Grand Theft Auto IV

[Eaglesfan27]

I hope you do, Cringer, I think you'd be fun to team up with in GTA IV.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

I hope you do, Cringer, I think you'd be fun to team up with in GTA IV.

You are planted here by Xbox Live aren't you?

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Cringer

You are planted here by Xbox Live aren't you?

Yep, all of my posts have been just an elaborate ruse just to get you to sign up

[Radii]

I'm on xbox live, I don't MP a lot but playing some of the GTA4 games w/ FOFC'ers sounds like it should be awesome.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

There are more PS3's failing now too with this new error code that I posted about. You should read the growing threads on OS about that. With either system, I'd get an extended warranty from wherever you buy it as Sony is only giving a 1 year warranty and some people who have had their PS3 die have had to pay over 200 dollars to get it fixed.

If you want a Blu-Ray Player to start collecting Blu-Ray movies, get a PS3. If you want the version of GTA IV with the exclusive content and the system with more quality games, I'd get a 360.

Of course, I'm a fan of the 360. Synovia and MBBF are strong fans of the PS3, so I'm sure they'll tell you differently.

The PS3 doesn't have anywhere near the number of issues that the 360 has. It has a failure rate somewhere between 12-35%, depending on where you look. It would be easy to find out the actual failure rate if Microsoft every admitted the problem, but of course, the system sales would likely go into the toilet if the truth ever came out. There's no question that the PS3 is by far the more reliable console.

I'll let the inherent bias in the rest of your post stand on its own merit.

[INDalltheway]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

I'll let the inherent bias in the rest of your post stand on its own merit.

No one else finds this hilarious?

[Eaglesfan27]

MBBF ignored the issue of the point of my post that he addressed. I wasn't saying the PS3 isn't more reliable than the 360. I was saying that either way an extended warranty is a good idea. No one knew the RROD was going to be a major issue until it became one. This error for the PS3 might be minor or it might become something serious. An extended warranty is a good idea for either system at this point.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by INDalltheway

No one else finds this hilarious?

If I've stated something factually incorrect, feel free to point it out. If anything was hilarious, it was the recommendation by EF27 that the 360 was the better choice, but oh, don't forget to buy the extended warranty because it breaks down pretty often. A ringing endorsement to be sure.

He then proceeded to insinuate that since the 360 has had major reliability problems, you can be sure that a minor firmware problem on the PS3 is likely to explode into a major problem. Sound analysis. I actually like EF27 quite a bit and think he's a good guy, but he's making any bias I have look minor in comparison with his posts of late.

[AZSpeechCoach]

Shame on you EF27...I didn't know you were a shill for Micro$oft! Why can't you be unbiased like MBBF? For shame...

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

If I've stated something factually incorrect, feel free to point it out. If anything was hilarious, it was the recommendation by EF27 that the 360 was the better choice, but oh, don't forget to buy the extended warranty because it breaks down pretty often. A ringing endorsement to be sure.

He then proceeded to insinuate that since the 360 has had major reliability problems, you can be sure that a minor firmware problem on the PS3 is likely to explode into a major problem. Sound analysis. I actually like EF27 quite a bit and think he's a good guy, but he's making any bias I have look minor in comparison with his posts of late.

A minor firmware update that is costing people hundreds of dollars to get their PS3 fixed if it is over a year old and out of warranty? A minor firmware update that has had thousands of people with broken PS3's that have had to be sent back, including plenty who are known to people other than me on this board.

I think we all know who wins the bias battle in this case, pot. You really are hilarious.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

A minor firmware update that is costing people hundreds of dollars to get their PS3 fixed if it is over a year old and out of warranty? A minor firmware update that has had thousands of people with broken PS3's that have had to be sent back, including plenty who are known to people other than me on this board.

I think we all know who wins the bias battle in this case, pot. You really are hilarious.

Your posts on this situation contain nothing but assumptions and innuendo off message boards and blogs. Provide some numbers for the issue and then we'll talk. I'd love to see them. I'm BEGGING you to provide them. Prove me wrong.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has a $1B tab on their statements which is expected by several analysts to be increased over this coming year, yet the still haven't officially said that they have a hardware problem. Now that's a fact.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Like you mentioned, that just doesn't seem very likely. To build additional content at that level (full cities) would require a large amount of overhead. Generally, developers prefer smaller investment so they can rake in a large amount of profit on DLC. The other concern is the time it would take to build that level of additional content. Releasing the content sooner rather than later is in the best interest of Microsoft.

They paid $50 million. There is no way that they paid $50 million for some extra cars and outfits. Whatever this downloadable content is will be big.

And was the $50 million for the rights to own the content and profit from it, or was it simply the rights to only have it appear on XBOX Live? If Take-Two is still making some money off downloadable content, I can't see why they wouldn't go big. They've insinuated in interviews that this will revolutionize how downloadable content is done and have called them "episodes".

I have two theories:

1) It's a new city. This would be a big expense for Take Two, but if they are making a cut off each download, I can't see why they wouldn't be able to package this for $10-$15 and make a mint on it. They'll probably end up selling around 12 million copies on the 360, and it's not unfathomable to believe they can get 10% of those people to download extra content. That's a lot of money, on top of the $50 for exclusive rights from Microsoft. Cities wouldn't be that hard considering the AI and other player data is already in place. It's just putting some new paint and art on some building models.

2) This is my most likely theory. The ability to play as other characters. Same city, but you will play out an entire storyline under a minor character. It would just require some new cutscenes and tweaks to AI for missions. You can tell a unique and different story for each character. You could essentially build "new games" within each character. Being able to play the game from a cop's perspective would be awesome. Even a SWAT guy. I would definitely pay some money to download something like this and freshen up a game.

Any way it turns out, the downloadable content is going to be something big. There is no way Microsoft puts that kind of money on the line for something minor.

[RainMaker]

I'm going to pre-order this tomorrow btw. Are there any sites offering some kind of special on shipping or something else? I have an Amazon Prime account so was planning on just Next Day Airing the game. If another site is doing it for free, I'll do that.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Any way it turns out, the downloadable content is going to be something big. There is no way Microsoft puts that kind of money on the line for something minor.

Those would both be nice. Hopefully that's the case.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Your posts on this situation contain nothing but assumptions and innuendo off message boards and blogs. Provide some numbers for the issue and then we'll talk. I'd love to see them. I'm BEGGING you to provide them. Prove me wrong.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has a $1B tab on their statements which is expected by several analysts to be increased over this coming year, yet the still haven't officially said that they have a hardware problem. Now that's a fact.

Those were the exact same complaints when you were posting about the MS situation with the RROD. If Sony would make a statement and release numbers, they could clear this up, but they have gone quiet on this issue. Hmm.. sounds familiar.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Those were the exact same complaints when you were posting about the MS situation with the RROD. If Sony would make a statement and release numbers, they could clear this up, but they have gone quiet on this issue. Hmm.. sounds familiar.

Yeah, must be the exact same situation.

Sony has already issued a statement saying that there have been no widespread issues. Microsoft remained silent and gave 'no comment' when pressed on the RROD.

[Aylmar]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Yeah, must be the exact same situation.

Sony has already issued a statement saying that there have been no widespread issues. Microsoft remained silent and gave 'no comment' when pressed on the RROD.

That's assuming, of course, that Sony is telling the truth in their press release. Their numbers are just starting to take off. IF they are afraid of this becoming widespread, I'm sure they would announce it to the world. Because it's that kind of honesty in PR that moves systems...

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

An interesting thread that shows actual building pictures next to their virtual duplicates in GTA4...........

http://www.gtaforums.com/index.php?showtopic=320033

Also, for those that haven't pre-ordered this game, Circuit City will be offering a $10 gift card for each purchase of the regular or special edition versions of GTA4.

[kingnebwsu]

hxxp://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=178498

Full list of the deals available. You have to be a member to view it...but they have the best deals listed all the time, so it's a site I highly recommend.

[spleen1015]

IGN has a really good preview of the MP modes. Once word gets out, there will be a lot of people buying the game just for MP. I don't think there's any other games out that that provide the same shit.

This game is going to be HUGE. It was already going to be huge, but now I think it will be HUGE.

[Anthony]

i'm only going to play MP. i've never finished a GTA game solo.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Just noticed on Neogaf that the cut-scenes on GTA4 are expected to run over 8 hours. For comparison, the cut-scenes in the upcoming Metal Gear Solid 4 game run about 9 1/2 hours. That's a lot of movie watching in both cases.

[Anthony]

IGN is blocked at my job, can anyone post the IGM article about MP mode?

[stevew]

part 1

April 22, 2008 - Since the Grand Theft Auto series went to 3D back in 2001, it's been known for a compelling and lengthy single-player mode. While GTA IV looks to continue that tradition, Rockstar has also added a robust multiplayer featuring plenty of competitive, cooperative and team modes. We've previously offered an in-depth look at Hangman's NOOSE, Cops 'n' Crooks, Team Deathmatch and GTA Race. Get ready to learn about some of the other modes which you will almost certainly be playing online next week.

GTA IV doesn't have a traditional menu. When you pop the disc into your console, you are launched into your most recent single-player campaign save. To get to multiplayer, just whip out Niko's phone and select it from the list of available applications. Once you've chosen a ranked or unranked match, you're off to the lovely land to murder, death, kill online.

Party systems have become popular in online games. Invite some friends to your party and you'll be able to teleport around to various game modes, sticking together between each session. But you won't be sitting around long staring at boring screens. That's because Party Mode drops you into a secluded part of Liberty City with a host of guns and vehicles available to smack your buddies around. This is your lobby and it can become a pleasant distraction while the host tries to get his act together and launch you into one of the many multiplayer modes available.

Though you do spawn a bit out of the public eye, you can still hop in a car or helicopter and take off from more populated areas. As with all of GTA's multiplayer modes, Liberty City is wide open to you. If you want, you can abandon your friends and go exploring. While this may sound enticing, there is a mode designated for causing mayhem in the streets. Party Mode is a distraction while the host sets up the real fun -- Free Mode.



Defend your turf.Free Mode
As much as we've loved Cops 'n' Crooks, Free Mode is going to be the bread and butter of GTA IV multiplayer. Here's the deal: Up to 16 players can run around Liberty City doing whatever they want. Create your own game modes, hunt for Easter eggs, work together to survive a six-star wanted level -- if you can dream it, there's probably a way to do it. And this mode begins in the most unusual, jarring way.

You begin in a standoff with the other players. Everyone spawns in a circle and there is, at least the first time you play Free Mode, a brief moment of surprise when no one does a damn thing. This lasts a few seconds before someone takes out a gun and shoots their neighbor in the face. But this standoff isn't just to start the killing (and jump people around the city with their first respawn); it also allows players to talk about what they want to do in Free Mode. This way you don't have to hunt for anyone in order to discuss plans to take a bus caravan down to Star Junction or to agree that there will be a knife fight atop the Algonquin Bridge. Or you can just blow each other up. It's Free Mode -- do whatever the hell you want.

As with the other MP modes, the host has plenty of options to customize the experience, from setting the level of traffic, to turning cops on or off, to the time of day, to weapons available and so much more. This also includes setting a time limit if you don't want Free Mode to last forever.

[stevew]

part 2

Free Mode taps into the very essence of the GTA series. As much as we may love the single-player narrative, the core game is still the open city ready to be explored. Part of enjoying a GTA game is spending dozens of hours racing around the city, causing trouble and hunting for Easter eggs. Now you can do it with 15 of your closest friends. No longer do you need to nudge your buddy and say, "You looked up the Statue of Happiness' skirt yet?" Now you can pick him up in a chopper and show him what you're going on about.

At first, people will be content to run around the city destroying one another. But over time, games will emerge from these online jam sessions. Take a few people to the top of Playboy X's pad and try to defend it from the rest of the group; play a game of "Quell the Riot" where one person hops into a fire truck and uses the fire hose to keep back a crowd armed only with baseball bats; or make your own version of "America's Most Wanted," which has everyone acquire a six-star wanted level and see who can make it to the other end of Liberty City without dying.

There are many possibilities for Free Mode. It's wide open. You decide how to approach it.



Weather and time of day are customizable in multiplayer.Team Mafiya Work
Your cell phone plays a major role in the single-player campaign, but is a fairly minor thing in multiplayer. That is, until you play Team Mafiya Work. Throughout the match, you and the competing teams receive text messages assigning you missions from the mafiya. This might mean jacking a specific car, assassinating an informant, or any number of other errands. The team that completes the objective first scores the cash. Just don't get cocky. As soon as one errand is completed, another one pops up on your phone.

While most team-based games play best with just two groups, Mafiya Work is better with more teams. The errands given are usually fairly easy to pull off and something that a small group of three or four people can handle. You get greater chaos and a more competitive match with more teams vying for the same objective.

Do as much damage as possible before a car is delivered.Mafiya Work is a fairly unique objective-based multiplayer. We didn't play a lot, but we never had a duplicate mission. As great as Cops 'n' Crooks or Team Deathmatch may be, they have the same objective every single time. Mafiya Work mixes things up and will keep you on your toes because you can never anticipate what the next errand might require. And it can lead to some chicanery.

In multiplayer, you can use your phone to dial and have private conversations with members of your own team or of the opposing team. So give a call to an enemy -- one who's not too bright -- and act like you are on his team. Who knows, he may just be dumb enough to follow your instructions. And if nothing else, at least you can mock him until he hangs up his phone.

[stevew]

part 3

Team Car Jack City
Taking the name Grand Theft Auto to heart, Car Jack City has teams stealing selected cars from around Liberty City. The marked cars show up on your radar as do dropoff points. Of course, you're in competition with the other teams, which makes things interesting. Unless the car is secretly stuffed full of drugs, it loses value as it takes damage. So when you get in a car, the other teams will target you -- either to jack the car from you or destroy it outright.

One strategy is to have people waiting near the dropoff points. Armed with a rocket launcher, they can turn a jacked car into a smoldering mess moments before the other team scores.

Team Car Jack City is a test of both your driving and navigation skills. Crashing into cars and lampposts may be fun, but it also devalues your ride and costs you valuable dollars. But at the same time, if you don't know shortcuts and can't figure out the quickest way to intercept somebody, then you're going to have a tough time stopping the other teams from winning.

Like Team Mafiya Work, Car Jack City is best played with several teams when possible. The smaller groups make things far more frantic as there are only a handful of marked cars at any given time. What's more fun than having two people shoot it out over stealing a high-powered Infernus? Having three people shoot it out, of course.



Ride or die.Turf War
Turf War is your classic capture-the-point mode. There are three points on the map (though there may be options to add more) and just two teams to try and hold them. To snag a point, you need to stand in the circle at the center of the base. The more people who stand in the circle, the quicker the base is captured. Don't worry, the points are in the same neighborhood -- you won't have to run around all of Liberty City. You could wander off it you wanted to, but that's not really the point of Turf War.

Capturing a base is pretty easy. Holding onto the base is a lot more difficult. In our numerous sessions with Turf War, it became a challenge to get all three points at the same time. Leaving enough people to defend two bases and then reclaim another is not easy. But there are some tricks we learned. Setting up road blocks is a wise strategy. Pile cars on the street to block off access. You can also shoot up the lead car and get it smoking and close to total destruction. This way, if the other team tries to smash through the barrier, they should do enough damage to the smoking car to set it on fire -- and have it explode. And you pop one car and the other 15 are sure to follow. Done properly, you can create a fireworks display heretofore unseen in a block party.

You don't have to capture all points to win the match. You just need to score the most points before time runs out. Points, obviously, are given for controlling bases. So the more you control and the longer you control them, the better your chance of winning.

Turf War is a fun and frenetic mode. It's the mode most likely to inspire a drive-by. And, like most of the other modes in GTA IV multiplayer, is puts a premium on teamwork. Eight individuals doing their own thing leads to failure. Success comes to those who communicate and work together. You know, the stuff gamers do so well.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


You only have one week of waiting left before you can get your hands on GTA IV multiplayer. And if this doesn't have you pumped and ready, remember that we will have continuing coverage of GTA IV throughout the week. Check back each day for new details on this year's most anticipated game.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

GTA4 demand likely to exceed supply in Europe..........

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/30297/Sony...r-GTA-IV-sales

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Does anyone know if the multiplayer is only available on-line? Can you use system link? Can you do it split-screen on one machine?

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Not sure about the system link part, but you can play online with 2 player split-screen. I believe you can also play a 4 player split-screen local game amongst friends.

Apparently the most recent information indicates that a multiplayer split-screen option is not available.

That's too bad.

[Kodos]

Hrm. I may have to get Xbox Live again. Which means I have to either get a long Cat5 cord or buy the wireless adapter.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Just noticed on Neogaf that the cut-scenes on GTA4 are expected to run over 8 hours. For comparison, the cut-scenes in the upcoming Metal Gear Solid 4 game run about 9 1/2 hours. That's a lot of movie watching in both cases.

Pfft, that's nothing. Xenosaga Episode 1 had at least 370 hours of cut-scenes.

[Radii]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Hrm. I may have to get Xbox Live again. Which means I have to either get a long Cat5 cord or buy the wireless adapter.

If you happen to have a wireless laptop/network already, this has worked well for me:

http://www.ofzenandcomputing.com/zanswers/61

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Apparently the most recent information indicates that a multiplayer split-screen option is not available.

That's pretty fuckin stupid.

Fixed. Seriously?

[Kodos]

The computer is 20 feet away (probably less) from the 360. I think I'll just get a long cord and plug it in whenever I need it.

[MikeVic]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Apparently the most recent information indicates that a multiplayer split-screen option is not available.

That's too bad.

There goes me playing the game multiplayer.

[Kodos]

A six dollar 50-foot cord from Amazon and a preorder for the 360, and I'm in business.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Apparently the most recent information indicates that a multiplayer split-screen option is not available.

That's too bad.

Saw they also cut radio-while-you-walk from the final copy.

[Anthony]

thank you for posting the IGN article!

[stevew]

I gather this means you can't team up on the same console and go online either? Bummer.

[Logan]

Someone can correct me, but I think that's what it's trying to say steve...I think when they say "multiplayer" they mean XBox Live multiplayer, not necessarily a two person game. Am I wrong?

[spleen1015]

From everything I have read, all MP is over XBOX Live, no local MP.

[Anthony]

when it says MP parties/groups, does that mean like people on your friends list or just random groups that are formed? like in COD4 you just wait until the room gets enough people and then everyone is broken up into 2 groups. i'm sure the answer is obvious.

for some reason without putting too much thought into it i always assumed the MP woud be MMO, just everyone running around. but i guess that would be too chaotic after a while.

[spleen1015]

Originally Posted by Hell Atlantic

for some reason without putting too much thought into it i always assumed the MP woud be MMO, just everyone running around. but i guess that would be too chaotic after a while.

This is Free Mode, just with 16 players.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Which FOFC poster is this?

[Flasch186]

Mr. Loser?

[rkmsuf]

Pumpy, stop buying shit!


unless of coures it isn't pumpy and in that case whoever it is must drive a miata

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

Pumpy, stop buying shit!

I liked the 'he must drive a miata' post better.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

I liked the 'he must drive a miata' post better.

blimey

[tucker rocky]

Originally Posted by tucker rocky

If I were to pre-order this game, which console should I get, Xbox or PS3?

I've read the reviews of both consoles, and both have pros and cons.

Which would give a better gaming experience?

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

If I had both consoles, the 360 would be the easy choice. The gameplay is going to be very similar on the 2 with very slight graphical differences being possible, but nothing of any real significance. However, the 360 version will have exclusive downloadable content that might significantly add to the gameplay experience. Microsoft paid a large sum of money (I've read reports of 50 million or more) so even if it isn't additional cities, it will very likely be substantial.

Originally Posted by tucker rocky

I'm leaning towards Xbox(pricing), as PS3 is out of my price range.
I will get and extended warranty, just in case.

The exclusive content is interesting for the Xbox version.

Ok, I've decided on the Xbox360 platform of GTA IV(already pre-ordered).
I'm going to up my price range and go with the
Xbox360 Elite(120gb hard drive) for $449+ change.

PS3 and its features+ reviews, didn't impress me.
Blu-Ray is nice, but not a feature I really need.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by tucker rocky

Ok, I've decided on the Xbox360 platform of GTA IV(already pre-ordered).
I'm going to up my price range and go with the
Xbox360 Elite(120gb hard drive) for $449+ change.

PS3 and its features+ reviews, didn't impress me.
Blu-Ray is nice, but not a feature I really need.

Elite is definitely the best option if you're going to get a 360. Just be sure to save the receipts and purchase the 3 year extended warranty as EF27 mentioned.

[Big Fo]

So apparently IGN liked the game.

10 Presentation
The story is Oscar quality. The use of the phone as a gaming portal is genius. There's really nothing more that could be asked for from GTA IV.

10 Graphics
The level of detail is astounding. Liberty City feels alive and lived in. While there are some technical issues, the artistic merits push the score to the max. A true marvel.

10 Sound
The dialogue makes the story. Without the excellent writing and the stellar voice acting, the story would fail. And the soundtrack kills -- more than 200 songs and almost all are great choices.

10 Gameplay
The cover and targeting system work great. Blind firing with an RPG is a thing of beauty. Everything works in harmony and not a single one of the missions is bad. The most fun I've had in years.

10 Lasting Appeal
The story will take anywhere from 25-45 hours to complete, depending on your skill level and attention span. There's plenty more to do once you finish the story, such as excellent multiplayer.

10
Masterful OVERALL