Spong Previews GTA IV PC

SPOnG has a preview (a feature, really) of GTA IV PC. The preview discusses the new replay system, which enables you to capture between 30 and 60 second chunks of gameplay and edit them together to create movies.

A Video Editor. Sounds pretty lame when you say it like that, but in reality it’s one of the most addictive things I’ve encountered on a PC for a very long time. Hell, it’s probably reason alone for gamers to invest in a computer version of GTA IV. So what the heck is it all about?

The replay feature sounds like a feature that could really seperate the PC version from the Xbox360 and Playstation 3 versions.

New San Andreas Downloads

I like to think that we have a decent selection of addons for the various GTA titles in our downloads archive and with GTA IV PC delayed I thought it may be a good opportunity to get a few more files uploaded for your pleasure. Luckily enough MindF*ck released 4 new vehicles, just this afternoon, all of which make an excellent addition to San Andreas.

GTAIV PC Preview, Screenshots & System Requirements

IGN have posted a two page preview of GTAIV PC, the minimum PC requirements, and 8 new screenshots.

To summarize the GTA IV PC feature list (with a little help from PlanetGrandTheftAuto and the IGN preview);

• The GPS map has been improved. You can now point and click with the mouse on a specific location and make notes or add images to personalize it.
• Improved streaming will be possible with the power of todays processors. If you have seen cars on the road that matched the car you are driving, this has been somewhat fixed. More pedestrians and vehicles will be visible.
• PC version was worked on during the development process of the console versions, with a team of about 50 members.
• In multiplayer games, players can customize their search preferences for matches, e.g. type of race, location etc.
• Game can be played with either keyboard and mouse or gamepad (that of Xbox 360, for instance). Can also be used simultaneously (drive with controller, on-foot shooting with keyboard and mouse, for example).
• With no surprise, aiming on PC version is much easier.
• Traffic density can be controlled via the menu by way of a slider.
• Hit F2 during offline play to record 30 to 60 second clips. Length is automatically determined by what's going on onscreen.
• Game ships with a replay editor to edit your videos, similar to that of modern day non-destructive video editors. Basic stuff such as adding clips together on a timeline, adding effects and changing camera angles. Examples of effects include green-tinted and sepia toned filters, as well as the ability to adjust the audio level. Text effects can also be added.
• Final videos can be exported in resolutions of 640x480, 720p and full 1080p. The Rockstar Games Social Club will be equipped to upload and share your videos with others.
• Because the game is build for Microsoft's Games for Windows platform, it has Live integration. So all the usual stuff such as "achievements, friends lists, voice communication, multiplayer anti-cheating technology, and distributed worldwide servers for robust online play".

GTAIV Vans Hi Customs

NikeSkateBoarding.org user seanya has created some excellent looking customs based on various GTAIV artwork.

Head on over to NikeSkateBoarding.org to check out the attire.

GTA IV PC Delayed until 2nd December

It looks like GTA IV is going to be delayed for the PC; rather that being released on the 18 of November the game is set to be released on the 2nd of December. Although the UK Amazon is still showing the game to be set for a 21st November release the US Amazon has been updated with the revised dates.

I will update the article as soon as I hear more regarding the set-back.

MultitheftAutoUpdate & MTAIV.com

The GTA:MTA team have posted an update on their blog to let us know what they have been up to since version 2.3 of their multiplayer mod which was released a little over 2 months ago.

They talk about the changes which focus on scripting tweaks to improve performance and stability both from a client and server-side point-of-view. No mention of when the next version will be released but they did announce that they have purchased mtaiv.com. It will be interesting to see what the talented MTA team can bring to the playing field with GTAIV already featuring multiplayer!

GTAIV - Zombies in Multiplayer

The Rockstar social club are releasing a zombie infection halloween special! The modification to multiplayer modes infects players with a virus which other players can then contract. Players know if they have the infection either by the availability of the zombie multiplayer skin or by recieving the achievement "Let Sleeping Rockstars Die". Interestingly enough I have only played the GTA IV ranked multiplayer for an hour in total, however I unlocked the "Let Sleeping Rockstars Die" achievement.

The Rockstar social club site also shows a map of infected areas, and whether or not you are infected.

PS3 Trophies - Monday 27th

A few weeks ago we reported that the PS3 version of GTAIV may be getting trophy support. This has now being confirmed for release next Monday (27^th Ocbober 2008). You can view the full list of trophies on the GTAIV trophy page.

Famitsu Review GTA IV, 39/40

Famitsu are reknowned for their exceptionally critical, sometimes controversial, reviews. They rate their games out of 40, and only a handful of games have ever received that perfect score. GTA IV hasn't quite made it into the perfect club but it certainly gave it a good shot.

Famitsu gave GTA IV 39/40 and according to Kotaku;

Famitsu had positive things to saw about the game, completing how fun the game's sprawling world is and even telling readers to play the game. One gripe, though, is that using the SIXAXIS controls for the helicopter might be too difficult.

Chinatown Wars screens & EDGE Preview

A few weeks ago we posted screens from EDGE magazine's preview of Chinatown Wars. The article has now been posted online, along with higher quality digital images (Rather than the scanned images).

To check out all of the screenshots check out the Chinatown Wars media page.