Multi Theft Auto Hits Vice City Again

Chris McArthur writes "The MTA Team proudly announces the release of an updated version of Multi Theft Auto: Vice City, this time adding extensive unofficial PC multiplayer functionality to Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. MTA:VC 0.3 introduces the long-anticipated walking and running animations, a refined aiming system for improved accuracy, more extensive anti-cheat / trainer prevention, numerous bug fixes including the back wheel lock and weapon sync, as well as a few changes to the stunt mode."

Lets face it: These games rock without MP.

[Spokehedz]

It goes without saying that they (Rockstar Games) make lots of money on the franchise, due to the fact that there making more GTA games.

Having said that, lets look at the logical side of things:

1. Multiplayer is very hard to code correctly on consoles. You have to get it right the first time, or else it'll be a Really Bad Thing(TM), and you can't issue patches later to fix the games like you can on the PC--and your users will rip you a new one because of it.

2. Multiplayer is also very hard to debug, because what works for a low-latency connection does not work for a high-latency connection. This means more betatesters, as well as more time spent betatesting. This compounds with the fact that if you change the single-player game code, the code you did for the Multiplayer might not work now, and vice versa... which means more and more betatesting.

So, logically, if there already making money hand over fist with these games... then why complicate matters any more than they have to be? Its hard enough putting out a game that's changed the way society thinks about stealing cars and the simulations of them, why would they worry about a feature that maybe--just maybe--a few hundred thousand users will use.

I for one say this: Focus on making the game look good, and play good. They've done good so far, I say let them continue on this path. Don't muck about with something that's working, and all that.

Re:Lets face it: These games rock without MP.

[FlipmodePlaya]

Multiplayer doesn't have to be online.

Re:Lets face it: These games rock without MP.

[Babbster]

Is this 2004 or 1998? Online console play has been done so many times now, and in so many genres, that it's laughable to argue that the process is too complex. If Rockstar thinks there's a market and is concerned about pushing back their main products, they could even release a multiplayer game separate from the single-player game (a la Unreal Tournament) - because of the popularity of the franchise, both games would sell well.

Online play, on PC or console, isn't the mystery it once was. Whilst I don't personally care if there's ever an online-ready GTA, there's no reason AT ALL that Rockstar couldn't do it. Oh yes, and as far as concerns about latency go, it's a simple thing indeed to restrict the game to broadband only.