Rockstar have unveiled a whole smorgasbord of new information this week, during a series of demonstration sessions with the great and good of the games industry. With April looming, then, allow us to fill you in on the new details the publisher have finally let out of the bag.

First and foremost, the improvements have made to the graphical side of their fourth GTA outing are apparently more than a little bit good. Liberty City is vast and incredibly detailed. Advanced lighting heightens the atmosphere markedly, and the physics system makes people move and, inevitably, fall realistically.

The draw distance is vast, the engine rendering up to ten blocks ahead making for some amazing line-of-sight moments. Despite this, the load times are also said to be surprisingly quick.

Rockstar have apparently broken the bank, 'reinventing' GTA taking in criticisms and feedback from fans and commentators. With this in mind you'll have a mobile phone and access to the internet for communications and research, and you can also take a taxi anywhere in the city, should you wish to, and all in all there's the impression that the city will go about its business regardless of Niko's actions.

Missions are varied and may be typical of the GTA series, American-dream chasing immigrant Niko in the employment of various Liberty City shady types. In something of a departure, you'll have the option of taking a taxi or hiring a car - as well as stealing a vehicle old school style. Taking a taxi will allow players to determine their route to their mission by paying the driver. Pay more and he'll drive faster, pay lots more and you can avoid the car journey entirely. In the car you'll assume a first-person view, conversing with the driver, and taking in the sights of the city as you race to your mission's commencement.

Should our hero Niko prefer to steal a car, he'll find it fully equipped with a GPS system. which will aid journeys across the city and between relevant locations. The policing in the game has changed, too, with the Liberty City PD only hunting you out if someone witnesses your crimes. Crowds will also react more realistically to violence and unusual events, but now the police won't be on-hand within seconds. Again, Rockstar are working hard to create a more realistic experience.

One of the biggest fundimental changes appears to be with the combat. During fire-fights, you can pull the camera in on the action, positioning Niko on the left of the screen offering more accurate targeting. The experience is similar to and is surely an improvement over past GTA titles, in which shooting was occasionally a weak point.

A new cover system is also being implemented, another fault fixed, while we can look forward to scripted events during free-form play, dynamic car chases and all manner of impressive diversions to the game's the developers are plotting. Apparently, the fun will see us stumbling across other police chases, dodging falling barrels from lorries and witnessing the fall-out as a gas tanker hits a petrol station.

Repeated missions will be spruced up with alternate dialogue, and if you pinch a police car you'll be able to search the police database for known felons. Handy in certain missions. Multiplayer remains a well-kept secret - but if Rockstar have devoted it the same attention they have the rest of the title we're in for a real treat.

All in all, GTA IV is looking marvelous, and we'd be very surprised if fans aren't pleased with the direction Rockstar have taken, barring a few controversial decisions the outcomes of which are uncertain (the taxis over stolen cars, perhaps?). Oh, and we learn that Niko can get drunk too, which will impair his abilities in-game. Bring on April, when we can all enjoy a well-deserved tipple.

By Luke Guttridge

Comments

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  1. Masab Unregistered 1 year ago

    dudes wt's da releasing date o this game?Is its release postponded?

  2. gta driver Unregistered 1 year ago

    I hope pc version don't have to wait^6 moth plz don't do that rockstar plz .

  3. kadhir 1 year ago

    i want to play gta pleasa

  4. emmanuel gido Unregistered 1 year ago

    it is the best game ever

  5. Parmeee Unregistered 1 year ago

    I hope they make a special version for the PS2 as well....albeit with lesser graphic abilities.

  6. Dodik Unregistered 1 year ago

    Hovada piste to tu cesky ne co pak musime porat mluvit anglicky?

  7. dderchak Unregistered 1 year ago

    In skíma Lazó pokíúnm ccéás se má neenéé

  8. DAMROX Unregistered 1 year ago

    I want to PC edition

  9. jualregi 1 year ago

    were i can play the game gta vice city??????

  10. ELECTRICJEZUS Unregistered 1 year ago

    I HOPE THEY LEAVE THE OPTION OF TAKING A TAXI OR STEALING A CAR. IF YOU CAN'T STEAL A CAR IT ISN'T GTA ANYMORE.

  11. xarfer 1 year ago

    this game is fantastic! I want this game and i want download this game for free now!

  12. xarfer 1 year ago

    where the gta san antreas; i want to play this game

  13. nemo Unregistered 1 year ago

    koo

  14. layinah Unregistered 1 year ago

    all you people are sad, i have all the gta games except for gta 4, ha ha ha. what now suckers!!!!

  15. bla blub Unregistered 1 year ago

    i'll kill you all. bumheads.

  16. James-World.ca Unregistered 1 year ago

    this gta is going to suck ass

  17. insideman Unregistered 1 year ago

    "people will cry" - Lesley

  18. Astevez Unregistered 1 year ago

    Oh its coming out on April or June 9th or 28th

  19. Bosa Motswagae Unregistered 1 year ago

    i couldent belive that gta iv was real so i went to the internet as soon as i saw it i said "lets go buy it now"

  20. hood ban'gin Unregistered 1 year ago

    I want to download gta 5 but it does'nt seem to work. mb in derby

  21. fart ex Unregistered 1 year ago

    im gonna have to buy gtaIV on 360

  22. pro bails Unregistered 1 year ago

    Iv'e played all the gta games ever known to man. except gta IV.

  23. morecambe3 Unregistered 1 year ago

    ive got all gta games and i think this is gonna b da best 1 PLZ PLZ PLZ CAN I PLAY IT NOW PLZ PLZ

  24. morecambe3 1 year ago

    I WANT THIS GAME NOW

  25. zach2oo 1 year ago

    hi rock star

  26. GKV7OGY Unregistered 1 year ago

    V JGVU8

  27. zach$ 1 year ago

    YO

  28. zach$ 1 year ago

    i like kiilling games

  29. Elbasani Unregistered 1 year ago

    sdss

  30. scottnc15 1 year ago

    i preordered it like 6 moths ago.. then they delayed it... i hope that dosent happen again

  31. scottnc15 1 year ago

    does anybody know if there is multiplayer>>>

  32. blmthug Unregistered 1 year ago

    this is the best ever and rocks like rockstar

  33. ya yo fbnbvidtyvgdbghngj jojo Unregistered 1 year ago

    dnt play biitchez yall all probably look like shiit liven iin a traiiler dumster divers wit yall yellow teeth askiin da sun can yall reflect iit yall da same color

  34. Maurice Cunningham Unregistered 1 year ago

    135bird west

  35. jarty Unregistered 1 year ago

    i wii

  36. marc 1 year ago

    good work

  37. ANONAMIS Unregistered 1 year ago

    this game is awsome i own 360and ps3versions they both deserve a 10

  38. tzuon 1 year ago

    my name tzuon i barn en yaman i navar play gta and i like des game de bast

  39. kingdodo999 Unregistered 1 year ago

    it rocks

  40. lollerz Unregistered 1 year ago

    yo man does anyone know if there is any grand theft auto for wii

  41. helenaa 1 year ago

    hiiiiiiiii>please>>does anyone knows how to play gta or Grand Theft Auto in the internet somehow????????>>>please if you know write it dawn >please>>>>

  42. helenaa 1 year ago

    pleaseeeeeeeeeee

  43. MILADIN RISTOVIC Unregistered 10 months ago

    SADFJKIOLP

  44. SAEED Unregistered 9 months ago

    SAS GOD

  45. سش Unregistered 9 months ago

    شسس

  46. kamal ghazi Unregistered 9 months ago

    i want ot play it plz... now
    right now

  47. jess rock your party Unregistered 8 months ago

    i think its the best game ive ever played on the xbox.

  48. basir Unregistered 8 months ago

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  49. hassona Unregistered 8 months ago

    i'm 19 years old if u want my e-mail:hussain.y.s@hotmail.com

  50. -x MiiSs _-_GaMbLeR -x Unregistered 7 months ago

    I wanna try GTA IV ,cuz i arleady play GTA 3 & GTA 4, so i just wana play the next to see what is it !!!

    i think this game is great & fun !! =D

    I LoVe GAmEs (L)

  51. dori Unregistered 7 months ago

    howw

  52. giannis Unregistered 7 months ago

    hi

  53. giannislife13@yahoo.gr Unregistered 7 months ago

    cyh

  54. mohamed Unregistered 6 months ago

    HNKNGF

  55. Orfeas Unregistered 6 months ago

    Just please get the download link for GTA IV. It is the best game (as i think) that is ever made. Grafics are amazing. The new ragdoll engine (Euphoria Ragdoll) makes me love this game. I will wait...yeah i am waiting since a year for the release of it....

  56. jared Unregistered 6 months ago

    i love the game

  57. charlie Unregistered 5 months ago

    i love gtaiv it grat because when you did the one that mishan with litte jakup

  58. mahmoud Unregistered 5 months ago

    i want to play gta iv

  59. ado Unregistered 4 months ago

    my real name is pipo

  60. pretty-p Unregistered 4 months ago

    i want to playa gta 4 bad

  61. sidhant Unregistered 3 months ago

    please play gta 4

  62. jason voohees Unregistered 3 months ago

    i like killing. ha ha

  63. MOSTAFA Unregistered 3 months ago

    TALAL

  64. tootoo Unregistered 3 months ago

    hay am tootoo thanks

  65. jake Unregistered 2 months ago

    i wont this game now

  66. kjhkk Unregistered 2 months ago

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  67. jali Unregistered 2 months ago

    i wan`t play grand theft auto iv via internet dirct

  68. noman Unregistered 1 month ago

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  69. noman Unregistered 1 month ago

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  70. love Unregistered 1 month ago

    please a cd of gta 4

  71. olti otr Unregistered 1 month ago

    hi i want to play gta 4

  72. olti otr dibra Unregistered 1 month ago

    i am your fans and i please you for to play gta 4 plllllleeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaasssseeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  73. olti otr dibra Unregistered 1 month ago

    please can i try how is the gta4 please can you help me to play gta4 just try

  74. ruben Unregistered 1 month ago

    i want to play this game plz

  75. JORDAN Unregistered 1 month ago

    2 RAW

  76. Salsabila Unregistered 3 weeks ago

    cool

  77. dusan Unregistered 2 weeks ago

    stefan