I feel like bit of a yoyo here chopping and changing. A few days ago we reported that due to the Mumbai tragedy GTA4 for the PC was going to be delayed in India.

Well it looks like it won't be delayed now which is very good news for our Indian GTA fans but bad news for me because adamcs is going to tell me off.

The website that initally reported the delay is now saying :-

"it looks like you really wouldn’t have to wait after all if you were planning to drive Mr. Bellic around town on your monster PC. So yes, the game is coming out on December 3rd, as originally planned and yes, it will be available at the previously mentioned low, low price of INR 499, so there’s really no excuse not to buy one copy for playing and one NRFB copy for a keepsake, like someone I know is planning to do."

The site also states again that the game will be so for the incredibly low price of INR 499 (around 10 bucks). So good news all around really, many thanks to GTAforums member micheal687 for finding this story.

Source :- theangrypixel

Discuss here

We have updated our GTA IV PC screenshot gallery with all the screenshots from the latest previews.

Link: GTA IV PC Screenshot Gallery

Rockstar has released a FAQ regarding the copy protection that will be used in the PC version of GTA 4, here are the details

• Activation via Internet (1x per system, no limits, Fallback for systems without web access)
• Copy protection Securom: The original disc is required for playing (Execpt: Download version of GTA 4, for example from Direct 2 Drive)
• Requirements for playing (singleplayer): Games for Windows Live account for saving/achievements (1x free creation), original disc, Securom runs in the background
• Requirements for playing (multiplayer): Active internet connection, Games for Windows Live account, For uploading videos: Rockstar Social Club Account.
• If you don't have web access or don't want to connect your gaming PC to the Internet, Rockstar wants to offer a not yet specified system to activate GTA 4 via another PC with web access. Details are supposed to be available on launch.
• For the normal GTA 4 (PC) version with disc installation, activations are unlimited. But the original disc is required for playing.
• This does not apply for legally downloaded versions of GTA 4: Depending on the vendor the following is possible: Five parallel installations with the possibility to revive a "free” installation, if an old installation is deleted. For this purpose the customer has to have web access with the PC GTA 4 is installed on.
• Those playing GTA 4 with an illegally hacked version have, according to Rockstar, to fear that the game will not be fully playable.
• If you change two major components of your PC (like the graphics card or the CPU), you will possible have to reactivate GTA 4.

Phew that was a mouthful I can tell you, whilst some will find it disappointing that GTA 4 uses such an invasive DRM system it does seem as if Rockstar has tried to weigh the need to protect their work against the inconvenience to the customer and for the boxed retail version there are no activation or install limits.

Source :- PCgameshardware

Link :- Full Rockstar FAQ

Discuss here

Well it seems to be a heavy news day for the PC version of GTA 4. Hot on the heals of the bad news about India comes a bit of good news for Polish GTA fans. It appears the Polish Game will released on 3rd December, the same day as Europe release. GTA IV PC will be full English release with Polish box, manual and some extra stuff:

The Polish version will include :-

• Polish version of "Voice of Liberty City"- a guide that takes you around the most interesting places in the city of anarchy;
• Detailed map of Liberty City, with Polish descriptions of all the districts;
• Polish game guide showing off new functions in the PC version of the game, not available in console versions;
• Unique cd-key for Games for Windows LIVE multiplayer;
• Elegant box with game's logo embossed;

Unfortunately my polish is a little bit rusty (ie non-existent) so I will have to settle for the UK version. But it is good news to see Rockstar trying to give Polish PC GTA fans something just that little bit extra special.

Thanks must go to Neon25 for supplying the information and the translation.

Source :- English Translation Cenega Article

Source :- Original Polish Cenega Article

Discuss here

I hate being the bearer of bad news, but unfortunately with the way things are in the world bad news seems more prevalent than good. I know we have many GTA fans in India and this story is relevant to you I am afraid

It appears that due to the terrorist attack in Mumbai the release of GTA 4 in India has been put on hold indefinately :-

"Originally set to release along with the European launch on December 3rd for an insanely low price point of INR 499, or approximately US $10, the game’s launch in India is being pushed back an unspecified number of days, as the official Rockstar / 2K distributor in the country, e-Xpress Interactive feels that it would be insensitive (not to mention, asking for trouble) if the game is put on shelves less than a week after what is one of the worst terrorist incidents India has ever seen."

I hope the delay isn't too long for you guys and that we will soon see you whupping us on GTA 4.

Source :- theangrypixel

Discuss here

Well the hype train is just getting into gear for the PC version (do trains have gears ?). We have seen plenty of media attention devoted to the video editor that will be exclusive to the PC version. However so far there has been nothing on what the multiplayer will be like.

Well wait no more 1up did a bit of death matching whilst no one was looking and from their accounts it sounds like they enjoyed it very much. Obviously they confirm what we already known about the increased multiplayer capacity, up to 32 players for the PC version. They also confirmed that there is a custom match browser so you can pick and choose rather than just being thrown into a random match. In fact why are you reading me read the preview instead it's much more interesting :-

1up Multiplayer Preview Link

Discuss here

You can also find 8 new screenshots in the 1up gallery here :-

1up Gallery

UPDATE: I thought I would just add a quick update to this story rather than create a whole new story about basically the same thing. Just received word that IGN have posted their preview of the PC multiplayer action. It more or less says the same as 1up but you might want to give it a read. Many thanks to CB3 from GTAforums for finding this :-

IGN Multiplayer Preview Link

Discuss here

GameTrailers have posted three new videos of GTA IV PC made using the Video Editor feature. The third video is an exclusive tutorial. Check them out:

1. GET SPRUNK

2. SUPER NIKO

3. TUTORIAL

Link: GameTrailers.com

Rockstar Social Club has received a complete makeover. Check out Social Club v.1.1 and see what you think!

It now enables you to select a nickname which will be displayed on the Social Club along with your Xbox Live Gamertag and/or PSN ID in certain areas of the club. "Generally, platform-specific areas like game stats will continue to use your LIVE Gamertag or PLAYSTATION®Network ID, but broader areas like Social Club TV and messaging functions will use Rockstar Nicknames so that you and your friends can find each other regardless of which systems you own or play on."

Rockstar have also told us to expect more announcements regarding additional features in the near future, including unique community features such as the "Social Club Friends" system and the "Message Wall".

A user called daxlax at our forums has posted a mini-summary of a new (6-page) review by PC Gamer UK:

• Keyboard and Mouse feels effortless to drive with, there seems no issues with this combo in general (mouse obviously being brilliant to aim with).
• Wall hugging bugs from console has made it to PC - When up against certain walls or cars you still sometimes can't always peak around to shoot which causes some frustration to the player.
• Bizarre decision has been made regarding multiplayer - You need to log into Rockstar's Social club AND Windows Live to be be able to log into the game online.
• Game looks amazing with a Dual Core and a 8800 card. It did have some major framerate wobbles, "nothing fatal though" insists the reviewer.
• The game scored 92% and also got the "MUST BUY" badge.

Related Link: Forum Topic.

After many months of speculation and guessing the downloadable content for the Xbox 360 has finally been revealed.

The title of the content is going to be called "Lost and Damned". You will take on the role of Johnny Klebitz, a member of Liberty City biker gang The Lost. This is what Dan Houser had to say on the new DLC for the Xbox 360 :-

"Johnny is a very different character than Niko, with a very different background," says Dan Houser, vice president of creative development for Rockstar Games. "I can't go into too much detail on the story, because we try not to give away too much plot before the game is released. But I can say that the story will show you a different side of Liberty City."

The content is due to hit the XBL marketplace on 17th February 2009. You will naturally need the original GTA 4 and you will also need an xbox live membership (although no word on whether you just need silver membership). The pricing of this new content has not yet been released.

source.

Discuss here.

UPDATE: Here is some further information on the DLC coming to the Xbox 360. Along with the new missions where you play the biker called Johnny the DLC will also feature new multiplayer modes, new weapons, new vehicles and new music.

source

As many people will know the PC version of GTA 4 was stated for release on the 2nd December in the US and 3rd December in Europe. There, couldn't be simpler could it?

Well according to Videogamer247 things have changed a little insy winsy bit. It now appears that Rockstar is going for a worldwide release on the 3rd December. So now both the US and EU will get GTA 4 at the SAME time. So it is delayed by ONE DAY in the US and is now a worldwide launch on the 3rd December.

All that remains to be done is to poke Adamcs till he changes the countdown clock.

source.

UPDATE: We got in touch with one of the PR guys at R*, who said that "as he understands it" the game is still coming out on December 2nd in North America and December 3rd in Europe. He promised to keep us informed if anything changed however.

Rockstar Games have updated the official GTA IV website with a new section dedicated to the PC version. It features a screenshots section (containing all of the screenshots featured in our gallery) a section containing general information, and a section providing a wealth of information about the new video editor feature.

"Exclusive to the PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV, the all-new Video Editor feature allows you to capture in-game footage (whether single-player or multiplayer gameplay), make real-time edits and render out clips as WMV video files.

"When something amazing happens while playing the game, simply press the F2 button on your keyboard and the last 30-45 seconds (duration varies based on user settings and specifications) of gameplay will be automatically dumped to your hard drive as raw footage.

GTA IV PC video editor interface

"Then, load up the in-game Video Editor (easily accessible through your in-game mobile phone) to edit away - with a suite of tools that can change the camera angle, audio, speed, and depth of field - plus post-production special effects to tweak colors and add filters.

"You can also digitally splice together a collection of your raw clips to create a montage video. Add in-game music, custom titling and transitions to polish it off and then share your masterpiece online by uploading to Rockstar Games Social Club TV. There, you will be able to watch other Grand Theft Auto IV videos posted by Social Club members, rate and comment on videos, and participate in ongoing contests."

Some sample clips made using the video editor feature can be found here, and some screenshots showing off the interface can be found here.

Link: Grand Theft Auto IV Official Website - PC Section

With the imminent release of the PC version of GTA 4 many PC gamers have been debating and scheming on just how to buy the game. Naturally one of the key avenues many PC gamers use is Steam, unfortunately things have been a bit quiet with regard to whether GTA 4 will appear on steam....... well no more ladies and gentleman. If you check here you can see that GTA 4 will be available for the PC from steam on the 2nd December (US) and 3rd December (EU).

There is no word on pricing or whether there will be a pre-load available. Many thanks to GTA forum member MozzerV12 for finding this information out

source.

discuss here.

Eight new screenshots were also added to the Steam website. You can view all of them in our GTA IV PC screenshot gallery.

Today we were able to confirm with Rockstar Games that the PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV has been delayed until December 2nd in North America and December 3rd in Europe. Suspicions of a possible delay began in October, when some retailers changed the release date on their websites, and last week IGN claimed to have been given official word of a delay by Rockstar. The game was originally due for release on November 18th and November 21st, in North America and Europe respectively.

The official GTA IV website has now been updated in accordance with this news.

Discuss the delay over at our forums.

We have just launched our GTA IV PC screenshot gallery where you can view all of the screenshots from the latest previews in their original high quality format. Check it out!

Kikizo have released an in-depth preview of GTA IV PC, based on a hands-on experience encountered two weeks ago. Here are some of the points of interest:

• "We can say there's no doubt it looks absolutely incredible. But it was only just now, going back to the Xbox 360 version for comparison, that we realised how superior it actually is."
• "We're talking leaves on detailed trees that are individually visible, and it's only just now when I turned on the console version for the first time in months that I said to myself: "Wow. This looks dated by comparison"."
• "The PC version has a fully customisable graphics menu. Texture quality can be set to high medium or low, you can toggle the shadow quality, texture filter quality, reflection resolution and water quality - all of which have four settings."
• "View distance, detail distance, shadow density and light distance can all be set from 1-100, and most interestingly, so can vehicle density, which also changes the way the game plays for obvious reasons, and to give you an idea of how much you can turn it up, Rockstar told us that the equivalent vehicle density featured on the console versions would have been just 33 per cent"
• "...by taking all the settings down, we were indeed able to get the game running at a consistently high 60fps frame rate outdoors, albeit in PS2-o-vision, which put a smile on our face. No, we didn't need a frames per second gage, and yes, we're sad like that."
• "Flying very high over Algonquin, and looking around us, we were blown away by the views of the entire map - all islands. This is not like you remember the helicopters on console. You can literally see everything"
• "Back on the ground, the texture resolution is noticeably higher; you can see (and read) advertisements in the subway station, signs in buildings and logos on merchandise that you wouldn't even have noticed before."

Read the full preview here.