Compulsive Shopping: The Style of San Andreas

[Montana00]

Think that haircuts and clothing are just for looks? Think again.

August 13, 2004 - With every week that passes as we approach October 19, more and more information pertaining to Rockstar's upcoming sales monster Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas gets revealed. Steadily building its case towards becoming the single most gigantic game on the PlayStation 2, this dream project from Rockstar North continues to shock and surprise us on a regular basis. With aspects that still have yet to be revealed.

And while the purpose of today's article isn't meant to explain that enticing screenshot we exclusively unveiled yesterday of CJ apparently playing basketball (we'll save that for another day), it does have an important motive: that is, how does your appearance affect the way your character is perceived by other in-game personalities? And while we're on the subject, what are some of the more specific ways in which we can make those customizations?

To answer that, we first have to turn to the game's rules of society and understand how they work. But in case you didn't already know one of its most important rules, the people of San Andreas are judged by strangers in the same way they are in real life -- by how they look. And in keeping with that ideal, the manner in which your character dresses and grooms himself has a specific effect on the amount of respect that the general population will show you. Though we already know that your weight and physique already have a bearing on this element of perception (as covered in a previous article, your haircut and clothing has an even more powerful influence.

In Los Santos, for example, CJ can travel to old Reece's barbershop right from the beginning of his adventure (though there are several more located all over the state of San Andreas). Once inside, Carl can sit in the chair and check his reflection to test-drive various looks for both his hairstyle and face. Provided he has enough cheese to pay for it, he'll then be able to select whichever style he chooses.

The sharper CJ looks, however, the more the citizens of the city will respect him. When passing women on the street, for instance, a well-groomed CJ will have a better chance of hearing comments and getting positive reactions if he's looking good. If he takes that same style with him when interacting with his fellow gang members, he'll command a lot more authority as well; and if he runs across one the rival gangs when looking good, they'll be much more weary of him.

Of course, the real trick is figuring out which one of the hairstyles earns the most respect. And whether or not it's the afro, jheri curl, cornrows, bald look, and various other choices that do it, it's up to you to find out. Just keep in mind that getting a more expensive cut doesn't necessarily mean that it's better.

Just as crucial as CJ's haircut, is the clothing that he wears along with it. In fact, many could say that his threads are even more important towards earning a higher respect rating than that of his hairstyle. When the game first starts, however, CJ begins with nothing more than your basic pair of pants and a plain white t-shirt. But as he progresses through his adventure, his respect rating among fellow gang members rises as missions are successfully completed. Eventually, that respect rating will be high enough to prompt your homies into convincing you to wear gang colors -- starting with the traditional Orange Grove Families togs.

Naturally, wearing these colors has their consequences. And while other members of the Orange Grove Families will respect you even more, rival gangs and police officers will be able to identify your allegiances even easier than they could before. If you somehow stumble into Ballas territory or a random gunfight, for instance, your clothing choice can have a significant effect on what happens next.

But gang colors aren't the only kinds of clothes that CJ can hook himself up with in San Andreas, as there are a number of various stores that offer full wardrobe lines as well. These new types affect the level of respect that people have for you too, and some missions will even require CJ to wear a certain outfit in order to succeed. Highlighted below are some of the various retailers available to CJ in the city of Los Santos, with a brief description of what to expect inside.

Binco
A discount store located a few blocks away from CJ's cul-de-sac in Orange Grove Families' territory, Binco offers a selection of cheap utilitarian clothing for the consumer with low cost in mind. Unfortunately, most of the people in the Grove will be wearing the clothes that are sold here; as they're really one of the only places that offer affordable clothing choices for Carl's neighborhood. Plaid shirts, khakis, and low-end sneakers are pretty much what you can expect to find when shopping here, and it will likely be the first place CJ goes when deciding to wear his gang colors for the very first time. In an interesting twist, the locals will actually respect you more when wearing clothes of this type around the neighborhood.

SubUrban
Located near the Towers in Ganton, SubUrban offers a full line of clothing brands like Mercury and Base 5. Obviously different from what Binco offers, the threads in SubUrban favor the popular name brand apparel that's more common among the city's middle class citizens. Sadly, the store is located right in the middle of Ballas territory and is frequented by members of that gang's crowd (since the Ballas are more successful than the Orange Grove Families at the start of the game, their tastes are obviously a little more expensive). Players who shop at SubUrban will get a lot more respect from people than if they had shopped at Binco's, but you'll only be able to pick up a few items here for the same price you could an entire wardrobe back in your own neighborhood. Don't expect to splurge on the loose fitting casual wear here until after you've completed several of your missions first.
 
ProLaps
A popular Big 5-like athletics dealer, ProLaps is located right in the middle of Downtown Los Santos. The clothing that's sold here is definitely more form fitting and is ideal to show off CJ's body if he works out a lot. Shorts, hats, expensive kinds of sneakers, and more specific items like motorcycle helmets, boxing headgear, and hockey masks are all acquired here. If players are afraid that they'll look too much like a gang member, this is the best place to shop. As not only are the clothes more mainstream and popular than most others in San Andreas, but they're also expensive -- which could mean more respect points if you make the right decision. Take note, however, that you'll probably need a rather athletic build to pull them off.

Regardless of how and where CJ shops, though, his material successes will continue to earn him respect. Women will be all over him, men will fear him, and your ability to command your posse will be highly improved. Luckily, Carl will be able to keep all the clothes you buy for him; so if you change your mind as to what it is you want to sport, you don't have to keep going back and repurchasing stuff to do so. All you'll have to do to change up your look is walk into your safe house, go up to the closet, and sort through all the clothing you've earned and purchased so far. This means that players will not only be able to change their duds whenever they feel like it, they'll also be able to mix and match whatever they want as well.

Unfortunately for you clothes mongers out there, that about wraps it up for now. But of course, there's a whole lot more to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas than what we've highlighted here today. We'll be sure to continue to bring it to you as it becomes available too, so keep those eyes peeled for even more on CJ and the gang in the coming days. Before you go, though, don't forget to check our media page below for the latest batch of screens.

[Montana00]

is it just me or is rockstar making this extremly detailed?

in a good way though

[eS El Duque]

is it just me or is rockstar making this extremly detailed?

in a good way though

I love it when game company's do that

For example...i hate games where you can tell they didn't spend that much time on a tree (like you can walk threw it) or something else

[white Boy]

i hope you can chose a white guy

[Jome]

Some info about house robberies:

From the GameSpot article:
-- Robberies can only take place at night.
-- Not all missions will carry a cash reward.
-- Robberies are started by stealing a removal truck and hitting the R3 button.
-- Sneaking mode will be enabled by wearing a balaclava or ski mask.
-- A noise meter will appear on screen in sneaking mode, and rewards are given for quieter robberies.
-- New audio technology allows realistic distortions to dialogue, meaning you'll have to really listen hard to hear what's being said.
-- A guy on the other side of a fence will purchase stolen goods from you.
-- Silenced weapons are in.

From the IGN article:
-- You can choose from gang clothes and street/casual wear.
-- You will need certain clothes to complete certain missions.
-- Reece's Barber Shop is available from the start of the game.
-- There are various barber shops to choose from throughout San Andreas.
-- You will be determined a threat to gangs depending on your hairstyle/appearance.
-- Binco is the name of a cheap clothing store in The Grove.
-- SubUrban is a clothing outlet in Ganton (Watts inspired, Ballas Area), which sells expensive clothes.
-- ProLaps, located in Downtown Los Santos, sells very expensive, sports-style clothes, which will allow him to blend in more with the rest of the public.
-- More expensive clothes will gain more respect, while Gang clothes will attract attention, from your gang, rival gangs and the police.

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/gta4/screenindex.html



Screens from house robberies:

[Montana00]

lmao, at the black man stealing a tv.

[Javier]

like OMG we can give complete makerovers and buy him clothes, OMG OMG OMG OMG YAY!!!  I always wanted to have video game doll!!!

[Sikotic™]

This game is gonna be somethin outta this world. It'll top Halo for sure.

[eS El Duque]

lmao, at the black man stealing a tv.

lmao

[ecrazy]

i hope you can chose a white guy

like OMG we can give complete makerovers and buy him clothes, OMG OMG OMG OMG YAY!!! I always wanted to have video game doll!!!

LMAO!!!

[bez]

I actually heard CJ can fly too

[LAZY]

DAM i want this game even more! im gunna be playin this allllllll winter.. it cracks me up u can get jheri curl lol

[Throwback]

OMG OMG OMG OMG YAY!!!

[Sikx]

this game will b insane maaaan, i want it already

[Da WCC Hopar!]

lmao, at the black man stealing a tv.

lmao

LMFAOO AHAHHA THIS SHOT IS TOO FUNNY