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[Bentendo]

I have a hard time believing this. Wouldn't the announcement of a game taking place in LA kind take away sales from Rockstar's L.A. Noire???

 

[Brinbe]

Cool, I'm fine with this. Expected Vice City/Miami though.

 

[MWS Natural]

I'm shocked no one has mentioned how awesome GTA V: Brazil would be.

 

[MarkMclovin]

Hollywood in the 70's - Yes
London current time - Yes
Tokyo current time - Yes
Moscow in the 90's - Yes

 

[Zinthar]

Did you not read the posts above - they won't set the game in Europe because the devs aren't confident in an area they don't know well. The majority of Gaf choose to be naive to the fact is developed in Scotland, and choose to believe it's a USA product....

I don't think many on this board are unaware that Rockstar North is located in Edinburgh, but that's not terribly relevant. The studio is incredibly savvy and are up to date on American popular culture.

London or Paris could be valid choices if there was a period in time (at least as late as the 20th century) in which these cities were particularly well-known for something. South America, Russia, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia would all definitely be out. Tokyo or Hong Kong could have maybe worked if not for the fact that the market is already over-saturated with open-world games set there.

 

[Neuromancer]

I'm shocked no one has mentioned how awesome GTA V: Brazil would be.

 

[Zinthar]

I'm shocked no one has mentioned how awesome GTA V: Brazil would be.

Because it would in no way be awesome. Very few people, myself included, know much about Brazil. What could they possibly do to make it interesting?

The extent of my knowledge on the country is: They're great at soccer, their women are insanely attractive, they had to devalue their currency after a financial crisis around 1999, the capital is Brasilia, and Sao Paulo is a GIGANTIC city, with among the worst traffic in the entire world (making intra-city helicopter flight economically viable).

Edit: I bet most people only know the first two of the above.

 

[androvsky]

Why would there be a Grand Theft Auto game set somewhere were cars aren't the best way of getting around? The Yakuza games are all on foot, I don't think there's a point where the player can drive a car in the whole series. That makes sense for big Japanese cities (especially for the poor gangster types), and I'm sure Hong Kong is even less car-friendly.

Call it something other than Grand Theft Auto, and I'd be on board. Grand Theft Subway Tickets? Grand Theft Bicycle?

 

[Rubezh]

I think the Hollywood setting has the potential to be excellent. LC was based on NYC because it's an iconic American city and Rockstar are just following the same logic with Hollywood. The only thing that concerns me is the shelving of a new Vice City or San Andreas.

 

[Bentendo]

I really wish they would choose one of the unique American cities (i.e. Las Vegas, San Francisco or New Orleans).

 

[Goldrusher]

Ugh, the colour temperature looks better with it on. Much more photographic aside from the softness it created.

Your surprised "ugh" makes me think you haven't play the game(s). The crisper, sharper and more colorful graphics in The Ballad really fit the theme and atmosphere of the game. And it looks much better in motion.

 

[witness]

New Orleans would of been nice.

Werd.

At least there's Infamous 2.

 

[Jason's Ultimatum]

Where the hell is Agent? My hype for that game is higher than any upcoming game combined. :lol

 

[truly101]

Deep South bitches. I wanna outrun the law by jumping a creek with an ol man fishing in it, all the while grubbing down on chicken and biscuits.

 

[dimb]

Why would there be a Grand Theft Auto game set somewhere were cars aren't the best way of getting around?

The games already take place in a fake New York.

 

[truly101]

I think the Hollywood setting has the potential to be excellent. LC was based on NYC because it's an iconic American city and Rockstar are just following the same logic with Hollywood. The only thing that concerns me is the shelving of a new Vice City or San Andreas.

Hollywood (Vinewood) was in SA, so they woul just be revisiting that area, probably adding maybe SD and Tijuana to the south.

They probably are also not doing Hollywood/LA for GTA seeing how LA Noire is already set there, granted a different time period. GAF seems to have already forgotten about this game and unless I missed something, it comes out in 2 months or so.

 

[Zinthar]

I really wish they would choose one of the unique American cities (i.e. Las Vegas, San Francisco or New Orleans).

Yeah, those could all be awesome, and definitely viable. I see Vegas being somewhat problematic because the area is a flat desert, and was uninteresting to drive around in San Andreas.

They also already did San Fran in that game, and with San Andreas set in the early 90's, they probably already got the best time period for San Francisco.

Certainly a possibility, but I'd sooner bet on a new Vice City, simply because it seems like it was the most popular setting among the previous generation's GTA games. If they're truly intent on changing up the gameplay significantly for the next GTA, as Houser has mentioned before, then sticking with the 1980's Miami setting would still work because the city would be laid out much differently (if they stick with the semi-realistic city layout a la GTA:IV) and with much different gameplay.

I would propose 1960's Chicago as a potential candidate: It's late enough that an interesting selection of cars would be available, the 60's are ripe with satirical targets, and it was among the most turbulent cities in the U.S. during the Vietnam war, esp. during the 1968 Democratic convention. Possibly too depressing though.

 

[Strummerjones]

"Worst ending ever! Why didn't Sam just use his Dead Eye to blast his way out of there!?"

 

[Goldrusher]

Yeah, those could all be awesome, and definitely viable. I see Vegas being somewhat problematic because the area is a flat desert, and was uninteresting to drive around in San Andreas.

It wasn't uninteresting at all. To the contrary.

 

[GDJustin]

Out of all the San Andreas cities to bring back... why Hollywood? Why not Vegas, the obvious target?

The big problem with "Hollywood" is that it isn't a real place. It is a few blocks, and the rest is just... Los Angeles. And LA has no character. It is just sprawl.

The key to any GTA is that the city has to have CHARACTER. That is why Miami worked so well. Miami itself isn't really that much of a "major" city. If you ask someone to list major US cities, it would barely even crack anyone's top 5. But it works because it is *distinctive*.

NYC is equally distinctive. LA isn't.

In fact, out of the three San Andreas cities, the LA portion had the LEAST character. It worked well because (as someone mentioned earlier) it was like playing an early 90s Snoop Dogg music video. Take away that context and the city itself was boring.

In terms of DISTINCTIVE US cities that have loads of character and can be picked out just by looking at a random picture, we really just have:

- NYC
- San Francisco
- Las Vegas
- Maybe like... Honolulu or something.

Food for thought - Vegas is much closer to SF than LA. You could do a GTA with San Fran, Oakland, and then remove the rest of inland CA and have Vegas just to the East. SF could parody SF's liberal/Prius culture, Oakland would be gang crime, and Vegas's potential is obvious.

 

[Zinthar]

It wasn't uninteresting at all. To the contrary.

I meant uninteresting to drive around in the Las Vegas part, esp. compared to San Fran and the country parts. It was just... flat.

 

[kinoki]

Since GTA has more or less always been a parody of the american way of life it feels kind of wrong to have it in any other place than USA. Sure, you can make a trip to Cuba or something but you'd want to touch on the American dream as a theme.

 

[Goldrusher]

I meant uninteresting to drive around in the Las Vegas part, esp. compared to San Fran and the country parts. It was just... flat.

Well, it's a desert. Deserts are flat.

But as a whole, the actual desert area in San Andreas also had canyons and lots of hills. Even a (Hoover) dam, with lots of hairpin roads, even motorcycle ramps around there. And don't forget Area 69, the airplane cemetery, the quarry, etc. And all the sightseeing stuff, from a giant chicken to an Old Faithful.

 

[Catchpenny]

Screw the "America, yawn" posts. It's very much a series about western, and in particular American, pop culture. Doesn't work as well in most European cities, doesn't work at all in many other locations. I have no problem with Rockstar doing an open world game in Hong Kong or wherever, just don't call it Grand Theft Auto, cause it ain't.

I do love the GTA Detroit idea, though. Make it in two different eras, with two protagonists: one in Motown-era Detroit, and the other (his son, protege or whatever) in 90's Detroit. Let the player switch between the two eras and explore/follow the storyline at will whenever they are not in a mission or chase. It would be great to explore the same city in decay and see what has changed.

 

[Zinthar]

Out of all the San Andreas cities to bring back... why Hollywood? Why not Vegas, the obvious target?

I really think Miami is a much more obvious candidate to return. It's also quite large -- according to Wikipedia it's the biggest chunk of the metropolitan area that is the 7th largest in the U.S.

From reading various threads, it seems like, right now at least, Vice City is the most fondly-remembered game of the last gen GTA's.

I personally think Miami > Vegas for a GTA because it's a much more diverse city -- it has drugs, sex, ethnic conflict, political scandal (esp. w/ Miami mayors), the beach and coast (setting the game only in Vegas would pretty much eliminate the possibility of water/boat missions). Plus, it's a major seaport and actually contains legitimate industry too.

In short, it's a much more diverse city (topographically and culturally), and isn't completely reliant on its service industry/tourism. There's a lot more to work with for the purposes of GTA mission design.

 

[GDJustin]

I really think Miami is a much more obvious candidate to return. It's also quite large -- according to Wikipedia it's the biggest chunk of the metropolitan area that is the 7th largest in the U.S.

I said out of the San Andreas cities

Just seems weird that (if this rumor is true) they're bringing back and fleshing out the worst of the three SA cities.

By the way, I'd like to point out that right around the time Vice City came out, I got a ROCK SOLID tip that Vegas was the next GTA city. Someone I know had SEEN the Vegas buildings, seen a prototype up and running, etc.

But, as we all know, Vegas ended up being one third (or a little less) of the game. My tipster had seen the protagonist running up the Vegas strip with loads of casinos and had (quite naturally) assumed that this would be the whole game.

So... just because Rockstar North is scouting Hollywood doesn't really mean a ton.

 

[WaltJay]

GTA: Baltimore in the early 2000's, where you play groups of missions, each from from a different perspectives (cops, drug dealer, the press).

So yeah, The Wire: The Videogame.

 

[DaBuddaDa]

An international GTA would be cool. Start off in a city like LA or NYC, and then through the story end up in a city like Paris or Rio with the ability to travel by air or boat between the two.

 

[Zinthar]

Well, it's a desert. Deserts are flat.

But as a whole, the actual desert area in San Andreas also had canyons and lots of hills. Even a (Hoover) dam, with lots of hairpin roads, even motorcycle ramps around there. And don't forget Area 69, the airplane cemetery, the quarry, etc. And all the sightseeing stuff, from a giant chicken to an Old Faithful.

Those things were cool, but not really consistent with Sam Houser's vision for GTA this gen: specifically, focusing much more on designing a city that feels alive, and not going for San Andreas-like size. Also, if they go for the more realistic take on the city(ies) they use for the next GTA, that would more or less preclude stuffing a lot of the landmarks they put in the desert in San Andreas.

I've visited New York a few times over the summer, and am constantly impressed with how accurately they re-created the city, especially Manhattan. All of the major landmarks are there, and places like the Upper East Side, SoHo, and Chinatown (just to name a few) are all exactly where they should be. I expect that Rockstar intends to continue using this design choice.

 

[Zinthar]

An international GTA would be cool. Start off in a city like LA or NYC, and then through the story end up in a city like Paris or Rio with the ability to travel by air or boat between the two.

lol, well that would be one way to do a 2-disc GTA game for the 360. And, in the alternative, put one city on disc 2 and allow it to be installed so as to avoid disc-switching.

 

[gamemadmax]

San Andreas FTW !!!

 

[Blast Processing]

If they're going to keep it in the US, they need to do something really unexpected, like GTA: Texas, featuring Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio, with wannabe counterculture mecca Austin in the middle.

Actually, Chicago would probably be a good place.

 

[Zinthar]

But, as we all know, Vegas ended up being one third (or a little less) of the game. My tipster had seen the protagonist running up the Vegas strip with loads of casinos and had (quite naturally) assumed that this would be the whole game.

So... just because Rockstar North is scouting Hollywood doesn't really mean a ton.

If that's the case, I hope they're limiting the game to L.A. only, and not trying to throw together a crazy San Andreas-like concoction. I much rather one intricately-detailed city.

 

[Zinthar]

If they're going to keep it in the US, they need to do something really unexpected, like GTA: Texas, featuring Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio, with wannabe counterculture mecca Austin in the middle.

Actually, Chicago would probably be a good place.

Re: Texas... Please no (unless every mission includes something making fun of Texans).

 

[squicken]

I don't mind more in the US, but does it have to be LA? How bout Disney World/Epcot/Universal Studios?

Failing that, get the license from the Simpsons and do a GTA: Itchy and Scratchy Land.

 

[GDJustin]

Speaking of San Andreas, did the Xbox Originals download version improve anything, like lock the framerate or the draw distance?

I own the game and have been thinking about replaying it, but I'd be willing to pay $15 if the DL version made some tweaks.

 

[Saiyu]

Dubai would suck , 6 stars for dropping a cigerette :lol :lol

:lol

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

Liberty City is still such an amazingly well crafted city. Even after putting 100+ hours into GTA4 and the expansions you could happily place a controller in my hand and I would wander around for hours and hours.

I think more expansions are the way to go, at least while development for the next sequel is still ramping up. It seems like a waste to move on so quickly when the two DLC episodes have proven that they can flesh out the city further and tell interesting stories from that universe.

HOWEVER, I would still love to see another beautifully designed world in a whole new game. I just hope they don't focus on rap culture if they do use Hollywood - that was a big element that made San Andreas a very disappointing game for me.

 

[Pimpbaa]

Researching a city only now? I don't believe. They couldn't have been sitting on their ass for so long doing nothing.

 

[Q8D3vil]

Someone mentioned Dubai. This is the most interesting prospect to me. Tokyo? Yakuza has 'Japanese GTA' covered. A Mexican city would be interesting, with the drug trade and all, but it might be too soon after RDR to do a 'Desert GTA'.

Dubai has ridiculous landmarks, plus the general excess and clashing of Eastern/Western culture there would make for some great story potential.

we need more yusif amir

 

[Net_Wrecker]

I don't think it'll be Hollywood. If this rumor has any validity, this probably means a remade San Andreas with the GTAIV engine, and they're using the Hollywood research for a new Vinewood.

But still, I'll believe this when I see it, and no time before that.

 

[HorribleJames]

Eurogamer has learned from an independent source that Rockstar is ramping up research on locations around Hollywood.

Earlier today we heard that Tinseltown could well be the setting for Grand Theft Auto V.

Our source could not say whether the research was specific to the GTA series.

Game maker Rockstar told Eurogamer it doesn't comment on "rumour or speculation".

Watford would be a better setting, obviously.

they ought to dispatch some of those researchers instead to "video games" to learn the elusive art of making shooting "fun" and "not horrible".

 

[Ranger X]

If it's going to be Hollywood again, this is lame.
There's so many well knowned and awesome cities, why not go there?

zzz

 

[Jay Sosa]

If that's the case, I hope they're limiting the game to L.A. only, and not trying to throw together a crazy San Andreas-like concoction. I much rather one intricately-detailed city.

I'm hoping for the exact opposite, the diversity was what made SA so great...and that the gameplay wasn't boring as hell helped too of course.

I still smile when I think back to the moment when I realized that I could explore the whole fucking countryiside in SA preferrably with an ATV, so great.

Tbh completely honest I don't care where it's located just don't fuck up this time, please.

 

[Tony Rocky Horror]

Excuse me for not reading this correctly, but: Announcing a GTA V at a Max Payne 3 event?

:lol

 

[Dennis]

GTA IV was one detailed city, so would be nice if the next game offers something more diverse like San Andreas.

 

[Azih]

RDR is basically GTA4 in the west but whereas RDR is revered from both fans and critics, GTA4 got a hefty backlash. While I realize a lot of these things is due to the decisions made for GTA4's direction, I think a gigantic part of it also has to do with setting. RDR feels fresh whereas GTA4 feel stale.

I think RDR fixed a lot of mechanics that were clunky in GTA4, went back to making decisions that made the game more of a fun sandbox rather than boringly realistic, and John Marston fit better than Niko Bellic did

 

[DaBuddaDa]

I think RDR fixed a lot of mechanics that were clunky in GTA4, went back to making decisions that made the game more of a fun sandbox rather than boringly realistic, and John Marston fit better than Niko Bellic did

All true, but still, the new setting and time period of RDR did wonders for the game, and I think the same could be said for a new GTA. They should go towards something a little more exotic and perhaps make it take place in an earlier decade. Too much would have to be changed from the GTA formula if they went too far back in time though. I think the 70s is the furthest back they could go.

 

[Fimbulvetr]

Grand Theft Garden?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

[Big Baybee]

Hollywood sounds fine. I would like to see a GTA set in London again.