The GTA4 thread

[GMT 389]

hm... gamespy says ps3 and xbox360... but there'll be certainly a pc version (I bet they release the pc version later on, just as they did before like with gtasa)...

a wii version... no I don't think so cuz the wii is useless... just kidding. it might be possible cuz the wii might have the power to handle it, depending on the final structure of the game

[SockoJr53 51]

Haha simzebu, I live in Troy, NY, just across the river from Albany and I know exactly what you are talking about.

Anyway I wouldn't bet on there being much of a "countryside" area like is GTA SA. I just think it's not necesary, a lot of the desert and woods was really useless in that game. Also, I remember reading in an article with very limited info that there won't be as much of a variety of aircraft this time around. We can probably expect to see Francis Intl Airport again, but probably only with a few choppers and maybe a small plane or two aside from the AI controlled jetliners. Rockstar is looking for a more realistic concept and the idea of some 2-bit Russian thug jacking a 737 and simply flying away is a tad outlandish, albeit hilarious.

Looking more closely at the trailer, here are a few things I picked out:

-Billboard Ads: Cluckin' Bell Chicken, Sprunk Soda, Burger Shot, The Liberty Tree Newspaper, Logger Beer, Bank of Liberty

-The LCPD cars are an IDENTICAL replica of today's real world NYPD white/blue police cars

-A movie poster for "I Slept With Your Mom"

-A new reality show called "America's Next Top Hooker"

-A replica of the Chysler 300 (a really badass looking car imo)

It seems a lot of people want more cities after what they did with San Andreas but I would be really happy with just one huge thriving metropolis if they do it well, which I have a feeling they will.

Also a lot of pressure was put on Rockstar after Saint's Row which wasn't all that great but did have a lot of nifty new concepts.

Sorry for the essay, but I am such a huge follower of the series, been playing since the original back in 1997, man has it been 10yrs already?

[PG320 13]

"America's next top hooker"

Oh GTA you never fail at being funny.

[Pixelrage 34]

Rockstar once again shows that they are simply the best!

[Godzillaman 21]

Originally posted by: Pixelrage Rockstar once again shows that they are simply the best!quote>

thats why they are rockstars 

[GMT 389]

well, I just stumbled over some more facts about gta iv:

- main character is called Niko Belic

- there will be a single and a multiplayer mode

- the graphic engine is called RAGE (rockstar advance game engine)

- the physics are called natural motion euphoria, wich means pretty much everything will be generated on-the-fly instead of prefabs

- the city will be devided into 5 areas:

mahattan = algonquin

queens = dukes

brooklyn = broker

bronx = bohan

new jersey = alderne

- there will be cars, bikes, boats and helicopters

us release will be october 16th, europe release october 19th

(source: german fan page gta-action.com)

[SimRabbit 48]

Queens - Dukes lol

i have been waiting for this game so long. and just watched the official trailer and wow the graphics are so ***** awsome. Long live Rockstar and GTA series

[GMT 389]

I've got a s....load of more or less new facts for the game we're all waiting for (that is NOT called SimCity)

first of all: the re-scheduled release date is 2nd quarter 2008, more or less reliable sources speak of march 4th, 11th, 18th or 25th (as us games are always released on tuesdays) and a mere +3 days for the european market. but this not officially confirmed.

the xbox360 version of the game is finished about 80% which MIGHT mean an xbox release on the first announced date october 16th/19th.

the prices will be (standard/special edition)

xbox360:

north america: 59.82 dollars / 89.99 dollars

europe: 59.99 euros / 89.95 euros

down under: 119.95 dollars / 149.95 dollars

uk: 39.99 pounds / 69.99 pounds

mentioned special edition comes in a lockable metal case including:

-guess what? the game

-an art book with concept drawings, incl never before seen drawings

-selected excerpts of the soundtrack incl tracks only available through gta4se

-a rockstar keychain (for the deposit of the metal box' keys)

-a limited edition rockstar duffel back

as for the game itself:

-the setting is, for the 5th time, liberty city, this time its the current age (2006/7) but it's NOT a 1:1 replica of nyc (but getting close to it) with one of the main aspects showing the life in such a city capturing the "capitol of the world" aspect)

-It's the biggest gta city ever, the map is about the size of san andreas, but with NO areas wasted (means no vast scenary)

-detailing goes down to the smallest things with a very eye put on textures

-the variety of streets and buildings was dramatically increased compared to san andreas, streets are now full of potholes or constructions and stuff

-lighting and reflections are set to a new level with the euphoria engine, means realistic cast of shadows, rays and reflections (even a real on cars and not a reflection map)

-streets will have names. I know this was said about san andreas aswell, but this time, it's 100% confirmed

-there's NO pay&spray anymore

people:

-people in the streets are having "real" conversations and not the randomly played sentences as in san andreas

-people "remember" you... means pointing on them with a gun once and they run away next time they see you

-people do a hell of a bunch of things like reading books, smoking etc

-Bums can be seen warming their hands over burning trashcans, hotdog venders announce their goods aloud

-other criminals can rob the main character (further refered to as niko, the name of him)

-as taxis play an important role, the taxi driver can fullfill a bunch of wishes niko has, like driving to a restaurant, clothes store or something like that

police:

-police is the hardest ever in gta history (to represent the rougher times for today's real-life criminals), what includes better weapons than just clubs and pistols

-they go for stolen cars (means you get yourself a car, get rid of the wanted level by hiding somewhere and they still identify the car later on)

-having committed a crime, you get a wanted level as long as there were witnesses. then a searching area appears around where the crimescene is, and if you can escape it without beeing seen, you lose your wanted level, if not, the searching area follows your movement (just like in real life by naming the streets). this makes the escaping more realistic cuz the police only knows which area you are in, but not your exact location (as in san andreas)  but makes it harder to escape cuz the area follows your movement - if spotted

or short: now the cops have to find you first and then catch you 2nd, previous title's cops just had to catch you cuz they knew your position

-they don't just shoot while standing, but can go prone to shoot at you to improve accuracy

-police officer's locations appear as dots on the radar when they are in search mode

main character:

-you have to keep up relationships (to your mission buddies) by calling them and being loyal and stuff (gives extra rewards)

-the only way to keep your energy is food or sleep, no more hearts floating around

-mini games such as billiard are part of the releationships you have to keep running

-you can't change your weight anymore

-changing clothes means picking them from the shelf and not  walking into the changeroom to buy it there

the cell phone (proivider is called whiz) can now be used to make calls and not just recieving them and includes a camera. you can ignore calls, but if someone wants to reach niko, they call over and over again. further you can access the internet, receive text messages, take pictures and use it as a gps

the above mentioned internet is a more or less accurate replica of the real internet (of course limited to a couple of websites), accessable from EVERY pc around liberty city and with a lot of features you wouldn't expect in a game

-missions can be interupted, which suggests that they could take a day 2 3 etc and that you can do several missions at a time

-killing a certain person means to keep an eye up for him cuz there's no more arrow above them as in previous titles (phonecalls can identify certain persons)

the hud is limited to a few important infos such as radar, money, wanted level

the city

-you can rob an huge amount of shops

-the city changes with the time of the day (overcrowed streets at daytime, dead at nighttime)

-garbage is scattered here and there

-a hell of a lot of leisure activities (none named yet)

-no ammunation stores (you have to find hidden weapons or disarm people or buy them illegally)

-no property business as in gta vc or gta sa anymore (would make the criminal aspect kinda useless)

rampages, unique this and that and tanks MIGHT not be included ( not yet confirmed wether its on or not)

there gangs in the game

you can date girls n make them you gf

italian and russian mafia take a part, but not that big

graphics

-a mayor change here is the weather, which depends heavily on the season (yes, there're seasons in the game -> an all snowed in libery city)

-reflections are calculated, which means you can see your reflection on everything that would show a reflection in real life

-the weight of the poeple and vehicles is simulated in their movement, means walking down a steep slope niko shifts is wheight backwards, when cornering too fast you can fall down

vehicles

-the vehicle's handling is once more better (more realistic) than in ever gta before, not just because of the simulated weight physics

-breaking a car is not just opening the door and driving away. this time you have to break into (eg smashing the window) and shortwiring it to start the engine

-for above reasons (+cops) it's sometimes better to just call a taxi or take the bus instead of breaking a car

-public transport plays a mayor role in transportation

-when cars drive past you you can "feel" (=vibration) their soundsystems bass or their exhaust noise

-the result of getting hit by a car is affected by the speed of the car and how it hits you, means you can slightly be touched by a car and are just angry (no health effect) or you can be hit at a high speed and fly around or get pulled under the car (major injuries or death)

-you can open/close windows

-the car's trunk is fully usable (even NPC people in the streets can use their trunks)

-definitely no planes but helicopters

-bikes, jetplanes and other exotical vehicles should not be expected

-leaving a car with music playing means the music plays on

weapons

-aming takes place in an almost ego-perspective

-drive-bys seem to be possible with both pistols and smgs

-hugging a wall to take cover (as in mgs) is possible, same for strafe

-a major improvement is the hitzone simulation. a shot in the leg might cause a fall, hitting an arm makes s/o drop whats held in hand, headshots are deadly etc

-another major improvement is the weapons power simulation. a 9mm makes you shake, a 12gauge fly away

-snipers are customizable, but nothing more is said yet

audio

-the soundtrack consists of both band-played songs and orchestrated songs. what is played is determined by the mood of the games situation

-the soundtrack (same for the voice actors) is mainly made up of no-names

-sound effects around you (=city's sounds) are blended perfectly and don't feel that random as in previous titles

-the question for a custom soundtrack via the consoles hdd was answered with "possibly"

-there's a variety of radio stations playing hiphop, rock, jazz, etc and even a talk radio is confirmed - WKTT (We Know The Truth)

---

damn what a long text... sry for that, but that's still a conclusion of what GTA4.tv (a reliable fansite from the makers of gtasanandreas.com) knows about the new installment in the gta franchise.

I don't know what you feel like, but I'm going crazy about it. can't wait to hold my copy in hands

[GreekMan 246]

That's awesome

M rating is for 17 and up right?

[GMT 389]

here's the esrb list:

E - everyone

E10+ - 10 years and older

T - teen; 13 years and older

M - mature; 17 and older

AO - adults only; 18+

RP - rate pending

I had to search the web cuz german rating's a little different from us, we have everyone, 6years, 12years, 16 years, 18years(=adult) and not rated (=enlisted on the so-called "index" what makes it illegal to sell/buy the game/movie in stores)

[GMT 389]

Originally posted by: GMT so.

as we all know the xbox release of gta4 is resceduled again.

a pc version is still not confirmed, but everyone expects the same procedure as every year... ehm... gta title.

in addition, take 2 recently refused to pinpoint an exact release date for all gta4 releases, with the main message of wanting a high quality game thats not disappointing the investors, and that theys (take2) give us a release date when they think the game is "it", what's not right now.

so, nothing big new to tell.

but wait!

A nice person was as kind as to fool around with the 1st trailer and google maps... or earth or whatever and came up with an interesting fact:

the places shown in the trailer, compared with their real locations, reveal an areal of about 20miles in length north to south.

what we know from previous anouncements, the area we get is NOT a 1:1 replica, and when know that the map shall be about the size of GTA:SA, what would be a stunning size, keeping in mind that they didn't waste room for useless scenary.quote>

So, I use the quote thingy to delete my previous post so it doesn't look like I'm posting over and over again...

I've got "new" infos on the map.

german web-based games magazine gamezone.de released infos which tell that the map in GTA4 will come in a basic version and can be enhanced by additional map data created by the publisher, so to say downloadable "map-add-ons" (e.g. via ps3 store), that perfectly fit to the already existing map, with new missions and areas. as a rough maximum size, they give a mind-blowing NINE TIMES bigger than the GTA:SA map.

it's not yet confirmed by the publishers, but since the platforms GTA4 will be released on all support internet connection, and the additional, downloadable content is already confirmed for the Xbox360 release, the idea of making the map bigger by downloading more areas sounds very possible.

Ok, a bad thing about this is that it might happen that the game as it comes to stores is nothing but an incomplete riddle that's gotta be solved by downloading add-ons worth a few more bucks (e.g. like the good ol expansion packs for sims)... but thats what critics say.

I think it's a good idea to use the web-feature like this, to enhance the game, make it better and bigger.

I mean, folks who can remember times of a birds-eye GTA1, when there was nothing but action-gameplay and realism was something for table-top games,  GTA:London was the first and last add-on for a GTA game, so...

Ok, seriously, from what's known already concerning GTA4, I don't think the game will be boring for a long time (no matter if the story missions are all done or not), but with more or less confirmed add-ons, it'll get even more interesting.

[toxicpiano 125]

Finally a GTA game where the city isn't a village with skyscrapers.

[BurroDiablo 222]

9 time bigger that SA?... I used to (well, still am) part of a small GTA fansite/SAMP clan and I worked out before SA was released back in 2005 that it was going to be 6 times the size of Vice City... and I was kinda right. Now, I played Vice City the most out of all of them (single and multiplayer) and VC wasn't really that big, you could fly from one end to the other in roughly a minute (using a heli), and you could fly across San Andreas in roughly 3 mins (also using a heli).

By that logic... in a Heli it'll take 9 mins to cross the new Liberty City... doesn't sound too long, but when you take into account that that by road in SA it took about 10-15 mins to cross the entire map, we could be talking up to 30-45 mins to cross the new Liberty City map

This game will be, by far, the greatest game ever made... and then GTA-VC2 will come along, then GTA-SA2... lol, SA2... '1000 TIMES BIGGER THAN THE ORIGINAL!' argh

[toxicpiano 125]

Originally posted by: El Burro 9 time bigger that SA?... I used to (well, still am) part of a small GTA fansite/SAMP clan and I worked out before SA was released back in 2005 that it was going to be 6 times the size of Vice City... and I was kinda right. Now, I played Vice City the most out of all of them (single and multiplayer) and VC wasn't really that big, you could fly from one end to the other in roughly a minute (using a heli), and you could fly across San Andreas in roughly 3 mins (also using a heli).

By that logic... in a Heli it'll take 9 mins to cross the new Liberty City... doesn't sound too long, but when you take into account that that by road in SA it took about 10-15 mins to cross the entire map, we could be talking up to 30-45 mins to cross the new Liberty City map

This game will be, by far, the greatest game ever made... and then GTA-VC2 will come along, then GTA-SA2... lol, SA2... '1000 TIMES BIGGER THAN THE ORIGINAL!' argh

quote>

Indeed. I hope that they set the second Vice city in the eighties again, that would be great. GTA III was set in the present day (Or 2001 as it was then), and as IV is, I would think it would follow maybe the same path. San Andreas was rubbish though IMO. I think Vice City was my favourite game, and the 80's suited it well.

[BurroDiablo 222]

San Andreas without the 'Gangsta' theme would be nice... or even 3 totally seperate games set in Los Santos, San Fierro and Las Venturas...

I agree though, SA did suck... the plot was solid to begin with but fell apart when they decided that Smoke and Ryder were Cop sellouts... all the 'RPGness' ruined it for me too.

[GMT 389]

Originally posted by: toxicpiano Indeed. I hope that they set the second Vice city in the eighties again, that would be great. GTA III was set in the present day (Or 2001 as it was then), and as IV is, I would think it would follow maybe the same path. San Andreas was rubbish though IMO. I think Vice City was my favourite game, and the 80's suited it well.quote>

I don't think san andreas was/is rubbish... It's still one of the best gta, if not the best gta ever.

ok, all the sub-missions and stuff took up a lot of time, maybe more time than the story missions, but that really make you get around the map, see a lot of stuff (also a lot of detailing), and when it comes to sarcasm, gta:sa is a walking library. if you really take your time to go through sarcasm and allusions (with the related historical context/reference) you're occupied for days.

not to mention the technical aspects gta:sa introduced, like a fluent map without loading times.

also, gta:sa fills up some timeline-holes between gta:vc and gta3

as for the time gta4 plays in, it's roughly around our time, since the're buildings in the new liberty city, that were completed in real life after 2005. or to name the baby: you can see a replica of hearst tower in one of the trailers, which reached is final hight 2005 and was entirely finished last year.

[panthersimcity4 162]

Yay, finally an Eastern European character! Yay for Slavs!

I think GTAIV will be so awesome, but GTAIV Vice City would be the best game ever made in the history of mankind. Cause I love Miami... one of my favorite cities.

I can't wait for it to come out, I'm using Saints Row as a GTA replacement until GTA IV comes out...

[BurroDiablo 222]

I'm gonna be using City Life and Cities Unlimited as GTA substitutes, lol...

Once GTAIV comes out we'll all quit school and our jobs to play it. I think World Leaders should make the release date an Official Holiday or something

[GMT 389]

yea, let's replace ID4 with GTA4, sounds better anyways

[Chris M 406]

I'm glad I got a PS3 for the single reason that GTA IV is coming out on it.

[GMT 389]

Originally posted by: DragonAnime I'm glad I got a PS3 for the single reason that GTA IV is coming out on it. quote>

no kidding?

me too. well, in first place. in 2nd because of all the cool other games that wont run on my pc anymore

well, folks, rockstar propaganda (what a name for a mailing list) just told me the sweet news that a new, 3rd trailer will be online soon.

soon as in december 6th, at 3pm eastcoast time. the trailer bears the title: "Move up, ladies"

plus, there's a video on the official gta4 homepage revealing the boxart of the game.

here's a screencap i took of the final version:

I'm happy they kept the good old gta cover style

[Chris M 406]

Awesome. So am I, the original art could never be changed for the better. Hopefully all characters from the box are actually in the game, unlike San Andreas.

[GMT 389]

I think all of them are in the game (san andreas). it's hard to tell 100% cuz of the big difference between drawn pics and ingame graphics, plus a lot of people look pretty much the same in game

EDIT: ... and most of the boxart's persons are early versions of them which are different from the final look they have ingame (e.g. the drive-by scene is as a screen-shot on the backside of the ps2 box, and there are early-stages of smoke sweet and ryder shown, smoke without hat, sweet with a woolly hat and ryder without cap but a detail cut or cornrows)

anyways, this is what I came up with:

the black one with the ak in his hand in the upper right is a random grove street member (might be an early version of cj with a bold head)

the one below on the bike might be madd dogg (he's also depicted at the soundtrack cover in a different pose, here he looks like big bear is his better years)

below him, its the truth

below him, its cesar vialpando

next to ces, in the drive-by-scene (actually only the left half of the pic, the full pic has a ballas ballas lowrider shooting back; you can see the full drawn pic on gta:introduction) are ryder, smoke and sweet

and the girl is this one vinewood porn star (the candy suxx equivalent, if you want), can't remember her name right now, she has no appearance as a figure, but you can see her on billboards and photos and stuff

did u know that many characters actually look like their voice actors?

[ilikehotdogsalot 308]

i need to preorder this game, now

edit: just read through GMT's post, absolutely incredible...i'm going to be hooked on this game for some time

[Chris M 406]

I don't believe the girl in this picture to the left of the GTA:  SA logo appears in the game:  http://hometown.aol.co.uk/thejackalno22/myhomepage/gta%20(grand%20theft%20auto)%20san%20andreas%20wallpaper.jpg

Could be wrong, though.

[BurroDiablo 222]

Naw, she never did, I think she might have been an early version of Kendyl.

Same with the 'Twins' from GTAVC, they were supposed to be Diaz's ho's or something... never appeared in the game though.

Good to the see the old GTA vector artists are still up to scratch though

btw-

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/28354.html?r=1&type=wmv

Daaayuum, those are some talented people...

[GMT 389]

as for the question about the girl on the gta:sa cover, the following is the only blonde girl with shades and bikini I found in game:

but to asnwer the question (and to occupy me for a few minutes) I wrote a mail to rockstar asking who's who on the gta:sa cover. I'm not sure if they answer the question or can answer it at all, but at least it's worth a try

EDIT: rockstar support answered my mail and told me to write to the ... main office of rockstar, i think, since the support is a support and can only handle technical issues. hm...

 write as in a letter. damn, is this what the digital age has come to? handwritten letters??? lol

EDIT2: yes, she is blonde... underneath the... no, not the bikini, the thing on her head. the bandana thingy...

[Chris M 406]

Hopefully they'll answer back to you because I'd really like to know.

[GreekMan 246]

That cover art is so cool

I like the botom lift pic the best!

GOOOOO GTA!!!!!

[Cleaner475 150]

definetly can't wait for that third trailer, going to wait all day to watch it - looks so awesome this game

Richard