What we already know

[Red_91]

The FACTS

___________________________________________________________

• Name of The Game: UNCONFIRMED.

Generally expected to simply be entitled Grand Theft Auto 4 (GTA4/GTAIV). Although the next GTA is a long way from being the 4th installment in the franchise, most are of the opinion that it will be called GTA4 as it will be built around a new proprietary engine and as such will be the true sequel to GTA3.

• Setting and Theme: UNCONFIRMED.

Nothing concrete is known about the setting of the game, though it is widely rumoured to be located somewhere in Europe**. In terms of single cities the front runners on the rumour mill circuit include London, Carcer City and Tokyo.

For your two cents worth on prospective locations go here

** The idea that the next GTA installment is to be set somewhere in Europe first appeared in December 2004 when games industry trade paper MCV claimed that "sources close to the project" suggested that "the team is looking beyond the US for the setting of the next title, with Europe a strong contender." Further loud noises about a GTA set Europe emerged in early 2006, first when the Inquirer suggested that "New GTA will focus on London" and then again when a UK based gaming magazine speculated about a GTA in Europe.

• Platform: Playstation3 & Xbox360.

Due to Rockstars historical links to Sony (in fact Sam Houser worked for 8 years at Sony's BMG UK) it is widely expected that the next GTA will debut on Sony's next gen PS3 system, with possible PC and Xbox360 conversions some time thereafter.

• Release: October 2007 on Xbox and PS3.

Due to the way Rockstar/Take Two's fiscal year breaks down, combined with their need to please the shareholders, the accepted wisdom is that the next 'real' GTA will touch down sometime around November/October. Optimistic speculators have it down as October 06, others have it down for October 2007. Either way nothing is confirmed.

** Recent developments seem to bolster the latter viewpoint, that the next GTA will not be seen until 2007. According to a report posted on Gamespot (07/03/2006), it would seem that an 06 release for the next console GTA is highly unlikely.

Gamespot cited a recent quarterly report from Take Two, claiming that "Rockstar Games' parent company, Take-Two Interactive, narrowed the time frame for the debut of the Grand Theft Auto series on next-generation consoles." They go on to state that "the statement eliminated any chance that a next-gen installment in the franchise will make its traditional late-October window."

Hearteningly, the report, in a round about way, acts as confirmation that a 'next-gen' console GTA is actually in the works and that "it will be what you would expect in a great Grand Theft Auto product."

Web Resources

___________________________________________________________

• GTA4.net

This networks dedicated GTA4 site.

• Rockstar North

Website of the Scottish developers of GTA.

• Rockstargames.com

Rockstar's marquee website.

[Kitsune Inferno]

Damn, you put effort in this. My only nitpicks are that we KNOW that GTA4 is going to be released on the Xbox 360 on the same day as the PS3. (Hell, the game was announced at an Xbox 360 event.) Other than that, this is good.

[Nate10]

Actually Tec 9,he might of put some effort in cut and pasting that but i'm pretty sure he didn't do that himself.But I was gonna say for this topic basically we no nothing.Guess I was wrong.

[Slayer]

I believe we know that Lazlow will appear in GTA4. Sry if I'm wrong.

[Nate10]

Yay.I always liked Lazlo on Gta.He's so funny.Even though i'd hear the samething over and over it never stopped being amusing.

[TG187]

I didnt hear him.

[Nate10]

I didnt hear him.

Who?.Lazlo?He's like on all the talk stations of Gta!

[TG187]

I only listen user track radios.

[2pac_thug_4_life]

lol lazlow is a h00t