GTA V First Person Mode Is Pointless

[Official General]

I will admit this is not my writing, it's from a writer on a gaming site. However it perfectly sums up my thoughts and feelings in Rockstar's surprising (and disappointing) foray into the world of first-person shooters. I really don't get why Rockstar felt we really needed or clamored for this pointless feature in GTA. It's just another example of Rockstar completely losing their sense of direction and focus in improving this game and the series in general.

 

Note : This is not a thread for people to have GTA V lovers vs GTA haters wars. You can still have opposing opinions and constructively challenge and argue among yourselves. I personally will be ignoring anyone who attempts this (especially V fanatics, Rockstar defenders and ass-lickers, wannabe unpaid PR specialists for Rockstar) and anyone else interested in this thread, I suggest you do the same. Thanks.

 

Read, discuss and share your thoughts.

 

From the Hardcore Gamer

 

Grand Theft Auto V set the world ablaze when it appeared, roaring onto the scene with the biggest open-world ever seen in the series. Rockstar soared back to the forefront of gaming, shouting from atop the skyscrapers and taking off into the stratosphere. In this current gaming climate of endless re-releases and remasters, it was only a matter of time that Rockstar would cave. Grand Theft Auto V was confirmed for release on Playstation 4 and Xbox One, with 1080p/30fps graphics and numerous tweaks to gameplay. But one new feature stood out: a first-person mode. For a series that’s always been a third-person endeavor, the FPS-style setup caught many gamers’ eyes, some even claiming it to make this GTA V “the definitive version.” GTA V on PS4 and Xbox One is likely to be the definitive version of the game, but this first-person mode is a disposable and pointless inclusion, a shameless stand-in for true expansion on the already enormous open-world game.

The first-person mode includes a new cover system, a traditional FPS control scheme, along with auxiliary features like new animations. It aims (no pun intended) to deliver a new perspective on Grand Theft Auto, a series that until now has focused entirely on a third-person perspective. The trailer illustrates many highlights of Grand Theft Auto V like taking out street assailants, jumping a train on an off-road vehicle, and even shaking an enemy off the wing of a plane. The new perspective makes moments like piloting a jet fighter different, with aiming displays and cockpit views all in tow. It definitely adds another take on Grand Theft Auto V.

Grand Theft Auto V Plane

But saying that this dimension is “a game-changer” is overzealous. The first-person perspective in Grand Theft Auto V constantly evokes an aura of novelty. It doesn’t fit in. Grand Theft Auto V, and the Grand Theft Auto series in general, was never built for first-person. Many of the actions benefit from a more peripheral viewpoint, as you can attackers easier and see a nearby getaway vehicle without fiddling around with the camera too much. Firefights are not the focus of GTA, nor are the driving segments. Grand Theft Auto’s appeal has always been the open-world. Moving around a city, launching off a ramp, shooting enemies, and making a clean getaway are not that valuable on their own, but the cohesion between these elements is what make GTA into what it is. The first-person perspective disjoints that synergy; it frames the firefights and vehicles as the most core elements, when they’ve only been pieces of a bigger puzzle.

It baffles me as to why Rockstar would even consider a first-person mode for GTA V. Perhaps it was the success of open-world shooters like Far Cry 3 that inspired them to do this, which is understandable. However, Far Cry 3 is a shooter. It’s built as a shooter and the shooting is a huge part of the game’s appeal. Sure, there’s exploration, but the action is Far Cry’s appeal by far. Grand Theft Auto V, for all its gritty action and violence, is not a shooter. Its action comes from something less primal and more intelligent. If anything, this first-person shooter setup does more to pander to the FPS crowd than to thoughtfully expand on what Grand Theft Auto has always been about.

Grand Theft Auto V First-Person Windmills

The moments of awe that the first-person mode demonstrate (like the flying segments) are constantly overshadowed by an obstructive and pointless statement. As the fanmade mods have shown us, first-person GTA is a novelty, a fleeting distraction that you’ll use for five minutes, then realize that it was just better the old way. Re-releasing GTA V barely a year after release is already a questionable move, but using something so disposable and out of place as a selling point is the real issue at hand. And yes, it’s optional. I understand that, but why treat this as a game-changer? GTA V on PS4 and Xbox One will sell, likely very well, but not because of the first-person mode. GTA V’s first-person mode is a pointless addition that does more to shamelessly lure in FPS fans than deliver any substantial inclusions to what Grand Theft Auto is about.

Edited November 9, 2014 by Official General

[Dottie]

Well its gonna be an option, so don't turn it on

/Problem solved

[DopeFresh]

Grand Theft Auto has always been about new additions to the game. A first person view has been wanted in every 3d gta. Now there is one, and he complains that it goes against what GTA is about? GTA is about new things like that.

[happygrowls]

What I don't get is why people complain about it, it's not being forced into your face as a permanent mode is it?

[Official General]

What I don't get is why people complain about it, it's not being forced into your face as a permanent mode is it?

 

That's not the point. You won't be the last person to wade in with "it's a choice". That is not the point here, The point is why Rockstar bothered to go down this route when it's unoriginal, and unsuitable. For a remaster, they could have come up with much better and more relevant ideas for V.

[GrandTheftFan788]

What I don't get is why people complain about it, it's not being forced into your face as a permanent mode is it?

 

I don't understand that either. Why complain about something you don't have to use if you do not want to. If you don't like it don't use it.

[Raynos]

What I don't get is why people complain about it, it's not being forced into your face as a permanent mode is it?

 

Yeah, I don't get it either, any new OPTIONAL feature has people bitching and moaning like someone stole their candy!

The general argument is "They could've been doing something else with that precious development time"

Either way, that article is click bait, I usually just ignore it. GTA V in First Person is an awesome idea! After that Mod, Rockstar must've seen the potential and from the gameplay trailers, OMG does it look good!

Edited November 9, 2014 by Raynos

[Dottie]

 

What I don't get is why people complain about it, it's not being forced into your face as a permanent mode is it?

 

That's not the point. You won't be the last person to wade in with "it's a choice". That is not the point here, The point is why Rockstar bothered to go down this route when it's unoriginal, and unsuitable. For a remaster, they could have come up with much better and more relevant ideas for V.

 

like?

the game hasent been released yet either

[Johnny Spaz]

i'm pretty sure it's optional

[DISCO-INFERNO-70]

That article is CLEARLY troll bait.

I'm NOT a fan of 1st person shooters. In FACT, I hate them. There are TOO MANY of them in the marketplace.

All that being said, GTAV takes a much different turn with the 1st person perspective. At the very LEAST, it's OPTIONAL, so it's not something being forced on anyone. While I doubt i'll ever use it during a deathmatch online, I will certainly use it during car races and piloting planes.

 

It will also add an entirely new dimension to free roaming around the map. It will add a much bigger sense of depth and size to the overall map.

The article sounds like it's coming from someone who doesn't want ANY change to a game he or she is comfortable with. The fact that it is totally OPTIONAL, makes this article completely unnecessary.

[MrWuggy]

I'd love to write a voluminous rebuttal to this but I have an inkling the mods will close this topic.

[Official General]

I'd love to write a voluminous rebuttal to this but I have an inkling the mods will close this topic.

Feel free to engage bro. The mods won't do sh*t as long you or anyone else don't cause any trouble. Make your rebuttal constructive and civilized, and it's all good.

[Krysalis]

Something tells me you are stuck on last gen regardless, but there are options to chose so this thread should be locked.

[TheMisanthrope]

I'm not even a FPS gamer yet how well they have made it(assuming it's well done) I am truly excited to experience everything that the game has to offer from a up and close point of view... A FP mode does NOT focus primarily on firefights as the person stated. I can think of tons other things that will make the game feel incredibly immersive while in FP. If it were forced and the series turned into nothing but FP based games, yes I would side with those complaining about it. But they aren't doing that so being a snobby person and calling this new addition "pointless" is far from the truth. Maybe to the likes of you a handful of other people will it be pointless. But to myself who isn't even a FP gamer, I feel that I'm going to adore this mode to death. Robbing a store, stabbing some person to death down a dark alley, skydiving or base jumping, scuba diving, street racing yadda yadda yadda, all of this was fun while in third person but now in FP it'll all feel even more immersive and intense. So, comments like " well they could have did more with their time and focused on other things blah blah blah." Is quite comical and just makes ya sound like a d*ck. The game isn't out yet, if and when we all play it and there has literally been no change other than this new mode, yes it's then worthy of a few complaints but they've added new side missions and other things so even a few songs, cars and weapons is better than nothing. Go ahead and keep complaining because those who are disliking the FP mode are in the minoroity every person I know is excited for it and so is just about every other person on the internet. That alone will be enough for Rock star to realize that the option to be both genres of game was the way to go.

Edited November 9, 2014 by TheMisanthrope

[MrWuggy]

 

I'd love to write a voluminous rebuttal to this but I have an inkling the mods will close this topic.

Feel free to engage bro. The mods won't do sh*t as long you or anyone else don't cause any trouble. Make your rebuttal constructive and civilized, and it's all good.

 

 

Okay! Constructing my post now. Appreciate the decorum

Edited November 9, 2014 by MrWuggy

[N4TE]

People have to stop complaining about OPTIONS.

[ryan_J]

I read that article earlier and found it kind of silly. If the article was posted before we got to see the extent that Rockstar has gone to to make first person an amazing experience then I could understand the writers worries. I would have agreed with the write a few weeks ago, because I was worried that the first person feature was simply a repositioned camera with the same low resolution vehicle interiors and same animations.

 

After seeing what amazing work Rockstar has done to make first person as an amazing experience as it looks, the writers fears are unfounded and poor at best. He claims that first person actually detracts away from the open world experience, this clearly isn't the case, you get to see the world up close and personal, you get to see the finer details of the world, the light bouncing off of buildings, the cracks in the road, the way pedestrians walk, the way NPC's interact and so on. It makes the world feel larger too.

 

So all of this talk about how it detracts from the open world and focuses on gun-play only is ridiculous and I get the feeling that the writer doesn't even believe what he is typing, he is just trying to play devils advocate for the sake of clicks.

[SteelAce]

It is a completely OPTIONAL feature you don't have to turn on. So why even complain about it? The ones complaining about this probably bitch about there being too much food when they go to an all you can eat buffet.

 

As for myself this is adding another reason to buy the game a second time. It will be like a whole new game when I play it in fp mode in single player.

[Queen Elizabeth II]

It's not pointless for me.

[woggleman]

It is completely optional and judging by how many first person mods I come across a lot of people wanted it. It is not forced on anybody so let those who do enjoy it have their fun.

[backfromthestorm]

How can you complain about an OPTION.

 

Like walking into a sweet shop moaning that you don't like toffee, it really shouldn't be there and its just pointless. Well don't buy it then. Just crazy.

 

 

The dude that wrote this crap just wanted some attention in the name of Gta.

 

 

Oh and Hard-core gamer is he?

 

"For a series that’s always been a third-person endeavor" he wrote..

 

Spot the obvious Fail. Was originally top down.

Edited November 9, 2014 by backfromthestorm

[woggleman]

I don't like onions on my burgers so I will go by my favorite burger place and demand they stop serving them to anybody even though I can ask for a burger without them.

[bensons]

I hope someone didn't get paid to write that sh*t.

[Owl_Sees_33]

So when I play GTA V Online with others, they are using Modifications? Example: First Person Mode

Or is this for the PC? Wait.. is this the PC or PS3 section?

 

 

I'm so confused...

[BLOOD]

I could bet a thousand euro that that article was writing by him anyway how can they be so f***ing dumb geez a full-fledged optional petspective get bashed? and since when was GTA originally a 3rd-Persob franchise? well this is why R* only allowed IGN and CVG to preview the game.this site along with Gamespot arent even popular to start with so they always say sh*t lol (damn i cant stop laughing hahaha )

 

well this shows that this FPV will be success and loved and every GTA onward will be First-Person afterall GTA was a top-down franchise before the 3rd game

Edited November 9, 2014 by Blood-Is-in-Diamond

[Wayne Daniels]

What I don't get is why people complain about it, it's not being forced into your face as a permanent mode is it?

But when it effects our third person game play that's when it gets a bit hairy.

[ILS_Supernova]

I feel Rockstar have really gone to some lengths to bring us this very convincing FPV, the animation and remodelled textures must have taken some work. I'm not against this feature at all and I think it will be fun to use, I plan to use it off and on with my first play through and then just play the story in FP.

 

BUT and here's were I ever so slightly agree with the OP, I hope rockstar haven't just spent time bringing us this new mode. As I say I'm all for it and good on rockstar for turning a already impressive game into a game that may challenge so FPS games on the market. I feel there are a lot more things we wanted to from GTA V rather than a FPV, a simple menu from the airport that allows us to visit North Yankton when ever we want surely would have been easier than the work they have put into this mode no?

 

Again I don't agree of 99% of OP but do hope we get other things from GTA V

[MrWuggy]

First things first: I want to preface this by clarifying that prior to last weeks reveal, I was pessimistic about First-Person mode.

I’ve never really found the First-Person perspective compelling, and have found it a nuisance when I have experienced it.

I think the desirability of First-Person mode is decidedly subjective, and I acknowledge some will find it unappealing.

However Rockstar aren’t imposing this mode on us, what they are doing is appeasing the thousands of users who have coveted a build-in mode like this for sometime. They even recognise this isn’t a replacement of third person, but a vital supplement to this game.

By supplying users with this new feature they are giving us a new dimension to explore this expansive world in.

The assertion that this is a game-changer may seem hyperbolic to some, but for users who want to indulge in realism, it really will be a substantial difference. I think it’s myopic to claim this new perspective somehow undermines the open-world aspect of GTA. In my opinion it actually elevates it, because it makes incidents more personal. Take for instance the weapon recoil and reload, previously the user experiences no palpable feedback when these processes occur, you’re distracted by the world around you, which precludes that vital element of immersion. Contrary to his post I think it’s an essential mode to include and will feel intrinsic to the GTA world.

The premise that the inclusion of a First-Person perspective somehow indicates Rockstar perceive this game primarily as a shooting game perplexes me. Shooting is an integral part in the game as are many other components which also reap benefits from this new mode. Rockstar are not propagating the notion this game is a first-person shooter and the trailer and screenshots testify to that.

Parachuting, aviating, driving have all been displayed so conspicuously in First-Person which demonstrates Rockstar are as committed as ever to the conviction that this game is multi-faceted.

The last point about First-Person being a fleeting interest holds some weight, I do think some users will be initially enthusiastic but eventually that enthusiasm will wane and they’ll revert to third person. But for many the zest will only intensify as they become more aquatinted with the mode. They will perceive the dashboard gauges, flight panel instruments, and weapon animation as so alluring that they will feel deprived in third person mode. I don’t see this as pandering, but more of an acknowledgment of the importance of First-Person perspective with regard to fidelity.

This isn’t just a haphazard incorporation but an elaborate mode. This is a feature which exemplifies Rockstar’s values. They have provided something which users have yearned for, but they haven't just arbitrarily implemented the feature like many would have. They rigorously considered every aspect of the new feature including realism, suitable animations, the weapon recoil & reload, and the fidelity of the gauges and dashboard. This first person mode is built in a way which avoids compromising your experience, but elevates the immersion, to a level quite stratospheric.

Edited November 9, 2014 by MrWuggy

[ScrewThePooch]

 

What I don't get is why people complain about it, it's not being forced into your face as a permanent mode is it?

But when it effects our third person game play that's when it gets a bit hairy.There's no way this will affect your gameplay. If it's 3rd person you like, then stick to it.

What really gets me is the fact that none of us have even tried it out, yet people are still whining about it, give it a chance before starting a thread on a topic you clearly haven't even tried yet.

[Zanje]

Idk, i cant take anyone calling themselves "the hardcore gamer" seriously. It is just a given they will berate anyone who disagrees with them as a "filthy casual", and their "hardcore" tastes are too refined for the casual to grasp. Seen it done a thousand times :-/