GRAND THEFT AUTO Q&A'S - UPDATE 17/01/14

[seck]

Hey all, there has been a lot of confusion in the threads about the upcoming release of GTA V on Steam. I've written a Q&A to clear up some of these issues up as best as I can with some help from Rockstar's official website www.rockstargames.com.

Q: When will the full game be released?

A: As we head into 2015, we would like to share the first screens and system specs of Grand Theft Auto V for PC as well as a new release date of March 24, 2015.

http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/52374/gtav-pc-new-release-date-first-screens-and-system-specs

Q: How much will pre-order be?

A: For USD$59.99 you can now pre-order GTA V directly on Steam! Alternatively you can purchase a retail copy here: http://www.rockstargames.com/V/order

PRE-PURCHASE BY FEBRUARY 1 AND GET $1,000,000 IN-GAME PLUS A BONUS $300,000 AND A BONUS GAME
Pre-purchase and get $1,000,000 in-game ($500,000 for Grand Theft Auto V and $500,000 for Grand Theft Auto Online).

Pre-purchase by February 1 and get a bonus $300,000 for Grand Theft Auto Online and a bonus digital download of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on PC.

Grand Theft Auto V for PC will be available for pre-load prior to release.

If you pre-order from the Rockstar Warehouse you get to choose a digital copy of either; Max Payne 3, LA Noire, GTA IV/EFLC, Bully, GTA SA, Max Payne 2, GTA Vice City, Midnight Club II or GTA III and then "the activation code for Grand Theft Auto V on PC will be provided via email.

Q: What are the system requirements?

A:

http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/52374/gtav-pc-new-release-date-first-screens-and-system-specs

Minimum specifications:
OS: Windows 8.1 64 Bit, Windows 8 64 Bit, Windows 7 64 Bit Service Pack 1, Windows Vista 64 Bit Service Pack 2* (*NVIDIA video card recommended if running Vista OS)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs) / AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs) @ 2.5GHz
Memory: 4GB
Video Card: NVIDIA 9800 GT 1GB / AMD HD 4870 1GB (DX 10, 10.1, 11)
Sound Card: 100% DirectX 10 compatible
HDD Space: 65GB
DVD Drive

Recommended specifications:
OS: Windows 8.1 64 Bit, Windows 8 64 Bit, Windows 7 64 Bit Service Pack 1
Processor: Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.2GHZ (4 CPUs) / AMD X8 FX-8350 @ 4GHZ (8 CPUs)
Memory: 8GB
Video Card: NVIDIA GTX 660 2GB / AMD HD7870 2GB
Sound Card: 100% DirectX 10 compatible
HDD Space: 65GB
DVD Drive

Q: Will GTA V run better than GTA IV?

A: Yes. The requirements for recommended are actually lower than Max Payne 3's.

Q: Is GTA V PC a port from console versions?

A: We can not answer this question at this time, but this Twitter post from Rockstar is what we can show you:
Originally posted by Evidently Chickentown:
https://twitter.com/RockstarGames/statuses/194590539901972480

Q: What's new in GTA V PC?

A: Grand Theft Auto V for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC will feature a range of major visual and technical upgrades to make Los Santos and Blaine County more immersive than ever. In addition to increased draw distances and higher resolution, players can expect a range of additions and improvements including:

- New weapons, vehicles and activities
- Additional wildlife
- Denser traffic
- New foliage system
- Enhanced damage and weather effects, and much more

http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/52341/gtav-ign-delivers-new-details-first-person-experience
"There’s so much new about this version Grand Theft Auto V, but it’s obvious Rockstar was keen to deliver something above and beyond a technical upgrade – it’s given players an entirely new way of playing the game. From shooters to action games, we’re all used to adopting the first-person, but the way in which this new perspective transforms the GTA 5 experience can’t be understated; it fundamentally alters how you inhabit and interact with this world. It rewrites the experience."

Alongside the new First Person mode, Grand Theft Auto V for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC features hundreds of additions and enhancements including 1080p resolution at 30FPS on PS4 and Xbox One (4K compatible on PC).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU1hvbB9F6w

Q: Will there be Games for Windows Live(GFWL) like GTA IV?

A: There will not be GFWL as it is only continuing support for existing content. GTA V will be integrated with Rockstar Social Club, a great tool for tracking stats, achievements, rewards, Crews, and much more.

Q: I have already created a player in GTA: Online, will I have to start again?

A: Existing players will be able to transfer their Grand Theft Auto Online characters and progression to their choice of PlayStation 4, Xbox One or PC. For more info about gaining access to exclusive content for returning players.

Players must have previously completed the Prologue in Grand Theft Auto V on PlayStation®3 or Xbox 360 while connected to the PlayStation®Network or Xbox Live respectively. A Rockstar Games Social Club account and a current PlayStation®Network and/or Xbox Live account will be required to unlock this content on PlayStation®4, Xbox One or PC

http://www.rockstargames.com/V/bonuscontent.

Q: Wait... does this mean that people on PS3 or Xbox can transfer their characters on PC, Xbox, and PS4? Wouldn't that be a little unfair or unreasonable?

A: Yes people from 360/PS3 will be able to transfer their characters. This isn't too much of a problem because GTA: Online has a "Bad Sport" lobby as well as a passive mode. This stops most higher levels from trying to ruin your game as they lose a lot of money if they do.

Q: Will the DLC from consoles be available on PC?

A: "All new content and gameplay created since the launch of Grand Theft Auto Online, will be available for PC with much more to come."

GTA: Online DLC such as; Christmas masks, Valentines cars/guns, Independence Day cars/guns, beer hats, etc defined as Special Event items will not come with the game unless future events allow for repurchase. These limited time only items are given to players who played on special event weekends, purchased on these weekends or acquired from special event Crate Drops. You must be online at these certain times to get these rare items. Rockstar plan to consistently add and update GTA: O for a long time to come, this means you will probably have another chance to gain them.

Q: Will all DLC be free?

A: The reason we included optional in-game currency in Grand Theft Auto Online, rather than directly selling DLC, was because it was the only way that we could distribute DLC without dividing the player base each time we brought out a new content pack, which would destroy the online community very quickly by splitting players up. Thanks to Shark Cards, we have been able to give away every piece of DLC so far for free in order to keep the community whole and give people options as to whether they want to earn new content by playing the game, buy new content with Shark Cards or simply don’t get new content and still keep playing the game.

Q: Will there be Steam Achievments or Steam Workshop for GTA V?

A: We have no confirmation of this at this time.

Q: I live in ________ and I can't buy GTA games, how can I get GTA V?

A: Most of the time this is out of Rockstar's hands, if you can't get it from Steam or Rockstar's website you will need to try find your nearest video game retailer. If your State/Country does not allow the sale or possesion of such games, your best bet would be to visit your local council or goverment and ask them for futher details.

Q: Will GTA V single player be separate from GTA: Online?

Most likely not as no other Rockstar games have been developed this way before, but we have no confirmation at this time.

Q: If I buy a retail copy of GTA V, can I activate it on Steam?

Most likely not as no other Rockstar games have been produced this way before, but we have no confirmation at this time.

Q: What song is used in the PC trailer?

A: Dan Croll - From Nowhere (Baardsen Remix Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcWNepO_r44

Update 28/10/14

http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/52337/details-on-exclusive-content-for-returning-gtav-players-on

What about the exclusive in-game content I originally received for purchasing the PS3 or Xbox 360 Special Edition or Collectors Edition last year? Will I be able to access that content on PS4, Xbox One or PC?

Yes, if you purchased the Special Edition or the Collector’s Edition last year, when you upgrade to one of the new systems, you will automatically have those items unlocked and accessible. Those in-game bonuses include the Stunt Plane Trials, Bonus Outfits and Tattoos, and the Pistol .50, Bullpup Shotgun and melee Hammer all for Story Mode use; as well as the Custom Classic GTA Parent Characters and the high-end Khamelion electric car for GTA Online. Furthermore, if you missed out on your chance to buy a CE or SE the last time around, we will also make all of that content available for all players on PS4, Xbox One and PC to earn and acquire with in-game cash (original SE and CE owners will not have to spend any in-game cash to obtain them, they will automatically be accessible upon upgrade).

Can you only make the GTA Online character progress transfer once?

If I transfer my GTA Online character to the new systems, will I still be able to play with him/her on my PS3 or Xbox 360?
Yes, you will only be able to transfer your character once. After transferring your character to PS4, Xbox One or PC, you can continue playing with him/her on your PS3 or Xbox 360 but the progress you make while playing is not shared to the character you transferred to your new version.

Will PC players also receive the exclusive upgrade content like the Dodo and Dukes?

Yes indeed! The content detailed above will be available to returning players on all three new platforms.

Will any of these updates being made for the new systems be also made available for the previous generation of consoles?

The vastly enhanced graphics and many other gameplay updates on the new versions of Grand Theft Auto V are really only made possible by virtue of the powerful new hardware of the new consoles and PC. Some of the other updates such as the upgrade content detailed above are being designed exclusively as a reward for returning players so those will not be released on the previous versions; however do stay tuned for more updates to be made available for Grand Theft Auto Online across all platforms and we’ll have more information on that soon.

Will my created Jobs transfer over to the new systems?

Yes, any Jobs you’ve published in GTA Online using the Creator tool will transfer over so that you and others can continue playing them on the new platforms. Please be aware however that Leaderboards, Snapmatics, Playlists and bookmarks are unique to the console generation you made them on so those will not carry over. (GTAV photographers should get ready to take all-new high-res Snapmatics!)

Will 30-person GTA Online sessions include competitive modes such as Races and Deathmatches?

Yes, they will! GTA Online on the new systems will support 30 players not just in Free Roam but in competitive modes as well (unless of course the Job you’re playing has been designed to be set to a specifically lower player max). We look forward to seeing what unique matches the community can create for a vastly increased number of players.
If there are anymore questions about GTA V for Steam or PC please reply below and I'll try my best to answer them for you. Hopefully this will stop the spam of useless threads asking the same questions over and over.

Most of these answers can be found in greater detail on Rockstar's official website or on their support page.
http://www.rockstargames.com/
http://www.rockstargames.com/V/
https://support.rockstargames.com/hc/en-us

[Beat]

Nice but GFWL keeps on lurking around as MS just recently stated.

Not that i think Rockstar are that stupid.

Only if they struck a deal with MS. WORST CASE SCENARIO. *Loads Shotgun*

[Beat]

^ I'm not him but i thought of this:Article is from september 2013

http://www.cinemablend.com/games/GTA-5-XML-Code-Points-Exclusive-PC-Feature-PC-Was-Lead-Platform-59220.html

http://imgur.com/a/wr9qG#4G290vD

''As if there was any doubt left, new dumped data in the form of an XML from the console version of Grand Theft Auto V has revealed that there are some extra features in store for PC gamers, as some of the content left on the cutting room floor for current-gen consoles will be making an appearance in the PC version. This follows closely on the heels of the info that was found in the GTA V iFruit companion app.''

''One of the images Lien links to comes from the common folder from the data dump of the Xbox 360 rendition of GTA V.''

No source from Rockstar but pretty much confirms it. Sorry to bring up MP3 but it was also seperately developed.

[Beat]

:) Yes it is all speculation since we only got unconfirmed theories, a one minute trailer and some words on the storepage.

We all still have to find out.

[Beat]

Originally posted by Secks:

Originally posted by HARDKiLL:

I'd say you should look up the term "port". It's been in development along side the console versions since at LEAST 2012.

GTA V has been in development since 2008. If they started PC development in 2012 what do you think they were doing for 4 years?

Advancing the engine on pc hardware and scale it down for the appropraite potatoes.
I guess they knew exactly how the xbone and ps4 will turn out, in 2008. Spec and software wise.

[Hidekisys]

Appreciate your work that has been put into this. Gonna get this game as soon as it's avaliable for Pre-Order.

[seck]

Originally posted by DimDiDima:

Appreciate your work that has been put into this. Gonna get this game as soon as it's avaliable for Pre-Order.

Thanks, so am I, I can't wait!

[cardoso]

Let me put this simple:

Port: You take the source code from a console game, change all the console specific API calls to their equivalents on PC or you write a Wrapper to work around the console calls. (lazy port) Bad performance.

Parallel Development: Every version of the game can/will share assets and code, but the code for context creation, rendering, input and some of the physics will me made specifically for each platform taking full advantage of their APIs. Good performance.

[Victor Cabecinha]

finally i will try GTA V because theres noway to play console games, im pc o\

[Mega]

Wait, 10+ years of experience with the RAGE Engine? Wut?

[nXane]

Originally posted by Mega:

Wait, 10+ years of experience with the RAGE Engine? Wut?

Yup

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

[seck]

Originally posted by Mega:

Wait, 10+ years of experience with the RAGE Engine? Wut?

Rockstar's first experience with RAGE was from Rockstar Table Tennis, they then used it for GTA IV released in 2008, Red Dead Redemption in 2010, Max Payne 3 and obviously GTA V. Considering GTA IV took about 5-6 years to develop we can safely assume Rockstar have had around 10 years of experience with the engine. That's how they were able to squeeze so much out of the old 360/PS3 hardware with a game that shouldn't be possible to play on those systems.

This experience also means it will be perfectly optimised for PC, much like Max Payne 3.

[Mega]

Wow, that is impressive.
Well, for testing the RAGE engine, at some point they had the WHOLE San Andreas map in IV (reason why the IVSA mod had no map limit issues) and there's still tons of SA textures in the files, including license plates from LS, SF and LV.

[Combine]

Oh please don't let there be a fee to transfer our GTA: Online characters...

[seck]

Originally posted by Combine:

Oh please don't let there be a fee to transfer our GTA: Online characters...

It will be free :)

[Tinytombomb]

Wait... does this mean that people on PS3 or Xbox can transfer their characters on PC, Xbox, and PS4? Wouldn't that be a little unfair or unreasonable?