I'm excited. Always had fun with this series when I was a Playstation fan. Now that I have sold every piece of PS paraphernalia and joined the XBL community I am happy to be reunited with an old friend.



* Grand Theft Auto 4 runs on Rockstar's proprietary next generation game engine, R.A.G.E., allowing for an unprecedented level of realism and interactivity.

o New sunlight and weather effects which give the city a whole different appearance as the time of day progresses.

New volumetric lighting effects are evident in the first trailer.

o Volumetric lighting effects allow sunlight to stream realistically into dusty interiors. Police spotlights will likely benefit from this effect as well when helicopters kick up debris.

o Normal (bump) maps will provide much more detail in models than the underlying polygons, as well as giving materials more texture and depth.

o Road and building textures are more varied than in previous GTAs. On some roads you will find potholes, metal plates (etc) where the road has been dug up.

o Modern pixel shaders give water, glass, cars, etc.. more realistic reflections and shininess than the earlier games.

o In cars, you can see real reflections on the rear and side-view mirrors.

o There are no load times in GTA4, not even during exterior-interior transitions (and vice versa.)

* GTA4 uses euphoria, a fully procedural animation package created by NaturalMotion. The core technology is the Dynamic Motion Synthesis (DMS) system.

o Variations in the terrain are met with realistic changes in the walking animation.

Characters have the ability to hang on to the back of vehicles.

o Unique game moments. Animations are created on the fly, so each player's experience will be unique. Gamers are no longer subjected to pre-recorded animations.

o Characters will react realisticaly to being hit with gunfire, cars, and melee weapons or fists.

o Players will be able to push people out of the way, rather than "floating" past them as in older games.

o Falling/thrown characters will react as in real life- They won't simply be limp, lifeless ragdolls. Nor will they use a canned "super hero" animation like before.

o Characters (and players?) will be able to hang on to helicopters and trucks, which will swing them around as the vehicle moves.

ALSO: GTA IV To Support 16-Person Multiplayer

It's looking good so far, but I enjoyed Saint's Row much better than any GTA up to this point. I think this game will be popular and will be enjoyable but hopefully the missions aren't just repeats of what's come before it.

Rockstar Games: Grand Theft Auto IV

The first 10 things you have to do in Liberty City.


1. Pick a fight
GTAIV's melee system had yet to be revealed in any previous demo so it seemed like the perfect place to start when we were handed the controller. Despite the Rockstar rep's warnings that we were in a rough neighbourhood where many people were likely to be packing concealed weapons we wasted no time opening up a can of biffo on the first bloke to walk past.

Once you've locked-on to an enemy you can choose between kicks, heavy and light punches and blocks. The three attacks can be strung together effectively but for the really devastating combos you'll want to tap the block button just before your opponent attacks, enabling you to dodge, then counterattack.

Two ducking gut punches followed by a spinning snap-kick to the head was the first vicious counterattack we tried but our favourite had to be a horribly painful looking kick in the testicles, then a nose-shattering headbutt to finish the job. Kicking, and punching enemies while they're on the ground is both possible and effective. The meaty sound effects, the brutal attacks and the completely believable animations just felt right (get used to hearing that about GTAIV).

We got another unorthodox taste of the melee system during a street brawl with a biker. Basically we were in a car and we wanted his bike so we ploughed into the back of him, sending his body flying through the air, before it landed with a sickening thud on the road. As he was staggering to his feet we sprinted up and roughly threw him to the ground, before convincing him to stay down with a few solid kicks to the ribs.

While we'd like to take the credit for this slick takedown, we were actually trying to punch him but then discovered that the regular attack moves turn into shoves and other moves when you're not locked on to people. Genius.


2. Grand Theft Shotgun
As you'd expect in a Grand Theft Auto game, pinching cars plays a large part in getting around Liberty City. As we've mentioned before you now need to elbow open windows (of locked cars) and wait for the more stubborn engines to start (which both add a whole new layer of added tension and excitement when being chased by cops).

We decided to take our car thievery up a notch by adding a shotgun. We'd just seen another car we wanted so we spun our car around to cut it off, then we shot the driver through the windscreen. While the 'Grand Theft Shotgun' technique described above was possible in previous GTA games, the level of cinematic style and shocking intensity GTAIV delivers is absolutely unprecedented.

Squeezing off a shotgun round at the driver caused blood to splatter across the inside of the windscreen (which was now riddled with tiny bullet holes) as the driver's body was knocked violently back in his seat before slumping forward with his head resting on the steering wheel, causing the car's horn to constantly blare away. The intensity and detail we witnessed in this split-second of gameplay left us utterly gob-smacked, and even a little guilty about whacking the poor guy - at least we put his car to good use. He would have wanted that.


3. Start World War III
In one mission we played we needed to intercept a shipment of drugs at a harbourside factory – the only catch was that the shipment was being protected by 30 or so crims armed with fully automatic weapons. With a pistol, a shotgun and an Uzi tucked under our jacket we decided this was as good a time as any to launch into our first epic firefight.

We should also mention there was a full-blown thunderstorm happening when we attempted this mission. While we were getting into position the Rockstar rep warned us that all hell would break loose once we opened fire on the first crim. A quick burst from our Uzi took him down, but as we tapped the right stick to move our lock-on to the next enemy we realised he hadn't reacted yet. Rather than puzzle over it we capped him too.

We can't be sure because everyone else opened fire on us at this point but it sure seemed like the booming thunder masked the sound of our first gunshots. Considering the staggering attention to detail evident throughout the game we really wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if this was the case.

Now that we were in the middle of a warzone we gave the new cover controls a go. Tapping RB near any cover will see Niko slide against it, automatically ducking if it's not full-length cover. From here Niko can safely move around behind the cover or commando roll over to other nearby cover. Niko has two options when shooting from behind cover; he can quickly pop up and lock-on to enemies or he can also shoot from safety by blindfiring (an option that seems far more effective than the similar techniques in Gears of War or Uncharted).

When locked-on to enemies the true sharpshooters can even aim at specific body parts by slightly moving the right analogue stick (whereas moving the stick sharply flicks your aim to the next target).


4. Lose the cops
Few people are likely to miss the constantly teleporting, omnipotent police force encountered in previous GTA games. In GTAIV the police behave realistically, needing to keep you in their line of sight to pursue you effectively. When you break this line of sight and manage to change cars before you're spotted again you can drive off in relative safety because the police will continue to search around your last known location.

Although the police are constrained by more realistic rules it's still very hard to shake the cops, especially on any of the higher wanted levels. This is due to the police being generally far better drivers in GTAIV and because of the more realistic (read 'lengthy' car stealing aspects.

After spending more time trying to evade the police than we'd like to admit, we managed to lose our tail spectacularly by using a set of stairs to launch us through the air (while barrel rolling) up onto a highway overpass, where we got our SUV to pull off a Tony Hawk-style grind along the guard rail, before hitting the road and swerving along on two wheels for a distance before finally slamming down onto all fours and speeding off. We totally intended it all. Maybe.


5. Witness Euphoria
No we're not talking about Niko watching his stoner arms dealer Jacob getting high. Euphoria is the name of the advanced new animation engine featured in GTAIV. It's a simulation-based animation system that ensures that no matter what happens to a character (whether they're being shot in the foot, bowled over by a car or kicked in the nuts) they'll react realistically.

Because it's simulation-based (rather than scripted) this means no two actions will ever be exactly the same. Driving down the sidewalk will see pedestrians cartwheeling over the bonnet, being knocked sideways to slide along the road or diving out of the way in endless new and hilarious ways.
Euphoria also makes shootouts far more believable.

Cap someone in the leg, for example, and you'll see their limb flung back as their body loses balance and topples over. Shoot them in the face and their head will snap back with great force, before their body crumples lifelessly to the ground. Euphoria makes all of the typical GTA sandbox-style antics you're used to seem fresh again.


6. Play dodgem cars in traffic
GTAIV's cars have been tuned up to deliver a much more weighty experience this time around. As you're sliding around corners you'll see the car's suspension reflecting the centre of balance shifting through the turn. Then, if you drive anything like us, you'll invariably slam the side of your car explosively into passing buildings as you fight to control the slide.

When collisions like this happen sparks will fly out, windows will shatter and you'll even be able to see Niko (and any other passengers' bodies) being flung around inside like a ragdoll. If you happen to hurtle into an oncoming car fast enough it's even possible to launch Niko out of the windscreen and onto the road. Looks like that's checkmate for the Flatout series.


7. Set stuff on fire
The little pyromaniac in all of us will love the amazing new flame and explosion effects in GTAIV. Cause enough damage to a car and it'll burst into flames. Initially you'll just see a few flames licking up out of the bonnet and around the tires, but the flames will spread quickly and it's often possible to see the unfortunate occupants jump out of the car and flail around as they desperately try to put out the fire engulfing them.

During one firefight several cars caught on fire, eventually exploding in showers of flames and carparts, with huge plumes of smoke rising from the wreck. Best. Explosions. Ever.

Oh, and in case you weren't already buzzing from the sound of that you should be impressed to hear Niko was. We were once again shocked by the attention to detail when we noticed that after the explosions had gone off we could hear the game making that post-explosion ringing sound we really hope we never get to hear in real life.


8. Nail the new drive-bys
If there's one thing Saints Row got right it was the whole '360 aiming while driving' mechanic and we're happy to see a modified version of it appear in GTAIV. So long as you've got either a pistol, an Uzi or some grenades (which we'll discuss in a minute) you can hit LB while driving to smash the window with your elbow and aim weapons through it. Just like previous GTA games you can control the camera with the right stick, while steering with the left, allowing you to aim your guns at enemies in any direction.

The best thing about this new aiming technique is that you can catch up to and gun down running enemies much easier now that you don't have to line the side of your car right up beside them. We were capping some running enemies pretty easily on our first attempt until we accidentally tagged a random person with our pistol (hey – it happens). The troublesome bugger then pulled out an Uzi and opened fire on our car. Damn GTA and its frustrating (but totally awesome) unexpected AI outbursts.

Naturally we turned this random thug's intervention to our advantage by ploughing our car into him, getting out and grabbing his Uzi, then using it to cut through the remaining enemies we were chasing.


9. Cooking grenades
As well as the traditional Uzi and pistol drive-bys it's now possible to throw grenades out the window to make a mess of any vehicles on your tail. By glancing behind you while driving (clicking the right stick in) you can judge how long you need to cook the grenade so that it will explode right under the cars trailing you. Taking out enemy vehicles with a single well-timed grenade toss feels great and looks absolutely spectacular thanks to those sexy new flame effects.


10. Go nuts with a rocket launcher
Messing about with a rocket launcher was already pretty great in the previous GTAs but it just feels so right now (there's that word again). Squeeze the trigger and a rocket will tear through the sky, leaving behind it those insanely cool spiralling trails of smoke, before it slams into your target (probably a car) causing unprecedented destruction as panels, doors and tyres explode violently in all directions.

We only got a quick play with the rocket launcher but peppering the streets untold devastation delivered more pure gaming bliss than we ever would have thought possible. Did we mention you can also blindfire rockets? We want one now.

Rather than focusing on a list of new bullet point features Rockstar has introduced GTAIV by giving us a series of progressively longer and more detailed visits to Liberty City. Each time we return we discover how the new elements like Euphoria animation have far broader implications than we originally realised.

GTAIV has strengthened and deepened the believability of its world far beyond any of its competitors and in doing so has revitalised the landmark series. Instead of using next-gen tech for purely cosmetic changes Rockstar has used its tech to amp up the realism of all aspects and in doing so has created an experience that just feels right.

cant wait this is my favorite series...

March 28, 2008 - As if the announcement of the Rockstar Social Club yesterday wasn't enough, news broke today that GTA IV will also feature a music download service -- the result of a partnership between Rockstar and Amazon.com -- similar to what we've seen from Guitar Hero and Rock Band, except this will be crafted into the GTA gameplay.

The technology, known simply as "ZiT," uses the game's cell phone feature in conjunction with Amazon.com to select and ultimately purchase songs. Essentially after players hear a song that they like -- whether Niko will have a MP3 player or similar device is still unknown, but the radio stations in every car are a given -- they then send a text message to the phone number ZIT-555-0100 and will then receive a message back with the song's title and artist name. Those who signed up for the Social Club will then get an e-mail with a link to their own Amazon.com playlist. The DRM-free -- meaning you can toss them onto your iPod without worrying about legal restrictions -- tracks can be bought for a price of 89-99¢ if you like what you hear in the game. Initially this service will only be available in the United States.

With more than 150 tracks making their way onto GTA IV's soundtrack there should be something for everyone to find and enjoy. The developers have gone on record as saying that they're aiming for a more eclectic gathering of songs, so as to please the diehard music junkies out there. Don't expect to find the 50 Cent or Kanye tracks playing on your pop radio station.

Grand Theft Auto IV launches on April 29 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. We'll update this story when we get an official comment from Rockstar on the specifics of the download service.