Grand Theft Auto Grieving Thread - Yep, I've been drinkin' again...

[The Last Stand]

Remember Mafia III and its tepid reception because of its humdrum gameplay loop?

Well, Kotaku did a piece on Mafia III's development woes and Hanger 13 post Mafia III.

It's an interesting read if you're interested in behind-the-scenes stuff and how Mafia III came to be and why. Very in-depth.

Basically: the TLR is that:

• Hanger 13 was a new development team from leftover members of LucasArts.
• Mafia started in 2002 under 2K Czech. That was overshadowed by GTA III. Mafia II was released in 2010, which was overshadowed by Red Dead Redemption.
• 2K wanted new blood with Mafia III, to compete with Rockstar Games. Hanger 13 promised a new direction in story, 2K obliged but threw away the work that 2K Czech started on.
• The engine that Mafia III was built on was made in Czech. Translation and cultural issues between 2K Czech & Hanger 13 followed.
• Too many new ideas, not enough time. 2K wanted that game out after six years in development.
• Several features, even DLC was cut. The game was released in mid 2016.
• 2K offered Hanger 13 a choice: Mafia III or a new IP. Hanger 13 chose the latter.
• Hanger 13 was fractured. Some were laid off, some were moved to another project, some remained.

What I want to touch on is the new IP. Hanger 13 had this new IP project called Rhapsody. Rhapsody would take place in 1980s Berlin; you would play as a Russian Jew whose parents were killed in a Soviet camp. Said Russian Jew would be recused and recruited by Americans into a spy organization called... Rhapsody. They didn't get far with that vision.

However, with the release of Mafia III: Definitive Edition, modders were able to find the Berlin map, along with other cut content, inside the re-released game.

It's basically a low render map of Rhapsody's Berlin map but it is remarkable that it was "added" and found by Mafia III dataminers. Modded Games has a lot of videos on Mafia mods and unreleased content for the Mafia series.

 

[Fuck Y'all]

• Several features, even DLC was cut. The game was released in mid 2016.

so, It's Mafia II all over again?

ZELNICK YOU FUCKING IDIOT

 

[Dom Cruise]

What R* game would you like to see return?

Again, I'd love a Bully sequel (with or without the original cast). I'd like to see a Manhunt 3. Maybe even an experimental GTA like Chinatown Wars.

Although I'm glad CW was released when R* was humble. None of that pay to win crap.

A Bully sequel but I'd also love to see a reboot of The Warriors as a full on open world game.

1970s NYC would be such a perfect setting for a modern open world game, in my mind's eye I can see side activities like going to porno theaters, peep shows, punk rock bars and so on so clearly I'm shocked no one has done something like that yet.

2K and Hanger 13 recently announced a Mafia Trilogy for PS4, Xbox One & PC.

The coup de grace of this trilogy is the Mafia: Definitive Edition, a "faithful, but expanded remake" of the original 2002 game built from the ground-up.



As it's a trilogy bundle, Mafia II is "remastered" for PS4, Xbox One & Steam. This comes with all the story DLC. If you have the Steam version, you'd be upgraded to that at no cost.

Mafia III will just be the same game with all the story DLC. BUT, say you own the game on PlayStation 4, Xbox One or Steam, you will have to download an update that will give you the three story DLCs at no cost.



Since this is an update, if you own a physical version of Mafia III, you will receive all DLC at no cost after downloading it.

Now, I've seen gameplay of Mafia II: Definitive Edition. It looks the same to me as the original release. At best, a PC port with maximum settings.

The original Mafia will be the reason to get the trilogy, but $30 for Mafia II seems like a tough sell for slightly prettier visuals.

This is really unexpected and cool, I was just recently wishing there would be a modern 1930s gangster game and boom, there it is.

I love Mafia II, but have never played the original (other than briefly the PS2 port which sucked and I didn't get far), so I'm looking forward to an opportunity to play the remake of the original and replay the sequel.

I may even finally give III a chance.

On the topic of "GTA clone" and Vigilante, there's one game that stands out to me.

View attachment 1317705

True Crime: Streets of LA came out on PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube and PC in 2003. It's an open world game just like GTA, but the roles have swapped. Instead of playing as as criminal, you're a cop.

I don't remember the plot too much; all I remember is you play as an Asian-American cop named Nick Kang in Los Angeles. Go to Wikipedia if you're interested in that.

What I DO remember is the city, the gameplay and the soundtrack.

The game recreates 240 sq. miles of Los Angeles (400 but that was changed in development) right down to the street layout and popular LA landmarks.

As in GTA, you do missions in that open world and can commander vehicles at will. The key difference is that in said open world, you're a cop so you can get dispatch missions to stop criminals. Imagine the Vigilante side mission but expanded. There can be small crimes like muggings or street fights to bigger endeavors like shootouts and car chases.

You have auto aim and precision aiming, which plays into the cop gameplay. You can disarm and use non-neutralizing shots with precision aim. These would give you "Good Cop" points. But just go in guns blazing with non-lethal enemies or kill civilians, you get "Bad Cop" points.

"Good Cop" points can be used to buy fighting moves and progress further into the story with alternate endings. "Bad Cop" points will have civilians react negatively to you, lock out fighting moves and again, provide an alternative ending to the game. Very dynamic system.

The soundtrack is mainly West Coast music. Mostly rap, but you have some rock and funk sprinkled in. There's no radio stations, it's more like a MP3 player set up. You can customize what songs play in the Options menu. Here's the soundtrack on Youtube.

It's not perfect; the graphics aren't as sharp as GTA, the plot and protagonist is forgettable, and the song will stop if you leave the car. But in all respects, it's an ambitious, and respectful twist to the GTA formula.

The really bizarre thing about this game is it takes a turn into Big Trouble in Little China territory with you fighting supernatural monsters and shit.

I miss the days of completely fucking ridiculous "video game" video games like this that saw no qualms with putting supernatural Chinese stuff in a GTA clone, there's a charming innocent goofiness to games of yesteryear.

Sounds like Sleeping Dogs borrowed a lot from it. But I'll definitely look into it more and check it out if I can. I always like games like this.

Sleeping Dogs started life as "True Crime: Hong Kong"

 

[The Last Stand]

1970s NYC would be such a perfect setting for a modern open world game, in my mind's eye I can see side activities like going to porno theaters, peep shows, punk rock bars and so on so clearly I'm shocked no one has done something like that yet.

The closest thing to that, as of now, is The Godfather movie tie in game.

 

[Syaoran Li]

The closest thing to that, as of now, is The Godfather movie tie in game.

And that was the vaguely Art Deco/Film Noir New York of the 1940's and 1950's, which is a totally different vibe from the NYC of the 70's and 80's.

Still, the first Godfather game was actually pretty good despite being a movie tie-in and part of the 2000's "GTA Clone" fad, developed by EA no less!

I liked The Godfather video game a lot, and I personally consider it the last good EA game ever made. The video game adaptation of The Godfather Part II was a crock of shit though.

Still, @Dom Cruise has a truly awesome idea and I'm surprised Rockstar hasn't tried it, either as a GTA prequel set in 1970's Liberty City or as a spiritual remake of The Warriors video game they did in 2005.

Grindhouses, nightclubs, bordellos, and porno theaters all up and down Times Square (or Star Junction if it's a GTA prequel) and the groovy cars and fashions of the 70's. Brawling in punk rock dive bars and dancing in flashy disco clubs in a decayed and fallen city on the brink.

If I was in charge of the game, I'd have the final missions of the game set during the Blackout of '77 or an equivalent thereof, sort of like how San Andreas had a fictional version of the LA Riots in its last few missions. I always liked how GTA and RDR had subtle nods to real life events and include fictional versions thereof.

RDR 2 even has the Great Blizzard of 1899, as obscure as that is.

Hell, if you go in the style of The Warriors as opposed to a GTA IV prequel, you could bring back a lot of the gangs from Manhunt and have them reworked for the new game.

Manhunt was originally envisioned as an adaptation of The Warriors but Rockstar couldn't get the license at the time, so Dan Houser decided to make it more of a social commentary mixed with stealthy survival horror and set against the backdrop of a gonzo snuff film.

Honestly, Manhunt being originally intended as The Warriors probably explains why all the gangs had crazy gimmicks and costumes.

 

[The Last Stand]

Manhunt was originally envisioned as an adaptation of The Warriors but Rockstar couldn't get the license at the time, so Dan Houser decided to make it more of a social commentary mixed with stealthy survival horror and set against the backdrop of a gonzo snuff film.

I didn't even know that. Rockstar Games were always experimenting with different genres in the sixth generation.

Take Two recently said that even if GTA VI is popular, they wouldn't necessarily abandon GTA V's online mode.

He compared it to NBA 2K, which is bizarre considering that, A) it's an annual franchise and B) they're known to sunset servers for their 2K games two years, hell even 13 MONTHS after their latest title.

 

[The Last Stand]

GTA V.

First released on PS3 and Xbox 360. Then, PS4 and Xbox One. THEN, the PC.

They re-released GTA V Premium Online Edition with the Criminal Mastermind Pack, then put it on Xbox Game Pass & finally released it for FREE on the Epic Games Store.

Now, GTA V will be re-released ... on the PS5 in 2021.

 

[Syaoran Li]

GTA V.

First released on PS3 and Xbox 360. Then, PS4 and Xbox One. THEN, the PC.

They re-released GTA V Premium Online Edition with the Criminal Mastermind Pack, then put it on Xbox Game Pass & finally released it for FREE on the Epic Games Store.

Now, GTA V will be re-released ... on the PS5 in 2021.

View attachment 1368901

GTA V is to Rockstar what Skyrim is to Bethesda at this point.

But at the same time, I think they're doing a PS5 launch release of GTA V to build hype for GTA VI and this is mainly to give people a fresh start with GTA Online and tide them over while they work on GTA VI.

 

[The Last Stand]

GTA V is to Rockstar what Skyrim is to Bethesda at this point.

But at the same time, I think they're doing a PS5 launch release of GTA V to build hype for GTA VI and this is mainly to give people a fresh start with GTA Online and tide them over while they work on GTA VI.

"Expanded and extended" they said.

How? Is it basically a PC port of GTA V with max settings? Cross-platform play? Maybe even North Yankton as a playable area?

I wish they would go back to their cancelled single player DLC, yet on the off chance they DO, would it just be exclusive to the next generation?

At least the load times for GTA Online would be reduced because of Sony's SSD, right?

 

[Duncan Hills Coffee]

GTA V.

First released on PS3 and Xbox 360. Then, PS4 and Xbox One. THEN, the PC.

They re-released GTA V Premium Online Edition with the Criminal Mastermind Pack, then put it on Xbox Game Pass & finally released it for FREE on the Epic Games Store.

Now, GTA V will be re-released ... on the PS5 in 2021.

View attachment 1368901

Repeating what I said in the Not-E3 thread, but why though? Why not remaster a game that actually needs one like IV? IV runs like garbage even on modern PCs and it would benefit from a re-release that doesn't run like dogshit.

I get that IV wouldn't bring in the big bucks like V, but it's depressing that it's turned into the game Rockstar forgot. For God's sake, the early 3D games get way more attention than IV.

 

[Fuck Y'all]

GTA V is to T2 what Skyrim is to Zenimax at this point.

FTFY

 

[The Last Stand]

Repeating what I said in the Not-E3 thread, but why though? Why not remaster a game that actually needs one like IV? IV runs like garbage even on modern PCs and it would benefit from a re-release that doesn't run like dogshit.

I get that IV wouldn't bring in the big bucks like V, but it's depressing that it's turned into the game Rockstar forgot. For God's sake, the early 3D games get way more attention than IV.

I was also hoping for a Red Dead Redemption remaster. Perhaps with the RDR 2 engine, that would've made more sense as RDR didn't get a PC port and the original source code is butchered.

R* is milking GTA V for all they could.

It seems with GTA IV, they left it to die. The soundtrack was neutered, the multiplayer was removed (on PC. On consoles, it's a hacker's haven), the performance is subpar, but it has an engaging story from beginning to end.

 

[Miller]

Now, GTA V will be re-released ... on the PS5 in 2021.

Will it run at more than 24fps on console?

 

[Syaoran Li]

Repeating what I said in the Not-E3 thread, but why though? Why not remaster a game that actually needs one like IV? IV runs like garbage even on modern PCs and it would benefit from a re-release that doesn't run like dogshit.

I get that IV wouldn't bring in the big bucks like V, but it's depressing that it's turned into the game Rockstar forgot. For God's sake, the early 3D games get way more attention than IV.

I think IV is the black sheep of the series since a lot of people didn't like the continuity reboot and the shitty gameplay and limited features, so IV gets a bad rep.

Shame, because IV had a great story and I loved the updated version of Liberty Rock Radio from The Lost and Damned

I was also hoping for a Red Dead Redemption remaster. Perhaps with the RDR 2 engine, that would've made more sense as RDR didn't get a PC port and the original source code is butchered.

R* is milking GTA V for all they could.

It seems with GTA IV, they left it to die. The soundtrack was neutered, the multiplayer was removed (on PC. On consoles, it's a hacker's haven), the performance is subpar, but it has an engaging story from beginning to end.

IV is a very polarizing game among the GTA fandom and wasn't as beloved as San Andreas was nor is it as revolutionary as III was, and it didn't sell as well as V did,

At the same time, IV had the best story of any game in the series but I see why R* tries to more or less ignore it.

Personally, I love the idea of a remake of RDR with RDR 2's engine.

 

[The Last Stand]

IV is a very polarizing game among the GTA fandom and wasn't as beloved as San Andreas was nor is it as revolutionary as III was, and it didn't sell as well as V did,

GTA IV was my favorite console GTA, DLC included. But now, it did not age well.

I thought the continuity reboot was a smart decision. They wanted to start over with the new generation, and they did quite well.

Red Read Revolver to Red Dead Redemption they did the same thing.

If the PS5 will have native backwards compatibility with PS4, what about GTA V on PS4? Will it upgrade for free or just rebuy it? Same with Xbox Series X.

 

[Honka Honka Burning Love]

I thought the continuity reboot was a smart decision. They wanted to start over with the new generation, and they did quite well.

The problem was that it had none of the over the top humor of the previous GTA titles and the protagonist was a bigger faggot than CJ.

 

[The Last Stand]

The problem was that it had none of the over the top humor of the previous GTA titles and the protagonist was a bigger faggot than CJ.

Previous GTA games were based on films with their time period.

GTA III with Goodfellas and other Mafia films apparently.
GTA VC with Miami Vice.
GTA: San Andreas with Menace II Society and other 90s gangster films.

They wanted to do an original story but have some inspiration from films. I applaud them for maturing GTA, but going back to their roots with Chinatown Wars.

What was your expectation when you first heard that IV was coming out?

 

[Personal Jesus]

It's embarrasing how Rockstar keeps milking the same game after 7 fucking years. And fuck the fans that want a new game, I guess.

 

[Honka Honka Burning Love]

What was your expectation when you first heard that IV was coming out?

Fun over the top Violence with jokes.

You know, like the best GTA (Vice City)

 

[The Last Stand]

It's embarrasing how Rockstar keeps milking the same game after 7 fucking years. And fuck the fans that want a new game, I guess.

They'll get GTA VI, it'll just be a shell of its former glory.

Likely the ONLY new title R* will release for next gen.