ps3 vs xbox360

[snoopdoggydoyle]

It was inevitable. With the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 competing for the "next-gen" first place spot, both armed with Grand Theft Auto IV shipping day and date, nitpicking comparisons between each version was expected from vocal fans. Rockstar Games has commented multiple times that both versions are identical, minus a few platform specific features and Xbox 360 exclusives.

 

We've played both versions of GTA IV—quite a bit, actually. We've noticed a handful of differences, some of which you know, some which you may not, many of them hair-splitting. We break it down, from frame rate to controls, after the break.

 

Installation

The PlayStation 3 version has a mandatory 3.4 GB hard drive installation that will be the longest 7 minutes and 20 seconds of your life if your chomping at the bit to play. It's initially an annoyance, but PS3 owners will welcome it. There is no option to install the game to an Xbox 360 hard drive.

 

Frame Rate

The Grand Theft Auto series has never been synonymous with a rock solid frame rate, something it generally seems to get a pass for. While GTA IV is smoother in general than it's predecessors, it can expectedly suffer during chaos. The Xbox 360 version seemed capable of achieving a smoother frame rate, peaking higher in certain circumstances, such as in confined spaces or during light traffic, but both versions seemed to regularly run at a similar clip.

 

Pop-In & Loading

With a huge, seamless streaming world, data must be constantly read from the disc. The PS3 version, with its required HDD install, loads missions a couple seconds faster and decreases pop-in. The Xbox 360 version can suffer from some very noticeable texture loading, as things like trees, vehicles and building signs will regularly pop-in as one tools about town. It can be distracting, especially during high speed chases, and the PS3 version isn't entirely immune from it, but it's not a game killing problem.

 

Graphics

The two versions are so close to identical, visually, that putting together a comparison was a challenge. Initially, it appeared that the PS3 suffered from more noticeable aliasing than its 360 counterpart, but after eyeballing the final retail copy, they appear to be on par. I noticed that the paint filter applied to cover some of the game's imperfections appeared a tiny bit muddier on the PS3 version, with night time scenes seeing more streakiness. Some of these minor complaints may be the result of our particular television settings and require the finest of fine tooth combs to assess.

 

Downloadable Content

The Xbox 360 version is announced to have two exclusive downloadable content packs for purchase. Details on what will be contained in those two exclusive batches of DLC are sparse, so we can't judge what they'll bring to the table, nor do we know if the PlayStation 3 version will eventually get its own DLC from Rockstar. If you're looking for more GTA IV, and you may very well be after you've completed the core game, you're going to want the 360 version.

 

Achievements

The Xbox 360 version has the requisite list of Achievements exclusive to the platform, creative and challenging goals that sometimes go beyond the regular gaming experience. However, as with other GTA games, stat-tracking for kills, stunt jumps, and the dozens of extras will keep completionists on the PS3 side happy.

 

Motion Controls

The PS3 version has optional SIXAXIS motion controls for piloting helicopters, steering boats and doing motorcycle tricks. You'll probably leave it off, just like I did.

 

Good Vibrations

GTA IV supports vibration in the Xbox 360 controller and the DualShock 3, so PS3 owners won't be left in the force feedback lurch.

 

The good news for Grand Theft Auto fans is that whatever platform you have chosen as your own, GTA IV excels on both. They are almost evenly matched, feature for feature. Gamers will have to decide which is more important to them, a slightly more technically sound experience on the PlayStation 3 or downloadable content and Xbox Live integration on the Xbox 360.

 

Final Thoughts

If this were a personal decision, I'd have chosen the PlayStation 3 edition, mostly based on my preference for the DualShock controller and the performance edge. However, one thing that we have yet to experience is how well the PlayStation Network will handle the online portions of GTA IV, an extremely important consideration. I place less of an emphasis on features like Achievements and Gamerscore, but appreciate how well crafted these features are.

 

In the end, each version stands on its own, with the only downside to the differences being that those invested in their particularly backed console will expend so much effort focusing on something far less important than the game itself.

[NuggetDog9]

 

It was inevitable. With the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 competing for the "next-gen" first place spot, both armed with Grand Theft Auto IV shipping day and date, nitpicking comparisons between each version was expected from vocal fans. Rockstar Games has commented multiple times that both versions are identical, minus a few platform specific features and Xbox 360 exclusives.

 

We've played both versions of GTA IV—quite a bit, actually. We've noticed a handful of differences, some of which you know, some which you may not, many of them hair-splitting. We break it down, from frame rate to controls, after the break.

 

Installation

The PlayStation 3 version has a mandatory 3.4 GB hard drive installation that will be the longest 7 minutes and 20 seconds of your life if your chomping at the bit to play. It's initially an annoyance, but PS3 owners will welcome it. There is no option to install the game to an Xbox 360 hard drive.

 

Frame Rate

The Grand Theft Auto series has never been synonymous with a rock solid frame rate, something it generally seems to get a pass for. While GTA IV is smoother in general than it's predecessors, it can expectedly suffer during chaos. The Xbox 360 version seemed capable of achieving a smoother frame rate, peaking higher in certain circumstances, such as in confined spaces or during light traffic, but both versions seemed to regularly run at a similar clip.

 

Pop-In & Loading

With a huge, seamless streaming world, data must be constantly read from the disc. The PS3 version, with its required HDD install, loads missions a couple seconds faster and decreases pop-in. The Xbox 360 version can suffer from some very noticeable texture loading, as things like trees, vehicles and building signs will regularly pop-in as one tools about town. It can be distracting, especially during high speed chases, and the PS3 version isn't entirely immune from it, but it's not a game killing problem.

 

Graphics

The two versions are so close to identical, visually, that putting together a comparison was a challenge. Initially, it appeared that the PS3 suffered from more noticeable aliasing than its 360 counterpart, but after eyeballing the final retail copy, they appear to be on par. I noticed that the paint filter applied to cover some of the game's imperfections appeared a tiny bit muddier on the PS3 version, with night time scenes seeing more streakiness. Some of these minor complaints may be the result of our particular television settings and require the finest of fine tooth combs to assess.

 

Downloadable Content

The Xbox 360 version is announced to have two exclusive downloadable content packs for purchase. Details on what will be contained in those two exclusive batches of DLC are sparse, so we can't judge what they'll bring to the table, nor do we know if the PlayStation 3 version will eventually get its own DLC from Rockstar. If you're looking for more GTA IV, and you may very well be after you've completed the core game, you're going to want the 360 version.

 

Achievements

The Xbox 360 version has the requisite list of Achievements exclusive to the platform, creative and challenging goals that sometimes go beyond the regular gaming experience. However, as with other GTA games, stat-tracking for kills, stunt jumps, and the dozens of extras will keep completionists on the PS3 side happy.

 

Motion Controls

The PS3 version has optional SIXAXIS motion controls for piloting helicopters, steering boats and doing motorcycle tricks. You'll probably leave it off, just like I did.

 

Good Vibrations

GTA IV supports vibration in the Xbox 360 controller and the DualShock 3, so PS3 owners won't be left in the force feedback lurch.

 

The good news for Grand Theft Auto fans is that whatever platform you have chosen as your own, GTA IV excels on both. They are almost evenly matched, feature for feature. Gamers will have to decide which is more important to them, a slightly more technically sound experience on the PlayStation 3 or downloadable content and Xbox Live integration on the Xbox 360.

 

Final Thoughts

If this were a personal decision, I'd have chosen the PlayStation 3 edition, mostly based on my preference for the DualShock controller and the performance edge. However, one thing that we have yet to experience is how well the PlayStation Network will handle the online portions of GTA IV, an extremely important consideration. I place less of an emphasis on features like Achievements and Gamerscore, but appreciate how well crafted these features are.

 

In the end, each version stands on its own, with the only downside to the differences being that those invested in their particularly backed console will expend so much effort focusing on something far less important than the game itself.

You copied and pasted that from Here

[doomdiver_16]

Is it just me or is what they were saying about the frame rate and filters the opposite from what IGN were saying?

[Rambone2007]

That article is complete and utter bullsh*t.

 

PS3 has more anti-aliasing issues than the 360???? 360 has a better framerate???? What is that guy smoking???

[xenorevlis]

That article is complete and utter bullsh*t.

 

PS3 has more anti-aliasing issues than the 360. What is that guy smoking???

The aliasing was based on earlier builds of the game. As it stands, the final copies have a very similar anti-aliasing level and some minor jagged edges on models with angular build.

 

NuggetDog9 - This topic SAID it was from Kotaku.

[Rambone2007]

That article is complete and utter bullsh*t.

 

PS3 has more anti-aliasing issues than the 360.    What is that guy smoking???

The aliasing was based on earlier builds of the game. As it stands, the final copies have a very similar anti-aliasing level and some minor jagged edges on models with angular build.

 

NuggetDog9 - This topic SAID it was from Kotaku.

How come everybody from Sam Houser to IGN to numerous other people who've played the final build say the opposite of what Kotaku is saying????

[Rambone2007]

It doesn't matter what they say...

Kotaku has always been biased against Sony and the PS3. They have a long history of being dicks to Sony.

 

Plus, Kotaku is to video game journalism as Access Hollywood is to regular journalism.

 

***BTW...I have both 360 and the PS3 so I'm not a fanboy. I'm just saying that Kotaku is only useful for reading industry rumors. These are the same guys who posted a fake story about Metallica suing RockBand for copyright infringement. They tried to pass it off as fact when it was complete bullsh*t.***

[xenorevlis]

 

That article is complete and utter bullsh*t.

 

PS3 has more anti-aliasing issues than the 360.    What is that guy smoking???

The aliasing was based on earlier builds of the game. As it stands, the final copies have a very similar anti-aliasing level and some minor jagged edges on models with angular build.

 

NuggetDog9 - This topic SAID it was from Kotaku.

How come everybody from Sam Houser to IGN to numerous other people who've played the final build say the opposite of what Kotaku is saying????

In the final build of the PS3 version, scaling on the hardware to 1080i probably produces less jaggies then on the 360. As far as Kotaku is concerned, I don't know what kind of TVs they used but I DO know that in earlier builds of any game anti-aliasing is usually on/off/changing as they work on smoothing out the framerate.

 

As stated many times the PS3 version was behind the 360 in terms of development cycles so I don't find it hard to imagine anti-aliasing being completely off in earlier builds as they finished building and refining all the content.

[taz_111-man]

at least if their are any diffrences its only graphics not gameplay

[Clockwork Ninja]

ign are pro ps3, kotaku if anything are anti 360, hell they were the only one to print that fake rrod story a few days ago.

[Rambone2007]

ign are pro ps3, kotaku if anything are anti 360, hell they were the only one to print that fake rrod story a few days ago.

Kotaku has a pretty chilly relationship with Sony. But really doesn't matter....they have zero journalistic integrity whether they're pro or anti-something.

 

IGN are professional video game journalists. Kotaku are a bunch of jokesters who have zero credibility.

[RevFirst]

I tend to treat Kotaku as a gaming gossip site, nothing more nor less. Hope I'm making sense with this.

[K0ol-G-R4P]

Is it just me or is what they were saying about the frame rate and filters the opposite from what IGN were saying?

Its not just the opposite of what IGN was saying...

 

Its the opposite of what EVERY review site has said...lol

 

Kotaku never ceases to amaze with its obvious agenda...

[Rambone2007]

Is it just me or is what they were saying about the frame rate and filters the opposite from what IGN were saying? 

Its not just the opposite of what IGN was saying...

 

Its the opposite of what EVERY review site has said...lol

 

Kotaku never ceases to amaze with its obvious agenda...

For real.

 

Maxim magazine has more credibility when it comes to reviewing video games than Kotaku.

[Ricksta]

All i hope for is smooth frame rate on the ps3, can't really see until I play it (tomorrow I HOPE)

[bonesmccoy]

Well, everyone else (including Rockstar) says the PS3 has less jaggies, less pop-in, fewer framerate drops and better overall performance.

 

This review makes little sense, as in the final paragraph, the author says that he would prefer the PS3 version becuase of its superior performance, after slagging PS3 version throughout the review.

 

[poguemahone6669]

All I have to say is when is the first time we havent seen gta plagued with a frame rate drop or pop ins, big deal, I dont even really notice those things at all. It does not take away from the experience of the game for me. It's a videogame people. No video game will ever be perfect, since there are so many opinions about them varying from people to people. We all expected it to be some perfect mind numbing gaming experience and it wont be so everyone is running around trying to find which one doesnt suffer from a framerate drop or pop in textures. Remember these games have always pushed the consoles to the limit. GTA 4 from the G4tv.com looked great and it was played on 360, I have seen the PS3 footage looks great also. And the blurred backgrounds, honestly its a replica of New York City last time I checked the place doesnt have the best visability in the sky. Be happy you are getting a copy because some people did not preorder it and are hoping to get it the day it comes out.

[Rambone2007]

All I have to say is when is the first time we havent seen gta plagued with a frame rate drop or pop ins, big deal, I dont even really notice those things at all. It does not take away from the experience of the game for me. It's a videogame people. No video game will ever be perfect, since there are so many opinions about them varying from people to people. We all expected it to be some perfect mind numbing gaming experience and it wont be so everyone is running around trying to find which one doesnt suffer from a framerate drop or pop in textures. Remember these games have always pushed the consoles to the limit. GTA 4 from the G4tv.com looked great and it was played on 360, I have seen the PS3 footage looks great also. And the blurred backgrounds, honestly its a replica of New York City last time I checked the place doesnt have the best visability in the sky. Be happy you are getting a copy because some people did not preorder it and are hoping to get it the day it comes out.

This isn't a matter of saying whether or not we expect GTA4 to be perfect. This only has to do with pointing out the fact that Kotaku should NEVER be taken seriously (especially when they're the lone voice saying that the 360 has a better framerate than the PS3). They're about as unprofessional as they come. They're a gossip site run by casual gamers.

[TheDooner64]

Damn I wish you could install it onto the xbox hard drive

[Justin]

Not official news.