L.A. Noire

Looks like Rockstar is releasing a series of eight game-related short stories (.pdf/eBook) penned by contemporary detective-pulp writers.

ORIGINAL SHORT FICTION SERIES

IMAGE(http://media.rockstargames.com/lanoire/img/global/feature-stories-keyart-collected_stories.png)

"In honor of L.A. Noire, Rockstar Games and Mulholland Books have teamed up to create a collection of short stories that celebrate detective fiction and the genre's contemporary masters. Readers will enjoy eight original short fiction stories, many of which revisit the characters and cases in the game, providing a new spin to tell the tales of emotionally torn protagonists, depraved schemers and ill-fated victims.

With original short fiction selections by Lawrence Block, Duane Swierczynski, Joe R. Lansdale, Jonathan Santlofer, Joyce Carol Oates, Francine Prose, Megan Abbott, and Andrew Vachss, these stories expand upon the world of L.A. Noire."

Rockstar encouraging players to read?

Good on them.

Joyce Carol Oates? That's a step toward real respectability.

I have been trying to spend less on games, but I might have to get this on day one.

This takes up a 25GB blu-ray on PS3, or 3 DVDs on 360. That is an eyewatering amount of data.

This interactive map is just plain awesome:

http://www.latimesinteractive.com/St...

tuffalobuffalo wrote:

This interactive map is just plain awesome:

http://www.latimesinteractive.com/St...

Very cool. That is a rare example of advertising that I don't hate.

tuffalobuffalo wrote:

This interactive map is just plain awesome:

http://www.latimesinteractive.com/St...

Seriously awesome. If the trailers are evident of the quality of writing and production throughout the game, I hopeful I'll really enjoy it.

Am I right in assuming that the PS3 version should be the one to get? I've heard that the game was developed on the PS3, that the PS3 version comes with some exclusive content, and that it's on a single blu-ray disc vs. the three DVDs of the xbox version.

Not looking for any fanboi system wars stuff... I have both systems. Just wondering which is the "best" version, if there is such a beast.

I've seen some comments that the 360 version performs better.

I really wish there was a PC version of this.

Scratched wrote:

I've seen some comments that the 360 version performs better.

Where? I haven't seen anyone talking about getting hands-on yet (but then, I've been busy lately).

CptGlanton wrote:
Scratched wrote:

I've seen some comments that the 360 version performs better.

Where? I haven't seen anyone talking about getting hands-on yet (but then, I've been busy lately).

Seeing as the PS3 was the primary development platform, and it's so far only ever been shown running on PS3 hardware, I'd be really interested in seeing anything that supports what you're saying, Scratched.

Like I said, I couldn't care less which version is better since I have both systems... if anyone has any hard data either way, please post a link.

IGN Interview Video

Very interesting video on the research the team did in prepping the development--clothes, overhead photos of LA, furniture. Hype growing even more.

CptGlanton wrote:

IGN Interview Video

Very interesting video on the research the team did in prepping the development--clothes, overhead photos of LA, furniture. Hype growing even more.

I am so pumped for this game. My wife is really looking forward to watching me play it.

SommerMatt wrote:

Like I said, I couldn't care less which version is better since I have both systems... if anyone has any hard data either way, please post a link.

I'm taking a wait and see approach myself.

I've got the option for either version too, but in my case the 360 controller, disc(s) install option, and Live community easily trump PS3's extra case file and single blu-ray disc.

History has proven that GTA IV and RDR both look and run better on 360, but we're dealing with an all new engine with Noire that used PS3 as the lead platform, so that could change everything.

Wish I could find some concrete data before launch so I could take advantage of pre-order incentives, but I'm cool with just waiting a few days to hear which version rises to the top.

Seeing as there's no multiplayer component, I don't think LIVE factors into anything here for me. Not that I ever actually play MP on either system... Also, even with disc install on the 360, you still have to get up and pointlessly swap discs to make the DRM police happy (hello, Mass Effect 2).

The extra case does matter to me, but even there GameStop has one for both systems, I believe. Depending on how much each of these will cost as DLC will also factor into the decision somewhat. I know Amazon is giving a free "suit" and a $15 giftcard, and Walmart has a completely different case available.

I dunno. Too many options.

I prefer to do my gaming with the Xbox controller. I'm in for the 360 version. Plus, I have it paid off, already, and don't feel like going through the hassle of swapping my pre-order over. Good thing is, my roommate is getting it for the PS3 so I'm gonna get to play that extra case, anyway.

I've really been thinking about doing a controller mod to stuff all of the guts of a PS3 controller into an old 360 Controller shell. I wonder how feasible this is?

skeletonframes wrote:

I prefer to do my gaming with the Xbox controller. I'm in for the 360 version. Plus, I have it paid off, already, and don't feel like going through the hassle of swapping my pre-order over. Good thing is, my roommate is getting it for the PS3 so I'm gonna get to play that extra case, anyway.

I've really been thinking about doing a controller mod to stuff all of the guts of a PS3 controller into an old 360 Controller shell. I wonder how feasible this is?

Feasible, but unnecessary.

SommerMatt wrote:

I dunno. Too many options.

Yeah, I can dig it.

My reference to Live had more to do with my preference for playing multiconsole, even single-player, on 360 because of the social connectivity. Noire is single-player, but I still want to see how my friends are progressing with the game, etc. Even seeing the little, "...Is Online" popup messages in the middle of a single-player sessions makes the whole gaming enviornment feel so much fuller than with PS3.

As for the disc swaps, Rockstar has said that you'll only need to do it twice over the course of the 30+ hour game (i.e. you won't be switching discs every time you cross back and forth between large cities), so that means nothing to me.

My main concern with the size of the game data, with blu-ray vs dvd, is with how it might affect audio & video quality (like Final Fantasy 13, where many people complained about the a&v quality on the 360 version). Anybody hear anything about this?

CptGlanton wrote:

My main concern with the size of the game data, with blu-ray vs dvd, is with how it might affect audio & video quality (like Final Fantasy 13, where many people complained about the a&v quality on the 360 version). Anybody hear anything about this?

With FFXIII the issue was isolated for the most part to full cutscenes (namely compression artifacting), done out of engine. All the amazing stuff in LA Noire seems to be done in-engine, so if there's an issue I doubt the cause will be similar.

I think I may take a wait and see approach also. Even with PS3 technically being the lead platform this time, Rockstar games have always performed better on the 360. Disc swapping is fine if it's a one time thing, don't need live, no controller preference, and I doubt I'll miss an extra case much with a game this size. I'll grab whatever version runs/looks better.

Aaron D. wrote:

Even seeing the little, "...Is Online" popup messages in the middle of a single-player sessions makes the whole gaming enviornment feel so much fuller than with PS3.

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but this stuff (along with trophy/achievement pop-ups) bugs me in story-focused single player games. Breaks immersion for me a lot of the time.

Dyni wrote:
Aaron D. wrote:

Even seeing the little, "...Is Online" popup messages in the middle of a single-player sessions makes the whole gaming enviornment feel so much fuller than with PS3.

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but this stuff (along with trophy/achievement pop-ups) bugs me in story-focused single player games. Breaks immersion for me a lot of the time.

Nope, not alone. First thing I turned off in the LIVE settings

Well, unless the PS3 version is going to be so much worse, I think I'm fine with that version.

I'll definitely be getting this, but I think I'll be holding off until the first $40 sale. That'll give me a chance to see if there are technical differences between the two versions and whether the bonus PS3 case is worth it. Given current trends, and since this is a strictly single-player story driven game, I don't expect to be waiting more than two or three weeks before the first crazy sale hits.

It was $45 on Buy.com a few days ago, not sure if it still is. I went down the road less traveled and used one of Gamestop's trade in schemes to buy it. Gave them Fable 3 and Oblivion GOTY (freezes on my 360 consistently) to get it for $10.

just pre-ordered this on Amazon.
it'll be my last game for awhile. decide to clear my backlog. haha

Wakim wrote:

I really wish there was a PC version of this.

I say, be patient. GTA:SA, GTA4, Bully all came out eventually on the PC.

SommerMatt wrote:

I dunno. Too many options.

Well, seeing how Rockstar released a definitive version of GTAIV with both DLC on one disc, and recently unleashed all the pre-order goodies as DLC, I think I'm going to wait and see on this.

Also, this is primarily a Team Bondi game and this is their first game, so there's that. Oh and also that little Brink game that comes out tomorrow.

Rockstar says there's no plan for a PC version. I think they have said that before about other titles and changed their mind though Red Dead Redemption is nowhere to be seen on PC.

It's pretty strange stance on the PC front as my limited knowledge of porting has led me to understand that the architecture between PC and 360 is so similar that porting should be a snap.