June 28, 2007 - Looking for that Special Someone
As the fires of our anticipation waned ever so slightly, Rockstar ignited yet more excitement with GTA IV's second trailer. With a lot more action, a lot more Nico and a lot more exposition, we were getting tantilisingly close to finding out what this Grand Theft Auto adventure was all about.
The gameplay shown off included Nico's much-lauded walking animation, high-powered gun battles with police, Nico's mobilephoneand a sheen of realism that enhanced the impact of every frame. IfGTA IV reallylooks and plays this good, we pondered, our real lives are effectively doomed.
July 18, 2007 - A Closer Look
By now, we were gagging for another chance to get personal with Grand Theft Auto IV, and Rockstar duly satisfied with a huge gameplay demo. It begins by showing offthe mobile phone-based interaction, as Nico sets up a meeting with his friendly local arms-dealer.
What gets us leaping around, though, is a tiny detail - Nico hailing a taxi and riding as a passenger, directing his cabbie using a popup map. We barely recover from this shock before our first real mission experience unfolds before our eyes, Nico carrying out a string of hits.
The action we see is incredibly dynamic, involving the in-game Internet, a job interview, a murder in a crowd, the Resi 4-style gun controls, some violent police response and a sticky end for our man. In short, we're amazed.
August 2, 2007 - Delay Disappointment
Ack! That's it for the next-gen revolution, as Rockstar announce GTA IV is delayed until February next year at the earliest. GamesRadar towers quickly becomes a pit of sorrow.
October 16, 2007 - Multiplayer?
Just a few days before the game was originally due to hit the shops, and a US website hints that Rockstar is aiming to provide 16-player online multiplayer, and hope to open the whole of Liberty City for deathmatch action. GamesRadar towers quickly becomes a well of happiness.
Until today, obviously, when we realise we should have been playing Grand Theft Auto IV right now. Cue the sad face.
