PC gamers are demanding that Rockstar Games release Grant Theft Auto V on their platform. Their online petition has now been signed by over 225,000 people.
"GTA games have been a large part of so many people's lives and it's a big shame not seeing the newest iteration of the game being released on the most powerful platform," reads the Change.org petition. "Things like modifications have always been a HUGE part of PC gaming and modded GTA is some of the most insanely fun times you can have."
It's hard to argue with the point about mods. The player community has done some amazing things with Grand Theft Auto IV. Thanks to modders, you can unleash the Hulk on Liberty City or bury the city in sand. The prospect of an unlimited stream of mods makes a PC version of GTA V sound very enticing. I'd imagine there are many gamers holding off on buying the PS3 and Xbox 360 version because they expect a PC edition is around the bend.
There have been a few signs that Rockstar is preparing to release GTA V on PC. A senior animator mentioned the PC version. Retailers like Amazon began listing the game on that platform months ago. However, Rockstar hasn't given official confirmation yet.
"The only versions of the game that we have announced are for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 which are set for a September 17th worldwide release," the studio said in a fan Q&A earlier this month. "We don’t have anything to share about the possibility of a next-gen or a PC platform release at this time and we are completely focused on delivering the best possible experience for the consoles people have right now."
Rockstar's Dan Houser said last November that they're considering platforms beyond the PS3 and Xbox 360. It's just a matter of whether there's "an appropriate business opportunity and chance to find a market." The petition started not long after the comments, as a way to prove to Rockstar that there is a huge swath of PC gamers out there looking to play the game.
History is on the PC gamers' side. The GTA series started on the PC and every main game on the series has appeared on that platform. It's more a matter of "when" than "if." PC gamers might have to wait until 2014 or later to finally get their hands on GTA V.
Even if a PC version seems inevitable, though, it doesn't hurt to rattle the cage. Sign petitions, write on forums, and tweet your asses off. Some people think Internet complaining doesn't matter but, well, Xbox One. Sometimes complaints are fruitless but they've got a much better success rate than silent hope.
