GTA 4 Multiplayer patch released by Rockstar

Rockstar Games has released patches today for both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of GTA IV, which address a number of multiplayer connectivity issues including freezes during certain modes, continunation when players leave matches, and bugs within races and race lobbies.

Here is the full list of issues which have been addressed:

1. Fixed an issue where players were unable to enter or exit vehicles in GTA Race.
2. Fixed an issue where scripted vehicles were causing games to unexpectedly crash.
3. Improved reliability and frequency of PS3™ online leaderboard updates.
4. Fixed a rare hang some players encountered when moving from a Race or GTA Race lobby into gameplay.
5. Fixed a hang that would occur when players were switching teams during the countdown in the lobby.
6. Fixed an issue where players were able to get ridiculously high scores from Cops 'n Crooks matches.
7. Changed GTA Race and Race so that the last player remaining always receives a reward of $250.
8. Fixed an issue where spectating players would prevent the game from finishing.
9. Fixed an issue where players were unable to spectate in Round 2 of Cops 'n Crooks games.
10. Changed countdown timer in lobby so that it no longer resets when new players join a game.
11. Changed the kick option so that kicked players are no longer brought back to single player.

Link: Grand Theft Auto IV Patch

Realistic Niko Bellic Render

Here is an image I did for Official Playstation Magazine UK which is in their latest issue. I had a hard time getting it to look exactly like the game model because I started out with an illustration that I realized later was a bit different than the game. So after the fact, I started messing with it to try to get him closer to the game model.

This image involved a lot more illustration on my part than the other ones too since I was changing the lighting compared to my source image.

Anyway, enjoy!

See the article here

2K Tricked into Confirming GTAIV on PC?

Computer and Video Games published an article today that tells how 2K Games was perhaps tricked into revealing the PC version of GTAIV. Check it out:

We'll warn you to take this with a pinch of salt right now as Rockstar won't comment on it at all. But it wouldn't surprise us at all to see the game coming to PC, it's been heavily rumoured already, but to get the news out of a customer support team? That's just silly...

The story goes that a couple of guys emailed the support team saying they were having problems with their surround sound while they were playing the PC version. "The first person driving view is simply amazing and the Nico Bellic character really makes me feel like I'm living the storyline. So much so that I feel bad in finding something to complain about, that being the surround sound. At times the back left speaker cuts out, specially when characters like little Jacob are speaking. Also when I call 911, the automated response starts, but cuts out when I am given emergency options."

Had us convinced right there, but it doesn't take much.

After a few responses they received the reply: "The PC version of GTA IV has not even been announced for release and is still in development so is not about to be released on a website we have no knowledge of."

When pressed further on a release, the 'pranksters' were told: "We are unsure when the PC version of the game will be released as we are only technical support and do not receive information on the matter. I would suggest keeping an eye on www.rockstargames.com for any information." Opps...

For more info on this story be sure to visit here.

Police Using GTA IV to Catch Pedophiles

In an article posted over on USA Today, it is said that the police are now using games such as Grand Theft Auto IV in sting operations to arrest pedophiles. Check it out:

Sexual predators are using gaming consoles such as the Wii, PlayStation and Xbox to meet children online.

"Child predators are migrating from traditional methods to alternate media," says Detective Lt. Thomas Kish of the Michigan State Police. "They are going to places where children are."

Predators view games that allow kids to access the Internet and text message other players as a "foot in the door," he says.

Parents may not realize that gaming consoles have become Internet devices or that savvy kids can bypass parental controls, says Marc Rogers, director of Purdue University's Cyber Forensics Lab.

Police who have been doing stings in Internet chat rooms for years now are going undercover to catch predators playing interactive games, ranging from Grand Theft Auto to old-fashioned chess and checkers. They're making arrests.

If you'd like to read the rest of this article describing other games used for capturing criminals, click here.

PC Gamer Malaysia Confirms GTAIV On PC

In the July issue of PC Gamer Malaysia the front cover reveals that now Grand Theft Auto IVwill be coming to the PC after all. Take a look:

PCGamer - JUL

FEATURED: Grand Theft Auto: Now on console, soon on PC
EXPLORED: World of Warcraft Wrath of the Lich King

Mass Effect
Reviewed - and why it's better on PC

PLUS!
Battlefield Heroes

Race Driver: GRID

Left 4 Dead

Spore

As you can see in the image above this issue has already hit the shelves in Malaysia and we can guess that PC Gamer US will have something in its next issue. See the official PC Gamer Malaysia page here.

ESRB Lists Grand Theft Auto IV for PC

Further confirmation is now coming out saying that Grand Theft Auto IV will indeed be coming out for PC. Take a look:

A recent ESRB ratings update lists both Grand Theft Auto IV and Bully: Scholarship Edition for the "Windows PC" platform, which constitutes the first solid confirmation the two titles are heading to the PC. Grand Theft Auto IV has long been assumed to make the jump from consoles, as most major releases of the franchise, from the first Grand Theft Auto through Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, have eventually shown up on the platform. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Grand Theft Auto IV were released this past April.

Bully, a third-person perspective action game set in a schoolyard, was originally released on Sony's PlayStation 2 back in October of 2006. The enhanced Scholarship Edition for the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii shipped in March 2008.

At this time we're still awaiting an official comment from Rockstar Games regarding the ratings update.

Update: Since this story was published, the ESRB removed the GTA IV listing for PC from its public online database. However, the ESRB has not sent out a retraction letter to subscribers of the ESRB update service.

Thanks to IGN for this news!

Rockstar Confirms GTA4 for the PC - Due November 18th

Yes, Rockstar Games has officially announced Grand Theft Auto 4 for the PC! Even better is that they've already given it a release date and it's set for November 18th!

Rockstar Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), is proud to announce that Grand Theft Auto IV will be arriving on the PC on November 18th and 21st in North America and Europe, respectively.

"We are very excited to be releasing the PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. "The whole team is dedicated to bringing an amazing gaming experience to the PC. The game looks and plays beautifully on PC and we can't wait for people to play it."

Developed by series creator Rockstar North and set in Liberty City, the latest installment in the enormously successful Grand Theft Auto series features a painstakingly detailed and life-like city for players to explore; a rich, immersive narrative experience; an original soundtrack highlighting the cultural eclecticism of Liberty City; and newly expanded multiplayer just for the PC.

November 18th is the release date for North America. Europe will see GTA4 on the PC just three days later on the 21st.

Grand Theft Auto Coming to Nintendo DS

Grand Theft Auto is coming to yet another platform. During Nintendo's Media Conference today, the company announced Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for the dual screened Nintendo DS. Not much details on it as of yet, specifically if it will be viewed from the top likeGTA Advance, which proved to be very unpopular after its release in 2004, or if it will be fully third person perspective like the GTA as we know it today.

For more information go to the Official Page