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Grand Theft Auto is thought of by many to be one
of the finest videogame series ever created. It’s featured some of
the largest selling videogame releases ever, courted more
controversy than any and all of developer RockStar Games’ other
productions – including the infamous Manhunt – and helped to
cement a profile for it’s oft-thought host, the PlayStation series;
although, of course, the series in-fact began life as a PC title.
Hardware manufacturers obviously realise the success a
title such as Grand Theft Auto can bring, single-handily
aiding to shift consoles, and RockStar Games certainly know how to
drum-up hype. Without a single piece of video footage, not one
screenshot, story detail or any other note of significance other
than a release date, Peter Moore unveiled to the world that the title would
simultaneously launch on both PLAYSTATION3, and Xbox360, on October
16th in the US, and October 19th, 2007, in the UK, at
E3 2006. Also, it was added, that Microsoft and RockStar Games
had entered an agreement to provide exclusive episodic content for
download via the Xbox360's XboxLIVE! Marketplace.
RockStar Games updated their own Grand Theft Auto IV
website last week with an obvious anticipation-generator; a
countdown timer to the arrival of the first trailer. That trailer
has now arrived, and for all you lucky people, it’s available right
now over at the
Electronic
Theatre: Assets section.
So what exactly have we learnt? Well, it appears as
though the player will this time become entwined with the story of
an immigrant arriving in Liberty City. Very atmospheric and allowing
scope for some immense rumour-based discussions on internet forums;
the trailer, unsurprisingly, actually told us very little about the
gameplay. It’s nice to see RockStar Games certainly haven’t lost
their touch for courting controversy, and have managed to guarantee
themselves – if they needed any more reassurance – a sure-fire hit,
let’s just hope theirs substance behind all this teasing. |
