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EspañolGRAND THEFT AUTO IV
'''Grand Theft Auto IV''' (also known as '''GTA IV''' or '''GTA 4''') is the upcoming eleventh instalment, and first in the fourth generation, of the ''Grand Theft Auto'' video game franchise, announced for release by Rockstar Games within February-April of 2008 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.[2] The game is set in a redesigned Liberty City, based heavily on New York City.
''GTA IV'' runs on the RAGE game engine, which also powered ''Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis''.[3] The game is being written by Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser. It will include online play, but will not be an MMOG. ''GTA IV'' has been nominated for a ''2006 Golden Joystick Award'' in the One To Watch For 2007 category.[4]
Development
According to Janco Partners analyst Mike Mickey, a financial consultant for Take-Two Interactive Software, around 150 game developers are working on ''Grand Theft Auto IV''. He also remarked that Rockstar Games is "fully capable of ushering in an entertainment experience categorically superior to the prior cycle’s GTA product".
Rockstar Games initially appeared to be committed to the October 16 2007 release date. However, Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter suggested that Take-Two may choose to delay the release of ''GTA IV'' in order to boost its financial results for 2008 and to avoid competing with the release of another highly anticipated title, ''Halo 3''.[5] Rockstar responded by saying that ''GTA IV'' was still on track for release in "late October".[6]
On August 2, 2007, Take-Two announced that ''Grand Theft Auto IV'' would miss its original release date of October 16, 2007 after all, and would be pushed back to their fiscal second quarter (February - April) of 2008. Their stated reason for the date change was "...due to additional development time required to complete the title." In a later conference call with investors, Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick attributed the delay to "almost strictly technological problems... not problems, but challenges."[7]
According to a Rockstar spokesperson, development originally began on the Xbox 360 because earlier development access was available, but it has also been stressed that "there is no target console" and both versions will be technically very similar. Welcome to Grand Theft Auto IV Doree, Adam
Promotion
Trailer 1: "Things Will Be Different"
An early screenshot of the game's main protagonist, Niko Bellic, in the first trailer.
The first trailer for ''Grand Theft Auto IV'' was released on March 29, 2007 at 22:00 UTC. At the time the trailer was released, Rockstar's servers for the trailer's official website became almost immediately overloaded.[8]
The trailer is 1:03 in length and features the main protagonist Niko Bellic, who has a brief monologue: "Life is complicated; I killed people, smuggled people, sold people. Perhaps here, things will be different."
The trailer features several New York City landmarks, including locations and structures resembling the Coney Island Cyclone, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and the MetLife Building (branded as "GetaLife"). The trailer uses a similar cinematic style to Godfrey Reggio's 1982 documentary film ''Koyaanisqatsi'' and used Philip Glass's original music from the film (the opening and closing stanzas of the track "Pruitt-Igoe") as well as emulated time-lapsed filming from "The Grid".[9]
Rockstar has stated that all the trailer's footage is in high-definition 720p, generated real-time by the game's RAGE engine, running on "a next-gen gaming console". Microsoft stated this console was an Xbox 360.[10][11]
Trailer 2: "Looking For That Special Someone"
A screenshot demonstrating the new damage physics in the second trailer.
On 28 June 2007 at 17:00 UTC, the second trailer was released. The Trailer is 1:06 in length and begins with an aerial shot of Liberty City before showing Niko in conversation who replies "We're all looking for that special someone". The trailer shows Niko holding on to the backs of vehicles and the skid of a helicopter, displays new gun and explosion effects and demonstrates the increased force of the police. Roman is also partly revealed in the second trailer, and unlike Niko he does not speak with an Eastern European accent. El Burro and 8-Ball make cameos as their game art is depicted as graffiti on a building opposite the ''Bank of Liberty'', '' motorcycle artwork is also apparent on the wall. Other recurring elements from the ''GTA'' series appear in the trailer as well; examples include Binco, Sprunk, Burger Shot and Cluckin' Bell.
The song played in the second trailer is "Arm In Arm (Shy Child Remix)" by a New York-based band, The Boggs.[12]
Trailer 3
On June 23, 2007, a 1UP.com Podcast featuring John Davison, who had recently seen the new updated ''Grand Theft Auto IV'' demo at Rockstar, revealed that there will be three trailers in total.[13]
WKTT Talk Radio
On July 13, 2007, a Liberty City radio station dubbed "WKTT Talk Radio - We know the truth" was released. The teaser site, located here, mentions that people can do their part for the War on Terror by calling in and ranting. The phone number listed, 212-360-2368, can be called allowing the caller to leave a voice mail message of their thoughts on what is wrong with their health, the world, America, or themselves personally. Callers are asked to first read the Terms and Conditions before calling which allow Rockstar to use the voice mail message in ''GTA IV''.
Gameplay
Titles in the ''GTA'' series have traditionally been heavily mission based (fixed missions must be completed to progress through each game), but the freedom to explore and play outside of the set missions in ''GTA IV'' will now be more relevant to progress through the game, according to comments by a Rockstar spokesperson: "We're really trying to blur the line between on-[mission] and off-mission. So storyline, and what you do outside [it], and how those two things influence each other." Welcome to Grand Theft Auto IV Doree, Adam
An Xbox 360 demo of ''Grand Theft Auto IV'' published in the May 2007 issue of ''Game Informer'' reveals that the storyline begins with Bellic standing inside the taxi depot (which Roman operates in the borough of Broker in a converted industrial garage), working at a cluttered desk in a shabby environment. Bellic walks to a brownstone house in Broker, where he pushes open the door and pulls out his pistol—the living room, however, is not occupied. He then moves onto the kitchen, which he also finds to be empty.
He pushes his way through the back door and smashes the window of a red four-door car using his elbow. The broken glass falls onto the street and the seat of the car, as Bellic unlocks it from the inside. He hot-wires the car and sets off to his next destination. The camera angle behind the car is closer to the vehicle than in previous ''GTA'' titles, which enables more detail on the car to be seen. After selecting a radio station, Bellic navigates to a section of the BOABO arriving at a dockside. Pigeons can be heard in the sky, and waves can be heard.
Bellic then pulls out his phone, which has options for phone book, messages, organiser and camera on its LCD screen. He selects phone book, and he is then presented with another set of options: City Contact, Docks Friend, and Cab Contact. After a brief conversation, he informs the receiver to meet him at the docks.
Locations and setting
Niko outside Roman's taxi depot[14]
Main articles: Liberty City (Grand Theft Auto)
''GTA IV'' takes place in a redesigned Liberty City. Comprised of five boroughs based on the boroughs of New York City, as well as parts of New Jersey. ''Broker'' is the ''GTA IV'' equivalent of Brooklyn, Manhattan is now called ''Algonquin'' (a play on the fact that 'Manhattan' was also the name of a Native American tribe), Queens is now ''Dukes'', the Bronx is ''Bohan'', and New Jersey is ''Alderney'' (after the Channel Island of the same name). The total area of the map is smaller than '', but the new rendition of Liberty City will be more detailed, and larger than any previous individual cities in the ''GTA'' series. Additionally, according to the Official PlayStation 2 Magazine UK, "to get from one side of the new and improved Liberty City to the other will take you at least an hour." Rockstar has stated that it's the biggest single city in a ''GTA'' game yet, and although smaller than San Andreas, it is comparable to it in terms of scope when "the level of verticality of the city, the number of buildings you can go into, and the level of detail in those buildings" are taken into account. Welcome to Grand Theft Auto IV Doree, Adam Furthermore, developers are still deciding whether bridges will be used to cordon off certain areas, by way of blocking access to cross them.[1] However, eventually the player will be able to lead Niko Bellic to explore Roosevelt Island and cross the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg bridges.
The ''GTA IV'' equivalent of the Statue of Liberty is called the "Statue of Happiness", Times Square is called "Star Junction" and DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is known as "BOABO" (Beneath the Offramp of the Algonquin Bridge Overpass).
Another building called "Twitchins", the ''GTA'' version of Brooklyn's Domino Sugar Factory, is in the game. Dan Houser has also confirmed that an area resembling Central Park will be in the game.
Liberty City in ''Grand Theft Auto IV''.
A Staten Island-esque area will not be featured in the game for the reason that Rockstar believes it would not be fun to play there; Dan Houser also states that that there would not be any "dead spots" or "irrelevant space" within Liberty City such as the wide open deserts in San Andreas.
Pedestrians are much more intelligent, realistic and diverse, using mobile phones, cash machines, eating snacks, drinking soda, reading newspapers, scratching their nose, coughing and interacting with each other through laughter and threatening remarks. Pedestrians and traffic flow will also be different depending on the time of day.
It has been announced that some meetings in the game will take place high in the office buildings of skyscrapers which will subsequently allow Niko to throw people off the buildings. However, Niko will not be able to access all the buildings in the game.
Characters
Plot
Niko Bellic is Eastern European, in his mid-thirties and has come to Liberty City to pursue the "American Dream". Niko was persuaded to move to Liberty City by his cousin Roman, who claimed in multiple e-mails to Niko that he was living a fabulous life, with two women, four hot tubs and fifteen sports cars; but he was in fact telling lies to hide his own failures.
Roman is the only person Niko knows in Liberty City to begin with, and is one of his major connections in the first part of the game. Niko is a tough character, whereas Roman is friendly. Roman is heavily in debt and a lot of people are after him. He desperately needs Niko's support, hence the reason he deceived Niko into travelling to Liberty City. They are constantly bickering. It is later revealed that Niko has also been avoiding other, as yet undisclosed, problems at home.
According to Dan Houser, "virtually none" of the characters from the previous games are returning, as a lot of them are dead anyway.
Differences from previous ''Grand Theft Auto'' games
New features
★ The May 2007 issue of ''Game Informer'' reveals that after the initial load sequence, no such occurrences persist when entering/exiting buildings or crossing islands. The extent of the loadtime-free expectation in the game has also been commented on, when a Rockstar spokesperson claimed: "You can basically play the game from beginning to end without a single load screen." Welcome to Grand Theft Auto IV Doree, Adam
★ The player will not be able to fly aeroplanes[2], unlike previous instalments of the ''Grand Theft Auto'' series. Helicopters, however, will be flyable onto any building rooftop. There is also a confirmed airport.
★ Details are also revealed that demonstrate how variations in the terrain cause the way the character walks to change. The way the player moves is controlled by a physics engine instead of purely pre-written animations, therefore enabling character movements to be more realistic. Rockstar Games announced that Euphoria by NaturalMotion would be used in future Rockstar titles in a press release that accompanied the second trailer, confirming that Euphoria would indeed be used in the game.[16]
★ The player will also be able to perform a variety of new actions such as climbing telephone poles, fire escapes and pushing people who bump into him, and calling a woman for a date. First GTA IV Gameplay details Burman, Rob When selecting the mobile phone, a zoomed-in version of the mobile screen pops up in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen and a list of several commands are made available to the player, such as "meet me here," etc.
★ Bellic’s outfit can be changed throughout the game; however, it will not be possible to customize his physique or hairstyle as in ''San Andreas''. A generous slab of fresh info inside
★ Stealing a parked car can no longer be done simply by opening the door and driving off. Now it involves Niko approaching the car sneakily, breaking the glass with his elbow, before hot-wiring it - only then can he use it. Also, there will be several animation variations to sneaking up to a car and breaking it. The way Niko enters the car would look different each time depending where and how he is in relation to the car. Because of the NaturalMotion system used in the game, the way the character will approach the car will be completely random. The trunks of cars will also be utilised by the player, though specific details are unknown. Furthermore, players will be able to choose from four different camera views whilst in a car according to their needs. The player will also be able to control vehicles such as boats and helicopters.[17]
★ The Police AI and star wanted levels now operate differently. When the police are in search of Niko, the player will now have to avoid a certain radius marked on the map in which the police will be looking for him. The size of this radius will increase with the player's wanted level (the more stars, the bigger the radius) and also re-centres itself on Niko's location if he is spotted by the police. Instead of utilising the 'Pay'N'Spray' as in previous games, Niko can now more realistically disguise himself by clandestinely changing vehicles in empty areas such as parking garages. Additionally, pedestrians can now report crimes such as car-jacking.[18][19]
★ When Niko pulls out a weapon, the camera positions itself above his shoulder, and a view-finder appears at the centre of the screen. It's possible to lock a target and move laterally to avoid incoming shots. Hand to hand combat is also being reworked, and will feel "much more natural" than before .
★ Niko will be able to travel around the city in buses and trains. Bus timings can be viewable at bus stops although nothing else has been confirmed.
★ It has been revealed that every street in the game will have a name for the reason that some missions will require the player to go to a specific address.[20]
★ The second trailer depicts Niko clinging to the back of moving vehicles, as well as holding onto the skids of helicopters, though it is possible that it was only a scripted animation for a cut scene and the actions depicted will not be performable in game.
★ In addition to the cell phone, Rockstar has revealed that the player will also make use of the Internet as a means of communication. Although the exact details of the role of the Internet in the game are being kept under wraps, it has been revealed in a GamesTM Magazine article that Niko can access the web from various cybercafes (one of which is called "TW@") in order to upload his resume for prospective employers[18]
Multiplayer
Multiplayer in the game has been confirmed. However, it will not be an MMO, as Houser had previously suggested when citing ''Everquest'' as a source of inspiration. It has recently been revealed that the multiplayer will be accessible from Niko's cell phone.[22]
Episodic content
During Microsoft's 2006 E3 press conference on May 9, it was announced that ''Grand Theft Auto IV'' would be available for the Xbox 360 and that Rockstar Games will offer exclusive episodic content via Xbox Live for the Xbox 360 version. This had been confirmed by Rockstar, announcing two extra, exclusive, episodes.[23] After the press conference, Rockstar Games' parent company, Take-Two Interactive, posted a press release announcing ''Grand Theft Auto IV'' will be released simultaneously for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 platforms. On February 28 2007 it was announced that exclusive episodic content will be introduced starting in 2008.[2]
Peter Moore, head of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business division announced that Rockstar Games is working on two ''GTA IV'' downloadable packs exclusively for the Xbox 360, which will be released after the full game. Moore described downloadable content as "epic episode packs", and not just extra cars or characters. A press release during the conference said that the packs would add "hours of entirely new gameplay" to the game.[25] The official Xbox website states that these episodes will last a minimum of 10 hours.[26] Details on the pricing of these downloads have not yet been revealed, though it would almost certainly not be released for free, as Take-Two Interactive's former CEO, Paul Eibeler, have said numerous times that these downloads would provide "additional revenue streams" to the company.
As part of a conference call following the release of Take-Two Interactive's Second Quarter Fiscal 2007 financial results, the company's Chief Financial Officer, Lainie Goldstein revealed that Microsoft was paying a total of US$50 Million for exclusivity of this content split equally between the two packs.[27] The payments can be found referenced in the company's Second Quarter Fiscal 2007 financial results as "Deferred revenue".
Soundtrack
Philip Glass, the composer of the music used in the original trailer, is rumoured to be involved in the production of ''GTA IV's soundtrack. The soundtrack was described as "modern and suits the mood perfectly". Glass' "Pruitt-Igoe" theme from ''Koyaanisqatsi'' was utilized for the teaser trailer.
Dan Houser has said that Rockstar is "certainly evolving the way the radio works". According to Official Xbox Magazine, one of the radio stations includes an "Eastern European-sounding" dancing theme. Other music announced as a placeholder for the press includes Russian and East Coast hip hop.[28] The range of music in ''GTA IV'' will span different decades and genres, the first confirmed track shown to the media was "Sorrow Tears and Blood" by Fela Kuti.[29] Ruslana, a Ukrainian singer, will also provide some songs for the soundtrack.[30]
Various media outlets have reported on the quality of ''GTA IV''
''GTA IV: Special Edition''
''GTA IV: Special Edition'' contents.
''GTA IV: Special Edition'' was announced[31] on May 21 2007 for both PS3 and Xbox 360 versions. It features a customised metal safe deposit box that will contain the following:
★ A Rockstar keychain for the safe deposit box keys.
★ A limited edition Rockstar duffel bag.
★ Production artwork from ''GTA IV'' in the ''"Grand Theft Auto IV Art Book"''.
★ Selected soundtrack CD from ''Grand Theft Auto IV'', featuring new material from top artists, only available on this release.
★ A specially packaged version of the game for either PS3 or Xbox 360.
Limited pre-orders for the special edition of ''GTA IV'' were available from May 21 and will retail for the price of USD $89.99 in North America, €89,99 in Europe and AUS $149.95 in Australia.[32] The price in the UK is £69.99.[33]
Controversy
Jack Thompson
Florida lawyer Jack Thompson (who has repeatedly spoken out against violence in video games) stated he would take various measures to prevent the sale of the game by Rockstar to minors.[34] On March 16, 2007, Rockstar's parent company, Take Two Interactive, filed a lawsuit[35] against Thompson in Florida in attempt to block him from trying to declare its games a public nuisance. It would be a crime to sell games declared to be a public nuisance, effectively banning such games, which, according to the lawsuit, would be a violation of First Amendment rights.[36] Thompson responded by filing a countersuit[37], accusing Take Two Interactive of violating federal RICO statutes (the charge was later dropped), committing perjury, obstruction of justice, and conspiring against him with third parties to deprive him of his civil rights.[38][39]
On April 20, 2007, both parties reached a settlement[40] and agreed to drop their respective lawsuits. Under the terms of the settlement Thompson is barred from suing to block the sale or distribution of any future games published by Take Two Interactive or any of its subsidiaries. He will be restricted to communicating through Take Two Interactive's attorneys on any future matters. Thompson will still be able to maintain his outspoken stance against the publisher's titles, as well as still being allowed to act as counsel in lawsuits brought against Take Two Interactive by other parties.
For their part, Take Two Interactive agreed to drop its contempt of court lawsuit against Thompson regarding alleged improper conduct during the ''Bully'' court hearings in Florida[41][42], which, if found to be in contempt, would have resulted in Thompson seeing jail time.[43][44][45]
Mural ad for the game on a wall in New York City, July 2007.
New York City officials
After the release of the first trailer, New York City officials were appalled with the choice of their city as the inspiration for the setting of ''Grand Theft Auto IV'', and said that a game like ''GTA'' does not represent the city's crime levels accurately.[46] A spokesperson for Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, "The mayor does not support any video game where you earn points for injuring or killing police officers".[47] However, Jason Della Rocca, executive director of the International Game Developers Association, accused New York City officials of double standards, for criticising video games but not other forms of entertainment, such as books, films and television shows, which use New York City as the setting.[48]
See also
★ ''Grand Theft Auto'' (series)
★ Rockstar Games
★ Rockstar North
★ Jack Thompson
References
1.
2.
3. The First Rule Of Ping-Pong Club: Talk About Rockstar's Table Tennis Game
4. 2006 Golden Joystick Award Finalists Revealed
5. Pachter predicts delay for GTA IV
6. Rockstar Dismisses Talk of GTA IV Delay Wollenschlaeger, Alex
7. Take-Two Execs Explain GTA IV Delay
8. GTA IV Crashed the Internet
9. Previews: GTA IV Everything we know -- and the trailer in HD!
10. And Grand Theft Auto IV Takes Place In...
★ UPDATE
★
11.
12. Rockstar is adding new features and upgrading others. Here's what makes GTA IV a whole new game.
13. 3 GTA IV Trailers in Total
14. GTA IV: Overlooked Details
15.
16. Grand Theft Auto Trailer 2 Launched!
17. The player also has the option of hailing a cab at any time, in order to travel to any address in the city. When riding in the cab as a paying passenger, the player has the option of viewing the journey from the inside, or skipping it to immediately arrive at the destination.GamesTM, July 2007, p34
18. GamesTM, July 2007, p34
19.
Six things in the demo that will change GTA forever Cundy, Matt
20. Each street is individually named
21. GamesTM, July 2007, p34
22.
23. Xbox 360 Gets Two Exclusive Grand Theft Auto 4 Episodes
24.
25. X06: Duo of XBL GTA4 packs confirmed for 360
26. Grand Theft Auto IV gets a little respect
27. Take-Two F2Q07 (Qtr End 4/30/07) Earnings Call Transcript
28. Music, Streets and Heli Landing Details in PSM
29. Welcome to Grand Theft Auto IV Doree, Adam
30. Ruslana provides voice for computer game Busa, Alexandru
31. Take Two Games - Investor Relations General Information
32. GTA IV Special Edition RRP Luke Van Leuveren
33. Game.co.uk: Grand Theft Auto IV: Special Edition
34. Thompson Rallies Against GTA IV
35. Case 07-80238
36. Game Politics Staff (April 1, 2007) BREAKING: Take Two Sues Jack Thompson over ''Manhunt 2'', ''GTA4'', ''gamepolitics.com''
37. CASE NO. 07-20693-CIV-ALTONAGA
38. Game Politics Staff (March 22, 2007) In Countersuit, Thompson Claims Take Two at Center of Vast RICO Conspiracy, ''gamepolitics.com''
39. Sinclair, Brendan (March 21 2007) Thompson Countersues Take-Two, ''gamespot.com''
40. Case No. 07-20693-CIV-Altonaga/Turnoff
41. Game Politics Staff (October 23, 2006) Could Jack Thompson Be Jailed Over “Bully” Case?, ''gamepolitics.com''
42. Dodson, Jason (October 23, 2006) Report: Jack Thompson May Face Contempt Charge, ''gamasutra.com''
43. Game Politics Staff (April 20, 2007) GTA Publisher, Jack Thompson Settle Lawsuit, ''gamepolitics.com''
44. Seff, Micah (April 20, 2007) Jack Thompson and Take-Two Bury the Hatchet, ''ign.com''
45. Xbox Users Group (April 20, 2007) GTA Publisher, Jack Thompson Settle Lawsuit, ''xboxusersgroup.com''
46. New York appalled with GTA IV setting
47. Pols rage as vid game takes shot at city
48. New York Balks at Next Grand Theft Auto Millard, Elizabeth
External links
★ Official Grand Theft Auto IV Site
★ Grand Theft Auto IV on IGN
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