RSSWorld-class stealing: Grand Theft Auto IV makes its global premiere
By Tim Conneally | Published April 29, 2008, 2:28 PM
Rockstar Games/Take-Two Interactive have released the fourth installment of the popular Grand Theft Auto series for the Xbox 360 and PS3 -- easily the most important episode thus far for the fate of its publisher.
Sales of this game could help shareholders resist EA's $2 billion dollar takeover bid, as well as increase trading value of the company's stock. Already this morning, the company's value rose 17 cents a share in NASDAQ trading.
Thousands of stores in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and worldwide opened their doors at midnight local time to sell Grand Theft Auto IV. Here in the States, some of those stores included Best Buy, Game Crazy, and GameStop.
The release of this title had been delayed once already, due to the shareholder revolt that took place last year, and which ended with investors from ZelnickMedia being appointed to Take-Two's board of directors. Now that the game has been released, its path may determine the future of Take-Two and EA.
GTA IV itself has several noteworthy new features. Users are able to purchase new episodes from Xbox Live, and there is expanded nonlinear "sandbox" content like hanging out in bars, going on dates, and even surfing the Internet.
The in-car music that is such a popular feature of the series is now tagged with what is called a ZIT number. When a user likes one of the 200 songs in the game, he can dial ZIT-555-0100 on the in-game cell phone, and the title, artist and song are saved as a text message that can be accessed later on the new Rockstar Games Social Club. From here, the songs can be listened to in their full form and purchased from Amazon.com's MP3 shop.
So far, the M-rated game has not seen as much controversy as earlier titles in the series, or as Take-Two's Manhunt series when it was launched.
This is the most over rated game ever. This game sucks. Run around, shoot some ppl, take people's cars.. repeat. All versions are the same, just different maps.
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"hanging out in bars, going on dates, and even surfing the Internet."
with the exception of surfin the net, all these features had already been taken care of. And please cease all this rubish about the Wii ... no GTA no relevance nor importance.
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Looks like i might have to pick up a PS3 so i can play it. Plus i will pick up GT5:P and get Metal Gear when it comes out.
What other games should i get? I know i am going to buy a bunch of Blu-Ray discs too.
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But wait, the Wii is the best out there.
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The Wii is the most innovative console out. The PS3 is the only other worth while console to get.
I don't want to deal with the M$ 30+% RROD brickbox 360 and all the quality issues it has nor do i want to be forced to pay to play online.
Plus, the PS3 has a Blu-ray player built in.
I just read there are some lock-up issues on both platforms though. Guess i will have to hold off until that problem gets cleared up.
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I'm sure that a patch will come out soon enough.
If the Wii was that good GTA would have been made for it don't you think?
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Well, the Wii is by far the top selling console so it is very surprising they are passing up that huge audience. That is a lot of money being left on the table.
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Top selling does not make it better.
Look at Bose one of the best selling speakers yet they about the worst that money can buy.
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You don't deal with the M$ 30+% RPOD brickbox 360 but yea take a "superior" POS3 with no games at all?
Great comment sense, just an Apple fanboi. Wait, you are one.
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how do u dial the phone?
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Up on the d-pad? :) Or check your manual, page 3...
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Have you tried calling 911? It's actually pretty funny :)
I wonder if they have secret numbers on it that will do different things. like if you dial 867-5309, a woman named Jenny answers the phone!!!
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I just got mine! traded in assasins creed since it has NO replay value.. cant wait to get off work so i can play some gta!
I got the ps3 version, since my girlfriend has taken over my xbox360 :P
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LOL its avoided controversy by not revealing just how raw it really is until recently. It will be banned in a lotta places. This won't help much, because even in my rural area there was a 50-person line at Gamestop last night (freaks and geeks all).
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