GTAIV demo ain't happening

by Xav de Matos { Feb 29th 2008 at 2:00PM }

Are you sitting down? We don't know how to break this news lightly so we figure the band-aid approach will work. Rockstar has told confirmed that there is no demo in the works for Grand Theft Auto IV. When asked why we wouldn't get a taste of the epic crime title before it launched on April 29 on the Xbox 360 and PS3, Rockstar told Videogamer that creating a demo, "isn't worth the time and effort." They do have a game to finish you know!

There's more to why they've decided against it but everything sums up to a simple naw son in the demo category. While I'm sure we're all upset we have to wait until the street date, can you fault Rockstar? Demos are usually reserved to build hype for a game and increase potential sales and if anything is going to sell in 2008 it'll be called Grand Theft Auto IV. Well, that's because Barbie's Horse Adventures IV: Return to the Saddle was delayed until Q1 2009.

We're actually a little relieved about the lack of a demo. The last thing we need to see during our rigorous Fox News marathons is a piece about Microsoft offering free trials of a murder-simulator for children over X-Box Live (FYI - that's purposely written incorrectly as an homage to Fox's accuracy.)

[via Joystiq]

Gallery: Grand Theft Auto IV

Tags: 2008-releases, grand-theft-auto-iv, gtaiv, rockstar, rockstar-north

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

skrilla @ Feb 29th 2008 2:04PM

sorry no demo...no buy

a ham sandwich @ Feb 29th 2008 2:08PM

skrilla you're a tool

think they're pressed for time much? im calling gta4 to be delayed. you heard it here first.

Tony @ Feb 29th 2008 2:11PM

If there's any game a demo is less important for, I don't know what it is.

Etchasketchist @ Feb 29th 2008 2:11PM

Ha. Well they lost Skrilla's $60. That proves that GTAIV will be a total flop.

Knuckles Dawson @ Feb 29th 2008 2:12PM

No Demo? No Buy.

jhardesty @ Feb 29th 2008 2:22PM

excuse me if I don't sound surprised in the least....

360 rules @ Mar 1st 2008 3:40PM

people piss me off now im gonna say im not the biggest gta fan but im sick of people saying their not gonna buy the game just because there is no demo, personally i would rather see them fine polish and make everything run well on the game then put out a garbage demo wow skrilla your a piece of garbage

ZEBRA NINER @ Feb 29th 2008 2:16PM

haha! No demo, no buy?! BUT KNOCKERS, YOU'LL MISS OUT ON ALL THE SWEET CHEEVOS!

In my experience with retail demos, I've only been mislead into buying a game that turned out to be crap (not counting bioshock). Besides, you know this game will rock anyway.

Neuromancer @ Feb 29th 2008 2:22PM

A demo would have been nice but I can't say I'm surprised. Too bad I'll be on vacation when this game comes out, so I won't be playing it for a couple weeks.

Homer 918 @ Feb 29th 2008 2:23PM

The reason they won't release a demo is because they are well aware that it would only hurt their sales. Most people make the same mistake every time and expect far more than will be delivered and this is especially, terribly bad for a game that gets bought by so many mainstream consumers.

rockeranimefreak @ Feb 29th 2008 2:30PM

NO BUY NO DEMO! I say preorders should get demo codes! >:(

NOXER @ Feb 29th 2008 2:36PM

No demo, no buy? WTF is wrong with you guys at X3F. Why would you have to hype up GTA of all games. Have you guys ever owned a playstation and played previous GTA's. It's a sandbox game. I hope all you eat your own words while rest of us cap pedestrians on streets of NY.

JHTM @ Feb 29th 2008 2:39PM

NO DEMO - still gunna buy :)

GTA IV is gunna be sweet and since the media have been awarded extended playtests with little or NO criticism, i bet this gam eis probably goin to be the biggest hit of the year. MGS4 crap - screw that GTA4 is gunna pawn all this yr, even though we're only in apr.

History shows each GTA game sells like hotcakes, and im sure GTA4 will do the same AND deliver on expectations, and where it fails, it makes up in other areas - i.e. id rather give up the gym stuff for the Rage engine and cover mechanics etc

Sleeper Hit - Saint Row 2 gr8 game in its own right

SadisticHam @ Feb 29th 2008 2:42PM

Reminds me of Assassins creed.

DjDATZ @ Feb 29th 2008 2:43PM

NO DEMO, NO BUY

LOL...i just had to copy it exactly. im anal like that.

How would you really make a demo for GTA4 anyways? I don't recall GTAs having demos for them before anyways...

skrilla @ Feb 29th 2008 2:47PM

some people don't take sarcasm very well, to clear the record i pre ordered this shit 3 months ago..y make a demo for a game that already has a huge reputation, they dont need to spread the GTA name, anyone who hasnt heard of it is most likely deaf

Drewtlo @ Feb 29th 2008 2:49PM

Well, having no demo certainly killed the sales of Gears of War.....didn't it?

bigC24 @ Feb 29th 2008 2:51PM

Welp, I wasn't planning on purchasing GTA4 anyway, but demos always have a chance to change my mind. So in this case I guess it's:

No demo, still no buy.

digitalain @ Feb 29th 2008 2:55PM

No demo, no Buy. Games are too expensive now a days to risk it.

MrMuggs @ Feb 29th 2008 3:00PM

Hmm. I wonder what this game will be like and how it will play? I better get the demo first to try it out and see.

Seriously, if any game needed a demo less it's GTA4.

Also, there's always the option of waiting a day or two until after it hits shelves and reading a few reviews and watching a video or two of the game play. You don't have ot buy every game the day it hits the shelf...

Wilson @ Feb 29th 2008 3:08PM

WHAT??????

They delayed BHA IV????? AGAIN???? BASTARDS! I've been waiting for the game forever!

Deezul @ Feb 29th 2008 3:22PM

So you NO DEMO NO BUY folks didn't get Halo 3 either, huh?

InvisiMan @ Feb 29th 2008 4:01PM

No Demo? No actual gameplay video's? What gives?

I'm I the only one that thinks it's wrong to sell a product without actually showing it????

My $60 will stay in my pockets until there are some gameplay vids or game reviews out.

For those that have already pre-ordered a copy under the assumption that it will be great - I hope it lives up to your expectations.

Don't get me wrong - like all other GTA games, I'm sure this will be good, but I want to know what I'm spending my hard earned money on! Screw all the CGI cut-scene vids and show us some gameplay!!

George Arauz @ Feb 29th 2008 4:39PM

well that sux!!!!

captain underpants and the bringdown gang @ Feb 29th 2008 5:06PM

why is tool a insult? I would love to be called a tool, tools are useful.

now if I was called say...a Ramen Package I would be pissed.

Ryan @ Feb 29th 2008 5:32PM

A demo could have only hurt them at this point, so it makes sense that they're not releasing one. This franchise sells itself, and there's not really many left out there thinking "hmmm, I can't decide if I want to get into the GTA series or not, I'd like to try it first".

But there could potentially (depending on how it were received) be a lot of people that were planning on buying the game that ended up playing the demo and not liking it or thinking it's not enough of a step up over the old ones and changing their mind.

chris @ Feb 29th 2008 5:18PM

no demo is fine for gta4...
uhhhhhh, damnit, im so exited I just made a huge mess.

OTAM @ Mar 1st 2008 1:12AM

No demo,no buy.

Seriously,I need to know what makes this game so much better then Saint's Row 2 over the letters on the game box. Putting "GTA" on the cover doesnt cut it anymore for me,sorry.

Jeff @ Mar 1st 2008 7:39PM

I am definitely not buy a demo of this game.

Terrence Newton @ Mar 1st 2008 10:31PM

Well the truth is, XBL account holers under the age of 18 are unable to download Mature rated games, and it's an unmodifiable setting. So if there was a GTA IV demo.. kids wouldn't be able to play it (unless of course they lie about their age or w/e, or use a diff. acct)