Half-Life Fallout: GTA IV Discussion Thread - Half-Life Fallout

Grand Theft Auto 4 is shown!

Today, the first Trailer of the game has been released. Mixed opinions fly!

Official page:
Grand Theft Auto 4 official Site

Links to said Trailer:
Gamespot
GameTrailers
IGN

So far what I've collected:
The main character is Russian, from what I can tell of his accent. It seems to be set in Liberty City, but it looks much more like New York than before in GTA3 and Liberty City Stories. The environments look MUCH more detailed than before, and that conclusion can be made even before we see any actual Gameplay of the game itself. I see dynamic shadows, bloom, HDR, Bump Mapping, good Water effects, etc. Basically a next-gen title.

Images:




Discuss to your hearts content!

I like how the game might be playing more towards the Russian mob style rather than the Italian or gangbanger style. While I've always preferred the Italian style than any other style, it might be interesting how the introduction of the Russians will play against the other mobs.

What I'm most interested in is the possibilities of new side missions to earn money. Using GTA:SA as an example, you could commit robberies at night. What sort of thing will be in GTAIV? Obviously, if the guy from the trailer is the main character, he will fall back into the lifestyle. Will you actually get involved in the slave trade business? Will you maybe be able to sell weapons on the black market?

Do you guys think there will be a twist to GTAIV? There's always been some gimmick (useful or not) that gives each new iteration a sense of freshness; what do you guys think it might be?

Lastly, what about the mood of the game? GTA has always been light-hearted and humorous despite the darker issues the games deal with; do you think this will stay the same or will it change? The trailer makes me think that GTAIV may have a darker and more sinister feel while keeping some of the humor it's been known to have. The music definitely makes it seems as if the game is going to have a more serious story this time around.

I want to see if physics will play an important part to this GTA

The game looks amazing so far, glad to see it's set in a more realistic NYC. Rockstar North has never disappointed me, so I have a lot of faith in this game. And I hope Claude, Tommy, or CJ will make some sort of apperance in the narrative as well.

This thread needs more pictures!

GTA character based on russian actor? There does seem to be a resemblance.

I've gotta say, the character models don't look very 'next gen', I was expecting more from Rockstar. But I guess the graphical side has never been thier strong point so..

ripcurl682, on Mar 30 2007, 12:56 AM, said:

Aw, the game isn't finished until October. They have time to improve.

ripcurl682, on Mar 30 2007, 01:56 AM, said:

I'm more than sure there will be improvements between now and when the game's released. Do not fret just yet!

ripcurl682, on Mar 30 2007, 09:56 AM, said:

The environments are too large and complex to support advanced character models, I think.

w-ninja, on Mar 30 2007, 09:06 AM, said:

Nah, not really. And the models don't look bad at all, don't you guys forget that GTA was always on the comics side of things rather than being extremely realistic. I'm really really liking what I see. Finally the city actually looks like a city and the game feels like a GTA.
This GTA, my friends, is going to be one amazing game.

Well, I'm excited. I hope Rockstar will start talking about the gameplay features soon.

w-ninja, on Mar 30 2007, 01:48 AM, said:

Multiplayer story mode would be so great. Not just co-op but like 8 or more players.

There is a billboard in the first shot that says "Visit Vice City - $300".

Agh I was at my new house lastnight, net hasn't been put in yet I rushed home to watch this, I'm late for work! I'm more than satisfied with what I've seen, as wninja said, it'll be nice to see some gameplay videos.

ripcurl682, on Mar 30 2007, 07:56 AM, said:

There's a tradeoff of detail for size, and this looks huge. Environment textures look very sweet too.

w-ninja, on Mar 30 2007, 08:06 AM, said:

Definately. I was quite stunned by watching the light pass over the cars and inside the train station watching the sun creep over the building. Nice one Rockstar!

I should also add it's nice to see a GTA character who might have some realistic reaction to his actions, CJ seemed to get angry by the concept of killing people in the cut scenes, then you'd go out and run over 20 old ladies on the way to pick up a package.