Grand Theft Auto V

[Melbosa]

So it has been a very long time since I've played a GTA game.  A very long time!  But after seeing some reviews and seeing how much is in the GTA-V game, I might have to check this one out.

Here is a good video preview of the game: http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/09/16/grand-theft-auto-v-review

Anyone else interested in this title?  I know it is a little mature for some house holds... so I think some of you would be out.  Its too bad as it looks like it has so many different aspects to a game!

[Mr. Analog]

Already pre-ordered, sadly I won't be able to pick it up until Wednesday

I honestly can't believe it's been 5 years since GTAIV... I wonder if Roman still wants to go bowling?

[Thorin]

Hmm, seems like it was pretty expensive to create.  I hope they get their money back on it.

[Melbosa]

Wow lol... I didn't know that!

[Mr. Analog]

From what I understand this map is going to be huge, larger than GTA: San Andreas, GTA IV and Red Dead Redemption combined. There was also talk of reducing the amount of pointless empty space (which was a problem in San Andreas) by condensing the wilderness. What this means is that we have a huge world crafted with more detail than GTAIV, which to me is something I just have to see.

The level of detail in this one is by all accounts beyond pretty much anything before it, as well as the sheer size and variety means you'll have access to a lot more things to do (the return of fixed wing aircraft for one).

Given GTA's track record of great games I'm sure they went all out and I'm really looking forward to exploring that world.

[Darren Dirt]

Hmm, seems like it was pretty expensive to create.  I hope they get their money back on it.
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It's really getting ridic isn't it ... the handful of games with amazingly deep storyline, character arcs, voice acting -- all having a budget exceeding virtually EVERY big Hollywood blockbuster film*; even with being part of the GTA series, even with great reviews and huge opening-week numbers, it's still gonna be tough to make the money back, unless there's plenty of extra-value add-on revenue in the mix.





*perspective -- after the original classic was so financially successfull, look what producers were able to set aside for the Wachowskis to do the un-needed #2 and #3:
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=matrixreloaded.htm
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=matrixrevolutions.htm
That's $150million, but usually it's more than that if such a general, estimated, "round number" like that. Heck, $250million = that recent Disney flop that really shouldn't be named -- but it had no "big name" lead actors! Still, not that it's really comparable film vs VG, since film production costs != video game production costs -- different stuff in each inflates the respective budget.

[Mr. Analog]

GTA IV made $310 million bucks in its first day selling 3.6 million copies, by 2012 it had sold over 22 million copies.

Development cost was estimated around $100 million, so GTA IV made it's money back and turned a profit in a single day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Theft_Auto_IV#Commercial_success

I have no doubt in my mind that they will recoup their cash.

That said, other games with equally grand plans have fallen flat on their faces ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APB:_All_Points_Bulletin ) or had such bad management that even with relatively good sales virtually imploded ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Noire )

[Darren Dirt]

GTA IV made $310 million bucks in its first day selling 3.6 million copies, by 2012 it had sold over 22 million copies.

Back then there was a lot less competition for your entertainment dollars.

Also, that's the gross revenue, i.e. sales in stores and online etc. A good chunk of that coin is never gonna fall into the pockets of those who produce the game -- plenty is distributed among the levels of store / wholesaler / publisher ... so if the development budget was $200M+ then you'd need gross sales in excess of $400M to be profitable, or more. From what I understand about sales/marketing/business (i.e. not much )

[Mr. Analog]

From the same wikipedia article; at the time film industry execs were worried about the release of Iron Man being impacted by the release of GTAIV, oddly prescient...

Here's an article from 2009 that sticks out in my memory:
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2009/sep/27/videogames-hollywood

It's like the Golden Age of cinema where there were a glut of really amazing films all dazzling you week to week, it's no surprise that both industries have sort of evolved similarly over time (in terms of funding anyway).

Even the indie titles are getting decent amount of production or have extremely clever design elements that pull you in and beg to be played (Papers Please! -- simple yet brilliant!)

I think the big problem at the moment is that there are just so many great games vying for attention that it's getting difficult to choose where your bux go, and these are all games with pretty good production values all clamouring for your eyeballs.

It's a good time to be alive if you like more interactive entertainment.

[Mr. Analog]

Somewhat hyperbolic? "Best Game Ever"
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/gaming/perfect-gta-v-may-be-the-best-game-ever-made/article14333923/

Dang, maybe I should book some time off hah*

*sweatily remembering playing Bioshock Infinite 9 hours straight

[Mr. Analog]

Analyst predicts 1 billion revenue in the first month:
http://www.vg247.com/2013/09/16/gta-5-sales-to-top-1-billion-in-first-month-analyst-predicts/

It will be interesting to see how this one performs.

[Thorin]

I guess it depends on how much they sell the game for, as well as how many units they sell.  That earlier post about GTA IV making 310million on 3.6million units, that means the average price was about $86 per unit.  I thought North America got the highest price at $60 per disc?

[Mr. Analog]

When GTA IV launched there were special collectors' edition versions, so prices varied.

As well prices in some areas like Australia are sometimes surprisingly higher than average.

[Mr. Analog]

Damn I wish I didn't have to be at the doctor today I really want to get my hands on this game today

[Darren Dirt]

Huge sales != Huge profits
http://www.vg247.com/2013/01/07/xbox-360-and-ps3-losses-total-8-billion-ex-sony-employee-paints-grim-future/