What GTA4 Should Have Been - Let's Play GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony (Ep 9 up)

Adus

Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony is the second of the two episodic expansion packs available to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC versions of Grand Theft Auto IV, which was developed by Rockstar North and first released for the Xbox 360 on 29 October 2009. It was then released for both the PlayStation 3 and for Microsoft Windows on 13 April 2010. It is the fourth expansion pack in the Grand Theft Auto series, the fourteenth release on the series and is currently the final game of the Grand Theft Auto IV era.

The Ballad of Gay Tony follows the exploits of a new protagonist, Luis Fernando Lopez, a recent member of the Dominican drug dealers and the personal bodyguard of Anthony Prince, who is also referred to as "Gay Tony". Prince is the owner of the two largest nightclubs within Liberty City and is also a high-status socialite. Rockstar Games claim in their press release that this episode "injects Liberty City with an overdose of guns, glitz, and crime" and that "players will struggle with the competing loyalties of family and friends, and with the uncertainty about who is real and who is fake in a world in which everyone has a price.

About this LP:
This'll simply be post commentary of my gameplay by myself and some guests. It's technically a blind run since I have yet to play this Episode, though I have obviously played GTAIV. Therefore this won't be an expert or informative LP. Though fear not, I'll do my best to cut out multiple failures or other tedious moments to try to keep a decent flow.

You could technically consider it a continuation of the GTAIV LP, as the style is essentially the same.

Videos will be between 20-30 minutes in length. There won't be a concrete update schedule but the goal is to record commentary for a few episodes each week so hopefully there won't be too large of a gap between videos.

Who the hell are you? Who are these other jerks?
I'm Adus. So far guest commentary has been done by Owenashi, Klyka, Trynant and Rent & Earwig Squad. That's about all there is to know.

Can I do commentary?
If you're interested, post in this thread or contact me via PM or one of the services listed in my profile. I'll see what I can do.

You're not too good at this game.
Not especially.

The music you added to your station sucks.


You should do (this) in a future video.
Suggestions and constructive criticism is welcome. For GTA4 I kind of made the mistake of recording too far ahead to really respond to suggestions or criticism, so this time around I'll probably only record 1-2 hours of play at a time and no more until those videos get posted.

What's the spoiler policy?
No unmarked spoilers for Ballad of Gay Tony please. GTA4 is fair game.

Videos:

Hosts will be Blip, and Youtube. The playlist for the latter can be found here. Retiring Viddler as a host now that my Youtube upload time limit is gone.

[Episode 1 - Theoretical Let's Plays That Are Terrible]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptOdeoiZee4]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 2 - Pull Yourself Up]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdTJWPzy578]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 3 - Tiger Lopez]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKa1ghNE0tk]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 4 - Fine Bitches]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtOx_h7z7D8]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 5 - Reading comprehension]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J_pyX3ZDyE]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 6 - Nineteen bombs, one train]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voh4WdndutA]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 7 - It had to be done]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaJlrSZLDI0]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 8 - Luis the player]

Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJc8kysNf1w]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 9 - The Helicopter Episode]

Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rhr-T0MjzwY]YouTube[/vidurl]

The Lost and Damned is the first of two episodic expansion packs for Grand Theft Auto IV released in February of 2009. It follows protagonist Johnny Kelbitz, Vice President of The Lost motorcycle club, who had made a few appearances in GTA4's main campaign. The club's President, Billy, is finally out of court-ordered rehab after a year, but his return isn't the most pleasant one in Johnny's eyes as Billy continues to fly off the handle and create trouble that could endanger the whole gang.

[Episode 1 - Here's Johnny]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - Viddler - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKcn7KP9ms4]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 2 - Let's Play Volume Adjusting]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - Viddler - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZdjgsYIrMQ]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 3 - Oh no it's the fuzz]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - Viddler - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R3qRgTrUOk]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 4 - Shut up, Brian]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - Viddler - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Riikf5q4AW0]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 5 - Excitement, Mayhem, and Hamburgers]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - Viddler - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvt8bKsC6lc]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 6 - Table for car, please]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - Viddler - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40ZTwEwNPZs]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 7 - The bus that couldn't slow down.]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - Viddler - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mZ8IPsNQks]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 8 - Cruel and Unusual Punishment]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAJXJCMHOxQ]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 9 - State of the Union]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwjOuhj0Zyw]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 10 - The most kawaii video]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkWGHhbtXuk]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 11 - Cowboy Bebop spoilers]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9rL9ZU5qgo]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 12 - The dude business]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceTevchJaRQ]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 13 - The cops saw you enter]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JTT7G4Pn7w]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 14 - DeSean of the Dead]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxS5U5V2VIY]YouTube[/vidurl]

[Episode 15 - Brotherhood is magic]


Blip.tv - Blip Direct Download - [vidurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaLi8mqI93c]YouTube[/vidurl]

Credits (no commentary)

valgomir

And thus it begins again. Continues. Whatever.
I will definitely watch this.

cooljammer00

How do we know if we can upload longer Youtube videos?

Adus

If you click Upload there should be some message that says something like "Congratulations you've been selected for blah blah blah video length" whatever. You'd know it if you saw it.

Dragonatrix

And, uh, it's about damned time that the expansions/dlc/whatever of GTA4 gets a watchable LP. Especially since I totally don't have them and kinda want to know what they're like.

Visti

Damn, had this been a week earlier, I would have totally watched the pants out of this. But as it is, I just started the episodes myself.

Trynant

Wow, my voice came in a lot more distorted than I remember

Adus

Yeah you might need to turn down whatever noise cancellation you have on in the future.

Visti wrote: »

Damn, had this been a week earlier, I would have totally watched the pants out of this. But as it is, I just started the episodes myself.

Unless you play less than two hours a week I doubt I'll get ahead of you. Unless you're merely saying you don't want to watch gameplay of something you just went through. In which case that makes sense.

Gonna start uploading video 2 now.

Here it is:

[Episode 2 - Let's Play Volume Adjusting]
Blip.tv - Viddler

Dragonatrix

Diggin' the hot menu slider action you got going on. And it's really, really weird seeing you drive (a bike at least) so well; especially after the most of the regular GTAIV stuff.

Adus

Johnny's bike handles pretty well, and it seems like it's just harder to fall off in general. Pretty sure these were intentional alterations due to how dangerous bikes were previously. Would kinda suck to have a campaign based on motorcycle riding where you fall off every 30 seconds.

Nuzak

johnny's hexer is basically the best bike in the expansion, the japanese bikes are very slippy

also this is one of the best DLC's released for any game, so looking forward to this, and the autoshotgun

valgomir

I am amazed by Johnny's ability to use the accelerator throttle without touching it when he is on the phone.

Alice Leywind

I haven't played GTA 4 itself, or this, so it might just be me, since I've only seen videos, but is lost and the damned even GRAYER than GTA 4 itself? I don't remember seeing the base game going almost completely black and white.

Also: I don't know if it's just me, but I'm getting an error trying to play the video on blip.

Adus

Blip doesn't seem to want to take uploads right now, so it's just viddler at the moment. I'll try again later.

[Episode 3 - Oh no it's the fuzz]
Blip.tv - Viddler

Adus

Blip for Episode 3 is up finally: http://blip.tv/file/4662193

also

[Episode 4 - Shut up, Brian]
Blip.tv - Viddler

Owenashi

I hope you don't mind me using this to mark this thread down with a blue dot but are we recording tomorrow?

Rent

oh hey i'm in this LP

Adus

Hey everyone watch this lp please it's good thanks

[Episode 5 - Excitement, Mayhem, and Hamburgers]
Blip.tv - Viddler

cooljammer00

I watched an episode! Wanted to kill everyone in it instantly, so...it's a Rockstar game alright.

Klyka

I'm in this so everyone should check it out.

Trynant

That video was awesome, especially since there wasn't a loser who couldn't fix his noise cancellation and made awful puns or something*.

Dammit, why do people want me to do stuff when awesome LP things are happening?

*oh wait Klyka stepped in for me in that department

Earwig Squad

oh hey rent i'm in this LP too

If there's a next time I'll project into the mic a little bit more. I sound kind of mumbely in the latest episode.

valgomir

This has got to be a record or something... FIVE people in one LP? Madness!

And Klyka must have some magical power. Seriously, it's like, we're five parts into the LP, and the instant Klyka is back the whole thing turns right back into the original GTA IV LP.
Also, that hot dog vendor that blew up after you ate a hamburger... fucking gold, man.

cooljammer00

LPing and commentating is tough business. I can't commend the 5 any harder for doing what they're doing.

Klyka

Is it a good or a bad thing that it I am back? 8-)

Alice Leywind

Well that was an...interesting update to say the least.

I now have to go and watch the original LP, just to see how much goes WRONG, because if this update is any indication, I'm guessing there will be some amazing moments.

valgomir

heenato wrote: »

because if this update is any indication, I'm guessing there will be some amazing moments.

You don't even know. Don't. Even. Know.

Klyka, it's a bad thing you're back.

For my real life persona.

But who needs social contacts anyways?

Alice Leywind

I await with eager anticipation of horrible things happening.

I'm a bit tempted to ask to get in on commentary, but I've never done any commentary before...and I haven't played GTA IV at all, so I would probably be terrible.

Rent

heenato wrote: »

I await with eager anticipation of horrible things happening.

I'm a bit tempted to ask to get in on commentary, but I've never done any commentary before...and I haven't played GTA IV at all, so I would probably be terrible.

pro tips to lping well:

don't have anything of value to say? don't say anything

are you funny? I mean, really funny? If not, don't make jokes

do you have hardcore nerdvoice? if so you probs shouldn't be lping

finally, and most importantly, lping is not serious fucking business and if you're not having fun you're doing something wrong

Adus

Not entirely sure I'll be looking for more people to do commentary if the current crew retains their interest. Last LP it was very difficult to get more than 3, including myself. People who are interested can add me to Skype and I'll put the planned recording date and time in the "mood message" just in case you want to make yourself available, but I wouldn't be able to guarantee there would be room.

Also more stuff happens in this video that everyone should be watching:

[Episode 6 - Table for car, please.]
Blip.tv - Viddler

Trynant

This LP is tight with the catamites, pro balla yo.

What I'm saying is that this LP is pedophilia.

Damn I hope I can make it to the next session.

Earwig Squad

I'm equal parts disappointed and relieved nobody remembers the 1998 dance-electronica hit "We Like to Party" You'll see why around 17:06 in episode six and all the way through episode 7. You'll also hear how I sound almost comically quiet, especially that part on the bridge when everyone was listening to me talk about how American food isn't very sexy. Holy crap, it's like I'm the world's lamest, nerdiest thunder rolling over the hills. Everyone stops. Storm's a'comin.

Adus

I'm going to work on amplifying you a bit in the next video if I can. I didn't really notice just how quiet it was until I was listening to the video itself and by then I didn't feel like combing the file again.

While everyone having their own audio track is so great for cleaning and fixing noise and errors, it also makes audio editing the most time consuming part of the LP. At least, when you're as picky as I am. If someone sniffles quietly for half a second and I can remove it I will.

Unrelated: I'm deciding to upload the LP to Youtube as well. From what I have come to understand you're more likely to get your time limit removed if you're free of account violations, fairly active on the account, and have somewhat frequent uploads. So.. since I have nothing else to upload, I'll just take an extra couple minutes and split the videos in two.

I don't know why anyone would care about this but just in case someone really loves Youtube or something.

Can find them on my channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/Adus11

Fffffuuu- Forgot the time limit was 15:30 not 15:59, now the first parts of episode 2 and 3 didn't go through and I wasted all the time uploading them.

Klyka

I'll make a little video tonight after work telling my subs to check it out.

valgomir

I wonder where you got that idea...

Also, Adus, do you know if the DLC added new clothes to the game that you can purchase for Johnny? Can you buy Russian clothes for Johnny? Because I think the poor people at that toll booth would probably lose it if there wasn't just one, but TWO crazy guys with russian hats who always speed through the barrier

EvilBadman

You ever find a better time to record than me on 5 hours sleep?

Adus

EvilBadman wrote: »

You ever find a better time to record than me on 5 hours sleep?

Pssh, 5 hours? That's plenty.

Also regarding clothes, I'm fairly certain that you can't buy any at all. The map doesn't show any shops nor is there an area to change clothes in at the clubhouse.

Well I guess that did it. The time limit is now removed. A part of me wants to re-upload the videos but the other part of me says fuck it. Eh people can click a few extra links. Good timing though, as the next episode is just over 31 minutes long and I was frustrated that I'd have to split it into three for just barely being over the limit for two.

cooljammer00

That was quick.

Vangu Vegro

Was that the same place you took Michelle to on that boring date? Can't blame you for wanting to wreck it...

Trynant

Earwig Squad wrote: »

I'm equal parts disappointed and relieved nobody remembers the 1998 dance-electronica hit "We Like to Party" You'll see why around 17:06 in episode six and all the way through episode 7. You'll also hear how I sound almost comically quiet, especially that part on the bridge when everyone was listening to me talk about how American food isn't very sexy. Holy crap, it's like I'm the world's lamest, nerdiest thunder rolling over the hills. Everyone stops. Storm's a'comin.

Earwig Squad, at least you didn't talk through a microphone with noise-compression turned on way too high and then had random people in the background make distracting noises to the point where you had to mute yourself by the end of the session.

And come on man there are far nerdier forces of nature than you. Don't give yourself too much credit.

Klyka

I am the Ubernerd.