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Take-Two (2K/Rockstar): Backwards compatibility not important, better to update games for re-release

Nirolak

Nirolak

Member
Oct 25, 2017
5,660
People were once asking me why I felt that major publishers would make crossgen games and crossgen ports instead of relying on backwards compatibility.

Well, here is the answer from the horse's mouth.

Andrew Uerkwitz - Oppenheimer & Co., Inc.

Yeah. Thank you. Thanks, gentlemen, and Lainie. One of the big benefits I think GTA V experienced was the fact it was such a great game that when a new console cycle came, people all went out and bought it again. Sony and Xbox tend to talk a lot about forward-backwards compatibility. Does that change that dynamic as we approach the next console cycle because it looks like Red Dead could easily have the legs to last for multiple years?
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Strauss H. Zelnick - Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

Yeah. I don't think backwards compatibility is actually all that important. I think the reason that we had such a great experience with Grand Theft Auto V when we brought it to new generation is, first of all, the content was meaningfully updated with amazing new features. And secondly, because the title was so extraordinary that it remained the standard bearer for the new generation straight through until the release of Red Dead Redemption 2 because nothing stood up to it technically or creatively. So, how Red Dead Redemption 2 fares going forward, it's hard to know, but it's certainly off to a great start.
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Source: https://seekingalpha.com/article/42...ttwo-q2-2019-results-earnings-call-transcript
 
PlayBee

PlayBee

One Winged Slayer
Member
Nov 8, 2017
5,528
Thanks for the heads up not to buy a current gen console version of RDR2
 
Raw64life

Raw64life

Member
Oct 25, 2017
2,983
I'm shocked that companies want you to buy their games again instead of giving you more mileage out of the games you've already purchased.
 
M1chl

M1chl

Banned
Nov 20, 2017
2,054
Czech Republic
Amazing new feature of re releasing of the GTA V was the horrendous input lag, so basically this answer is "fuck you gave us money"? As far as I know RDR 1 holds up pretty well in 4k. Without me paying single halĂ­Ĺ™, ehm cent.....
 

Deleted member 5864

User requested account closure
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Oct 25, 2017
2,725
Because money.

Yeah, no one could've figured that one out. You've cracked it all by yourself, Nirolak.
 
Valkrai

Valkrai

Member
Oct 25, 2017
2,495
Take-Two wants you to buy newer versions of the same game?

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kennyamr

kennyamr

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
3,587
New York, NY, USA
Even if backwards compatibility is available, I do think that a publisher should still release updated/remastered/improved ports with new additions for the fans that want the extra perks.
 
kenta

kenta

Member
Oct 25, 2017
856
You're kinda putting words in his mouth there, he basically just PR-bragged specifically about GTAV. But it would be nice if they followed through on this sentiment and updated/re-released their older games that aren't GTA
 
Gestault

Gestault

Member
Oct 26, 2017
13,355
Boy howdy, that's a tacky look.

It's fair enough from their point of view, but I think this feels silly as a buyer because I understand how impractical it would be for every game to be ported (assuming I wanted to spend the money over again). I somehow doubt even something cool and distinct like Rockstar Presents Table Tennis will ever see a second release, but I still get to play it either physically or digitally on BC. Heck, I bought a digital copy even though I own it physically as a sort of "thank you" tip.

It feels bad seeing a company basically downplay the value of something they're currently doing that I get a lot of value out of.
 
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Freddo

Freddo

Member
Oct 27, 2017
1,639
SmĂĄland, Sweden
That's fine and dandy for those popular games that gets remastered. But what of the many games that don't? Many of my favourite games never been remastered and I doubt they ever will be.
 
Ascenion

Ascenion

Prophet of Truth - One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 25, 2017
10,075
Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Makes me wonder if a publisher can specifically request that a game not be backwards compatible. Like RDR2 won't work digital or physical on PS5 because fuck you, that's why.
 

Deleted member 1238

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Oct 25, 2017
3,070
Lant_War said:
Remaster RDR1 then.
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its kind of ironic because RDR1 remastered already kind of exists. Just pop your old 360 disk into an Xbox One X and boom RDR1 at 4K.

I'm sure that's more of a Microsoft thing though. From what I understand they do most of the heavy lifting on getting a game to work via backwards compatibility. It's really going to be up to the platform holders to make backwards compatibility a thing.
 
Bizzquik

Bizzquik

Chicken Chaser
Member
Nov 5, 2017
1,503
He was asked if a potential re-release of Red Dead Redemption 2 would be complicated due to Microsoft & Sony's push into backward compatibility and essentially says 'No' - primarily because what made Grand Theft Auto V's remaster so unique previously was "the content was meaningfully updated with amazing new features" not the absence of competing backward compatibility industry standardization.

And honestly, on that - I thoroughly agree.

Let's stress this. Rockstar spent a year upgrading the visuals of the product to make it look current-gen, they added qualify of life touches, and they altogether added a new way to experience the game...in first-person. The online portion is better, too, obviously.

If they go that far with a RDR2 on next-gen, they will have earned that $60 again in the minds of most consumers.
The real question is, how many publishers will have developers put in that much work on a title remaster? Certainly not many, as very few titles can financially justify it.
 
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Aokiji

Aokiji

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
6,265
Los Angeles
kenta said:
You're kinda putting words in his mouth there, he basically just PR-bragged specifically about GTAV. But it would be nice if they followed through on this sentiment and updated/re-released their older games that aren't GTA
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Strauss H. Zelnick - Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

Yeah. I don't think backwards compatibility is actually all that important.
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???
 
Betty

Betty

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
17,604
I'd rather have an upgraded RDR2 like GTAV got than a simple BC solution, so in this case I'd agree.
 
Blackleg-sanji1

Blackleg-sanji1

Member
Oct 25, 2017
56,650
I don't get the take two remarks...you could swap them out for another third party and they'd most likely say the same exact thing
 
Nintendo

Nintendo

Prophet of Regret
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Oct 27, 2017
13,365
I agree considering the improvements and new content GTA V re-release got.

Re-releasing RDR2 on next gen consoles would be much better than just backwards compatibility.
 
XVerdena

XVerdena

Member
Oct 28, 2017
3,918
So instead of 'enhancing'' the game for the next gen consoles like they did with X/Pro (without the need for you to rebuy the game) they are going to do a remastered version for cash grabbing. Lol fuck you.
 

Deleted member 8468

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Oct 26, 2017
9,109
Not surprising, if I was a publisher I'd like to sell the maximum amount of games possible. In the very specific case of GTA V, the performance was really terrible on last gen consoles. Of course, the counter argument here is RDR one Xbox one X BC.

Luckily, I would assume hardware manufacturers will be incentivized to include BC next gen with everything being X86 now.
 
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