Yep, all the rumours were correct. Grand Theft Auto IV, the magnum-opus of a free-roaming game, is to be released on PC later this year. Finally, PC players will be able to discover what they’ve been missing since the end of April when the game released on Xbox 360 and PS3 - a cinematic narrative experience moving the game play along, with production values rivaling those of top Hollywood movies, as well as a fine, fine selection of music to listen to as you cruise around the highly detailed Liberty City…the wonderful graphics and multiplayer (enhanced for PC play) don’t hurt, either.

“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.”

GTA IV will be released on November 18th in the US and the 21st in Europe, this time for the PC.

After several delays the day has eventually dawned upon us where the most anticipated, hyped about game has been released. Rockstar North had the most difficult task ahead of them of having to outdo themselves as they had very few competitors who took them on in their own game – free roaming.

This is Grand Theft Auto with the nasty bits trimmed off, the rough parts smoothed over and fun squeezed into every possible nook and cranny. The bad bits are gone, the good bits are better, and it’s very rare that you will find yourself bored sitting on your sofa, staring at your TV.

Continue reading El33tonline’s review of Grand Theft Auto IV.

Rockstar Games has released new patches for the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of Grand Theft Auto IV.

The patches fix issues that have been identified for each system by Rockstar but target multiplayer connectivity issues specifically, including freezes during certain modes, continuation when players leave matches and bugs within races and race lobbies.

“We sincerely apologize for any inconveniences and thank you for your continued support.” says Rockstar.

Head over to the Rockstar Social Club website for a detailed list of the issues which have been fixed by the patches.

Following the launch of GTA IV at the end of last month Rockstar Games and Take Two announced that it had sold 6 million units worldwide amounting to a retail value of over $500 million in the first week.

Strauss Zelnick, Chairman of Take Two said “Grand Theft Auto IV’s first week performance represents the largest launch in the history of interactive entertainment, and we believe these retail sales levels surpass any movie or music launch to date.”

Guinness World Records yesterday confirmed Take Two’s claims with the announcement that Grand Theft Auto IV has taken its place among the greats in the Guinness World Records.

GTA IV sold 3.6 million units worth $310 million in its first day of release. These sales figures have earned it the Guinness World Records for the Highest Grossing Video Game in 24 Hours and the Highest Revenue Generated by an Entertainment Product in 24 Hours.

These records make GTA IV the most profitable entertainment release of all-time, surpassing the releases of other video games, films and books.

According to Guinness World Records, Halo 3 was the fastest-selling video game in 24 hours with $170 million while Spider-Man 3 racked up $60 million to become the best-selling theatrical movie in 24 hours and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the fastest-selling book in 24 hours with $220 million.

Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto IV has topped the UK’s All Formats Chart for a second week. Despite experiencing a 77% drop in sales, GTA IV outsold Nintendo’s Wii Fit (at number 2) by 4 to 1 for the week ending the 10th of May.

According to Chart Track, GTA IV has now past the one million sales mark in the UK. The Xbox 360 version of GTA IV accounted for 62% of sales this week in comparison to 55% last week, thus further widening its lead over the PS3 version.

Wii Fit, keeping up the pace at number 2, experienced a 48% sales drop while Nintendo’s Wii Play moved up one spot to number 3 and Sega’s Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games drops one place to number 4. Chart Track figures show that Wii Play and Mario & Sonic have only been separated by a few hundred units over the past two weeks.

Nintendo takes the title of most well represented All Formats Top 10 publisher this week, boasting four games, with Sega following with two. Now in its second week, Sega’s Iron Man: The Official Videogame moves up six places to number 5. Activision’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare gains two spots at number 6 while Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer sticks in seventh.

Sony’s Gran Turismo 5: Prologue drops two places to number 8 and Nintendo’s Mario Kart Wii loses four places to finish in ninth. Nintendo’s Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training rounds off the top ten, down one place from last week.

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Shortly after Microsoft announced that the Xbox 360 version of GTA IV had outsold the PS3 version in the UK, Microsoft’s Gamerscore blog announced that the Xbox 360 had also triumphed in the US.

According to Microsoft sales data from last week, sales of the Xbox 360 console at retail increased by 54% week-over-week as a result of GTA IV. Microsoft cites retailer reports that “more than 60% of all GTA games sold in the first week were the Xbox 360 version.” In addition information from retailers suggests that approximately 40% of new consoles are selling with a copy of GTA IV.

The blog post also reveals that over 2.3 million people played GTA IV on Xbox Live in the first week leading to the game now ranking as the number one played game on Xbox Live. The Xbox Live service reached 1 million concurrent users over the weekend while over 12 million achievements worth over 100 million gamerscore points in GTA IV have been unlocked.

The game has also set a new record for time played, the average gamer spent over four hours playing GTA IV on Xbox Live in the first week.

Microsoft has announced that the Xbox 360 version of Grand Theft Auto IV has outsold the PS3 version in the UK. The Xbox 360 version sold over 100 000 copies in the UK, 20% more than the PS3 version, since GTA IV was released last Tuesday the 29th of April.

According to data released by ELSPA/Chart Track, the Xbox 360 version of GTA IV sold 514 000 copies in the UK in week one while the PS3 version of the game sold 413 000 copies. Microsoft also pointed out that sales of the Xbox 360 console increased by 125%.

Earlier in the week Chart Track announced that GTA IV sold 926 000 copies (£39.9 million) in its first week in the UK. The title debuted at the top of the chart as the biggest All Formats number 1 ever, after selling an estimated 631 000 copies in the first 24 hours.

In the meantime GTA IV has also racked up the title of most-played game on Xbox Live. As of the 4th of May over 9.7 million hours of GTA IV online multiplayer have been logged on Xbox Live while more than 31 million hours have been spent playing the game overall.

Xbox 360 owners can also look forward to exclusive downloadable episodes via Xbox Live this autumn.

“Today it has become clear that consumers are finding Xbox 360 the best way to experience Liberty City and we expect this trend to continue, especially with exclusive Grand Theft Auto IV episodes coming to Xbox 360 in the Autumn,” said Chris Lewis, Vice President, Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft EMEA.

“Grand Theft Auto has a new home on Xbox 360, and consumers are discovering how our platform can enhance the experience like no other.”

Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto IV was released last week Tuesday, the 29th of April. Today Take Two announced that it has broken entertainment records for day one and week one by dollar value.

GTA IV has sold an estimated 6 million units worldwide, amounting to a retail value of over $500 million in the first week. It sold approximately 3.6 million units on its opening day, racking up $310 million worldwide.

Earlier in the week Chart Track announced that GTA IV sold 926 000 copies (£39.9 million) in its first week in the UK. The title debuted at the top of the chart as the biggest All Formats number 1 ever, after selling an estimated 631 000 copies in the first 24 hours.

Must-have experience

“We knew Grand Theft Auto IV would break new ground in terms of the player’s experience, with its compelling story line, extraordinary gameplay and action that ranges over a broad urban canvas. Now, it has broken sales and rating records as well,” said Strauss Zelnick, Chairman of Take-Two.

“Grand Theft Auto IV’s first week performance represents the largest launch in the history of interactive entertainment, and we believe these retail sales levels surpass any movie or music launch to date. We congratulate the entire Rockstar team on creating a must-have experience that takes the legendary Grand Theft Auto franchise to a new level.”

Ben Feder, Take-Two’s Chief Executive Officer commented “Rockstar’s goal is to make each new title in the Grand Theft Auto franchise even better than those that preceded it, and Grand Theft Auto IV is a smashing success on that score.”

“Grand Theft Auto IV makes full use of the power of next generation technology, and offers players an experience unique in the interactive entertainment medium. This game sets a new standard in the industry, with critics hailing it as both an artistic and technological masterpiece.”

Grand Theft Auto IV is currently available for the Xbox 360 and PS3.

The UK’s All Formats Chart was dominated by Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto IV, which debuted at the top of the chart as the biggest All Formats number 1 ever.

GTA IV was released for both the Xbox 360 and PS3 and recorded an estimated total market figure of 926 000 (£39.9 million) over just five days. Of all the software sold for this week, 61.2% of the value was for GTA IV. Apart from week one, it is also bigger than the total software market figure of every other week so far this year.

Chart Track first estimated that GTA IV had sold 609 000 copies on day one. The tracking firm has since confirmed that the final estimated total market figure for the first 24 hours based on full EpoS data from all retailers stands at 631 000 copies. The sales figures of GTA IV mean that it has sold more units than every other title in 2007 in under a week, except for FIFA 08, Brain Training and Call of Duty 4.

The rest of the chart

Nintendo’s Wii Fit moves down to number 2, having been outsold by GTA IV by over 9 to 1 and experiencing low stock problems which resulted in a 58% sales decrease. Sega’s Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games remains in third while Nintendo’s Wii Play re-enters the Top 10 at number 4, up 11 places from last week’s number 15.

Nintendo’s Mario Kart drops three places to number 5 due to a 61% decrease in sales while Sony’s Gran Turismo 5: Prologue loses two spots to number 6 with only a marginal decrease in sales (2%). Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 is at number 7, down two places, while Activision’s Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare settles into eighth, also down two places.

Nintendo’s Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training loses just one spot to finish ninth while Ubisoft’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 rounds off the top ten. Sega’s movie tie-in Iron Man: The Official Videogame debuts at number 11, the only All Formats Top 40 game to be released in the week that GTA IV hit the shelves.

All Formats Top 10

1. Grand Theft Auto IV (Take 2)
2. Wii Fit (Nintendo)
3. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Sega)
4. Wii Play (Nintendo)
5. Mario Kart (Nintendo)
6. Gran Turismo 5: Prologue (Sony)
7. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (Konami)
8. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision)
9. Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training (Nintendo)
10. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (Ubisoft)

Source: Chart Track

Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto IV has broken all previous day one sales records in the UK, selling an estimated 609 000 copies for the Xbox 360 and PS3 combined for the 29th of April.

This is according to ELSPA, who reported that day one sales of GTA IV beat the previous record of 501 000 copies which was set by Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for the PS2 in October 2004.

“The scale of GTA’s day one sales are phenomenal and reflect a vibrant market which continues to grow. Gamers are from all age groups and demographics with estimates putting the total number of people in the UK who enjoy games at over 20 million,” said ELSPA managing director, Mike Rawlinson.

Microsoft’s Halo 3 for the Xbox 360 recorded sales of 266 000 copies on day one in September 2007. The new 24 hour record is GTA IV which totaled an estimated 335 000 copies on day one.

The previous record for the PS3 was Sony’s Gran Turismo 5: Prologue which recorded day one sales of 80 000 copies in March 2008. The new 24 hour record is GTA IV which totaled an estimated 274 000 copies on day one.

Chart Track figures are due to be released tomorrow so stay tuned.

Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto IV was released worldwide yesterday for the PS3 and Xbox 360.

Grand Theft Auto IV was developed by series creator Rockstar North. Set in Liberty City, the latest installment in the popular series features a detailed and life-like city, narrative experience, original soundtrack and sixteen player multiplayer with over a dozen online modes.

Rockstar also launched the Rockstar Social Club, a new website that seeks to extend a players experience of GTA IV as well as future Rockstar games.

The site features “detailed, diverse and sometimes amusing” leaderboards, virtual events, player statistics as well as performance-based competitions and awards for players of all skill levels.

Players will be able to keep track of online multiplayer statistics, participate in physical challenges, try to earn a place in the Hall of Fame and keep a daily track of crime with the Liberty City Police Blotter.

If you are a “true GTA die-hard” keep an eye out for the GTA IV 100% Club Competition. Those players who attain 100% within seven days after the release of GTA IV will receive a limited edition ‘key to the city.’

To link your game to the Social Club Account (you can link either your Xbox Live gamertag or your PlayStation Network sign-in ID), simply log in, go to ‘Edit Profile’ and select the option to link your account to your gaming platform.

You can visit the website at www.rockstargames.com/socialclub.

Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto IV is available worldwide for the Xbox 360 and PS3 today.

Described as “a powerful crime epic set in modern-day Liberty City, a world with an unparalleled combination of scale, depth and detail,” Grand Theft Auto IV is expected to shatter sales records around the world.

Grand Theft Auto IV was developed by series creator Rockstar North. Set in Liberty City, the latest installment in the popular series features a detailed and life-like city, narrative experience, original soundtrack and sixteen player multiplayer with over a dozen online modes.

“This release marks a major milestone for the series and for Rockstar Games,” said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. “Grand Theft Auto IV delivers on the vision we had when we began work on the game more than three years ago. Rockstar North has created an amazing interactive entertainment experience. We hope it will resonate with our audience around the world for years to come.”

Xbox 360 gamers can look forward to hours of additional game play by accessing exclusive GTA IV episodes this autumn.

Microsoft will not be publishing a new Xbox Live Arcade game this week. The lack of new content this week seems to be due to the release of Grand Theft Auto IV.

The publisher’s Gamerscoreblog commented “there will be no new Xbox Live Arcade title this week, and we anticipate all Xbox 360 controllers will be busy with [GTA IV].”

Many gamers were less than pleased with this announcement prompting online community manager Nelson Rodriguez to respond. “We definitely understand the complaints about the lack of an XBLA release this week.”

“There are certainly people who won’t be playing GTA IV, and would want to see an alternative on the Arcade, but to be fair, any game released this week will not get a fair chance to reach everyone who the publisher might want to reach.”

“There are a ton of games out there to still try, and a publisher who might have released a game this week will probably be thrilled to have the entire public’s undivided attention when they do launch.”

Looks like thats that then.

SCEE has confirmed that an official Grand Theft Auto IV PS3 bundle will be available across Europe on the 29th of April.

European gamers will be able to get the bundle, which includes a 40GB PS3, a SIXAXIS wireless controller and a copy of Grand Theft Auto IV, for 439 Euros.

“We are delighted to offer the millions of PS3 and GTA fans the ultimate gaming package,” said David Reeves, President, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

The eleventh installment in the popular Grand Theft Auto series, GTA IV will be released on the 29th of April.

Fox News is reporting that Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is planning to pull down the advertising campaign for Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto IV.

Andy Roesgen, anchor of Fox News Chicago, detailed that Chicago had experienced “an especially violent” weekend in which two dozen people were shot. He went on to note that despite this “advertisements for the unaplogetically violent video game Grand Theft Auto” adorned “CTA buses and platforms.”

The Fox report played a 2004 clip of Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich in which he critised the CTA for accepting the $90 000 ad campaign for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. However, by that time the ad campaign was coming to an end anyway.

Fox reported a CTA spokeperson’s comments that CTA president Ron Huberman had said that the advertising campaign will come down.

Head over to Fox’s website for a video clip of the Fox report.