[codyr783]

Are there any differences between the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC versions of the game? I remember GTA: SA had a lot.

[GTALegacy]

The only real difference between the PC and console versions is...

The PC version allows players to crank up the view distance, detail settings and other visual goodies since they (we) have the hardware to do so. However, the major drawback to the PC version is it is horribly optimized for the PC compared to consoles. So, even though it may look better visually... It doesn't run as well as it should (like on the console) and this almost makes playing it on the PC pointless. The PC version has massive frame rate spikes (60-20-45-60) and a lot of micro-stuttering for a lot of PC users whereas the console is rock solid at 30FPS because of HDTV limitations.

Also, one of the biggest flaws of the PC version is the R.A.G.E. (Rockstar Advanced Game Engine) engine was never designed with high-end PC hardware in mind. So, it only really works well if you use console equivalent settings which again, defeats the purpose of playing it on a PC.

I can run GTA IV with high texture settings (console is medium), but I still have to set the view distance, level of detail and traffic density to the console levels if I want fluid game play... And I'm using an i7 CPU with a 4870x2 card with 2 GB of VRAM!

The worst part is the final mission -- doesn't depend on whether you pick "Revenge" or "Deal" -- Is bugged because anything over 30FPS makes the Quick Time Events (where you have to press specific buttons) unresponsive because the game engine was never designed to go above 30FPS! So, you have to either play the entire game with 30FPS via a Commandline.txt, or switch to 30FPS during the last mission which will feel very jerky if you've been playing the entire game with 60FPS previously.

As far as actual content differences, the PC version has full three-piece suits as part of Niko's wardrobe whereas the console versions only give him sport jackets and slacks options. R* did this to give PC players an exclusive.

The other big difference is you can have custom music tracks in the PC version by placing your MP3s in the Rockstar Game Directory. So, whenever you are riding around in vehicles you can "tune" the radio station to play your own collection of music. It's actually pretty cool because it makes the game play experience more personal and dramatic sometimes.

So, I would just play it on either Xbox 360, or PS3 and skip the PC version to be brutally honest.

The game is still the same. It's not like the PC version is more complex, or complete so-to-speak. It's still the same game play mechanics, glitches, story line, etc.

Does that answer your question?



This post has been edited by GTALegacy on Thursday, Sep 20 2012, 02:46

[codyr783]

Yes it does. But I was thinking more along the lines of differences in the map or object placement.

[Linki]

Some animations - such as entering/exiting cars and weapon reload/aiming animations - were changed in the PC version as I've seen in gameplay videos.

[SARDYNA108]

You can save clips and edit them in Video Editor, in multiplayer you can have up to 32 players on server (on consoles only 16) you have server browser, host can kick everyone, there is no need for voting. Graphics looks much better. There are some other differences but I dont remember all

[DE4TH]

The Deagle's visual recoil was increased substantially, and the way Niko holds the Uzi was changed (on the consoles he holds the pistol grip with both hands, while on the PC he has one hand under the barrel)
I know it's very minor, but you asked .

[Magic_Al]

Because GTA IV and RAGE began development over a year before the PS3 was out, code ported to the PS3 version required performance to be optimized by using a lower-resolution frame buffer and rendering a lower density of scenic-filler type objects such as blades of grass and shrubbery compared to the 360 version. This is only noticeable in a side-by-side comparison and is a platform difference in all games using RAGE. (In the most recent example of Max Payne 3 the optimization has improved enough that there is no longer a difference in frame buffer resolution but there are still slight differences in rendering, with the 360 version able to have a few more lights or bits of fluff busying the picture.) There are structural differences between how the two consoles use memory and all game developers have to deal with this. On the other hand, the extra capacity of Blu-ray on the PS3 allowed the in-game TV shows in GTA IV to be viewable in an exclusive close-up view in the PS3 version.

The 360 version of The Lost and Damned DLC was made long before The Ballad of Gay Tony and is therefore unfortunately incompatible with multiplayer with people who play TLAD from one of the newer versions, due to the older map lacking features on the newer map.

[ZodaEX]

QUOTE (codyr783 @ Thursday, Sep 20 2012, 00:43)

Are there any differences between the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC versions of the game? I remember GTA: SA had a lot.

The 360 and PC versions use different pictures during the load screens.

[nkjellman]

-PC has a start menu. You are able to choose which game you want to play. On consoles EFLC only had a option to choose, and the DLC for GTA IV would load up the episode your latest save is for. PC lets you choose, even with the DLC on GTA IV.
-TBoGT on the PC has slightly different lighting effects than the console. (Different timecyc) I think TLAD's may be different too.
-GTA IV on PC has a lot of changes to the MP character customization items.
-Loading screens are different on each version. PC has different pictures than the consoles, and the PS3 version has longer loading times so you see pictures that didn't show up on Xbox 360 because the game loaded to fast for them to show up in time.
-PC has some minor graphics bugs.
-PC uses a new shader system after patch 6.
-PC has different trees that look much better than on consoles.
-PC has video editor.
-PS3 has SIX-AXIS controls for reloading, bikes, boats, and helicopters. (I think bowling is in there too, not certain. For some reason SIX-AXIS doesn't work on cars.)
-PS3 Complete Edition has a menu that lets you choose which game to launch. Its useless though because technicly it lets you choose GTA IV or EFLC. If your last save is on a DLC GTA IV will act like its missing DLC and start a new game. You can't switch to GTA IV from TLAD or TBOGT, and in TLAD or TBOGT you can only switch to the other episode, and not GTA IV. In order to fully switch you need to restart the game.
-Not an official feature but PC has the most mod support which allows you to install car mods, map mods, total conversions, ect. Consoles only have data file and script modding.
-Along with modding PC has separate servers. Modders are isolated from non modders, and modder servers don't have ranked matches.
-PC has an exclusive close up view when watching TV. (I think someone stated that the PS3 had it too. I know Xbox 360 doesn't have it.)

This post has been edited by nkjellman on Saturday, Oct 20 2012, 20:42

[MrMateczko]

PC loading screens are ABYSMAL, compared to the PS3/X360 ones. WHY DID THEY CHANGE THEM? WHY???