First Party Games Matter

[MikeRox]

GOWTLOZ said:

Simultaneous release is different, but it always was on multiple platforms. The PC and Xbox versions of the games were actually better than the PS2 versions.

It was more about its perception as being related to PlayStation due to the earlier release of the PS2 versions of the game. And Chinatown Wars, though not really related here, was released on PSP later than it was on DS. EFLC was released on 360 before PC and PS3. Rockstar went wherever the money was. And in sixth gen it was on PS2.

There was no Xbox version of GTA 3 or Vice City until after San Andreas had released on the PS2. It was originally a PS2 exclusive, then a later PC ver (which everyone expected). The Xbox trilogy was a surprise release later in the 3D franchise's life. Then the big news was that Xbox 360 was going to get GTA 4 at the same time as the PS3.

It's very revisionist not to consider (3D) GTA as traditionally a PS2 exclusive franchise. Believe me, I would have got them on Xbox if an Xbox version was expected. And yes, when the games finally did hit (4 years later) they were far far better on the Xbox. :D totally worth the double dip. GTA 3 hit PS2 in October 2001. I'm not sure waiting til October 2005 counts as calling the Xbox version a multi plat release in the traditional sense.