More Evidence Niko Will Be Visiting San Andreas?

We posted a rumor yesterday about a ticket appearing on Rockstar's Social Club website for a plane ride from Liberty City to San Andreas for a Niko Bellic.

Now, there is possibly more evidence that Niko will be visiting San Andreas in Grand Theft Auto IV. Here is a billboard in the game with a price for a plane ticket to visit Los Santos in San Andreas. If you recall, Grand Theft Auto III had billboard ads for Vice City as well.

[Niko Bellic's San An Flight Priced By Airways]

Rumor: Niko Going to San Andreas?

On the Rockstar Social Club official website, you are able to drag the objects around that are under the Story Gang book (you need to have completed the story to see it). A plane ticket can be clearly seen under the book for Niko Bellic from Liberty City and to San Andreas. Could this be an upcoming sequel to Grand Theft Auto IV? Or possibly just that exclusive Xbox 360 DLC? Or perhaps even exclusive PlayStation 3 DLC. Remember Mr. Reeves?

[SPOILER? Possible 'Sequel'?, Source: R* Social Club]

Grand Theft Auto IV Load Times: So This Is What It Comes To

Here is yet another comparison for Grand Theft Auto IV, this time comparing load times. It seems, according to the video and some commenters of the video who have "confirmed" it, that the PlayStation 3 has two more loading images than the Xbox 360 does, which is bad. You'd think the mandatory 3.5GB install would of made it faster. Guess not, if the video is to be believed of course.

Grand Theft Auto IV Patched to v1.01

Hmm. Rockstar released a new Grand Theft Auto IV patch today titled v1.01. Sadly, it doesn't fix those freezing problems but only those multiplayer connectivity issues. Come on Rockstar, I want to actually play it with out worrying it will freeze in the middle of a mission.

[GTA IV gets 1.01 patch, freezing not fixed]

Update: Here is the official release from Rockstar that I just saw in my mailbox. They say it does fix the lock-ups, however.

Rockstar Games has released a GTA IV patch for Playstation 3 today that prevents Gamespy’s servers from being overloaded and therefore reduces the impact on those servers that were causing the game to stutter and lock up. We continue to monitor the performance of the game both on and offline and will provide further updates as necessary. We want to assure everyone that, together with our hardware partners, we continue to strive to give our fans the best possible interactive entertainment experiences possible. This update will ensure that everyone will experience Grand Theft Auto IV the way it was intended. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused.

SCEE Boss: "You probably will see" PS3 Grand Theft Auto IV DLC

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe boss David Reeves said yesterday at London's PlayStation Day 2008 that PlayStation 3 owners "probably will see" Grand Theft Auto IV downloadable content.

As you know, the Xbox 360 will be receiving two exclusive episode packs as downloadable content promising "hours of additional play".

When asked if it was damagint to Sony that and the PlayStation 3 that no Grand Theft Auto IV downloadable content is coming, Reevse responded: "Well I think you probably will see it, it's just that a deal obviously was struck between Microsoft and Take 2 to do that, and if that's what they want to do, I think that's the last shot they have."

When Reeves was asked if he had a message for PlayStation 3 fans who wanted downloadable content, he replied: "I would say to them then, you know, email Rockstar (laughs), and ask them what's coming. I think they already are, probably!"

Wait, so David Reeves, is something on it's way? "I'm honestly not going to make any comment on that because it's too big a thing to... we can make an announcement when we make an announcement." I hope I heard that right. It sounds like we will be getting some downloadable content.

[SCEE boss: "You probably will see" PS3 GTA 4 DLC]

Take-Two Chairman Says Grand Theft Auto IV Is Glitch Free

Take-Two Interactive Chairman, Strauss Zelnick, may not have any idea what he is talking about when it comes to Grand Theft Auto IV. With the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game constantly receiving lock-up by many players, Rockstar still hasn't released or said anything about a patch.

CNBC's Michelle Caruso Cabrera quizzed him about any post-releaseGrand Theft Auto IV glitches, and he responded by saying "No, you know, no, none whatsoever. I'd say the only issue is that someone came up to me yesterday in a restaurant and said my thumbs were hurting from the weekend!"

Yeah Mr. Strauss, we aren't so sure about that one.

[Take-Two Boss Claims GTA IV Is Glitch Free]

Hirai: “GTA has always been associated with the PlayStation platform first and foremost”

Sony Computer Entertainment President Kaz Hirai said today at PlayStation Day 2008 in London that he beleives Grand Theft Auto is primarily a PlayStation franchise.

“I think Grand Theft Auto, the franchise, has always been associated with the PlayStation platform first and foremost, and so I think consumers are coming back again,” he said.

“They had previous versions of Grand Theft Auto on previous platforms, so it’s always good to come home to PlayStation 3 as well, I think.”

Regarding whether or not Microsoft wasted their green when paying Rockstar $50 million for exclusive downloadable content, he said that punters will vote on their feet, and did not answer.

“Well, it’s really up to the consumers to decide,” he said. “As I said before… it’s a franchise that’s associated with PlayStation for the longest time, and I think that based on the numbers I’m seeing right now, I think the consumers feel that way as well.”

[Hirai: “GTA has always been associated with the PlayStation platform first and foremost”]

Barrack Obama Starring in Grand Hope

Attack of the Show's segment producer Luke Wahl snapped some shots of these Grand Theft Auto IV banners being replaced in the streets of Los Angeles. The replacement is the characters head, along with crossing out the words Theft Auto and replacing it with Hope, making it Grand Hope with Obama. This is what presidential elections do to people, but I'm voting for Obama anyway, so I don't mind.

[Nugget From The Net: 'GTH IV']

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Glitches

The guy who made The Orange Box petition and videos has now come back with this as well. A video that is five minutes long showing us many glitches in Grand Theft Auto IV. Rockstar, you should take a look at this (*winks*). [Thanks Toni T!]

Grand Theft Auto IV: NYC vs. LC

Want to know how accurate Liberty City in Grand Theft Auto IV is to New York City in real life? Take a look at this comparison shot in Little Italy. Looks close enough to me. Thats what 100,000 pictures of the city will get you.

[NeoGAF]

Grand Theft Auto IV Multiplayer: Zombies!?

Apparently, somebody from the GameTrailers forums playing Grand Theft Auto IV's multiplayer has turned into a zombie wearing nothing but yellow underwear with the Rockstar logo on it.

A few gamers have seen zombies in online play, but nobody has transformed into one yet. Some people are saying that getting killed by a Rockstar employee, killing a Rockstar employee, or getting the highest ranking does this to you.

The game's official strategy guide says "If you see unclothed characters, look out! Only players who have reached the max ranking of 10 and a few other "special" people get the honor of shooting in their skivvies." This player, however, says he is only at Level 2.

[GTA online...Zombie in yellow underpants] [Kotaku]

Grand Theft Auto IV Gets Toned Down by Conan O' Brien

A recent Late Night with Conan O'Brien revealed that Grand Theft Auto IV is very toned down from it's earlier games. It's tone has been fixed up due to criticism. Don't get what I'm saying? Watch the video. It certainly is much more polite this time around.

[Conan O'Brien Shows "Toned Down" GTA IV]

Ben Gleck and His Idiotic Grand Theft Auto IV CNN Rant

It's pretty sad w hen you see people like this guy come around. One of those anti-gamers who think video games are going to destroy the world. Although at the beginning I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not. He tells that Rockstar's newly released Grand Theft Auto IV is training our kids to be killers, and treat women like whores. He says that it took many years to train the army to kill, and today, it will cost only $60. I laughed.

[Perhaps The Stupidest Anti-GTA Vid You'll See Today]

Grand Theft Auto IV Drove PlayStation 3 Sales

Sony Computer Entertainment America announced today that, as expected, Grand Theft Auto IV sales on the PlayStation 3 have been very strong and have drove sales of the console itself within the first 24-hours of launch.

“From our position, the launch of Grand Theft Auto IV has been tremendous in driving traffic to our stores, as well as providing a vigorous lift in PS3 console sales over this time last week. We attribute the growth to a huge fan base of PS2 owners who see this title as the trigger for the PS3 upgrade they’ve been planning,” said Bob McKenzie, Senior Vice President, Merchandising, GameStop Corp.

“I think brand loyalty is going to kick in for Sony, starting today,” said Wedbush Morgan industry analyst Michael Pachter. “There is a huge installed base of loyal PlayStation 2 owners who have been looking for a reason to upgrade, and they have strong previous ties to the Grand Theft Auto franchise on PlayStation platforms. Add to that a number of other big exclusive games for PS3, including Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, Metal Gear Solid 4, LittleBigPlanet, and SOCOM: Confrontation, to name a few, and it seems like Sony’s in a great position right now.”

“Grand Theft Auto fans who love the game grew up on PlayStation and we believe that rich heritage will be a deciding factor for many gamers at retail,” said Peter Dille, Senior Vice President, Marketing & PLAYSTATION Network. “This enthusiasm for Grand Theft Auto IV, combined with the excitement behind Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, Metal Gear Solid 4, LittleBigPlanet, and Resistance 2 will further drive PS3 hardware sales.”

With this and so many other AAA games coming out this year, you can't go wrong purchasing Grand Theft Auto IV on the PlayStation 3, or even getting the console for the game.

Grand Theft Auto IV: Yes, Apples are Fruits

Here is another pardoy from the minds of Rockstar in Grand Theft Auto IV. Ever hear of a company called Apple? Well, here is Rockstar's parody, called Fruit. It is a page on the internet browser in the game where it shows the Fruit computer and the iFruit Phone. The pictures speak for themselves.

[Flickr Find: Grand Theft Auto hides Apple and iPhone parody]

Grand Theft Auto IV: GT PS3 vs. Xbox 360 Comparison

The GameTrailers comparison for the two versions of Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto IV Is now up. There seems to be some good and some bad differences between the two. If you notice on the PlayStation 3 version, the GetaLife building pops-in, then out, such as that glitch in the Steinway Beer Garden. Rockstar should fix that. You decide for yourself, however.

Grand Theft Auto IV's Liberty City Gets Google Mapped

If you are still trying to find your way around Liberty City in Rockstar's recently released Grand Theft Auto IV, then this Google Map version of the city may help.

The Google map pinpoints many mission locations as well as all the restaurants, game places, streets and such for easy finding. View the map at the link.

[GTA 4 Liberty City Map]

Rockstar Working "Around the Clock" on PlayStation 3 Grand Theft Auto IV Fix

According to a Take-Two Customer Support, Rockstar Games are working "around the clock" to fix the freezing issues some have experienced in Grand Theft Auto IV.

The rep said "A patch is being worked on around the clock to address the issues. It's bound to be. That's how they address this sort of thing. It is being worked on. We're looking into it. You will hear from us if a patch is released. A patch is usually the way it's been done."

The Rockstar rep also offered some help on how to possibly stop the freezing. One would be removing the installed game data then reinstalling it, that worked for me as I got no more freezing after that. It would do it quite frequently before that. There are others that aren't so much fun, but I recommend that one. We will update you when this patch is released.

[Rockstar working "around the clock" on PS3 GTA 4 fix]

Grand Theft Auto IV Makes Comedy Central's The Daily Show

The latest episode of The Daily Show on Comedy Central features none other than Grand Theft Auto IV. Jon is one funny guy, thanking us for watching when we could be playing Grand Theft Auto IV. Oh yeah Jon? What if I was doing both? Exactly. Enjoy!

Grand Theft Auto IV Multiplayer Back Online

If you didn't know, Grand Theft Auto IV on the PlayStation 3 has been having some online issues. We are happy to say the game is back online and can now be played in multiplayer matches. What are you waiting for, get off onAXIS and go play on of the fourteen multiplayer modes. Yes, fourteen.

Although I got to say, now that I'm finally online I am a bit disappointed with the character creation. There is so little choice (roughly 4 choice to select for each piece of body wear and face). I'm not that far in, but do you unlock more for your online character as you progress through the game?