Forums aflame over GTAIV freezing

[UPDATE]: PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 players alike reporting crash problems with Rockstar Games' latest; Sony reports an "extremely low volume" of complaints, promises it is working on a solution.

Last month, the launch of Rockstar Games' Bully on the Xbox 360 was marred by a bevy of crash bugs and other glitches. With this morning's heavily anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto IV for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, Rockstar finds itself dealing with still more troubleshooting trouble, as online forums are buzzing with reports of crashes.

Combing through crash threads on the Xbox.com forums, Sony's official message boards, GameSpot, and the NeoGAF forums, it seems that the issues are affecting PlayStation 3 users more frequently, although gamers with both systems are reporting problems. Reports of crashes on the 60GB version of the PS3 hardware are the most common, and tech support advice like deleting and re-installing the game doesn't appear to address the issue effectively.

[UPDATE] When asked about freezing issues, A Rockstar representative directed GameSpot to Sony for comment. Earlier today, a Sony representative replied with the following statement:

"Yes, we are aware of what the message boards and a few of the industry blogs are saying about a 'freezing' issue with GTA IV on a limited number of PS3s. Although we have seen an extremely low volume of contacts to our customer service department regarding such an issue, we want to ensure that every consumer has a great experience on our console and with GTA IV. All parties involved are working to isolate the problem for those few units and identify a solution."

A Microsoft representative has not yet returned a request for comment.

1303 Comments

  • 19lazman87

    Posted May 1, 2008 1:34 am PT

    Brand-new 360 (20GB) and it keeps freezing every ten minutes.

  • Trashcan_Man

    Posted May 1, 2008 1:20 am PT

    One crash so far (4+ hours), but I'm not complaining: I'm running a 1st-gen 360 =/

  • beatkitano

    Posted May 1, 2008 1:10 am PT

    Not a single problem.

  • renknram

    Posted May 1, 2008 12:44 am PT

    Very slight minor glitches nothing serious to go on about as I've experienced them on other games as well, had my 360E running for 12 hours, I know GTA4 uses an increased % of resources from both consoles. (Console is position vertical, under my front-room window plenty of space/air for the fans to expel warm heat @rare, even felt cool after playing those hours, would expect the fans to make a slight increase in noise but still very quite)

    I've only played a few online games, Deathmatch, Cops&Robbers & GTRace, & only again seen a very light glitch with certain vehicles. For example I've seen cars when congested with each other in a crash again a slight glitch, (However take in consideration of players Connections & Area).

    I've seen GTA4 running on both consoles as some of my mates have PS3's (I even played the PS3 online @ friends house & to be very honest seen also a very slight minor glitch (playing for an hour), However both versions of the Consoles Rock!!!)

  • Taegre

    Posted May 1, 2008 12:25 am PT

    Why is this news? All games crash. Obviously not as much now as they did last gen, but geez today's gamers are way too soft.

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted May 1, 2008 12:13 am PT

    @venasque: They knew about the issue bro. They pushed it through anyway and that is partly why so many are upset.

  • DaGhOsT187

    Posted May 1, 2008 12:01 am PT

    im betting....these are Burnt in China~?

  • justinwhite33

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 11:44 pm PT

    wow Stec13....you must be an idiot.....I have played this game the same amount of time that you have, i have the game and it happened to me. I am enraged!!!!!! and you're right janderdarkmoon.....there are delays for a reason....they should have taken time to examine this......my disc comes up unreadable after the internet cafe mission from roman....and i hear many others that say the same.....I wish everyone would stop gloating about their PS3 or 360 working flawlessly......say what you want but this could hurt Rockstar if this keeps happening

  • Mujambo

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 11:40 pm PT

    I have a 60gb ps3 model, with a 320gb hd. No problems. It's running beautifully, I love this game!

  • Kefner

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 11:05 pm PT

    I have a Launch 360 elite, and no problems here.

  • bigtym3000

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 10:13 pm PT

    I've only delt with a crash and freezing when trying to enter or setup a multiplayer game. im on the ps3 btw. add me if ur on the playstation network.

    -PSN: SArydah

  • KamuiFei

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 10:07 pm PT

    More than 20 hours in the game and it's still working flawlessly. (60GB PS3). Dunno what to tell you guys. Online for PS3 works as well.

  • chewygun

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 10:06 pm PT

    Mine froze today...but dusted off the console and its working fine now...

  • solo4321

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 10:05 pm PT

    i have experienced no problems

  • Stec13

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 9:48 pm PT

    I have the PS3 version I had just played a 14 hour marathon lol....no freezing yet? There are however the odd graphical collision glitches but very minor and they do not detract from the game at all. THIS GAME IS INCREDIBLE!!! I bet most people saying the game is freezing are people that don`t even have the game and are just jealous!

  • gamer_for_life

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 9:46 pm PT

    My 360 died after loading GTA4 yesterday i only saw the opening cinematics.

  • charma

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 9:11 pm PT

    No freezes from mine (360 version) but a few graphic glitches and some other random bugs I've encountered.

  • raahsnavj

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 8:59 pm PT

    What crashes and freezes... it got a 10 right?!

  • MonkeManFoSho

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 8:59 pm PT

    this onley happens during loading on multiplayer but its a real pain to go to the dashboard, reload the game and wait, go through your phone, wait for that to load, wait to join a game, wait for ppl to join the game, wait for idiots to press the ready button, and just to have it crash again

  • p00phead

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 8:58 pm PT

    wow it only freezes when i have my ethernet cable connected to my 360 and when the modem is turned off.

  • rasterror

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 8:44 pm PT

    No problems here. Whether in story mode or online it's all smooth sailing here. Thank you 360.

  • demoralizer

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 8:14 pm PT

    My PS3 version keeps freezing guys. : (

  • brucehal

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 8:12 pm PT

    Interesting post from Yahoo News on the freezing problem and that this is a lingering technical issue for Rockstar ... http://news.yahoo.com/s/nf/20080430/bs_nf/59531 P.S. I was only kidding about reading the book

  • Darkwolfdemon

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 8:07 pm PT

    It just happened to me. It was fine then boon, froze. -_-

  • n3ck

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 8:07 pm PT

    360 version Rocks! Not one crash yet fingers crossed

  • JETLI333

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 7:58 pm PT

    It just froze for when I first get to meet Malorie's brother (I guess) Manny First time it froze for me about 6 hours into game play (Ps3 Version)

  • boss130

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 7:53 pm PT

    add mine to the list....the first hour it did it 4 times but it has since ceased to happen again in the last 3 hours.....hopefully its gone

  • venasque

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 7:34 pm PT

    khalid_b: It actually has happened to me though. Just once when I was shopping and trying on clothes and I had to turn off my 360 to clear it. I haven't played the game much but I am worried (having read about other people's problems) that it won't be the last time it happens. It's fair to be angry and I agree an official statement would be nice, but I guess I have a different perspective having worked in office environments. I know that things don't always move as quickly as you hoped. Plus lets remember the reality of it. People have been playing since midnight but Rockstar hasn't been open all that time. As a business they likely opened at 8 or 9 (or whatever). Then you have to allow time for the information to get to them as well as to confirm that it's wide spread and not just a troll causing troubles on a forum (cuz that never happens on the internet). I'm just saying that it's both rash and shallow to give up on a company because a step back has occurred and you didn't get a response as quickly as you want. Time moves at a faster pace, to real life, on the interwebs and press releases are created by those living in real life. I (unlike most people here) have faith in Rockstar to correct the problem. Even if you don't care about them, they still care about you and won't leave you out to dry. There are a lot of company's out there that only want your money. They have no integrity and do the least amount of work for the greatest amount of gain. Rockstar isn't one of those company's. You have proof not only in Bully SE, but just looking around GTA 4 and seeing the attention and care put into creating the game. They could have spent a lot less time and money, released earlier and still sold as many units. Just saying, lets wait and see how things play out before going overboard.

  • brucehal posted Apr 30, 2008 7:26 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    brucehal

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 7:26 pm PT (hide)

    Venasque, getting a torrent of abuse for saying I returned a game that didn't work is pretty immature. Do you work for Rockstar? If they want me to beta test let them know I'll gladly help .. my rate is $1200 per day.

  • stubbies1

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 7:19 pm PT

    tell it how it is janderdarkmoon. totally agree

  • TrueProphecy22

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 7:13 pm PT

    I haven't had a problem yet... *crosses fingers*... but I haven't gotten even 10 missions into the story. Just spent maybe six or seven hours driving around, seeing the sites, and doing the dating missions.

  • jrabbit99

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 7:01 pm PT

    I feel bad for anyone who that happened to.

  • Crzy1

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 6:43 pm PT

    Guess I can consider myself lucky, have seen one freeze and it lasted for about 10 seconds while the audio track kept playing, then everything went back to normal.

  • janderdarkmoon

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 6:39 pm PT

    I hope that everyone who was whining about the delays for GTA are happy. Delays happen for very good reasons, with fixing bugs being a major one.

  • angelcar

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 6:39 pm PT

    from what you said, dzfunk64, it sounds like a memory leak...

    not good. they better fix that :/

  • dzfunk64

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 6:17 pm PT

    Yeah, this does happen a lot, and it's getting very annoying. It doesn't completely crash, but it sometimes freezes up to load stuff like TV shows, radio stations, the phone, etc. I did notice that the longer you play the game, the worse the problem seems to get, so it's probably a problem with trying to load too much.

    I hope this is something that can easily be fixed, and hopefully Rockstar will actually take the time to fix it.

  • DaGhOsT187

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 6:07 pm PT

    im guessing saintRow 2 is the winner Even though the GT Fanboys have been Dumping on it.........i never MInded loading times on any game~time to take a sip of a drink rest my fingers...Seems games with no loading feeding of the console is a No No with weak parts ....

    .i liked all GTaz ~..........I got my copy coming in the mail ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,sound like it might be a 60$ frezbie~always figured they should pump up the ram and give everybody the 120 HArddrives

    But i can live with that.........................Its the reports of people claiming the RED ring of death and making 360$ useless bricks

    Now thats spookie

    i dont keep music or alot of themes or pics.........and not alot of worthless live arcade games......SO god praying they work it on out

    SAintsRow

  • Robboninja

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 6:01 pm PT

    look after your hardware, problem solved. Now who wants too touch me?

  • ignoman

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 5:51 pm PT

    I'm sure there'll be a patch at some point.

    Don't you just love the new video game business model? You get to pay full price to bug-test console games now, and then wait a year to play it.

    A little bit of freezing is always forgivable, but if its a frequent issue all it means is that no one actually put the game in a machine and played it before they decided to print it.

  • ChuckNorris82

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 5:51 pm PT

    LOL PS3............o thats funny. But yeah I havn't had any problems with my copy yet.....knock on wood...

  • khalid_b

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 5:43 pm PT

    Venasque plz can it dude...the least R* cud do is release an official statement saying that they acknowledge the problem and that they r trying to fix it, especially for a game thats dubbed the "biggest of this gen". As of now they havent even said nething so ppl who spent hrs in line waiting for the game and paying 60 bucks and up who have had these freezing issues have been left out in the cold rly trying blindly to figure out the issue on the forums. "Delete the install data and all ur saved game data" my ass, that doesnt even work. Psshh im feeling like returning my copy as well, guess ud have to be in the situation to understand.

  • RockstarFan17

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 5:31 pm PT

    I have the Xbox 360 version. I am about 5 hours in and I haven't had a single freeze. My friend has the game on the Playststion 3 (I do not know how many GB) and his copy has not frozen at all. My other friends all have it on the 360 and have experienced no crashes or glitches. I beleive that how well you take care of the system (not leaving it on for 80 hours) affects how well the game plays because of the size of the world.

  • Denai122

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 5:18 pm PT

    my gta iv froze twice in about 2 hours of playing. it seems to only freeze when it is loading something

  • brucehal

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 5:09 pm PT

    I'm so pissed off with Rockstar not commenting on this or offering any acknowledgment to users that I returned my game today for a refund.

    It shows a contempt for their customers that really isn't appreciated. Oh well I got my $60 back, I'll spend it elsewhere and probably not with Rockstar again unless they explain what went wrong and why it will never happen again.

  • uNSeenHero

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 5:06 pm PT

    no crashes what so ever, been playing for 8 hours straight sorry all you guys, I just try and keep my HDD as clean as possible

  • alexbartle

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 5:05 pm PT

    Im playing on 60GB PS3 n have racked up 20 odd hours without any crashes or problems.

  • JayJog

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 5:03 pm PT

    my 360 does this anyway

  • hiryu3

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 4:46 pm PT

    update, mine just froze

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