Yes, the PS3 version of Grand Theft Auto IV has a slight advantage in frame rate, anti-aliasing, background picture draw range, and in game load times, but this still will not make a difference in console game sales. Why not?
Because it does not justify a specific console purchase on these merits alone.
First off, the differences are only noticeable side to side when considering graphics, and even then the XBox 360 can have a slight advantage in the color and contrast categories (even considering the in game adjustable sliders in both versions).
Then consider that little thing called DLC, or the extra downloadable content that Sony said would not make a difference in game sales. In looking at the published attach rates, or rate of game buys per console, Sony is already hurting, and extra DLC on another console for a triple A title will only make it worse.
Next up? Achievements. Love them or hate them, they are here to stay, and until Sony's Home service can duplicate or improve upon the concept, XBox 360 has the monopoly (what? Microsoft and monopoly? Say it isn't so!) .
Now for online service, which is traditionally seen as superior through XBox Live, though I'm sure Sony and Rockstar have seen to it that GTA IV will have exceptional online service, perhaps even superior, considering the 360's past snafu's.
So you might say that according to the body of this article the 360 is the clear winner, right? Wrong.
Most people who have already bought one or the other console will not buy another simply to play the game with these console specific advantages. They will stick with their console, rent and/or buy GTA IV, then move on to the next big game that is currently on the horizon months down the road.
Yes, GTA IV will last the average gamer a couple of months, if not longer when considering XBox 360's exceptional achievement system and all the DLC hyped for the future, but it will not make a difference in head to head competition between the PS3 and 360, simply because those who care enough about the differences have already bought a console.
If these gamers don't already own both the 360 and PS3, they are not even close to spending another $350-$400 to play a slightly different version of an already outstanding game.
