GTA4 preview details online multiplayer modes
by Kyle Orland 
{ Apr 8th 2008 at 11:00AM }
Among the interesting details discussed (some of which have also been revealed elsewhere):
- Previously rumored 16-player online play is confirmed.
- The online maps aren't changed in any way from single-player -- you can still drive vehicles from one end of the city to the other, if you want.
- There's no co-op option for the single-player missions, but many online modes allow for cooperation.
- Ranked online matches earn players in-game cash for character customization. Higher difficulty means more cash.
- Race mode can be played with or without weapons.
- The volume of other characters voices will vary depending on their distance from you. "So if you hear an enemy's voice, he's probably right behind you and it's too late."
Note: GameTap's servers are getting hit pretty hard, so the Read link may not load for a while.
Update: They're all live! GTA4.net has posted links to numerous multiplayer previews. (Thanks Cal!)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Obie @ Apr 8th 2008 11:06AM
HOLY SNEIKEYS!
Ok this one has just moved to the must buy list!
Who wants to recreate the heist scene from "Heat" with me? ;)
Jevanzz @ Apr 8th 2008 11:20AM
It wasn't already on your 'must-buy' list? 'twas on mine since there was rumours of a fourth GTA!
mr mobius @ Apr 8th 2008 11:44AM
This has now moved onto my 'might buy an Xbox 360 for this game' list.
bloatedfish @ Apr 8th 2008 11:49AM
Jesus H Christ re-creating that scene from heat would be the tits! Count me in sir.
rv @ Apr 8th 2008 12:02PM
This game has moved from the must buy list to holy fucking shit I must have this game now list.
Haon @ Apr 8th 2008 12:08PM
Heat? I call dibs on Val Kilmer. I wanna live baby! Plus I love his expression right before the bank gun fight :D
J @ Apr 8th 2008 12:57PM
okay "slick"..
Obie @ Apr 8th 2008 2:24PM
Funny enough I've never played a GTA game before, so I guess I in for a treat. :)
I love Al Pacino's line in the movie.
"She's got a GRRREAT ASS!"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=R3MFvKwhbjE\
I gotta buy this flick...top notch!
BananaBoat @ Apr 8th 2008 5:08PM
This might make me a gigantic tit, but I was honestly hoping for more than 16 player online. If you think about it, Liberty City is probably the largest multiplayer "map" ever. 16 people seems like too few to really take advantage of the entire city.
That said, 16 should be more than fine for modes that are more concentrated, etc. Certainly I wasn't expecting this game to pull me away from COD4 (atleast not in the multiplayer arena).
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 8th 2008 9:50PM
How about you recreate that scene, but have one dude as a cameraman for some real badass machinima?
Bad Mojo @ Apr 8th 2008 11:06AM
Totally stoked for this game the more info they release on it.
The end of April can't come soon enough! Here's to hoping time flies by even faster for once.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 8th 2008 11:07AM
"GameTap's servers are getting hit pretty hard, so the Read link may not load for a while"
That's the power of new GTA info
Omar @ Apr 8th 2008 11:39AM
Makes a man think, how rough will it be for Xbox Live and PSN when GTA4 finally hits the streets?
PSN: KillaKornbread (the shirt is a lie!) @ Apr 8th 2008 12:46PM
im with you on that Omar. ill be very curious to see if the they have a significant amount of servers set up for this game when it drops. im more so leaning to them underestimating the selling power of the game and probably not having enough from the get go but there is plenty of other stuff to do besides online although online will be the bee's knees.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 8th 2008 1:09PM
it's gonna be a nightmare on live the first day or so. Every big multiplayer game that 360 gets the first day it crashes. This will be the biggest so I don't see how it wont' crash (although i hope i'm wrong)
Deck @ Apr 8th 2008 11:14AM
Oh my god...*drools*
I am SO pumped for this! It just keeps getting better and better!
Phylicus @ Apr 8th 2008 11:14AM
The voice proximity feature is outstanding. Just makes so much sense. Now I'll just have to work on my battle cry.
Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 8th 2008 11:39AM
SPOOOOOON!
Phylicus @ Apr 8th 2008 11:44AM
SPOOOOOORK!
JJ Rooster @ Apr 8th 2008 11:56AM
Will the PS3 version have voice chat?
Phylicus @ Apr 8th 2008 12:03PM
If the PS3 has a headset feature, than I would reckon so. But I wouldn't know; I'm a 360 kind of guy.
PSN: KillaKornbread (the shirt is a lie!) @ Apr 8th 2008 12:50PM
why wouldnt it have voice chat? i mean PS3 doesnt have voice chat across all games like 360 but the majority of games still offer it. i would be seriously surprised if this game didnt have it.
now back to thinking up a battle cry.....i think im leaning towards "i'm gonna fuck you Deliverance style!" yea thatll make um squeal like a pig.
Mr.ESC @ Apr 8th 2008 2:25PM
LAAAADDDDIIIIEEEEESSSS FIIIIRRRSTTT!
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 8th 2008 9:51PM
LEEEEEEEEEROOOOOOOOOOY JEEEEEEEEENKIIIIIIIINSSSSS
Martez @ Apr 8th 2008 11:15AM
Yeah, this was in the EGM that came out last week. Cops 'N Crooks sounds like a ton of fun.
Phranctoast @ Apr 8th 2008 11:32AM
Is it like the Kane and Lynch version?
Martez @ Apr 8th 2008 12:09PM
Dunno, never played it.
Jomolungma @ Apr 8th 2008 11:21AM
It will probably take an enormous force of will, but I would like to complete the single player before I get too involved in the multi-player. I'll have to come up with some kind of ratio, like 3 hours of SP to 1 hour of MP until I finish SP. Otherwise, I may never get past the first 5 minutes of the SP. The photos that were released on Shacknews today (http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/52105) make my mouth water even more for the MP.
Jevanzz @ Apr 8th 2008 11:24AM
Beating some sucker around the face with a dildo is going to be so much better now that it's online.
JJ Rooster @ Apr 8th 2008 12:03PM
Saves you a trip downtown to the homeless shelter, eh?
PSN: KillaKornbread (the shirt is a lie!) @ Apr 8th 2008 12:51PM
lol at JJ Rooster. that is the most preposterous statement ive heard all day lol.
xFenixKnightx @ Apr 8th 2008 11:26AM
Yes please!
Co @ Apr 8th 2008 11:34AM
16 players doing what exactly? Deathmatch? Capture the hooker?
Arttemis @ Apr 8th 2008 12:38PM
There's been info about 15 different play modes for weeks. http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/14/rumor-gta-iv-multiplayer-to-boast-15-modes-16-players/
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 8th 2008 2:24PM
doing a hell of a lot more than your typical online deathmatch and capture the flag a hundred million times
Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 8th 2008 11:40AM
multiplayer won't be touched by me until the MGO beta ends....
arrrgh @ Apr 8th 2008 11:54AM
ok
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Apr 8th 2008 1:48PM
Hey you hear that?
It's the sound of nobody caring.
ThePremierAssassin @ Apr 8th 2008 11:48AM
I have to finish LO and Mass Effect b4 this drops...
Cyro @ Apr 8th 2008 1:36PM
Not possible.... 2 Great games right there that you SHOULD NOT RUSH.
Cal @ Apr 8th 2008 11:48AM
Only new stuff I see there is weapons on or off in race, but then again we've already been told that the hosts have tons of options...
kbomb1upc @ Apr 8th 2008 11:49AM
I'm sad to say that I've never bought any of the GTA series *ducks* but this one looks very good. I might end up getting this one.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Apr 8th 2008 1:13PM
OH GOD!!
Why won't the 29th come any sooner!!!
Van @ Apr 8th 2008 2:17PM
I've never really played any of others either, but since this has multiplayer I may pick it up.
xFenixKnightx @ Apr 8th 2008 4:01PM
kbomb1upc
Ditto, this one here...it just looks amazing. Im sold for the first time. Vice City almost had me but I didnt end up buying it. I have this one on pre-order!!!
kbomb1upc @ Apr 8th 2008 6:57PM
@FenixKnight
Yeah...The reason I never got any of the GTA series is that I'm not that big on sandbox games and I have a short attention span (also the main two reasons I've never played any RPG's except the Marvel one's if you count that). I'm still trying to finish Assassin's Creed and Resistance. But the multi player has me really excited. So this might be a go, cause I can always rely on multi player when my single player experience is getting kind of boring.
mr mobius @ Apr 8th 2008 11:51AM
It is just like a mini mmorpg with 16 people or is that some sort of huge deathmatch?
After this they'd be stupid if didn't do some sort of mmorpg GTA without leveling etc but loads of missions and upgrades (makes more sense to have many upgrades rather than levels, also means there is risk of losing anything that isn't in a bank.
mike @ Apr 8th 2008 11:58AM
I must say GTA 4 sounds like its returning to its roots. I was a huge fan of GTA 1 and 2 and the expansions, games which im sure most of you so called GTA fanboys didnt even play. GTA 3 and its expansions all left me with a sour taste. Not the gta I remembered, and completely missing the multiplayer I use to love from the first 2. GTa 4 seems to have brought back the classic multiplayer + more modes, still allowing the use of the whole city. The 2 player seems to be alot better as well.
Ill probably end up buying it, but I still am gonna wait to see what the gameplay looks like when a video finally hits the net (Im talking real gameplay, of some1 playing the game, not all these gameplay with pre-played out scenes shot at different angles)
Vidikron (FU) @ Apr 8th 2008 12:01PM
"There's no co-op option for the single-player missions, but many online modes allow for cooperation. "
Alas, the most important MP feature is not available.
tmacairjordan87 @ Apr 8th 2008 12:15PM
there's no need for co-op through the single player campaign since it's the...SINGLE PLAYER campaign.
There's a free roam multiplayer mode, which is really all that's needed.