GTA IV and more and more

Post by **g00seberry** » 03 Dec 2008, 23:43

I stuck with it. It's Rockstar Social club messing it up. You can't be logged into it.
But now I have the graphical problems.

Flickering shadows being the main problem ...... short video showing it

Shadows on full (16 i think) or on 0, it doesn't matter. It's less pronounced at 0, but the 'static' light still flickers. Unplayable without a trip to the toilet every 2 minutes or a 999 call for an epileptic fit.

Post by **GeneralAdmission** » 04 Dec 2008, 00:16

Flickering shadows being the main problem ...... short video showing it

Wow, that is bad. Like some kid on speed flipping light switches off and on. Can't imagine what that does to the eyes running fullscreen, but toilet access would seem prudent.

It's no wonder you wrecked that fence. ;)

Post by **scavvenjahh** » 04 Dec 2008, 00:26

(Vista64 : nah, really from what I read on various forums, you can play under that OS. The update issue reported on Hellforge may be true but despite what the guy wrote, there's no terminal impossibility to install and play the game with Vista64. A 32-bit OS probably helps when you're trying to recollect all possible causes for the game not working and software updates to apply, but GTA4 can definitely be played with Vista64.
...Ain't that some big relief ?! :lol: )

DaFox · Post by **DaFox** » 04 Dec 2008, 00:47

On the box it says something along the lines of "Enhanced for 64bit" There is not even a 64bit executable apparently.

kondor999 · Post by **kondor999** » 04 Dec 2008, 01:09

I love that ... it would be even better if it messed up their comps if they used a pirated game.

I sure hope you're being facetious. On two past occasions, a game with online activation accused me of being a pirate because their validation server was screwed up.

Seriously - we're talking class-action lawsuit stuff there. Anyone remember the Sony rootkit?

I pay for every game I own, but I'll freely admit to running DRM-circumventing executables just so I can enjoy my game as much as the pirate scum (and boy are you right about that).

Really, the only solution is for PC owners to wake up, remember what happened to the Amiga (destroyed by piracy in large part), and act accordingly.

PC OWNERS MUST STOP PIRATING FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!

Ok, I'm done...

:wink:

Osuperman · Post by **Osuperman** » 04 Dec 2008, 02:16

Oh my god, I knew it was bad but not this bad... it seems people on the guru3D thread are less than impressed too with this release... by the way sorry eZ' if I casued you any greif on the other thread I was kinda half joking... sorry your experience has been so bad. What a shame as rockstar have ruined what could have been an otherwise very enjoyable experience, even a defining moment in the PC industry with the level on anticipation this game has had for the last few years.

It's quite shocking how bad things are getting for PC gamers :(

PC OWNERS MUST STOP PIRATING FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!

Ok, I'm done...

:wink:

I think differently, I think we should not purchase the games themselves at all (nor should we pirate them, I never condone that ever) but this treatment won't stop and we have to hit them where it hurts.

DaFox · Post by **DaFox** » 04 Dec 2008, 03:28

And--- Its cracked.

Why did Rockstar choose to have copy protection?

Rockstar: Creating video game entertainment is our passion and we invest a considerable amount of time and effort to release each title, and employ a large number of people in the process. Having copy protection allows us to protect the integrity or our titles and future investments, but at the same time we have worked very hard to ensure that our solutions do not persecute the legitimate players of our games. Implemented correctly, SecuROM is the most effective form of disc based copy protection and allows us to manage authenticity on a global level for Grand Theft Auto IV.

I think they used it incorrectly.

Post by **GeneralAdmission** » 04 Dec 2008, 05:31

SecuROM is the most effective form of disc based copy protection and allows us to manage authenticity on a global level for Grand Theft Auto IV.

Obviously the smartest marketing people work for SecuROM (Sony), since they can continually convince companies to use their product despite repeated failure.

Do they actually think that large numbers of pirates will run out and drop $50 on a new game because it's not on bittorrent the first time they check the trackers? Tis the season for wishful thinking...

DaFox · Post by **DaFox** » 04 Dec 2008, 08:29

Do they actually think that large numbers of pirates will run out and drop $50 on a new game because it's not on bittorrent the first time they check the trackers? Tis the season for wishful thinking...

DRM can work the first time its used, SecuROM 7 was in Bioshock first and it took over a week for a working crack to get out. I know some people that actually got fed up of waiting and bought the game after 4-5 days.

But now there are 5 or so SecuROM 7 based games where you could use the exact same crack for any of them. Why? Nothing has changed.

Jupix · Post by **Jupix** » 04 Dec 2008, 11:54

To be honest, if I was Jupix, I'd be writing to Rockstar demanding my money back. If that didn't work, I'd drop them in the shit with any official agency I could that would give me a chance of getting my money back, and them fined. Bear in mind that it is against Trading Standards to provide a product which is fundamentally flawed. And with those issues... it looks fundamentally flawed.

You're right, but personally I'm still battling over whether I should return it. I probably won't, since after all, I want to play the thing.

In all likelyhood I'll just post a real smelly message on the R* message boards, assuming they run such a thing.

Post by **MobsterOO7** » 04 Dec 2008, 11:58

I've looked for an official forum for GTA or R* a couple months ago and I came up dry.

Post by **g00seberry** » 04 Dec 2008, 11:59

[quote]
To be honest, if I was Jupix, I'd be writing to Rockstar demanding my money back. If that didn't work, I'd drop them in the shit with any official agency I could that would give me a chance of getting my money back, and them fined. Bear in mind that it is against Trading Standards to provide a product which is fundamentally flawed. And with those issues... it looks fundamentally flawed.

You're right, but personally I'm still battling over whether I should return it. I probably won't, since after all, I want to play the thing

That's exactly how I feel. I'd love to return it (or somehow get my money back off Steam, however that will work), but I've been waiting for this game for years, I want to play it.
The shadows/lighting are the only problems I have with it at least now I've got the -norestrictions working through seriously annoying methods.

I was hoping to get some serious playtime in for the next 2 weeks before I got away for xmas, but it's looking like this is gonna be a game for the new year ..... :evil:

Post by **scavvenjahh** » 04 Dec 2008, 16:00

DRM can work the first time its used, SecuROM 7 was in Bioshock first and it took over a week for a working crack to get out. I know some people that actually got fed up of waiting and bought the game after 4-5 days.

Add to this the fact that publishers only seem to care about their release-week sales and it kinda makes sense. The so-called 'anti-piracy' that is DRM & the like is only meant to start selling copies before the game hits p2p networks, so that all ad-fed kids dreaming to get their hands on the product by any means will crack and buy it right away, which will in turn propell it to every e-shop's frontpage as a 'must-buy hot game', increasing sales again. This is their short-sighted, no-holds-barred selling plans. Problem is, there's only instant purchasers in this system, no end-users. And the methods used to gain some precious days over pirates can get awfully close to highway robbery...

Post by **Abram** » 04 Dec 2008, 16:58

I downloaded it. (spank me)

A working crack is out.

It runs well and I get no shadow or texture issues. I'm picking up a real copy tomorrow.

I still dislike ahving to have TWO other programs running to play it.. but it's pretty damned fun and runs alright.

Oh here is my benchmark score:

Statistics
Average FPS: 39.84
Duration: 36.99 sec
CPU Usage: 92%
System memory usage: 96%
Video memory usage: 100%

Graphics Settings
Video Mode: 1680 x 945 (60 Hz)
Texture Quality: Medium
Render Quality: Very High
View Distance: 30
Detail Distance: 48

It's the first game that's made me think again of upgrading my video card... :?

Those speckly shadows sure are odd, though.

Hey ez`, if you don't want your copy, I'll take it off your hands.

Post by **g00seberry** » 04 Dec 2008, 17:06

I've actually finally got it working. With some gfx driver faff, and Logging in and out and in and out of everything possible, restarting the game at different texture levels, adding new shortcuts to Steam and being patient, I've got it running as it should on Medium textures with Highest Detail and at 1920x1080. Frame rate is anywhere from 60 interior, to 35-15 outside. It's 'playable', but not ideal.

Multiplayer, however, from the 20minute blitz I had, is freakin' awesome :lol:

I'm just happy I can play it now really.

Post by **Abram** » 04 Dec 2008, 17:33

Damn.. oh well.

So i assume MP has slightly lower graphics, like most games? I haven't seen any mention of this in any forums or readme files...

But I cun't wait to try soem 32-plaeyr MP. Not really a big fan of playing MP but GTA gameplay is good fun.

And no Console kids - yay!

Post by **g00seberry** » 04 Dec 2008, 18:10

Naw, sorry, that sounded misleading. It's no different in terms of performance, I just meant that i thoroughly enjoyed it lol. :D
It might be a bit smoother as you're in just one area so it isn't loading new stuff, and there's less cars and pedestrians about. AND there were only like 6 of us in the game I joined, so nothing major.

Just restarted after a BSOD. Can't help but think there's more to come.

My command line to the LaunchGTAIV.exe file in Steam btw is ..

Code: Select all

&quot;C:Program FilesSteamsteamappscommongrand theft auto ivGTAIVLaunchGTAIV.exe&quot; -width 1920 -height 1080 -norestrictions -renderquality 4 -shadowdensity 16 -texturequality 1 -viewdistance 20 -detailquality 99

I'm more putting this here for me more than anyone else as Steam tends to forget the changes you make to shortcuts for some reason, so will be nice to copy and paste it back :P

DaFox · Post by **DaFox** » 04 Dec 2008, 23:29

If anyone bought from steam

Problems range from dire performance issues to numerous error codes to a lack of SLI support, with scores of unhappy users flooding forums with their "broken things" laundry lists and Steam even going so far as to start offering refunds for unhappy downloaders.

[email protected] · Post by **[email protected]** » 04 Dec 2008, 23:33

Sweet, another reason to buy from Steam.

Soduka · Post by **Soduka** » 04 Dec 2008, 23:51

I can say now that this game is worth neither a download nor a purchase. It is a contender in the Top 5 buggiest ports I have ever seen. Add on to that the LOL-BLOATWARE that is SecuRom, Rockstar Social Club, Games for Windows Live, Steam if you buy it from there...I mean come on.

I won't buy or pirate this title, it is that bad. It's just not worth it, and to top it all off it is another Crysis, most of its settings are designed for computers that don't exist yet and the engine is unoptimized.

Rockstar, you definitely win alright...

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