GTA San Andreas Mania!

[HolyGrenadeFrenzy]

I was hooked by GTA 3 hard boiled! A friend of mine left it at my house for my room mate and I to check out...I had been unwell and stayed up one night and simply drove all of liberty city. Vice City was on its way some years later and My friends and family paid off my lay way and pruchase VC for me. GTA SA was bought another several years later with Christmas money a friend of mine insisted I spend purely on myself for once. This was the same friend whom had lent me the GTA III in the first place. I will call him MadBrad which is his call sign. A good gamer and an astute coversationalist. Whether or not you agree with him is irrelevant because the conversation is always developing.

 

Once I started GTA SA I really still had no Idea what I was in for. The shear size by comparison was immensely different and I had a mental image which was far off from the mathematical actual. I had figured that it was twice maybe three times the size of VC. If someone could do the actual fractions I would appricaite it, because it soon became apparent that my mental picture was lacking and needed updating because it is manyfold that in size and scope. The storylines have usually had some classic/new thrill feel to them in this platform for performance artists. Maybe someone will find it if I don't go and get it first.

 

I am still here years later I am still playing my V1. of GTA SA for PS2.

 

The purpose of this thread is truely on of Subject and Object as well as acknowldegements of personal accounts to the decree of the poster. I give this account to serve as my personal entry into a game after I dicovered that GTA and GTAII were not the end of a game I had long since quit playing but a new beginning as I discovered GTAIII and then VC and then SA and the Stories too. Mostly I am still a GTA SA player for now.

 

The paradigms proposed within the game are as thought provoking as they are contraversial when it comes to the analysis of the criminal mind and the gamer mind and the enlightened mind. What you take from it depends largely on what you bring to it.

Edited April 22, 2007 by HolyGrenadeFrenzy

[TheTank]

Did i get that right? You want to know how much bigger is SA from VC? hmmm...

[LAD]

I own ver 1 ps2 as well [since release] but I can't bring myself to play on such a limited platform now .

 

Get the PC version and download mods , if you haven't in past versions , you never fully had the GTA experince , IMO .

 

The mods can make it a somewhat different experince for you , fresh replability . Instead of the same old pixels looking back at you .

 

Then there is map editor , you can change the landscape . I have been playing video games since atari came out , and GTA is the most replayable game I know of , especially with the mods .

 

[HolyGrenadeFrenzy]

 

I own ver 1 ps2 as well [since release] but I can't bring myself to play on such a limited platform now .

 

Get the PC version and download mods , if you haven't in past versions , you never fully had the GTA experince , IMO .

 

The mods can make it a somewhat different experince for you , fresh replability . Instead of the same old pixels looking back at you .

 

Then there is map editor , you can change the landscape . I have been playing video games since atari came out , and GTA is the most replayable game I know of , especially with the mods .

One day I will run across a v1 for PC that is within price range for me and I will buy it and upgrade the PC later. Until then special vehicles are limited for me but it's ok I still have quite a collection. Although the PC options you refer to are intriguing and do interest me even without my current ablity to enjoy them personally.

 

@LAD>Being familiar with some of your vids and such I would ask if there are any other items you would like to indulge us with. Words to be archived as your opinion of the Era that has become what it is so far or anything else would be welcome..Thanx,HGF

Edited April 22, 2007 by HolyGrenadeFrenzy

[LAD]

@ HGF - you can "downgrade" later than v1 PC versions easily I hear

 

.....

 

 

I have seen GTA go from ho hum , to outstanding . seemingly overnight with GTA 3 . It still didn't hook me , I was a Driver fan at the gta 3 release time, then GT came out and I was hooked there for a year . It took Vice City with it's wonderful feeling of the 80's to capture my heart , and keep it ever since .

 

VC PC version comes out , I get introduced to mods for the first time , I was totaly blown away by the game AFTER I had 100 % in it , the PC version was just candy .

 

I measure all games against GTA 3+ . Total *free - roam* is the stuff of massive fun and replayability .

 

The Video / Film stuff that can be done is just flat out incredible . The Fan base size is astounding . This is the genetic soup days so to speak of the next gen of actors . The fully animated kind that I hear will be the future of movies in general .

 

There is only one other game that has a fan base of mod experts [that I know of] anywhere near gta , the Morrowind / Oblivion peeps .

 

I look at both games as ground breaking in the sheer size and flexibilty both provide .

 

One can only hope that they make mmorpg a seperate gta game , and keep going like they have so far as well on a seperate release line .

 

 

LAD

Edited April 22, 2007 by LAD

[jnzooger]

There is only one other game that has a fan base of mod experts [that I know of] anywhere near gta , the Morrowind / Oblivion peeps .

Funny you should say that. Those two games are part of a larger series just like the GTAIII saga. (Warning: this ties a lot of parallels between the games, but I'm not saying the games are at all the same.)

 

The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall had a massive following, and to a lesser extent TES1: Arena. A lot of TES fans felt alienated by TES3: Morrowind for some reason, and at the same time a lot of new-comers to Morrowind thought it was the first game in the saga. Amazingly, some people call Oblivion, "Morrowind 2" when it is infact TES4. (Thats what the IV on the cover means. ) Along the line, there were mobile versions (the travels) and two spinoffs (Redguard and Battlespire) to tide fans over and test new features. Also, the 3rd major version had 2 expansions to it. (Sound familiar?)

 

GTA had a cult following in the first 2 major versions. Top-down players thought there was no way GTA would work as a 3D game. Many people that picked up GTAIII didn't seem to put a connection that the III ment "3rd major game in the saga" and never played the two originals, or the two London episode packs to the first one. Because of that, many people started calling the expantions to GTAIII, "GTAIV: Vice City" and "GTAV: San Andreas" when infact they were still GTAIII games. So when GTAIV was anounced, people questioned the name. Along the line, there were mobile versions (GBC: GTA and GTA2) and three spinoffs (Stories and Advance) to tide fans over and test new features.

[LAD]

I guess it should be said why some would mention the TES series in the same breath as GTA a little more . Being a fan of both helps but , A flaming unicorn covered in armor , thats your modified ride

 

So the TES mod people may do different types of mods , they show great passion for wild designs

 

It is that type of freedom that makes both great .

 

GTA just happens to be a mimic of our universe , it is for me the one with the most replayability for myself .

[HolyGrenadeFrenzy]

Did i get that right? You want to know how much bigger is SA from VC? hmmm...

Yes, that would be a map measure comparison....I am sure someone has already done it but couldn't guess where to find it unless I go looking. If anyone knows, please chime in.

 

 

GTA & GTAII were ok for the time but I didn't even realize they was going to be a GTAIII until it had been out for like 4 monthes. GTA VC and GTA SA were calling hard on me long before they were on the market. I am starting to feel something similair for GTAIV but GTA SA will always have a little charm for me, methinks.

 

I agree about the modding issues yet in turn based games there are a large fan based groups too. CivilizationIV is probrably a good example because the Free Mods are often larger and vastly as good or better than the expansio products and even the guys at 2K games and Sid Meirs and everyone else with the game agree with this.....enough that they give links to the Free mods with their expansions. Wouldn't we like this kinda treatment from our other games a little more often. This is a pro vs the con, in my book. The Con is no modding at all of course.

 

The Fan bas for this game is huge. GTA SA has a multitude of forums and sites related to it, including this one. It is better than not having enough assistance and nowhere to go. Gamers tend to be good sports most of the time IMHO (at least in regard to one another) and those that aren't usually add a little flavor to the stew anyway. Those that we tire of will get there pictures at the five minute hate......I couldn't avoid an Orwell plug...Too handy.

 

 

[torino]

They were the first real sandbox games where you can do ALOT of stuff

[Saget]

You people are so old...

 

My first GTA was San Andreas. Maybe I could've bought GTA VC or even GTAIII (what year was it released, 98?), but back then I was interested in other kinds of games =)

I only got GTA:SA because a friend of mine bugged me into it. I heard about the game before, but I never gave too much importance to it, I thought it was boring or something like that. Oh, how wrong I was...

 

About sandbox games: have you ever played Second Life? I know it's fully online, and several people use it to make money out of it, but you can still have some great fun there.

[torino]

gta 3 wasnt 1998. The ps2 wasnt even out then.

 

I think its like 2001 or 02

[LAD]

Turn based ya , I know them , I used to prefer it . I bought a PC for the first time just to play Baldurs Gate 1 .

 

Weighed the # of games / playabilty vs the , new then , PS1 / xbox , PC won that contest hands down .

 

Sadly money will dictate me not to pick up a new box or ps3 , I will have to wait for GTA 4 to go PC . The PC lets me do so much more than play games , always wins the argument it seems . My ps2 was a gift from a friend who left town , only reason I had SA on release date .

[torino]

save for a 360.

 

I bought a 360 vs. a ps3 since the only good ps3 game is resistance, and the 360 has crackdown and gears of war

 

The new 360's coming with a 120G harddrive and black color.

 

Cant wait for GTA4 on it

[LAD]

save for a 360.

 

I bought a 360 vs. a ps3 since the only good ps3 game is resistance, and the 360 has crackdown and gears of war

 

The new 360's coming with a 120G harddrive and black color.

 

Cant wait for GTA4 on it

Also isn't it just 360 that has announced extra content ? I imagine ps3 will also at some point , but that weighs toward the 360 side .

[HolyGrenadeFrenzy]

Let us hope modding friendly will be GTAIV, some modders I know aren't so sure after the R* teams players were rearranged altered and reduced of some old team players. Hoping it is friendly would be a likely gain from the perspective of the game having mods for different consoles as well. The different consoles may not be as drastic as last vs. PC just because the new consoles have learned to be more enough like the PC with those "other upgrade" options still in the air. (Whom knows where they will land?)

 

Seriously, I have been avoiding the topic but on impulse I would like to add. The partially erased "Hot Coffee Game" scandal could have been handled differently by having a way to access with ways to shut it out too. The rating systems are not that complicated and the online games for all the consoles have a handful of ways to handle material accounts. It really wasn't as graphic as people made it out to be. The reason it is such a sore spot is because the hush it has created. This game is much larger than the minigame could ever encompass and while not surprising that it was cut or even public catered too for the V2 I should say that the damage was there from being not fully taken out on one end or by cutting it to begin with...Or both! The effect was even worse with the Red Herring Scapegoat available and the creative angles of media sources and the questionalble other connections they always have.

 

To not talk about how or what is different than talking about what follows or the behaviours of individuals and groups in relation to said events. What happens with such things and what is learned has allot to do with what gets discussed and documented in regards to events. The social fabric of gamers and gaming networks are affected greatly and if a thread is to be an asset vs. an eyesore then sometimes we have to ask others to look in and give their opinion about things.

 

This being a thread about GTA SA Mania I realize that for one I would also like to hear the opinion (If possible or plausible) of those that deal with everything from the core to the fringe of things GTA SA Mania related. Therefore anyone whom has experience and opinions should be noted and even invited to provide whatever insights they would like to share about this GAMING ERA. Those that come to mind very clearly and quickly to me are those whoms integrity and hardwork this Forum is built on.

 

So without further addo I ask the Modderators and any other Experts for there opinions about GTA SA Mania, straight up, if they would so indulge us. Note: This includes hard core gaming fanatics whom we shall liberally give sage status. This is in respect to the GTAForums and the Modderators for their watchful eyes and man hours have given them insights to be sure which have sage and historian status as well as well as many others.

 

Instead of asking for a lock, I am asking for those in the know to unlock the GTA SA Mania History and Experience and even the GTA Mania experience if available or need be.

 

I am pleased to see some reception of the topic and I can't think of a better place to talk about it than here. What has attracted so many different kinds of people to such a game? Varieties like those involved in GTA SA are as diverse as they are interesting. Please give your unique perspective and opinion a chance to polinate the minds of others.

 

For me it has had many facettes yet has always seemed to fill certain gaps and voids within communities of people. Those that side against our game are often those that could learn the most from it with a slight change in perspective.

 

This is why I see that many could study this and many other games and get some insight into not only the criminal mind, enlightened mind, deviant mind, public mind, socialogical/anthropological perspectives, Think-Tank Consultations to Review Boards. Something more important than these things may recieve some insight into and about. Themselves. Paradigm shifts may be required in some cases but finding things with self work is like that and so it is with our relation to everything and everyone else.

 

Really what I am saying is you get out of GTA SA proportionally what you bring to it so if you bring some good you will recieve some good and the opposite is also relevant. So in addition to this dialogue I would like to ask one more thing in two parts.

 

Isn't GTA SA a great game?! & What makes it great for us?!

.

HGF

Edited April 23, 2007 by HolyGrenadeFrenzy

[torino]

the 360 is getting more content.

 

for me,

 

360 is the best, great price, great games, great fun

wii is second, good use of innovation on it, but no violent games, but still fun

ps3- last. BOMBS. no good games, heavy price tag for bad capabilities, not worth it

[LAD]

Yes GTA SA is great . Years of entertainment for me at least . I knew it would be as soon as I played it .

 

What makes it for me is the freedom [ size and roaming around ] and the rides , the flying was sweet At the end of the storyline , I appreciated the work in the story , even though I am not into the *gangsta* scene it was superb .

[torino]

i loved the gangsta theme.

 

 

110% better than saints row gangsta theme, which was sh*t

[Saget]

I think that what really addicts people is the level of interactivity you are given in GTA. Sometimes I play a racing game and wonder "Look at all this beautiful scenario. If only I could get out of the car and explore it better...". In GTA you can. The world is yours, from the main islands to blue hell. Recent games require that kind of thing, gamers don't really want just a storyline and that's it. I think that giving us that little more freedom is what keeps the game between our DVD drive and the shelf. We simply want fun forever, in any way you can imagine xD

[Shutttlecock?]

i remember i had wanted SA for so long.

i played it at my best friends house like a little bit after

it first came out.

man i was so jealous.

2 years later. i could finally afford it =]]

i remember the first time i booted it up i was on a frenzy.

and actually i was kinda scared at how big it was.

i was just thinking that i was never gonna learn all the

streets. looking back now i think theres still places in SA

ive never been.

[torino]

i remember i looked allover for it since it was being banned for a bit since the violence/sex in it, and when i found someone selling the ps2 version for 30$ and the xbox one for 40$ i bought both

 

 

EB games sold me liberty city stories even though im 16.

[Saget]

i remember i looked allover for it since it was being banned for a bit since the violence/sex in it, and when i found someone selling the ps2 version for 30$ and the xbox one for 40$ i bought both

 

 

EB games sold me liberty city stories even though im 16.

My dad bought me Half Life when I was 12, 13 x)

We went to the store, and then I was like "Yey, Half Life!! And it's cheap! Buy me this game, dad!!", and so he did. In fact, he buys all the games I ask him to, even though I'm not old enough, as long as he's willing to pay for them =)

[torino]

but i was alone, and wal-mart said no so i just thought screw it EB games doesnt care and sure as hell they did. lol

[Saget]

but i was alone, and wal-mart said no so i just thought screw it EB games doesnt care and sure as hell they did. lol

Hmm, I see. If I was going to buy a game today, no one would notice I'm not 18 yet. And around here most places don't care about the age rates, they sell cigarretes and alcohol to teenagers, so, what harm could a game do?

[Starion]

I remember that I couldnt get San Andreas right when it was released becuase it was sold out... That was devestating, becuase just about everyone I knew owned it..

 

Then I got it early november 2004 and i still play it every day now.

 

Its my favourite game of all time, my time, and YOUR time. If you get what I mean.

 

[HolyGrenadeFrenzy]

The Era isn't over but it will be upgraded and let us hope when San Andreas is revisited that it is as good as GTA SA has been and still is regardless of graphic improvements.

 

I believe that the best music videos I have seen for Limp Biscuit was the "Push it to the Limit" video by Kingjad and that crew! Outta context a little, I am.....But stunt vids are a great way to display music IMHO.

 

The movie performance art, with games and GTA as one example in particular, has been very interesting to observe as well. I believe that this kind of movie production will be so common that eventually statements like this:"These modified games became such a central go for movie production that the entire entertainment industry was moved by it until all media groups were influenced and the sciences as well. Never did their producers expect that everyone would point back at them and their creation in the past in the pois position of the distant future."...will be common.

 

This may be difficult for some to accept until they are in college for film production and/or forensic science, computer science, World History or any of many advanced courses. Mediums are generally not easy to advance historically speaking and underestimating them is unwise. Not to be bias but things start in what seems arbitriary at first and then as things grow the monumental acheivement becomes evident.

 

So to put this all into perspective in this age and time "This is all powerful stuff and I believe it will be used by everyone in the future!"