Grand Theft Auto V is a technical marvel on old hardware, but shines especially bright on current-gen consoles. The frame rate is noticeable better, textures are sharper and the world generally feels more alive. There are hiccups here and there, and Rockstar are constantly working on patches to rectify these technical issues. Too bad these optimisations are sacrificing some of the overall sheen the game has.
Picked up by some eagle-eyed fans, it seems that the latest 1.08 patch to the current-gen versions of GTA V downgrades certain visual elements in the pursuit of a more stable experience. While the frame rate is still miles ahead of last-gen’s version, GTA V still dips terribly in some situations, which is probably why Rockstar is turning it down a notch. You can check out most of them in the comparison video below.
Is it justified though? I think that’s really up to personal preference. When it comes to games, I take a stable, near locked frame rate over bells and whistles any day, but I know many other people who wouldn’t mind a dip here and there for a prettier package. It’s the sad reality of console gaming though. When it comes to decisions like this, it’s solely up to the developer – and you really have no say in the matter.
It does make me wish there was a light customisation option to console gaming though. Taking this particular instance as an example, GTA V could feature a single setting that toggles between high performance and high quality – with the framerate ultimately being affected in both. It gives small choice to players as to how they want to play their games, and I wish it were implemented more.
Until then, you’re stuck with what Rockstar gives you. And right now that’s a slightly worse looking GTA V.
Last Updated: March 26, 2015
Pariah
March 26, 2015 at 10:02
What’s with youtube vids putting that bloody link over the close button on the ad. F$%#@ OFF!!!
Norm
March 26, 2015 at 10:25
IKR
Hammersteyn
March 26, 2015 at 11:01
Lol
Michael Slesinski
March 27, 2015 at 04:25
ads?
Lord Chaos
March 26, 2015 at 10:11
My PC is patiently waiting…
Admiral Chief
March 26, 2015 at 10:13
Mine too, but not for this game! Mine is waiting for me to get home SO I CAN PRESS THE PRETTY BUTTONS MUAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAAA
Lord Chaos
March 26, 2015 at 10:15
Currently have somewhat of a backlog, but seem to be stuck on Diablo, so this might just draw my attention. Other than that just waiting for Star Citizen.
Admiral Chief
March 26, 2015 at 10:15
I wanna finish Child of Light (so damn good!) and start with Valiant Hearts
Admiral Chief
March 26, 2015 at 10:15
I just realized there is something wrong with my eyes.
I just cannot see myself working today!
Lord Chaos
March 26, 2015 at 10:24
Ditto, Think the time is about right for a beer and T-bone
Admiral Chief
March 26, 2015 at 10:28
So, where shall we go?
Lord Chaos
March 26, 2015 at 10:29
Few nice places here in Rivonia
Edit: From where I sit it’s an equal walking distance to the Grand or the T. 😛
Admiral Chief
March 26, 2015 at 10:37
Blegh, Rivonia.
If it wasn’t raining, I’d say I’m game. But I’ve only gotten dry about 20minutes ago
Norm
March 26, 2015 at 10:25
On a unrelated note: GO INDIA!!! WHIP THOSE OZZTRAILIAN BASTARDS!
Abdullah Amiruddin
March 26, 2015 at 17:40
Wow you must be feeling really stupid right now
DrKiller
March 26, 2015 at 11:38
Must be because of load shedding 🙂
1) Load Shedding gets announced
2) Load Shedding gets discussed when you still have power
3) When your area gets hit, you seem surprised and upset about load shedding
This happens at work, and it doesn’t make any sense.
Norm
March 26, 2015 at 10:24
Oh dear.
Greylingad
March 26, 2015 at 10:41
Hehehe…HEHEHE…BWAAAAAHAAAAAAHAAAAAHAAAAAA!!!! And he said: Suffer peasants! For you are not to experience shiny graphics and overall improvements!! – Lord Gaben
Blood Emperor Trevor
March 26, 2015 at 11:01
PC version still looks the same…
Greylingad
March 26, 2015 at 11:10
You mean good?
Blood Emperor Trevor
March 26, 2015 at 11:26
Refresh for the attached picture ;P
Greylingad
March 26, 2015 at 11:27
Aah…. good point!
ant1248
March 27, 2015 at 21:49
Looks pretty good to me http://media.rockstargames.com/rockstargames/img/global/news/upload/12_gtavpc_03272015.jpg
Hammersteyn
March 28, 2015 at 08:09
ROFL
WitWolfy
March 26, 2015 at 10:42
Why not show a side by side comparison, I dunno what I should be looking at!
Gareth L (That eXCheez Guy)
March 26, 2015 at 10:59
Wow. Nit-picking at its finest. The game still looks fantastic!
Jay
March 26, 2015 at 13:54
The game looks average and the textures suck
Ryanza
March 26, 2015 at 11:19
A downgrade sounds and looks about right. I don’t think it’s about getting better performance out of the game.
It’s more about making the game a tad bit shit. Make console players feel like something is off about the game. The cars are not crashing so nicely anymore. The shadows like blurrier. More pop-ins. Everything looks so flat now. Condition the console people to go and buy the better PC version.
The PC version of GTA 5 will be out in 2 and a half weeks.
Fred
March 26, 2015 at 16:00
I got news for you, the cars are not “crashing so nicely anymore” on the Xbox One either. I was told that this has more to do with first person mode than anything else, but I don’t know that for a fact. I do find it funny that I can ram a car at full speed with my Insurgent, flipping the car and killing the driver. Yet, magically, there is no visible damage to either vehicle. I say it’s a F’ing miracle!
Hammersteyn
March 28, 2015 at 08:07
Must have fully upgraded armour on that car 😛
Tbone187
March 26, 2015 at 11:46
More news that these new gen consoles are not up to par.
Michael Slesinski
March 27, 2015 at 04:29
only a complete retard buys a console for graphics. fact of the matter is as someone who has a top end pc and well over 1000 games on steam i bought a console for the variety. pc anymore is buggy piece of trash after over-rated indie game made for 12 year old retards. atleast consoles have things like killer instinct.
Tbone187
March 27, 2015 at 09:46
‘Retards’ have been buying new gen consoles, since the dawn of consoles, for better graphics.What on earth are you on about? And your Killer Instinct reference just removed all credibility you could’ve possibly had.
Michael Slesinski
March 29, 2015 at 02:35
um, no they havent. at best the retards mommies bought them consoles in the beginning, but even then you fail to comprehend (or even be aware of) the fact that until around the dreamcast console games didnt look better than pc games. as short lived as it was it DID happen. the simple issue here is you seem to think pc’s and consoles are even remotely the same thing, they arent. just like people dont buy stoves to cook toast, they buy toasters… so WHY would you pretend a stove is superior to a toaster simply because it puts out more btus? wrong tool for the job. pc has alot of great OLD games. the new stuff? mostly shitty console ports ANYWAYS if its worth playing at all (or are you one of those hidden object game “pros”?) pc has LOTS of buggy/crappy driving games, it doesnt have forza or gt though (not a fan, just saying). all the best MODERN pc games can be played on console anyways (note the word modern? yea removes ALL those indie games that look like they were made decades ago), so why deal with the cheaters, the lack of testing (yea, no shit console testing is easier, that explains the HUGE amount of bugs it does not have that pc does), or dealing with a predatory online merchant like steam? again, for the graphics? look at the steam stats, most people are STILL using dual core cpu’s and shitty video cards, they are NOT getting superior graphics AT ALL! here, see for yourself: http://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey/ and just shut the fuck up because its CLEARLY you who has no credibility.
Tbone187
March 30, 2015 at 08:42
Swooosh,,, that’s the sound of something going straight over your head. So you basically saying that graphics played no part at all in people buying a PS after owning a megadrive?? Pffft! Whatever guy! Got no time to read all your drivel. Good luck with it.
Hammersteyn
March 28, 2015 at 08:04
It’s not that bad, Still looks stunning
FoxOneZA
March 26, 2015 at 11:50
Don’t support patches.
Winter is coming.
Blood Emperor Trevor
March 26, 2015 at 13:10
If they’ve improved the frame rate does that mean it’s less cinematic now? 😉
Jay
March 26, 2015 at 13:51
Oh great now this makes next gen look like a pile of garbage. It was fine before imo now they’ve downgraded the anti aliasing and the textures
TheChosen
March 26, 2015 at 16:26
Well, what do People expect of those x86-consoles? Miracles?
They recommend a 100-dollar cpu for the PC-Version! A quadcore with at LEAST 3 Ghz! (well 2.83 Ghz should be OK also, but i wouldn´t go less than 2.5 Ghz ;). They also recommend a Core i7 for Witcher 3, if you want at LEAST 1080p and 60 fps! Thats why consoles will get a seriously downgraded Witcher 3-version also. With less Frames/s (30), much less drawsight, less complex AI and Physics and less Polygons/more pop-in also.
And thats the Point: Consoles don`t have a 100-dollar cpu. The cpu of PS4 and Xbox One are not even real console-cpus, but were made from AMD for cheap tabletts. They are 20/25 dollar-cpus.
The Wiiu is the only console which has a 50 dollar-cpu and which doesn`t have a high-end gpu therefore. They made the right choices it seems. And thus normally games run with 60 fps there., while most games on x86-consoles struggle to get stable 30 fps.
Michael Slesinski
March 27, 2015 at 04:30
fact: rockstar shat all over the pc version of gta 4.. so good luck with those min. specs.
Abraham Franklin
March 28, 2015 at 02:58
Are you mentally challenged? wii-u performance is at best ast gen… it’s not producing QUALITY graphics at 60fps… you’re a fucking idiot.
Ironbunny IonBunny
March 26, 2015 at 17:38
u cant put a new dlc or anything into a console without taking something from it. In this case downgrade graphics. On pc.. u can add as much sh1t as u want. I always been saying if skyrim had one mod on consoles it would crash and melt the console. So true.
Kryptick
March 26, 2015 at 22:49
You have no idea what you’re talking about…
Hammersteyn
March 28, 2015 at 07:58
LOL
Tobi Kun
March 26, 2015 at 18:53
a side-by-side comparison is easier to edit and faster to notice the details about the change… even still pictures could do the work just fine.
but i was just curious about what the update did… and i was glad with the information.
Maximilian
March 26, 2015 at 23:36
Dips in framerate would be fine if the game ran at 60fps, but at 30?