not get back.  

So, now they're in a situation where most people seem to not like their new OS and they're still not winning anyone over with their mobile division.  I read an article written by a fan of Windows Phone and it was nothing but praise regarding how the new version was going to blow iOS and Android out of the water, because of Cortana - yeah, a voice assisted assistant.  That's great and all, but the rest of us got over that two years ago.  It's great to be excited about new features, but you're not going to win anyone over because Coratana can map your route home from work according to traffic conditions when Google Now has been doing it for at least 18 months.  And, as hard as Microsoft tried, their app environment still completely sucks.  Google's not a fan of Bing and seems to be withholding app support against Microsoft because of how heavily they're pushing their own search solution - which is brilliant because now Windows Phone has no official Youtube client, no official Gmail client, and no Google Maps. Want push Gmail support?  You're paying for a third party app to do it (and I've heard it doesn't really work).  HERE maps by Nokia/Navteq is actually pretty good, but I don't know if it could really touch the places business support that Google can offer.

So, you're left with nice hardware by Nokia (I have a feeling the other manufacturers will soon bail) and a nice interface in Metro - but a shit app environment and the hope that Bing will someday be as good as Google.  Which wouldn't be a bad thing, if Microsoft wasn't deepsixing their OS business in order to try and keep their mobile division relevant.

And I think this ties into what Cobra is saying because people are pretty sick of Microsoft in general and are becoming more and more hesitant to further invest in their ecosystem as time goes on.  Unless Windows 9 is a hell of a lot better for traditional users, I think we'll be seeing an even larger portion of users refusing to move past Windows 7 ten years down the road.


Edit: As for Start 8, I agree that Windows is usable with it, but even that is a bit of a liability for a light user.  The second shit goes wrong they're stuck in the metro menu, confused as fuck.

Offline Cobra951

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #65 on: Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 06:46:11 AM »
Wait a second...I'm jumping back on Microsoft here. They fucking suck. Windows 8/8.1 is a piece of shit without a touch interface or tweaks and that's a pretty big fuck up.  Microsoft is getting dangerously close to alienating their OS market in an attempt to grab a hold of the mobile market and they don't really have much of a hope there.    My work PCs are all Windows 7 or Windows XP.  I don't even know what the fuck will happen as we start getting new PCs because no one will want to deal with Windows 8 at all unless they've fixed something major.

. . .

And I think this ties into what Cobra is saying because people are pretty sick of Microsoft in general and are becoming more and more hesitant to further invest in their ecosystem as time goes on.  Unless Windows 9 is a hell of a lot better for traditional users, I think we'll be seeing an even larger portion of users refusing to move past Windows 7 ten years down the road.

There's my take on the fiasco, in a nutshell.  I have no desire to deal with the tile-infested Win 8.  I know that eventually, I probably will, unless I settle for an older OS (7) if I can find it and retrofit it on new PCs, and go through this business of support getting pulled again, sooner than I should.

The thing about XP is that it's the first iteration of consumer-aimed Windows which I feel completely does what it should.  98 SE was not at all in the same league.  XP is NT-based, making it not only rock-stable, but totally insulating of itself from misbehaving applications (if not misbehaving drivers).  It's lean, and carries a small footprint.  It multitasks without a hitch.  It finally perfects the GUI started with Windows 1, which is still the best GUI on Earth for mouse-driven PCs.  Newer PCs with gigabytes of RAM and 64-bit architectures need Win 7, but it would be too heavy of a load on 10-year-old technology.  So upgrading the OS would require also upgrading the hardware.  That's an expensive proposition, and for me, totally unnecessary, so far.  I'm not putting on any blinders, though.  I'll see where things go from here.  If I'm wrong, and everyone drops XP support like a hot potato, I'll have to bite the bullet, enduring the time, pain and expense of the migration for myself, my mother and my girlfriend.  I will not do it unless I really have to.

What percentage of that 30% of computers running XP are in markets where the OS was rampantly pirated, such as China?  Rockstar's customers are PC users in the Western world.  The XP numbers for that region are all that matter to them.  I'm sure that number is greater than zero, but it isn't as close to 30% as you think.  Especially if you further slice it down to PC gamers.

I find your post surprising.  GTA V is a huge global seller, plus Rockstar's customers are console users, who may or may not have other computer equipment.  I'm fortunate to have my PC attached to the same screen (as well as a second screen for when the main one is displaying something else) with everything accessible from the same desk chair.  I suspect most players would have to run into another room to look something up on a PC, unless they happen to have smartphones or tablets, and a generous data plan.

Offline scottws

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #66 on: Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 07:05:43 AM »
For what it's worth, Microsoft did announce they would be bringing a Start menu similar to Windows 7's and Start8's back in a future Windows update.

http://mashable.com/2014/04/02/universal-windows-apps/

I think the big issue with Windows 8.x's GUI (without Start8 or its kin) is that there really isn't any guide to tell you what to do.  The first time I accidentally entered a Modern UI app, I had no idea how to exit it!  Luckily, one of my colleagues is a huge Microsoft fan and had been running the Windows 8 preview for a long time and he told me how to exit.  It's the same thing with logging out.

If Microsoft was going to change the paradigm on how to interact with the OS, they needed to at least have a tutorial even if it something as simple as what Google's and Motorola's Android does where it gives you little hints on what you can do on a screen the first time you see it.  They completely failed to do that.

Like many have said, they should have just let non-touch devices go straight to the desktop and use the Start menu and let touch devices use Modern UI by default.  That would have been fine.  They have realized their mistake, but it might be too late.

Offline scottws

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #67 on: Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 07:07:29 AM »
I find your post surprising.  GTA V is a huge global seller, plus Rockstar's customers are console users, who may or may not have other computer equipment.  I'm fortunate to have my PC attached to the same screen (as well as a second screen for when the main one is displaying something else) with everything accessible from the same desk chair.  I suspect most players would have to run into another room to look something up on a PC, unless they happen to have smartphones or tablets, and a generous data plan.
So GTA is a huge franchise in China?  When I said "Western world", I'm not just referring to North America but rather Westernized-societies:  North America, Europe, and parts of the middle East.  That is the core.

In the end it doesn't matter.  XP had unprecedented success and longevity, but its time has come to an end whether you like it or not.  Microsoft has released three (four if you count 8.1 seperately) desktop operating systems since XP.

Like I said, if you don't want to upgrade don't.  You already said it works for you.

Offline Cobra951

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #68 on: Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 07:21:17 AM »
Come on, Scott.  It's not about China.  There are 2 discussions here (one of which really doesn't belong in this thread, but we've known each other long enough to be informal).  My reply was mainly to your comment that Rockstar's customers were Western PC users.  GTA V doesn't even have a PC version (yet).  My original complaint was that they were assuming their customers had not only additional connected equipment to complete the game experience, but a limited subset of such hardware.  Then there's the discussion--brought up by you--about Windows XP and its questionable future since April 8th.  I don't know what percentage of XP users are in China.  Does it matter?  That's millions of systems participating in the global networking system.  Do we really want to let them become (unwitting) sources for malware and other infections?

If we're going to start counting, I routinely deal with 4 PCs running Windows XP.  They are not in China.

Offline scottws

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #69 on: Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 07:24:30 AM »
I don't know what to tell you.  Clearly we don't see eye-to-eye on this issue, and I don't have anything further to add.

Offline scottws

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #70 on: Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 07:28:12 AM »
That's millions of systems participating in the global networking system.  Do we really want to let them become (unwitting) sources for malware and other infections?
It's not like the end of support for XP is a surprise.  It was well-communicated and Microsoft already extended it twice.  At some point, it really is no longer their responsibility to keep pouring resources into one of their old products.  It's not really much different than other old software that don't receive updates to work on modern computers and operating systems; the software vendor has decided it was better for their bottom line just to move on.

Anyway, I don't have any more to add.  Clearly we don't see eye-to-eye on this issue, which is fine.  I certainly didn't mean to derail the discussion.  I just don't like it when someone says something like "OMG Ford doesn't make parts for my 1982 Tempo any more! They need to burn in hell!"  Yes... a bit melodramatic, I admit.

Offline MysterD

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V -> Update - GTA:Online launches....with problems galore.
« Reply #71 on: Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 05:13:47 PM »
It's not like the end of support for XP is a surprise.  It was well-communicated and Microsoft already extended it twice.  At some point, it really is no longer their responsibility to keep pouring resources into one of their old products.  It's not really much different than other old software that don't receive updates to work on modern computers and operating systems; the software vendor has decided it was better for their bottom line just to move on.

Anyway, I don't have any more to add.  Clearly we don't see eye-to-eye on this issue, which is fine.  I certainly didn't mean to derail the discussion.  I just don't like it when someone says something like "OMG Ford doesn't make parts for my 1982 Tempo any more! They need to burn in hell!"  Yes... a bit melodramatic, I admit.
I'm surprised it took M$ this long to stop Win XP support.

I have Windows 7 on my main desktop gaming PC; and Windows 8.1 (with StartMenu 8 loaded) on my [weak] laptop. Yeah, I didn't like Modern UI / Metro UI at all. But, I don't have a problem w/ Win 8.1, even since loading StartMenu8. Keep in mind - that is NOT my main gaming rig and I ain't doing most of my real PC gaming on that. That laptop's meant to run old-games, when I'm "on the go" - and it's not like I'm using it very often, either.

I don't know why any modern PC gamer would even use Win XP (32-bit) - especially since there's so much newer hardware and software out there. I guess the only reason to use Win XP would be if you're to dual-boot it on a modern rig just to run something old or something of the sort (that won't work on newer OS'). Win 7 (64-bit) is perfectly fine for PC gaming, TBH.

EDIT:
Come on, Scott.  It's not about China.  There are 2 discussions here (one of which really doesn't belong in this thread, but we've known each other long enough to be informal).  My reply was mainly to your comment that Rockstar's customers were Western PC users.  GTA V doesn't even have a PC version (yet).  My original complaint was that they were assuming their customers had not only additional connected equipment to complete the game experience, but a limited subset of such hardware.  Then there's the discussion--brought up by you--about Windows XP and its questionable future since April 8th.  I don't know what percentage of XP users are in China.  Does it matter?  That's millions of systems participating in the global networking system.  Do we really want to let them become (unwitting) sources for malware and other infections?

If we're going to start counting, I routinely deal with 4 PCs running Windows XP.  They are not in China.

Given how GTA4 PC turned out and numerous previous PC GTA ports (see GTA3 PC, GTA SA PC), one could bet most high-end rigs in general won't be able to run GTA5 PC until its patched numerous times and been out for a few years - nevermind even entering the discussion of what PC's people around the globe will be running. ;)
We can assume GTA5 PC will probably run like shit on most rigs. ;)
Probably need a rocket-ship of a PC to run that game.

Offline Xessive

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V
« Reply #72 on: Wednesday, April 23, 2014, 09:02:48 AM »
I've got Win8.1 U1 set up on my main gaming rig and I do not understand what all the fuss is about anymore. The start screen was a hassle but with some minor tweaks (and Start8) Win8 functions exactly the same as Win7 with quite a few added improvements e.g. file transfers, task manager, etc. In terms of resource management Win8 trumps Win7. As I've said before the way I use Win8 is really no different than Win7. It kinda feels like Win7.5. Plus the flat UI aesthetics are more appealing to my minimalist taste.

The minor improvements introduced in the Windows 8.1 Update 1 (April 2014 update) have made a subtle difference in the way of mouse+keyboard usage. I will say that if Windows 9 does come around sooner than expected (and I hope it doesn't) Microsoft had better make a phenomenal offer for Win8 users either as a free update or at least a massive discount. Win8 is not another Vista. Vista was a failed attempt at competing while holding on to Microsoft's old "toss it over the fence" attitude. Win7's success is due, in no small part, to Microsoft's change in attitude and actually listening to their consumers.

I didn't install Start8 the last time I formatted and, honestly, I've gotten the hang of the Start Screen though I don't use much else of the Modern UI; the Modern UI apps are a waste of time for a desktop user (though I'll admit I like the Photos app and its presentable appearance, great for slideshows).

As a keyboard user I treat the start screen like a fullscreen start menu: hit start, type what I need, enter. If you're not looking at the screen the type-anywhere-search feature does technically function the exact same way as Win7's start menu.

Anyway, coming back to GTA, I hope GTAV makes its way to PC. has there been any word on whether or not it will be coming to the PS4 and XBO? Last I heard Rockstar were reluctant but didn't give an official "never."

Offline MysterD

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Offline scottws

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Re:
« Reply #74 on: Tuesday, May 13, 2014, 06:24:28 PM »
Any 360 users having trouble with BAWSAQ today? I'm on Live (non-gold) and even signed up for that Rockstar Social Club thing and it still says it is down for maintenance.

I need it so I can invest it Fruit before a Lester assassination mission.

Offline gpw11

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V
« Reply #75 on: Tuesday, May 13, 2014, 06:41:59 PM »
I don't think it's actually linked to the internet (I could be wrong on this).  Is it one of the first Lester missions?  It might just be down in the game because they haven't explained the significance yet.



The above might be dumb, I really didn't use it more than twice.

Offline Cobra951

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V
« Reply #76 on: Tuesday, May 13, 2014, 10:21:45 PM »
BAWSAQ is based on the collective online crowd, I think.  It's always down for me when I play offline (which is always the case for me now, since I'm rejecting an update in order to stay offline--to prevent some idiocies like the game hanging when I try to manually load a save file).

Edit:  Yep.

Quote
Question: Whenever I go to BAWSAQ, it says “Down for Maintenance.”  How can I access it?

Answer: If you are unable to access BAWSAQ for this reason, please sign into Xbox Live or PSN.  A live connection is required to access this feature.
Source

You know, the whole thing is probably bullshit.  I'm guessing they're treating it like an extension of GTA Online, and making you have a connection without it really being necessary.  The same thing happens to the free DLC that gives you 3 special cars, one of which is a fun dune buggy.  That's supposed not to work unless you're online, but once in a while, the buggy launch code lets it through, and it works for me for the whole session, even though I'm offline.  The title of the DLC includes "GTA Online" in it, for no good reason at all.  Bunch of crap to keep people subservient.

Offline gpw11

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Re:
« Reply #77 on: Wednesday, May 14, 2014, 07:49:38 AM »
That's seems weird.   I figured when you were offline BAWSAQ was too, as the stocks could be manipulated directly by player action/the story.   I guess the non-affected stocks are still online prices. 

You're definitely on to something

Offline Cobra951

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V
« Reply #78 on: Wednesday, May 14, 2014, 08:29:43 AM »
I wondered why I could never find the stocks related to the assassination missions.  Now I know.  They're wrapped into the online-only component (for no good reason at all, since your actions in your SP game have no relevance to the online masses).  I guess I don't need to hold back on those missions anymore in my 2nd trip through the story.  That's happening in a fully offline profile anyway.

Offline scottws

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Re: Grand Theft Auto V
« Reply #79 on: Thursday, May 15, 2014, 09:55:36 AM »
It was working yesterday.  I'm not sure if the issue was on my end or not.  But yeah, after a certain point the stocks are all on the BAWSAQ instead of LCN.  I think it was the last three assassination missions.

I think I messed up my game.  I didn't start working the assassination mission stocks until the last LCN one, so I didn't reap the full reward that I could have.  Additionally, when I started focusing on those assassination missions Trevor only had about $2,500 and Franklin only had about $8,000, so they didn't make out that much in the end.  Michael on the other hand had about $250,000 and now has almost $3,000,000.  I probably should have done more heists or something before doing the assassination missions.

Is there any other good way to make money in this game?  I tried playing the stock market normally without the insider information, and even though I buy stocks near the listed low, I almost always see them sitting in the red regardless and if I do make money, it is like a 1% gain.