GRAND THEFT AUTO IV DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT NOW XBOX 360 EXCLUSIVE

Call it another blow to Sony’s chances for a good holiday season…

Some time ago, Rockstar Games announced that not only would Grand Theft Auto IV be coming to both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but that each title would be getting it’s own exclusive downloadable content for the game sometime after launch.

Apparently, that plan has been changed. GamesIndustry.biz is reporting that Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar’s parent company, has confirmed that only the Xbox 360 version of the game will be seeing any exclusive content – meaning those players wanting the full GTAIV experience will need to play the game on Microsoft’s console.

"Talk of an exclusive deal began following the release of Take-Two’s Q2 financial report on Tuesday. The report stated that the episodic content would be released on 360 during the 2008 fiscal year – with no mention of PlayStation 3.

Now a company representative has told GI.biz, “The Grand Theft Auto IV episodic content is exclusive to Xbox 360.”" - GamesIndustry.biz

My take? This is going to hurt Sony and hurt them bad. For those still waiting on the sidelines of the console wars, this could be a determining factor in their decision to go with the 360 or PS3 and I’m quite sure gamers who have both systems may now lean towards the 360’s offering regardless of console preference.

Is there a chance that any good news can come out of this for the folks over at Sony? Sure there is – There’s been no explanation of exactly what Microsoft and Rockstar have agreed to, and given Rockstar’s past record with exclusivity agreements, there’s always a chance the content will eventually find it’s way to the PS3 as well. I just wouldn’t expect the PS3 version to have anything the 360 one doesn’t.

• GTA IV episodic content exclusive to 360, confirms Take-Two – GamesIndustry.biz
• Grand Theft Auto IV – Official website
• Take-Two Interactive – Company website
• Rockstar Games – Company website

PLAYSTATION 3 SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPGRADED TO V1.81

Yesterday, Sony released the latest upgrade to the PlayStation 3’s system software. The v1.81 doesn’t include anything massively eye opening, unlike the v1.80 update which introduced DVD, PS1 and PS2 upscaling to the system, but rather focuses on the smaller refinements you’d expect from an interim update. Let’s take a look at the current update notes as shown at the official PlayStation 3 system update page;

The PLAYSTATION®3 system software version 1.81 (with 1.80) update includes the following:

Upscaling game or DVD output
You can now upscale the video content of PlayStation® format software, PlayStation®2 format software, and DVDs to HD resolution.

Copying saved data to a memory card
You can now copy saved data from PlayStation® format software and PlayStation®2 format software to a memory card or a memory card (8MB) (for PlayStation®2).

Using the DLNA client feature
You can now display images or play music or video files that are stored on a personal computer or digital video recorder with DLNA Media Server functionality over a network.

Printing Images
You can now connect a USB printer to print images.

Using remote play outside the home (via the Internet)
You can now use remote play over the Internet.

Other new or revised features in version 1.81 (with 1.80):

Settings
[BD 1080p 24 Hz Output (HDMI)] has been added as an option under [BD/DVD Settings].
[RGB Full Range (HDMI)] has been added as an option under [Display Settings].
New for 1.81: The method of setting [RGB Full Range (HDMI)] under [Display Settings] has been improved.
[Y Pb/Cb Pr/Cr Super-White (HDMI)] has been added as an option under [Display Settings].
[Bitmapping (Super Audio CD)] has been added as an option under [Music Settings].
The [Test Camera] option under [Accessory Settings] has been changed to [Camera Device Settings].
[Printer Settings] has been added.
[Media Server Connection] has been added as an option under [Network Settings]

Music
You can now edit CD information.

Photo
A new type of slideshow display pattern has been added.
You can now use zoom display for images.
You can now trim images.

Video
Super-White and x.v.Color output are now supported.
Downscaled output of Blu-ray Discs is now supported. When 720p is selected as the video output setting of the PS3™ system, Blu-ray Discs that were recorded in 1080p or 1080i resolution can be played in 720p resolution.

Game
You can now move copy-prohibited saved data for PlayStation® format software and PlayStation®2 format software to a PS3™ system.

Network
The options menu items under [Download Management] have been changed.

Friends
[Display Photo] has been added to the voice / video chat options menu.

Other
New for 1.81: The stability of the network connection used during gameplay has been improved for some PlayStation®2 format software titles that support online gaming.

For more information on any of the above features, head over to the official PlayStation 3 system software update page.

• System Software Update – PlayStation.com