Rockstar: GTAIV DLC date now unclear

Microsoft stays mum as VP Dan Houser tells Variety he's "not sure" if the Xbox-exclusive add-on will arrive this year, as previously promised.

With the end of 2008 rapidly approaching, the list of big-name new games is rapidly dwindling. So, too, is the roster of expansions, with the highest-profile add-on of the year, World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, going on sale this Thursday.

Unfortunately, the biggest console expansion of 2008 may soon become the biggest console expansion of 2009. Following months of rumors, Rockstar Games cofounder and vice president Dan Houser now openly says the Xbox 360-exclusive downloadable content for Grand Theft Auto IV may not arrive this year.

"I'm not sure," the veteran designer told Variety when asked about the DLC's drop date. "It's going well. But we don't know a date. We hope to be announcing that in the next few weeks. We're still figuring out a few things."

While the launch date may be fuzzy, Houser gave several concrete reasons that the expansion, which remains unpriced and untitled, could slip past its long-promised Q4 2008 release window. "We're more focused on quality than dates, [and] always have been," he said, obliquely referring to Grand Theft Auto IV's six-month delay from October 2007 to April 2008. He may have also been referring to the PC version of the game, which has been pushed back to December.

Houser also acknowledged the complexity of launching a substantial update for a game as popular as GTAIV, which sold over 10 million units worldwide even before its Japanese launch late last month. "Doing a big digital launch is something we've never done before," he explained. "It's virgin territory, but at the same time, we feel very exposed because there's no case history. No one ever came out with major DLC for a major game like this before."

To date, the biggest downloadable add-on for a game published by Rockstar parent Take-Two Interactive was the Shivering Isles expansion for The Elder Scrolls IV. However, while the boxed retail version of the PC edition was copublished by Take-Two's 2K Games label, all online versions were digitally distributed by Bethesda either directly (PC) or in direct partnership with a console maker (360 and PlayStation 3).

As of press time, neither Microsoft nor Rockstar reps had returned requests for comment on the status of the GTAIV DLC. As recently as last month, Microsoft said the additional content would be ready before December 31.

248 Comments

  • burstlimit514

    Posted Dec 7, 2008 11:20 am GMT

    man if they had put this on the ps3 i would buy grand theft auto again.(i might still buy it anyway)

  • Peter7474

    Posted Dec 5, 2008 5:57 pm GMT

    man i thought everyone stopped caring for this game months ago

  • FLYEboi50

    Posted Nov 28, 2008 7:35 pm GMT

    so this is how ms gets their stuff
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gta_4#Downloadable_content
    read the last sentence of the first paragraph of the dlc section of this article
    this article is cited too

    $50 million dollars for "exclusive & experimental" dlc and for it to be out before any ps3 dlc could possibly be (probably wasn't mentioned). if anyone waves $50 million dollars in your face, who's system would you attend to put dlc on first?

  • fletg

    Posted Nov 27, 2008 8:53 am GMT

    the playstation has been the first home to the gta games the least rockstar could to do is remember who was 1st to give their idea a chance

  • OmenIWF

    Posted Nov 22, 2008 8:14 pm GMT

    @tawagivercetti

    Pathetic little fan boys which I think your are like (again like a previous user to avoid censure by the Gamespot Mods), make me laugh my old fat a** off.

    Grand Theft Auto was a Playstation original, in fact I think it is fair to say that most of the games Rockstar have developed have been for release on the Playstation Console originally, and later released for other platforms (both next gen and previous gen. consoles and for PC).

    Sure Mr X-Box Fanboy may be getting downloadable content for GTA 4, but the point to be made is that while it may be for your console and (apparently) PC , if you have to pay for this content (which currently I dont believe has been either confirmed or denied), then surely this is only to further GTA as a brand on other platforms.

    As I say GTA has been a regular feature of life as a PS owner, I hope for the sake of X-Box owners the content is good, because I still do firmly believe that the game (GTA4) could have been better than it was (personally I gave it 7/10 as I thought they missed out little bits and pieces that could havebeen added) and while Rockstar have developed the brand on Playstation for a good while this extra content could be the factor that makes GTA one of the premier brand names on X-Box

  • Kitsukage

    Posted Nov 20, 2008 1:10 am GMT

    I love the latter part of this article; just for how Microsoft 'can judge how long it will take to get the additional content ready'.

    Anyway, that aside, its unfortunate that no downloadable content has been announced for the PS3 Version, since I wouldn't mind having more to do on GTA IV. But in saying that, if they're going to put a price tag on it, I probably wouldn't get it, if they did release it to PS3, anyway...

  • Squawkster

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 4:31 am GMT

    Nothing could make me interested in this game... It was such a disappointment to me, but that's just how I felt about it.

  • SmashingX

    Posted Nov 15, 2008 2:00 am GMT

    this ps3 owner doesn't give coin, it's just a cash in, judging by the way(s) gta4 ends i can't imagine how they'd expand the story. but i love gta4 and congrats to you xbox gamers for getting more of it . tawagivercetti real mature btw =/.

  • ShadowOfKratos

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 12:09 pm GMT

    @tawagivercetti,

    sorry but I just had to comment on your post... I feel sorry for your mother... you're offending her by showing people just how stupidly and narrowminded you've been raised... the things you say is like saying that she failed to raise you...

    and aren't you gonna tell me to go away too? I'm a PC gamer (not strictly however, I like consoles too)... and I could tell you right now a hundred hurting truths about the 360 (and you know there is plenty to complain big about it). but I preffer to talk about its positive aspects instead. I bet most PS3 owners don't even give a coin about this DLC.

    ...people like you however should be locked away in a primary school     Tossin' d' Salad.

    anyway, I just hope the wait is worth it for those that want to get it.
    that said, c ya around guys, and keep it cool, ait? and try to be rational... it's not hard.

  • Tebbit

    Posted Nov 13, 2008 3:45 am GMT

    Yeah, and you're just like a jerk, except not directly referring to you as a jerk should put me in a legal gray area, preventing me from being moderated.

    As an aside, or rather, to the point, this DLC reeks to me of money grab.with a capital $.

  • MTMind2

    Posted Nov 12, 2008 10:21 am GMT

    @Hvac0120 who says "Microsoft paid too much for this deal."

    i dunno really, i think we have to wait and see what the dlc is first before we can say if ms paid too much or not. i kinda feel that the time its taking for rockstar to get the dlc ready means it might be much more than people are expecting. so im looking forward to it.

  • tudyniuz

    Posted Nov 12, 2008 10:14 am GMT

    can't wait

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Nov 12, 2008 8:53 am GMT

    I bought GTA IV back in August. I'm still working on my first play-through. Of course, this is due to my busy schedule with full-time college, full-time work, and a family to care for. But I still have plenty to do in the game and now I'm going to go back and get the trophies too.

    That's right. I bought the PS3 version of the game. I did this mainly because I don't want to renew my Xbox Live Gold membership. 2 years of the service was long enough for me to realize that it is not worth the cost for how many hours I put into online multiplayer. Thus the PS3 version allows me to play online without that extra cost.

    I also have not paid for downloadable content. Microsoft gave me the 1200 MS points that I used to download Psychonauts from Xbox Originals. I've also had a few Arcade games that were given to me free of charge. Other than that, I haven't found any DLC worth downloading. If I had Rock Band, I might, but that's the only game that I think has content worth paying for.

    I think that this new content will be great and a lot of fun, but I also realize two things: (1) exclusive content only stays exclusive for so long (2) There is already so much for me to do with the game that I'm not going to miss this downloadable content when it releases.

    Microsoft paid too much for this deal. It sure gave them something to brag about in order to encourage people to buy the 360 version. Too bad it's not paying off to the customers who bought that version because of the DLC.

  • SkytheWiz1

    Posted Nov 12, 2008 7:59 am GMT

    " 'We're more focused on quality than dates, [and] always have been,' he said, obliquely referring to Grand Theft Auto IV..."

    ...
    Um.
    When?

  • TurambarGS

    Posted Nov 12, 2008 7:20 am GMT

    I haven't bothered to buy a single DLC yet. None of them for the games I have, have been worth it, in my humble opinion. Mass Effect's Bring Down the Sky, I had a look at on a mate's rig, didn't think it was worth it. The Halo maps, I can understand you getting if you're an avid multiplayer player, but I'm more of a CoD man. CoD maps I don't rate much at all, except maybe Creek and there hasn't been anything for Assassins Creed and I don't think there will be.

    But anyway, if this amounts to a decent DLC and not just a 1-2 hour 'drive here, shoot that' sequence of missions, then I'll be tempted to buy. Some of those GTA missions really were awesome and novel - I've never had to chase down a van and hang onto its roof while it's going around corners before or grab onto a helicopter after launching off a ramp on a dirt bike. So If waiting an extra month or so means it will be better and worthy of buying, then awesome, I'm all for it. But, I'm definitely not definitely getting it - I'll wait see.

  • ShadowOfKratos

    Posted Nov 12, 2008 3:55 am GMT

    maybe if people paid more for the XBL service MS would speed things up so that people could have the DLC available sooner, so people can, uh...
    ...pay for...
    .....again...

    (it's ridiculous really, people can wait, but Live subscription expiration will not.)

    (is it just me or does someone else here call this raping??)

  • Ripper_TV

    Posted Nov 12, 2008 1:39 am GMT

    Gamers have to pay for this??! What's the point of exclusiveness and waiting?.. =(((

  • gandalf_storm

    Posted Nov 12, 2008 1:29 am GMT

    to be honset, does anyone really care, I know I dont, I gave up on gang banger games long time ago, they are al the same.

  • Turbo-Evil

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 10:24 pm GMT

    As long as it gets here, I'm good. Fallout 3 will keep me occupied for ages.

  • wwonka666

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 8:06 pm GMT

    wwonka666

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 12:37 am PT (hide)

    Another broken promise from a company prone to delays. It will probably be half hearted when they do finally release it as they can only make money off the 360 and not release it on PS3 and they probably still feel a little loyalty to Sony even though they signed up and took a lot of money from Microsoft to deliver this content. Microsoft probably saw what they delivered and said you better go get us something better for our money. Does it meet criteria now?

  • MTMind2

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 3:29 pm GMT

    @Murko74 who says "I heard there were differences between the two consoles. I had heard that the PS3 version was actually better due to the size of the Blu Ray disc."

    nah they the same quality murko, differences are only little. 360 got higher res and filter added which some like but some dont, ps3 got softer look which some prefer. so some people like 360 version better and some like ps3 version better but other than that they the exactly the same.

  • cube-gage posted Nov 11, 2008 3:12 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    cube-gage

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 3:12 pm GMT (hide)

    gta 4 was weak. stupid camera angle when driving(honestly, who thought that was a good idea?), the story was so half assed its untrue, you couldnt really even have fun like the old gta getting police chases etc, the cops just fired a pump action like twice and your wasted and if you try and run the chances are you will touch a car going like 1mph and fallover. weapons choice was poor, radio stations werent very extensive, online mode was completely useless, and a stupid mobile phone that made me have to get close to the screen every time i wanted to read it, sub par graphics, slowdown, no planes, boring locations need i go on? i still had a little fun playing it though. but a 10? no way.

  • BurningChrome

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 3:08 pm GMT

    Here's what i think the DLC will be.
    Meet someone, listen to them rant, go on their mission.
    Which consists of:
    a. drive to building where object of previous persons rant lives
    b. run upstairs, killing gang members as you go
    c. kill gang leader
    d. lose wanted level!
    In other words, the same old crap as in the regular game play!

  • chimera01

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 2:36 pm GMT

    Always better to have something late,than rushed and buggy.

  • Icehearted

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 1:33 pm GMT

    First delays, then parts will be cut out, it's the same old song and dance. Who knows, it could end up cancelled. SiN episodes comes to mind. The DLC for Fable 2 (not to mention the game itself) was busted, Castle Crashers needs a patch even now. Does anyone still look forward to all that DLC promised for Mass Effect?

    The Xbox 360 seems to have become the alter of broken promises these days.

  • DoomZaW

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 1:17 pm GMT

    Ruffluffs, its called 50 million dollars cash in bribe

  • NinjaMunkey01

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 1:11 pm GMT

    How big is this DLC its taking ages....

    I wonder if its just going to be like a whole new story or something...

  • Murko74

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 1:07 pm GMT

    Ya that is pretty lame, I heard there were differences between the two consoles. I had heard that the PS3 version was actually better due to the size of the Blu Ray disc. Why they wouldn't put this out on each platform is just stupid since it was one of the biggest title for each.

  • JohnnyNeat

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 11:18 am GMT

    The game was the only GTA game I ever liked to play, even if Vice City was a cool premise. Anyhow I think its all overrated and people I know left that game so fast. DLC will be late to the game and just piss in the wind. Too many games to come this late and after the fact.

  • smghottie

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 11:12 am GMT

    March I bet.

  • ruffluffs

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 11:05 am GMT

    I'm a 360 owner but I gotta admit that is pretty lame giving the 360 exclusive content and not having it on both systems when its the same game.

  • ruffluffs

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 11:02 am GMT

    probably won't be that great anyway, the games so over hyped its sad

  • Bucharifique

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 10:38 am GMT

    sweet but I hate these add ons that give Microsoft a few extra million on top of millions made off the game already!

  • Sins-of-Mosin

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 10:35 am GMT

    I don't really care since it'll cost too much for me.

  • PS2Dude89

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 9:55 am GMT

    chickenfeed9- so those who bought it for ps3 are just left out to dry?
    thanks rockstar.
    Rockstar is making DLC for both Xbox 360 and PS3 last I heard. MS just paid an extra, $50 million (I think it was), for exclusive GTA 4 DLC on Xbox 360. So no, Rockstar is not leaving PS3 out to dry, MS just paid for their own exclusive content. Something Sony didn't do.

  • Simulator_Shock

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 9:51 am GMT

    I couldn't care less about the dlc.

  • kaziechameleon

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 9:46 am GMT

    i always thought the content was a joke.

  • MTMind2

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 9:33 am GMT

    i dont mind waiting for dlc, as long as its worth the wait thats all that matters for me.

  • MTMind2

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 9:31 am GMT

    @Kenji_Masamune who says "Oh well. $5 says that once the PS3 overtakes the 360 that within the next month M$ will announce the release date for the 720."

    expect to lose $5 then cause it dont work like that mate :-) ms and sony and nintendo not waiting to see what happens in the market before announcing their new consoles, they will announce it when theyre ready to. but at this rate we still got a long wait before ps3 overtakes 360. i got both, but before they launched i would have bet money that the ps3 would have caught up to 360 by now, and lots of others thought the same to. but then we never thought wii would be this successful either.

  • BRAWLL posted Nov 11, 2008 9:24 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    BRAWLL

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 9:24 am GMT (hide)

    lol... haha i remember all the BOXNOBS talking about how they will get the GTA4 content.. lol they dont even know when it will come out... how many people do you guys think will be playing GTA4 again in 2009? nobody...cause of RE5 and all the other games ....lol

  • p0rkp1e74

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 9:18 am GMT

    here's to hoping a nice Christmas present from Rockstar means a DLC for GTA IV before the end of the year!!!!!!

  • EzEApostle

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 9:08 am GMT

    nice

  • joverstr2

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 9:07 am GMT

    Grand Theft Auto What? Oh you mean Grand Theft Auto 4..... that game. Your running out of time Rockstar.....GTA4 will become a little glimpse in everyones eyes before too long.

  • chickenfeed9

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 9:05 am GMT

    so those who bought it for ps3 are just left out to dry?
    thanks rockstar.

  • HalfBak3dM0nkey

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 8:41 am GMT

    Well if R* needs time for a good content then I will be pleased knowing that they did not want to push out unpolished or buggy material. They've never disappointed.

  • hannify

    Posted Nov 11, 2008 8:41 am GMT

    Gah - sort out DLC for 360 before PC ports.

    Its just going to be pirated on PC anyway

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