Entertainment | April 29, 2008 | 23 comments

GTA IV set to smash gaming history to pieces

source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7372736.stm

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mattbrawn
It's here. The wait is over. Grand Theft Auto IV has finally landed with it expecting to smash sales records the world over.

Stores in both the UK and US opened their doors at midnight to give eager gamers the chance to get their hands on it and to no doubt give them a headstart on raking in the sales revenue. Pre-release figures estimate that the game could break the sales record set by Halo 3 in it's opening week, pulling in over £200 million.

Online shop Play.com has reportedly been taking up to 80 pre-orders a minute of the latest in the acclaimed franchise. With the company's CEO saying "It's the biggest game of the year by a country mile. We always look forward to a Grand Theft Auto release, we even call it a 'GTA Year'," to Sky News Online.

The game has received huge critical acclaim, with a host of websites and magazines giving the it their top honours. Gaming score aggregator Gamerankings.com states the game currently has an average of 99.1%, with Eurogamer giving the game a straight 10 out of 10.

Rumours have also emerged that a UPS distribution shipping centre is now a little 'lighter' on staff after it was revealed several had stolen copies of the game before it's release date. There's some unemployed delivery drivers somewhere, happy that they now have all the time in the world to play what is no doubt one of, if not, the greatest video games ever. Not got a copy? Just be glad you still have a job.
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23 comments // GTA IV set to smash gaming history to pieces

  • CalPerr
  • Humdrum
    • 0
      Humdrum  

    • It is well worth watching the television in the dude's apartment, particularly for the "I'm Rich" show.
      Hilarious! Trust me.
      They do a kick ass job at blatant, bloody, take no prisoners satire of pop culture.

    • 3 years ago
  • CalPerr
    • 0
      CalPerr  

    • I have played a good bit and the story so far is NOT violence for the sake of violence. Your character is a former Red Army soldier and is trying everything in his power to leave that life behind without getting any of his friends of family killed along the way.

    • 3 years ago
  • bigloutech
  • swizzylions
  • Humdrum
  • ipodrulz
  • ohh_Donna
  • bluesoldier11
  • Humdrum
    • 0
      Humdrum  

    • It's actually quite funny how it satirizes American pop culture so deeply and throughly, and even American society and government, etc. Just listen to the radio. Hilarious stuff is uttered.

    • 3 years ago
  • natenate
    • 0
      natenate  

    • This game is amazing. I've been playing it constantly since early this morning. I cannot describe the brilliance of this piece of software. It captures a living, breathing city exquisitely. This is truly the best sandbox game, yet it has an immersive story that I find utterly fascinating.

    • 3 years ago
  • bumbl
    • 0
      bumbl  

    • Set to smash history, Set to crash XBOX. Lets just wait to get it when Rockstar gets a patch to fix it like they did to "Bully,Scholar edition".

    • 3 years ago
  • lwhi
  • Humdrum
    • 0
      Humdrum  

    • This game rocks. The main character is Eastern European, and it doesn't really ring of exploitation (didn't play San Andres, so I can't comment on the blacksploitation bit).

      As to the game being all about sex, drugs, and rock and roll...yeah, so?
      That's exactly what people play it for, and that's exactly what it delivers. It's a blast. People don't play it to expand their minds.
      Also, the script is top-notch - WAY better than most scripts that get squeezed out of Hollywood's aching sphincter (which is ridiculous when you think about it).
      Dito to the cinematics - and even the acting, for @#$'s sake!
      The game's bad ass, humorous in the right ways, and a hell of a lot of fun.
      A+

    • 3 years ago
  • R7
    • 0
      R7  

    • yeh, i agree with dco, how many people really wanna play that type of character, a gun sportin' dude from 'da hood' who's just gonna kill things for fun.. i mean, i know that is basically what the game is, but i think GTA IV is gonna break that mold, im guessing its got an epic storyline, and if it doesn't, its a let down in my eyes, just more violence for the sake of violence.. but lets hope not ;]

    • 3 years ago
  • cheche_201
  • dco
    • 0
      dco  

    • I was really unhappy with San Andreas; it was just a big heap of blacksploitation. It seems like 4 will be better, though.

    • 3 years ago
  • lwhi
    • 0
      lwhi  

    • Just watched a video talking about the gameplay... and showing footage from the game - it looks utterly amazing.

      If I'm honest, I'm a little bit worried about buying this. Free time would become a thing of the past.

    • 3 years ago
  • amaness
  • richjm
    • 0
      richjm  
    • Image

    • "Man stabbed at GTA launch"

      When life imitates art...

      It seems the victim knows his attacker and it was a case of wrong place at the wrong time but this will no doubt be blamed on the game's violence.

    • 3 years ago
  • bubbeemonkey
    • 0
      bubbeemonkey  

    • I feel my life is going to be slightly inferior, lacking somehow, until I play this game.

      Its a bit sad, I know, but its the same reason every man in the world will want to watch Indiana Jones.

    • 3 years ago
  • fostec
    • 0
      fostec  
    • Image

    • There mite b a hitch in it being the best game in the history of the world ever, there's issues with the BenQ CD drives that Microsoft have used in the new gen Xboxes.

      Info at the jump, and a kind of ironic picture at the thumbnail. A bit of 'rendering' similar to in the game.

      Anyone had any issues with this? It's blowing up on the forums and think if the rumours are true then the EA takeover of Rockstar Games's sister company might get reassessed...

    • 3 years ago
  • richjm
    • 0
      richjm  
    • Image

    • I'm so impressed with this game already. It was massively hyped and I knew it would be huge but after a lengthy play I'd say the acclaim is well-deserved.

      There's videos of gameplay and all sorts of facts at this link below.

      Has anyone else played it? Does it live up to the hype for you?

    • 3 years ago
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