Mapping Los Santos! Building/landmark analysis

[YukiEiri]

Only similarity I can think of (about the scenery) is during the Liquor Ace scene where there is this steep, triangular mountain in the background.

But since there are plenty of other peaks around in the windfarm scene, I'm not sure about that one either..

I'm pretty sure that triangular hill in the background of the Liquor Ace scene is the same as the one in the background of the Mexicans getting crop dusted scene, just from a different angle. Doesn't seem to match any of the hills in the windfarm scene.

The mountain in the cropduster scene is not steep enough.

 

Windfarm scene has steep enough mountain, right side of the windmill that's closest to the camera.

It looks steep enough, but like I said, it has more mountains around it and thus won't fit to the Liquor Ace scene.

[PretendWereDead]

Did we ever managed to ID the building(s) in the background of this shot?

http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/7103/vl...12820h36m52.png

I have the stranges feeling that this house is on the "Grove Street" and that's the hospital.

Don't know why..

I was thinking (and posting) the same.

[Fido_le_muet]

Did we ever managed to ID the building(s) in the background of this shot?

http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/7103/vl...12820h36m52.png

I have the stranges feeling that this house is on the "Grove Street" and that's the hospital.

Don't know why..

I was thinking (and posting) the same.

Yep, I'm with you guys on this.

The big building behind the for sale house may be the LA County Hospital but nothing certain.

 

[The Hitch]

My idea for what i think the map should be like(It's a bit crappy as it's done in Paint and took me about 20 minutes)

I doubt they'd put the snow areas right next to the scorching hot desert. Especially on such small maps. In Red dead for example, you have to go through the farms and then the plains to get to the snow area in the far north.

[The Nefarious]

Wait, does this mean the game is set before 2010???

Maybe.. It could take place any time between 2009 and 2012.

Yes, but GTA doesn't have to completely follow real-life time. For example, the Luxor Hotel appears in San Andreas, yet that game took place in 1992. The Luxor Hotel was under construction at the time of the game's plot, and didn't complete construction until October 1993. Treasure Island Hotel and Casino was also under construction at the time of the game's original plot, and a lot of casinos that did exist in 1992 in Vegas do not appear in the game, such as the Stardust, the Sands Hotel and the Dunes Hotel. So that means that the construction of the building started later on in the GTA universe unlike the real universe. If Rockstar wants the Civil War to be won by the South, Cuba a democracy or Korea as one nation under Seoul, then so be it for Rockstar. It doesn't have to completely follow real-life history (though rather preferably)

That's true but this generation of GTAs seem to be a lot more true to life. I have a feeling this game is going to be quite long so maybe it could span over two years.

[boxmonster]

I mean isn't this big news if true? Lots of pop culture references would be dated.

[Slamman]

I've never been to Cali, don't know the REAL town/city/State, so would this suggest that the map is much more in line to LA in comparison to Liberty City and New York?

I'd jokingly add, What about the Nakatomi plaza? haha (Die Hard).

 

As for the period, I'm going with the current year, time placement, to satirize the common issues facing the USA, it would most likely be

As for scoping two years in the game? It's likely not to echo real world time, only In Game time as before, a day and night Seasonal lock

Edited November 30, 2011 by Slamman

[CommonSeb]

It must be so awesome to actually be from the place where gta is set!

 

I've always immagine my hometown as a gta location, its never gona happen but would

be hillarious.

 

I kept thinking that through all of gta IV, that it must be so weird to be from new york, looking out the window

and then back at the tv screen. Then blasting everything in the same street you are sitting in playing the game.

 

Same for residents of los angeles! Must feel very weird and awesome at the same time to actually recognize your neighbourhood

in a game like this! I envy you.

 

Same goes for movies!

I have to get my ass over there and actually see all the stuff that I've seen on movies and games my entire life!

[x kgSully x]

Maybe the game progresses unlike all of the GTAs. The tower is under construction in one part and finished in the other. Who gets pissed about the cranes in GTA IV? that are always there and under construction. Maybe in this one things under construction will finish instead of staying under construction the entire game?

[mubd]

Maybe the game progresses unlike all of the GTAs. The tower is under construction in one part and finished in the other. Who gets pissed about the cranes in GTA IV? that are always there and under construction. Maybe in this one things under construction will finish instead of staying under construction the entire game?

I'd love for construction projects to progress as the game goes on. It pissed me off how that Bohan expressway that was under construction in GTA IV would never be finished.

[jer37]

It has been about a year and a half since I have lived in the Hollywood area, but reading this thread made me come up with a few points that I thought might be worth mentioning.

 

- The Hollywood and Vine comparisons are quite sketchy. Obviously you know that is where you are when you see the capital Records building. I do though think you guys are mixing up directions. Hollywood Blvd goes east and west, where as Vine is north and south. One user tried to point out directions from the suspected Popeyes location and labeled Vine as east and west. Furthermore, if we are being accurate, as I remember, Popeyes was off of a side street a block or two from Vine, not directly on Vine. This would signal a weird inaccuracy if that is supposed to be that same building. In all honesty, there is nothing significant about that building, so why would Rockstar take it off of a side street (which wouldn't be in the game) and place it on Vine? This is maybe of course if they aren't actually in LA looking at locations, but instead Google Maps. Google Maps has images of about 5 years ago. For example, on the corner of Crescent Heights and Sunset pictures a Virgin Megastore. By the time I was in LA in 2009, that store no longer existed. Maybe someone who lives in the Hollywood area can confirm if in the past year and a half a Popeyes (or pizza shop) has opened on Hollywood and Vine. This might give you guys a bit more of an indication on how they are mapping the game.

 

- Hollywood and Vine by the Capitals Records building, all that open space..? No way... I would suspect that Rockstar is yet to fill in all the gaps and details, seeing as though I'm under the impression the game is still in somewhat early development. Also, there is a similar issue in regards to viewing the Observatory in the hills from the pier (which I am suspecting to be Santa Monica). Not only is that not possible, but the only hill structure fully visible from Santa Monica is the Santa Monica Mountains. You have to think, there are no piers like this in the Valley and I don't think this game will be large scale or accurate enough to cover Malibu.

 

- I don't understand the location mechanics with this game. Rockstar made Midnight Club LA, which didn't have the graphics presentation that a GTA game has, but was about every 2 to 3 blocks accurate. Aside from them skipping out on Brentwood, Westwood, and Century City, I think the game covered all the non valley areas well. Why should this GTA game be any different? Considering the series has had pride and emphasis on accuracy, why skimp out now, even more so if LA Noire was as accurate as people claim? Remember, they said that other areas of the west coast will be accessible, but the majority of the game will be focused directly in LA. I think it's much cooler to try to replicate a city everyone is familiar with, than to chop up that city and call it something of your own.

 

- Can someone highly familiar with New York comment on how accurate GTA 4 was? How about in comparison to what we are seeing here?

[SimMaster]

Cause its not a racing game. It would be boring to walk around in a realistic LA. Its like miles and miles of grid, man.

[fgcarva1]

- Can someone highly familiar with New York comment on how accurate GTA 4 was? How about in comparison to what we are seeing here?

I'm not from NYC but I've been there quite a few times. FIrst off, I'd like to say it's more about the "vibe" of the city and R* got that right in my opinion.

 

As NYC goes, the city got cut by tons so a lot of important streets are missing but they managed to keep the main layout and get the majority of buildings to suit the style of NYC. Let's not expect to see LA an exact replica, they'll definitely leave out many streets but I do hope they make a large map... especially if they're gonna do a good sized city (the environment is quite important as well).

[Gifbrah]

- The Hollywood and Vine comparisons are quite sketchy. Obviously you know that is where you are when you see the capital Records building. I do though think you guys are mixing up directions. Hollywood Blvd goes east and west, where as Vine is north and south. One user tried to point out directions from the suspected Popeyes location and labeled Vine as east and west. Furthermore, if we are being accurate, as I remember, Popeyes was off of a side street a block or two from Vine, not directly on Vine. This would signal a weird inaccuracy if that is supposed to be that same building. In all honesty, there is nothing significant about that building, so why would Rockstar take it off of a side street (which wouldn't be in the game) and place it on Vine? This is maybe of course if they aren't actually in LA looking at locations, but instead Google Maps. Google Maps has images of about 5 years ago. For example, on the corner of Crescent Heights and Sunset pictures a Virgin Megastore. By the time I was in LA in 2009, that store no longer existed. Maybe someone who lives in the Hollywood area can confirm if in the past year and a half a Popeyes (or pizza shop) has opened on Hollywood and Vine. This might give you guys a bit more of an indication on how they are mapping the game.

Take it from someone who drives by that location fairly often-

 

 

The pizza shop building is a model of the Popeyes and the news stand building.

[saintsrow]

Cause its not a racing game. It would be boring to walk around in a realistic LA. Its like miles and miles of grid, man.

yeah, i agree. when the game designers try to include big swaths of the real map like True Crime LA and even like LA Noire, the map gets too big without adding value, just leads to repetition. The beauty of the GTA series is that they make the separate sections of town just big enough to perfectly capture their nature in realistic design, without having to repeat storefronts or neighborhood blocks (for the most part). GTA is a rich experience.

[jer37]

Considering the free play mode that was big in both games, I think accuracy is quite a bit important. Obviously it is near impossible and dumb to ask for complete accuracy, but getting the placement of landmarks and such I think would be a visual priority, seeing as though they are claiming this is going to be the most accurate one yet.

 

Gifbrah, two Popeyes within a few blocks of each other? Ouch... That's kinda like the fast food disaster on La Brea and Sunset. I was thinking of the one right by Amoeba.

[SimMaster]

When did they say it was going to be the most accurate one yet? Link? You gotta realize that they can't fit a detailed real size LA in the game. That's why distance is compressed. And its also to fit more environments than just the city, like forests, mountains, and deserts.

[panchobulla]

This includes some buildings u guys might have missed http://www.igta5.com/landmarks-and-other-buildings ALL CREDIT TO TreeFitty at iGTA

 

PS: im assuming that's like a competition website or something xD...but we're all just trying to get an idea of how detailed the game will be and help from anywhere helps !!

[fgcarva1]

However, I do expect the city itself to be the size of LC's four islands put together... Which isn't really big when you think of it when it comes to LA. LA noire was huge and not very accurate and yet only included Hollywood, downtown and willshire. Now add south central, the beaches, east LA, Beverly hillsand all that good stuff... Plus the surrounding hills. It's impossible for the map to be detailed and designed as real LA, but R* will do a good job at it.

[Gifbrah]

This includes some buildings u guys might have missed http://www.igta5.com/landmarks-and-other-buildings ALL CREDIT TO TreeFitty at iGTA

 

PS: im assuming that's like a competition website or something xD...but we're all just trying to get an idea of how detailed the game will be and help from anywhere helps !!

I bet my right nut he had a little help from our community here. Either way, he put it together pretty nicely and he did get some stuff we seemed to have missed. Kudos to him.

[CSSM]

Maybe the game progresses unlike all of the GTAs. The tower is under construction in one part and finished in the other. Who gets pissed about the cranes in GTA IV? that are always there and under construction. Maybe in this one things under construction will finish instead of staying under construction the entire game?

You sure about that? I watched the slow motion trailer a bunch of times and the building is the same height/progression on every shot

[panchobulla]

Maybe the game progresses unlike all of the GTAs. The tower is under construction in one part and finished in the other. Who gets pissed about the cranes in GTA IV? that are always there and under construction. Maybe in this one things under construction will finish instead of staying under construction the entire game?

You sure about that? I watched the slow motion trailer a bunch of times and the building is the same height/progression on every shot

I think he meant that it'd be cool if: The tower is under construction in one part and finished in the other...

[CSSM]

Maybe the game progresses unlike all of the GTAs. The tower is under construction in one part and finished in the other. Who gets pissed about the cranes in GTA IV? that are always there and under construction. Maybe in this one things under construction will finish instead of staying under construction the entire game?

You sure about that? I watched the slow motion trailer a bunch of times and the building is the same height/progression on every shot

I think he meant that it'd be cool if: The tower is under construction in one part and finished in the other...

Even still, other people have been mentioning that it is in a different stage of construction at different parts of the trailer, and I dont see it

[BoolCaX]

This includes some buildings u guys might have missed http://www.igta5.com/landmarks-and-other-buildings ALL CREDIT TO TreeFitty at iGTA

 

PS: im assuming that's like a competition website or something xD...but we're all just trying to get an idea of how detailed the game will be and help from anywhere helps !!

I updated some screenshots with buildings from that site

[koeklin]

 

 

Perhaps... But these buildings are in Santa Monica (Ocean Avenue - San Vincente Avenue)... so far from downtown.

Edited December 2, 2011 by koeklin

[oxyg3n]

 

*pic*

 

 

Perhaps... But these buildings are in Santa Monica (Ocean Avenue)... so far from downtown.

those are definatly them koeklin!!! that left right pattern of the stairway windows is spot on. dont worry about the distance man....most buildings that weve found are pretty close togther while there is a pretty good distance betweent hem in real life.

 

 

http://www.igta5.com/landmarks-and-other-buildings

 

holy crap that dude has found quite some stuff we didnt know about. chapeau.

Edited December 2, 2011 by oxyg3n

[[enforcA]]

 

Perhaps... But these buildings are in Santa Monica (Ocean Avenue - San Vincente Avenue)... so far from downtown.

Nice find koeklin. It fits perfectly.

 

The other found buildings from the TreeFitty article over at igta5 are also nice.

 

...

 

Finally a reason to log in again after this long time without any real news from R*.

[skillz7855]

*pic*

 

 

Perhaps... But these buildings are in Santa Monica (Ocean Avenue)... so far from downtown.

those are definatly them koeklin!!! that left right pattern of the stairway windows is spot on. dont worry about the distance man....most buildings that weve found are pretty close togther while there is a pretty good distance betweent hem in real life.

 

 

http://www.igta5.com/landmarks-and-other-buildings

 

holy crap that dude has found quite some stuff we didnt know about. chapeau.

thats because most gta maps are sproofs of actual places not the exact replica of the real life counterpart.

[Fido_le_muet]

Wow. They did a really good job at that website. Kuddos to them.

However, I think some of their comparisons are long shots but most of them are really great.

I guess I have some updating to do...

[koeklin]

 

http://www.igta5.com/landmarks-and-other-buildings

 

holy crap that dude has found quite some stuff we didnt know about. chapeau.

Yes, it's a very good work!

 

 

But I think the building below looks more like the Marriot Hotel (Marina del Rey) than the Viceroy Hotel he've found