Why are games like GTA so few and far between?

[charles167]

Re: Why are games like GTA so few and far between?

They had ALOT of money to use to develop the game, which they got from the first two. That's pretty much what it comes down to.

But out of all that money, they had to pay developers, actors, royalties to singers/rappers for use of their music and voice, marketing and advertising companies etc.

It all starts with financials. Nothing gets done without it. No matter how great we think it is. If it cost too much to make. It wont get done. Very little games/companies have the following to make a kick azz game, promote it, market it, pay for distribution, pay salaries to those involved, benefits for those involved etc....

More goes into game development than just a group of programmers.

[charles167]

Re: Why are games like GTA so few and far between?

They had ALOT of money to use to develop the game, which they got from the first two. That's pretty much what it comes down to.

But out of all that money, they had to pay developers, actors, royalties to singers/rappers for use of their music and voice, marketing and advertising companies etc.

It all starts with financials. Nothing gets done without it. No matter how great we think it is. If it cost too much to make. It wont get done. Very little games/companies have the following to make a kick azz game, promote it, market it, pay for distribution, pay salaries to those involved, benefits for those involved etc....

More goes into game development than just a group of programmers.

[bergie56]

Re: Why are games like GTA so few and far between?

I would love to see any developer who makes sports games put half the effort that Rockstar put into GTA SA. However one thing to keep in mind is that sports games have to be made yearly whereas Rockstar has all the time they need to make GTA games. Not saying it is excuse but it is a limitation.

[bergie56]

Re: Why are games like GTA so few and far between?

I would love to see any developer who makes sports games put half the effort that Rockstar put into GTA SA. However one thing to keep in mind is that sports games have to be made yearly whereas Rockstar has all the time they need to make GTA games. Not saying it is excuse but it is a limitation.

[charles167]

Re: Why are games like GTA so few and far between?

I would love to see any developer who makes sports games put half the effort that Rockstar put into GTA SA. However one thing to keep in mind is that sports games have to be made yearly whereas Rockstar has all the time they need to make GTA games. Not saying it is excuse but it is a limitation.

Amen. Timing is also important. Another aspect of time is also financial. When we create a model for a project, we talk in 'present value' and 'future value'. See that $1 that was spent today, is used to create reveune a $1 a year from now. See b/c in 2 years a company could not spend that money or invest in stocks,bonds, land etc and garnish a return.

In Rockstars case, 2 years. So they have to try and estimate/trend financial information to get the desired revenue/return based on the $1 in its future value.

Does that make sense?

[charles167]

Re: Why are games like GTA so few and far between?

I would love to see any developer who makes sports games put half the effort that Rockstar put into GTA SA. However one thing to keep in mind is that sports games have to be made yearly whereas Rockstar has all the time they need to make GTA games. Not saying it is excuse but it is a limitation.

Amen. Timing is also important. Another aspect of time is also financial. When we create a model for a project, we talk in 'present value' and 'future value'. See that $1 that was spent today, is used to create reveune a $1 a year from now. See b/c in 2 years a company could not spend that money or invest in stocks,bonds, land etc and garnish a return.

In Rockstars case, 2 years. So they have to try and estimate/trend financial information to get the desired revenue/return based on the $1 in its future value.

Does that make sense?

[CMH]

Re: Why are games like GTA so few and far between?

Which brings up the next thing.

Haven't some people explained the benefits of releasing a sports title once every two years?

I know it would never happen, but it would solve many of the issues we see every year.

There's a good reason why MVP was a huge jump compared to Triple Play. MVP took three years to develop and now they are just adding to what is already there.

It's also a good reason why MLB 2005 (989 Games) was a huge jump compared to their last baseball title. And I'm sure NFL 2006, NBA 2006, will be huge jumps compared to their last football/basketball titles. If you take your time to develop the game, people will notice. 989's committment to their baseball title has basically made me a buyer for their title next year. And previous to this year I would have never ever considered their game.

[CMH]

Re: Why are games like GTA so few and far between?

Which brings up the next thing.

Haven't some people explained the benefits of releasing a sports title once every two years?

I know it would never happen, but it would solve many of the issues we see every year.

There's a good reason why MVP was a huge jump compared to Triple Play. MVP took three years to develop and now they are just adding to what is already there.

It's also a good reason why MLB 2005 (989 Games) was a huge jump compared to their last baseball title. And I'm sure NFL 2006, NBA 2006, will be huge jumps compared to their last football/basketball titles. If you take your time to develop the game, people will notice. 989's committment to their baseball title has basically made me a buyer for their title next year. And previous to this year I would have never ever considered their game.

[Jistic]

Re: Why are games like GTA so few and far between?

Simple. Different strokes for different folks..

Why isn't every movie an Academy award winning caliber movie?

Why isn't every song a classic?

Budget does not equal quality. In any medium.

[Jistic]

Re: Why are games like GTA so few and far between?

Simple. Different strokes for different folks..

Why isn't every movie an Academy award winning caliber movie?

Why isn't every song a classic?

Budget does not equal quality. In any medium.

[charles167]

Re: Why are games like GTA so few and far between?

Simple. Different strokes for different folks..

Why isn't every movie an Academy award winning caliber movie?

Why isn't every song a classic?

Budget does not equal quality. In any medium.

I agree, my original post, says ONE major factor. Did not say the only one.

[charles167]

Re: Why are games like GTA so few and far between?

Simple. Different strokes for different folks..

Why isn't every movie an Academy award winning caliber movie?

Why isn't every song a classic?

Budget does not equal quality. In any medium.

I agree, my original post, says ONE major factor. Did not say the only one.

[mgoblue]

Re: Why are games like GTA so few and far between?

Which brings up the next thing.

Haven't some people explained the benefits of releasing a sports title once every two years?

I know it would never happen, but it would solve many of the issues we see every year.

There's a good reason why MVP was a huge jump compared to Triple Play. MVP took three years to develop and now they are just adding to what is already there.

It's also a good reason why MLB 2005 (989 Games) was a huge jump compared to their last baseball title. And I'm sure NFL 2006, NBA 2006, will be huge jumps compared to their last football/basketball titles. If you take your time to develop the game, people will notice. 989's committment to their baseball title has basically made me a buyer for their title next year. And previous to this year I would have never ever considered their game.

there would be a flat out uproar if Madden didn't release every year, same with Live...people say they'd be happy with a roster update the next year, but they really wouldn't. No matter what gamers find a reason to bitch about the gaming companies and games in general, it's pretty funny actually.

[mgoblue]

Re: Why are games like GTA so few and far between?

Which brings up the next thing.

Haven't some people explained the benefits of releasing a sports title once every two years?

I know it would never happen, but it would solve many of the issues we see every year.

There's a good reason why MVP was a huge jump compared to Triple Play. MVP took three years to develop and now they are just adding to what is already there.

It's also a good reason why MLB 2005 (989 Games) was a huge jump compared to their last baseball title. And I'm sure NFL 2006, NBA 2006, will be huge jumps compared to their last football/basketball titles. If you take your time to develop the game, people will notice. 989's committment to their baseball title has basically made me a buyer for their title next year. And previous to this year I would have never ever considered their game.

there would be a flat out uproar if Madden didn't release every year, same with Live...people say they'd be happy with a roster update the next year, but they really wouldn't. No matter what gamers find a reason to bitch about the gaming companies and games in general, it's pretty funny actually.

[Ice Cream Truck]

Re: Why are games like GTA so few and far between?

My take on this is because GTA1 came out in like 96 I think? Rockstar has been working on this series for 9 years. People have seen what Rockstar can do, so they are willing to help with the game in ways they can.

True Crime came out last year and it needs a bit more time to catch up with GTA. Alot of what we saw in TC we had already saw in GTA.