New York (NY) – Following weeks of growing hype and illegal downloads of the dame surfacing across the Internet, Rockstar Games and publisher Take Two today released Grand Theft Auto IV for Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. 

Set in Liberty City, which is described as a “painstakingly detailed and life like city” by the developers, players are being thrown into a “rich, immersive narrative experience” with up to 15 additional players online. The environment departs from previous releases of GTA and features a slightly different plot. Players slip into the role of Niko Bellic, who moves to Liberty City, only knowing his cousin Roman, an owner of a small taxi business. Niko eventually ends up tracking down the person who betrayed his former army unit.

GTA IV received overwhelmingly positive reviews from game sites so far and it is generally expected that the title could surpass the launch sales of Halo 3, the biggest launch title to date. Analyst recently said that GTA IV could sell as much as nine million boxes in the launch period, generating revenues of more than half a billion dollars. Other voices believe that revenues will hit more than $800 million by the end of this year.

But even if the game does not surpass Halo 3’s mark, it is clear that more and more video games are now raking in more cash than the most successful movie titles.

All it takes is a leak?!?!

Apr 29, 2008 11:17     

Maybe we should start a rumor that Gran Tourismo 5 is available @ piratebay...
Henrik report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

I got it - Disappointed

Apr 29, 2008 18:08     

I had been anticipating this game for quite some time. So I went to Walmart at around 6:30 am and bought my copy of GTA 4. After playing it for a few hours, I can honestly say that I'm not impressed. The graphics are sub par (nowhere close to Burnout Paradise). The way the vehicles handle is terrible. You can't understand a damn thing that Niko or a few of the other guys are saying. So far, I can't get any of the weapons cheats to work. Also, the music sucks! It's probably the worst GTA soundtrack ever. There's about 10 (out of 150 ?) songs that are any good. I think that GTA San Andreas was a much better game.

Hexadecimal report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Vice city was the best

Apr 29, 2008 19:54     

I'm buying it today...well find out if the violence factor is better than GTA 3, with the torso severing and decapitations. the bugs made it even funner. & i almost forgot, stupid pigs that shot other people and pigs....please rockstar, don't let me down!
Mr. Paco report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

PS3 and 360 versions?

Apr 29, 2008 23:29     

I bought the PS3 version because BB was out of the 360 version (which i'll get from GF to see the online content) but does the 360 version install 3.3 GB to the HD too? Also I kind of agree with the others. So far the game isn't as fun as GTA 3.
Action Jackson report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

What's the deal with the image on the front page?

Apr 30, 2008 07:39     

That image on the front page... it says GTA 4... but the two characters portrayed are from Saints Row. A joke, perhaps?
Archastrel report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0