Patch 5 For GTAIV Is Success For online Gamers

Grand Theft Auto IV, has had a rocky run since the start. Many of us had a smooth install and smooth gameplay from the getgo. But many people had issue that almost seemed to be unresolved. The forums at gtaforums.com  practically flipped upside down. Many of the issues turned out to be someone poorly overclocking a computer and then putting the first real bit of stress on it, since the overclocking. Many had the issue of over heating, or not enough memory, wrong service pack or poor drivers.

Well Rockstar Torronto Spent a great deal of time  weeding through the posts on gtaforums.com checking and double checking for computer stats, and hardware configurations to see who all had what so they could re-test their build of the game and produce a patch.

After five tests, they have it ..  For more information go here.

The online patch now allows us to ban people who join  games we serve.. Actually made to kick out jerks and cheaters.

Today we released patched 1.0.0.4 for the PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV. The patch features a number of updates and fixes including the conversion of all region SKU’s into the same SKU, more freedom for users to customize controls, and several multiplayer fixes. The full patch notes can be found below. Please visit http://updates.rockstargames.com/patches/gtaiv/GTAIV_MAINTENANCE_UPDATE_1004.rar to download the patch.

Version 1.0.0.4 – November 10, 2009

GENERAL:

  • Convert all region SKU’s into the same SKU.
  • Include support for all languages within single exe.

CONTROLS:

  • Allow controls to be double mapped on keyboard.
  • Added option in controls menu to disable mouse controls in helicopters.
  • Adjust keyboard control sensitivity in hood cam view in vehicles.

MULTIPLAYER:

  • Security Updates to deter cheating in multiplayer.
  • Hosts can now immediately Kick users from their games in Lobby and in game via Cell phone without having to rely on peer voting.
  • Fixed a bug in Cops ‘n Crooks mode where Host would drop out and prevent remaining players from leaving game.

Patch 5 For GTAIV Is Success

Grand Theft Auto IV, has had a rocky run since the start. Many of us had a smooth install and smooth gameplay from the getgo. But many people had issue that almost seemed to be unresolved. The forums at gtaforums.com  practically flipped upside down. Many posts had been sent by flamers and trolls but there where lots of real legitimate posts. So for the moderators such as CC (CharmingCharlie) there was a heavy steady task. Regular users such as myself spent hours trying to contribute, by helping the legit and reporting the blatant flamers. That is all important because There where actual Rockstar game programers that would frequent gta forums to get ideas and imput. As we actually found out at the release of patch one.


The first patch was clearly a quick fix to suppress the unruly scream-alots. I totally understand and was happy with the fact that someone was there to hear and  tame the cries of the kids with bad installs. I don’t remember exactly what was shut off in the patches but I do remember  like the hotdog stands disappearing, and then when they came back, deeper detailed  controls for video settings had been enabled. Of course that was at a later patch. Third patch I believe.

The fourth patch well there really was not much to the fourth patch as far as we could see. In fact the guy from Rockstar Torronto informed us it was preparation for next few big moves. Some of us old schoolers suggested it was for Downloadable content for pc..We where slapped down by forum moderators that let us know there was nothing in the statement that suggested DLC, and they locked our posts. They don’t realize that half the game of GTA is speculating what is to come in next game and by reading to much into anything said by R*. That is the heaviest traffic to gtaforums. but what ever. We have since then proven this to be true with the release of the fifth patch we see tlad in the achievement area for pc gtaiv.

Cheats are now nearly impossible, the servers are now used like dedicated servers, meaning the game creator  can now ban anyone on his/her server at any givin  moment, we no longer have to wait for votes. I assume that someone will create a script that allows them to jump servers and bann people at random without being modderator or  creator. until then I am super happy with what is available.

many many fixes with patch five.

Incase you have not found the link to the fifth patch, here you go.

patch 5 for gtaiv

List of Fixes

GENERAL:

  • Convert all region SKU’s into the same SKU.
  • Include support for all languages within single exe.

CONTROLS:

  • Allow controls to be double mapped on keyboard.
  • Added option in controls menu to disable mouse controls in helicopters.
  • Adjust keyboard control sensitivity in hood cam view in vehicles.

MULTIPLAYER:

  • Security Updates to deter cheating in multiplayer.
  • Hosts can now immediately Kick users from their games in Lobby and in game via Cell phone without having to rely on peer voting.
  • Fixed a bug in Cops ‘n Crooks mode where Host would drop out and prevent remaining players from leaving game.

Sad to say, they have it labeled as patch 4, even though it is the fifth patch.

We want an MMORPG For The Next Grand Theft Auto Game

The votes had been tallied up and we see that  77.78% of the users want to see an MMorpg for the next Grand Theft Auto Game

5.56% said no way

16.67% Said They want a donut (lol)

Now the new vote is what city we want to see for The Next Grand Theft Auto

I am not aiming super high, I am hoping for Vice City again. But if this will be an mmorpg then we want a whole country, so we can sit in whatever city we want to.

New WINDOWS LIVE Breaks GTAIV even worse

Today April 21st, Microsoft released a new update to WINDOWS LIVE . The forums at GTAFORUMS.Com goes crazy.
Looks like Microsoft bundled some lines of code that totally trashed what few users and players of Grand Theft Auto IV, that Rockstar Games had left. The game seems to work fine in Multi- Player , but has traumatic effect on Single player mode. You can no longer tweak and adjust your game. The game stutters so bad and hangs up, that no one can get even four minutes of play time to test out said tweaks. It kind of looks intentional.
Picture this:
Rockstar games might have actually put the screws to Microsoft, for allowing cheats in thier online community, and well, looks like they might have barked up the wrong tree. Sad part is, they are contracted to them, so they can’t just drop the windows live program.

This of course is where the modders and tweakers need to come together. MTA-IV and Iv-mp need to band together and make something quick to save Rockstar in this.

Now this is pretty much speculation, but man it would be scary if it was true.
Xliveless is the way to go, but patches are hard to get and use once you do that.

If you feel that Microsoft needs to Address this, Sign below with a response.
Let our Text be read, we need to prove there are more than just a hand full of out there.

Call it a petition. Call it a group effort. I just consider it a gathering of upset customers.
We are customers of Microsoft, we are displeased.

Even if you do not agree with my opinion, let your’s be read and lets let Microsoft hear from us.
Just reply to this with your opinion on the matter.
Digg it for me

Gaming Convention Hit by Recession?

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/T/TEC_GAME_CONFERENCE_ECONOMY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2009-03-22-13-05-26

Might be fear mongering on the side of “aP” but who knows.
I am quite sure the gaming industry will stay fine, unless electricity costs go up.

Bolstered by an ever-expanding audience that is turning to games for cheaper entertainment, video games are benefiting in some ways from the economic turmoil. Yet the industry is not completely immune, with layoffs and closings of studios that produce games. Electronic Arts Inc., the game publisher behind the “Madden” football series, is cutting 1,000 jobs, most by the end of this month.

GTAIV Vice City Or San Andreas Next?

Clearly it will be Vice City. San Andreas is the final city each time and Liberty City is where you start.
On GTAIII Vice city is what happened after the Game coders smoothed out the code and repacked it to take less space, allowing them to pack more crap in one game.
GTAIII Took a hearty machine back in the day, as GTAIV take a Hearty Machine these days. Vice city took a slightly stronger computer on III, yet played twice as smooth. Vice city will play smoother again. If computer gamers are allowed a chance to ride the GTAIV tail to the end, then GTA PC Fans will be in for a re-occurring blast.
Will we see a yellow washed city again? I was not bothered by that in III , It gave the feel of a sunny city. Especially after Rainy Liberty City. More Boats, less garbage, more old people and malls. The only things I anticipate. I am ready for the announcement .
What I hope for, is a glimpse at an old burned out Tommy Vercetti, in a retirement home, along with the un named Guy from GTAIII, And Carl Johnson from San Andreas living up on the beach, with no role in the game other than showing he is still alive.

There was an interview with the creators of Grand Theft Auto, and they said that we will not see any persons returning in GTAIV Because they are all dead. Vice city in GTIII was a step back in time, and so was San Andreas, what will happen in that case? will they close the books for good and show us how they all die?
Buy the next game, Buy the pc version to get the real deal, and we will know what’s up.

Have Fun Good Luck
HFGL

TruXter

A Glitch Within a Glitch GTAIV

Decided to drive to the swingset in Gtaiv on a motorcycle.
I pulled up to the leg of the swingset and bam.. my wheels disappeared. I kept trying to ride away, but that wouldn’t happen. It was as if I was stuck to the swingset. So I got off the bike and was about to just run away, but decided to see if the game sees the bike as being a dead bike. What I mean by that is , sometimes when you trash a vehicle, exit the vehicle and try again to mount/enter, the game will act as if it isn’t there. So I wanted to see what the game  saw it as, it let me on. The bike rolled backward about a foot or so then it froze. I exited again to see if it would happen again. Cool it did, but I was still stuck to the swingset. I kept doing it till the bike disconnected from the swingset, I then rode away with no wheels. On a hover craft like Harley bike thingy lol.

Of course I tried to save it to see what it is like next time I boot the game up. we’ll see when I reboot.

Images are found here at original post

http://gtaclans.com/index.php?topic=112.0

How to Fix GTAIV pc Memory leak

If you have a computer and plan to play  Grand Theft Auto iv  on pc.

People are  reading forums on how to resolve issues with their game. They are gathering information from people who do not know what they are talking about. I will help you with just a couple steps. First you have to understand that the person who claimed GTAIV pc has a memory leak, has no clue what he/she is talking about and should clearly be labeled the planets biggest idiot.  All planets need an idiot.

The fix, is the same fix for all games using a new architecture/engine. Here is the fix.

Go to the website for the manufacturer of your motherboard. Download all drivers for your motherboard.

Go to the website for the manufacturer of your video card.

Now before installing the new drivers, you must uninstall all the drivers you currently have installed.  I usually disabled the plug and play option in Control PanelAdministrative Toolsservices. Of course I do this on Vista because it keeps trying to install some crummy drivers  when I reboot after an uninstall. You really shouldn’t need that, but if you do, you know how.

Ok after the uninstall reboot your computer, and now install your drivers one by one, rebooting after each driver installed. On the final driver install, instead of rebooting, shut down your pc. When the pc is off, unplug the power to it. Clean up all the dust in all of your heatsinks (cpu,gpu,northbridge,south etc) clean your memory sticks. Remove all dust out of your pc. Make sure your air flow is heavy through your case.

The way I do that is, at the back of the pc where you see the 80 mm fans. There is like a grill around those. Since I don’t have a 2 year old kid in my house, I snip those grills out. This drops my temperature by about 2-5 degrees C . Here’s more on the subject.

And the last thing for you. DON’T OVERCLOCK YOUR MACHINE, unless you know what you are doing.

I am a regular user at the gtaforums  located at gtaforums.com.  100% of the memory leak complaints there, have been resolved with driver issues,heat issues, or the moron tried to overclock and did not want to face the fact that his computer was the issue, not the game.

In the end, this help post will get you playing Grand Theft Auto IV, that simple. The game works fine. Maintain your rig or go back to the console gaming. The cause is not overclocking it’s self, but poor overclocking could be a factor. If your machine is overclocked, set your o/c items back to default and give the game a go. If you can get the game running with your parts clocked to normal, gradually work your way back up in o/c until you reach a stable setting.

How? As if you are overclocking your video card, move each slider (depending on the tool you are using) up by 5mhz, test the game, move up 5 more, test the game and so on till you get a crash. After crash, move sliders back three. When it stables out, move forward one, if it crashes move it back one. and so on. Helpful posts

Same with bios / cmos settings with memory and cpu. Except not with sliders of course. Yes it is tedious but it resolves your issue.

Here is a lesson in how to adjust your  settings for smooth video play

And here is the whole help page from Rockstar.

Note: You must have Vista Service Pack 1 or Windows XP Service Pack 3 installed PRIOR to installing and running
Grand Theft Auto IV PC.
Right-click ‘My Computer –> Properties’ to see if you have the latest Service Packs installed, and if not check Windows Update and download before trying to install the game.

To help you understand that. It means that if you installed the latest service pack for your operating system  AFTER you installed GTAIV. It would be wise if you uninstall the game and delete all folders now. and reinstall the game.

Somewhere there was talk of resetting your registry but I haven’t had to study that. I will look into it if needed.  Yes it sounds like a hassle, but it does tell you on the box what the required service pack would be.  Fyi  windows xp 64 , you have to have service pack 2, or it will tell you it’s an incompatible operating system. 64 is not listed in the req area :-(

It does work though.

The worst Game Review Ever.

I was surfing the forums at GTAFORUMS.com and stumbled upon a thread about a review of Grand Theft Auto iv for pc. Here is the review.

The “writer” cries about applications that hog resources. As if they are a whole other operating system running in the background. Sorry dude, I have gamed  every GTA game through Linux using wine ( with the exception of GTAIV,  will do soon though.) and I know resource hogging programs when I see them.

The “writer” complains about Rockstar Social Club as if it leaves a huge foot print.  Come on !!!!!!, it’s 28 mb at the most. Then the “writer” goes on crying that he had to create a login for MS Live. Oh come on dude. The game just won Game of the Year for the console versions. Really it’s ok to log in and see when your friends are on. No really, it will not hurt to see when people are ready to game with you.

The “writer” goes on to say that He will buy the xbox30 version instead, and rattles off something about pc gamers being treated like pirates.  Sorry clowns, but people pirate games for XBOX360  at 10 times the rate PC does.  Who are you fooling with this? Google it see for yourself.

My review of that review, concludes : Utter crap written by a moron who does not know how to tweak his own computer and no intentions of ever upgrading his hardware.  On that note, bit-tech.net = fail useless website. Nice work asshats.

For the record, I play the game . On a budget PC. $311 budget to be precise. NO overclocking involved.

AMD 5600 am2

Nvidia EVGA 9500 gt  512 mb ddr2

Ballistix 4gig memory  pc 6400 ddr2 800mhz fsb

Resolution  1440×900  Med/high 30,30,

Vista Ult

61FPS indoors

34fps outdoors

Some of this is using data from Charming Charlie from GTA Forums.Com

Here is a real review of the Grand Theft Auto IV PC from a real gamer.