This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/oct/01/grand-theft-auto-online-launch

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Grand Theft Auto Online launches – complete with connectivity hitches Rockstar says sorry for Grand Theft Auto Online launch problems
(about 14 hours later)
The long-awaited online version of Grand Theft Auto Online was released on Tuesday, replete with the much-anticipated connectivity problems that had long been feared.The long-awaited online version of Grand Theft Auto Online was released on Tuesday, replete with the much-anticipated connectivity problems that had long been feared.
In line with other major online game releases, Grand Theft Auto V's online launch was plagued by server errors and connectivity problems.In line with other major online game releases, Grand Theft Auto V's online launch was plagued by server errors and connectivity problems.
The console version of GTA V was released on 17 September and is required to play the online version, which gives the classic game a multiplayer mode.The console version of GTA V was released on 17 September and is required to play the online version, which gives the classic game a multiplayer mode.
Shortly after its online launch, gamers said they were unable to access the game because of server issues, the game failing to load and disconnection issues. In response, the company created a webpage on its support site dedicated to providing updates on issues.Shortly after its online launch, gamers said they were unable to access the game because of server issues, the game failing to load and disconnection issues. In response, the company created a webpage on its support site dedicated to providing updates on issues.
"We apologize for any inconvenience, and thank you for your patience while we work to resolve this," GTA maker Rockstar Games said on its support site. It is also offering a service for users to receive automatic email notifications whenever an update is posted on the site. The company did not respond to requests for comment."We apologize for any inconvenience, and thank you for your patience while we work to resolve this," GTA maker Rockstar Games said on its support site. It is also offering a service for users to receive automatic email notifications whenever an update is posted on the site. The company did not respond to requests for comment.
The console version of GTA made $1bn in its first three days on sale, according to the game's publisher Take-Two. Video game experts said that the problems were to be expected because of the game's popularity.The console version of GTA made $1bn in its first three days on sale, according to the game's publisher Take-Two. Video game experts said that the problems were to be expected because of the game's popularity.
"It seems they've been trying to scale their hardware quickly to cope with the expected requirements based on their incredible sales," Simon Barratt of UK studio Four Door Lemon told the Guardian."It seems they've been trying to scale their hardware quickly to cope with the expected requirements based on their incredible sales," Simon Barratt of UK studio Four Door Lemon told the Guardian.
"Even if they were using an existing server infrastructure provider such as Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure – which is unlikely and their wording suggests not – they would probably need to be adding to their cloud server farms to support the numbers they're expecting.""Even if they were using an existing server infrastructure provider such as Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure – which is unlikely and their wording suggests not – they would probably need to be adding to their cloud server farms to support the numbers they're expecting."
Last week, Rockstar also warned that its servers might not be able to handle GTA's popularity.Last week, Rockstar also warned that its servers might not be able to handle GTA's popularity.
"One thing we are already aware of, and are trying to alleviate as fast as we can, is the unanticipated additional pressure on the servers due to a significantly higher number of players than we were anticipating at this point."One thing we are already aware of, and are trying to alleviate as fast as we can, is the unanticipated additional pressure on the servers due to a significantly higher number of players than we were anticipating at this point.
"We are working around the clock to buy and add more servers, but this increased scale is only going to make the first few days even more temperamental than such things usually are.""We are working around the clock to buy and add more servers, but this increased scale is only going to make the first few days even more temperamental than such things usually are."
Rockstar's problems echo those felt by the release of Blizzard Entertainment's Diablo 3 and Maxis's Sim City, which were overwhelmed on their launch days.Rockstar's problems echo those felt by the release of Blizzard Entertainment's Diablo 3 and Maxis's Sim City, which were overwhelmed on their launch days.
Maxis's network collapsed when the newest edition of SimCity launched in March 2013, and the hashtag #error37 started trending in May 2012 when Diablo 3 customers faced that error message and were unable to play the game.Maxis's network collapsed when the newest edition of SimCity launched in March 2013, and the hashtag #error37 started trending in May 2012 when Diablo 3 customers faced that error message and were unable to play the game.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.