Grand Theft Auto IV: Difference between revisions

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'''Grand Theft Auto IV''' (officially abbreviated as '''GTA IV''') is the eleventh [[Grand Theft Auto]] game in the series, the first of the [[GTA IV Era]].


'''''Grand Theft Auto IV''''' (referred to as GTA IV or GTA4) will be the eleventh [[Grand Theft Auto]] game in the series. The game is being developed by [[Rockstar North]], and will be published and released by [[Rockstar Games]].
The game was developed by [[Rockstar North]] and was published and released by [[Rockstar Games]] for the [[Xbox 360]], [[PlayStation 3]], and [[Personal Computer|PC]]. The Xbox 360 and PS3 versions were been released worldwide to widespread hype on April 29, 2008. GTA IV was subsequently been awarded the Gaming World Record of the Most Successful Entertainment Launch of All Time and has received numerous other awards and accolades. The original version made even more success than its expansions. The PC version was released on December 3, 2008.


The original release dates announced by [[Take-Two]] for the [[Xbox 360]] and [[PlayStation 3]] were October 16th 2007 in North America, and October 19th 2007 in the United Kingdom and rest of Europe. However on August 2nd 2007, a press release was issued stating that the game had been pushed back to the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, which indicates a release of February, March, or April 2008. In November 2007, Take Two said they would only release GTA IV when it was complete, and were still not willing to set a firm release date. Despite this, the game is still set in October 2007.
==Game Information==
<div style="float:left; width:150px; margin:15px;">
'''Game Content'''
*[[Liberty City in GTA IV]]
*[[Vehicles in GTA IV|Vehicles]]
*[[Missions in GTA IV|Missions]]
*[[Missions in GTA IV Era]]
*[[Weapons in GTA IV|Weapons]]
*[[Characters in GTA IV|Characters]]
*[[Gangs in GTA IV|Gangs]]
*[[TV Shows in GTA IV|TV Shows]]
*[[Radio Stations in GTA IV|Radio Stations]]
*[[Businesses in GTA IV| Businesses]]
</div>
<div style="float:left; width:150px; margin:15px;">
'''Game Features'''
*[[Cheats in GTA IV|Cheats]]
*[[Grand Theft Auto IV/Features|Features]]
*[[Multiplayer in GTA IV|Multiplayer]]
*[[Multiplayer Clothing in GTA IV|Multiplayer Clothing]]
*[[Internet in GTA IV|Internet]]
*[[Wanted Level in GTA IV|Wanted Level]]
*[[Friendships in GTA IV|Friendships]]
*[[Girlfriends in GTA IV|Girlfriends]]
*[[Safehouses in GTA IV|Safehouses]]
*[[Secrets and Easter Eggs in GTA IV|Secrets and Easter Eggs]]
*[[Special Vehicles in GTA IV|Unique Vehicles]]
</div>
<div style="float:left; width:150px; margin:15px;">
'''Main Articles'''
*[[Grand Theft Auto IV Confirmed Information|Pre-release Information]]
*[[Grand Theft Auto IV/Criticism and Sales|Critical Reception and Sales]]
*[[Completion in GTA IV|Completion]]
*[[Achievements in GTA IV|Achievements & Trophies]]
*[[Grand Theft Auto IV/Trailers|Trailers]]
*[[GTA IV Gripes|Gripes]]
*[[GTA IV Timeline]]
*[[GTA IV Tips|Tips]]
</div>
 
<br clear="left" />
 
==Theme==
{{toc}}
The very first dialogue by Niko in the very first trailer for the game, this sets up the first notable [[protagonist]] to be from another country, [[Niko Bellic]], to enter the [[United States of America]] and make more critical analysis of American culture than previous main characters have done. ''Grand Theft Auto IV's'' deeper meaning circulates around Niko's own philosophy, and his clear, blunt critiques of American culture and life in general make the deeper ideas much easier to see and understand. Niko is normally shown to be in the right, but is also proven to be overly cynical, leaving interpretation open to the viewer. The game and its very complex plot deals with several themes:


On January 24 2008, Rockstar announced the release date as 29th April 2008. ''"Developed by Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto IV will be simultaneously available for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and Playsttion 3 computer entertainment system and will be in stores worldwide on April 29, 2008."'' No [[PC]] version of the game has been announced, although one is expected a few months after the first release.
As read on the packaging of the game, Rockstar Games asks "what does the American dream mean today?". Niko is cynical about America, saying "capitalism is a dirty business" and only people who are extremely greedy and/or born into wealth have any opportunity. [[Mikhail Faustin]] also laments before he dies that "America made [[Dimitri Rascalov|him]] greedy! ...This American greed takes everyone! It is like a disease!". Niko mocks American stereotypes like "strip malls and clinical obesity" (as do the makers of the game by hilariously parodying concepts like [[wp:Post-9/11|post-9/11 hysteria]] and [[wp:Celebrity|celebrity obsession]]). On the flip-side Roman Bellic, as well as other characters ([[Brucie Kibbutz]], [[Bernie Crane]], [[Ivan Bytchkov]] and [[Hossan Ramzy]] among others) are optimistic about America and life in general, tend to do very well for themselves financially, and try in vain to encourage Niko to be more optimistic.


<div style="width:100%;padding:10px;text-align:right;font-style:italic;">"Life is complicated; I killed people, smuggled people, sold people. Perhaps here, things will be different."</div>
The American dream is also shown not to be promised to anyone, not even when they already live in America. Social circles all the way from Playboy X and Elizabeta Torres to Patrick McReary all have trouble making and responsibly saving money, not restricting it to any one nationality. Early on, [[The Beat 102.7]] explains that their listeners "don't know how to manage their money yet!". Gerry describes his family's spending habits as "Never any fucking focus! Never! ...Oh yeah, wine and women as quick as possible, and remain a slave forever". Packie eventually says after [[Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend|a mission]] "Well, Niko, that was a whole lot of effort for no fucking reward. Story of my life." to which Niko replies "It is the story of a lot of lives, Packie. I'm getting used to hearing it". A very interesting part of the in-game media is a show called [[I'm Rich]], which documents the most outrageous displays of gluttony by the world's wealthiest people, enough to make anyone feel inadequate.
__TOC__
== Known info ==


Grand Theft Auto IV is set in 2007 in a redesigned [[Liberty City in GTA IV|Liberty City]] based on New York. [[Niko Bellic]] is an Eastern European that has come to [[USA|America]] to find a better life, following the the advice of his brother [[Roman]]. However, when he arrives, he finds that Roman has been lying - he isn't rich, he isn't popular and he's actually in a load of trouble. Niko has been duped to solve Roman's problems, and soon ends up in trouble himself.
Grand Theft Auto IV has an extremely complex plot with a very long list of characters. It is also the first game that allows the player to change the plot by making choices, which all have consequences. This creates an atmosphere where Niko is haunted and shadowed by his past actions wherever he goes. He tells Roman "There is no such thing as a new beginning, Roman. With every day we live, we pick up new baggage, baggage we must carry with us for the rest of our lives. There's no dropping it and pretending we are fresh and clean, just because we get off a boat in a new place." Prime examples include his numerous run-ins with [[Ray Bulgarin]], most of the [[Random Characters in GTA IV Era|random characters]], and working alongside [[Johnny Klebitz]] or Patrick McReary while he had, either by not having met them yet or circumstances beyond his control, killed someone close to them. In the finale, Niko feels the coffin of Kate or Roman, depending on the player's choice, on his conscience because of his criminal lifestyle, saying they "never should have gotten close to me". He is deeply depressed about being trapped in the criminal lifestyle (by a need of income), telling Kate McReary and others that he wishes he could leave it behind, but often adds that he knows he can't.


GTA IV is powered by [[RAGE]], the Rockstar Advanced Games Engine, which was 'tested' in [[Rockstar Presents Table Tennis]]. The immense new graphics and effects will dwarf all previous GTA games. Although the size of the map is no bigger than [[San Andreas]], the detail of the city has been enriched to a unique depth. There is no "wasted" open space, and every inch of the city tells a story.
'''Main Characters:'''
*[[Niko Bellic]]: The playable protagonist, through whose eyes the player sees the world of the game. He is morally upstanding and logical despite his criminal life, but is often shown to have authority issues. He is also more cynical and pessimistic than is good for him. He seems to sort people into three categories:


There are no planes in GTA IV, since there is only one city and nowhere to travel to, but helicopters will be in the game.
*[[Roman Bellic]], [[Little Jacob]], [[Brucie Kibbutz]], [[Kate McReary]] and [[Bernie Crane]]: The '''optimists''', people Niko likes because of their positivity, and they all try in vain to encourage Niko to be more optimistic. Many are foolish and could be mistaken for comic relief, but they do offer pearls of wisdom about life and success, a realization that Niko must make at the same time. Other interesting cases are Ivan Bytchkov, and Hossan, both immigrants like Niko but with much more confidence in the American way of life.


==Trailers==
*[[Packie McReary]], [[Gerald McReary]], [[Derrick McReary]], [[Dwayne Forge]] and [[Phil Bell]]: The '''pessimists''', people Niko likes because they have angst that he instinctively responds to. Packie and Dwayne especially become friends of Niko because of their shared struggle; Niko confides in Dwayne remarkably early in their relationship when he says "you remind me of me". It's also notable that he relates well to Jon Gravelli and his bleak sense of humor, despite an enormous age gap, other lifestyle differences and Niko's traditional dislike of his bosses.
===Trailer 1: "Things Will Be Different"===
[[Image:Algonquin_Bridge_2.jpg|thumb|left|250px|An early screenshot of the game's protagonist, [[Niko Bellic]]]]
The first trailer for ''Grand Theft Auto IV'' was released on March 29, 2007 at 22:00 UTC. At the time the trailer was released, Rockstar's servers for the trailer's official website became almost immediately overloaded.


The trailer is 1:03 in length and features the main protagonist [[Niko Bellic]], who has a brief monologue: "Life is complicated; I killed people, smuggled people, sold people. Perhaps here, things will be different." The trailer ends with the "IV" and fades out to the Rockstar logo.
*[[Vladimir Glebov|Vlad Glebov]], [[Dimitri Rascalov]], [[Mikhail Faustin]], [[Ray Bulgarin]], [[Francis McReary]], [[United Liberty Paper]], [[Manny Escuela]], [[Elizabeta Torres]], [[Playboy X]], [[Ray Boccino]] and [[Jimmy Pegorino]]: The '''corrupt''', people Niko doesn't like (or forced to take orders of them) because of their greed or immorality. He had to take orders from all of them, considers killing most of them at least once, and inevitably kills above one third of them. This, combined with his dislike of capitalism, shows that Niko has authority issues and can't stand corrupt people in power. With the exception of United Liberty Paper, Elizabeta (who ends up in jail) and only if spared Playboy X and Francis McReary, all of the corrupt end up dead


The trailer features several New York City landmarks, including locations and structures resembling the Coney Island Cyclone, Times Square ([[Star Junction]]), the Statue of Liberty ([[Statue of Happiness]]), the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and the MetLife Building (branded as "GetaLife"). The trailer uses a similar cinematic style to Godfrey Reggio's 1982 documentary film ''Koyaanisqatsi'' and used Philip Glass's original music from the film (the opening and closing stanzas of the track "Pruitt-Igoe") as well as emulated time-lapsed filming from "The Grid".
*[[Mallorie Bardas]], [[Karen]], [[Jon Gravelli]], [[Darko Brevic]], [[Bryce Dawkins]], [[Johnny Klebitz]]; '''other''' characters in the game.


Rockstar has stated that all the trailer's footage is in High-Definition 720p, generated real-time by the game's [[Rockstar Advanced Game Engine|RAGE]] engine, running on an actual game console.
*[[Michelle (GTA IV)|Michelle]], [[Kate McReary]], [[Carmen Ortiz]], [[Kiki Jenkins]] and [[Alex Chilton]]; '''girlfriends''' Niko can date. Michelle and Kate are unlocked in the story mode; the other 3 must be met by the internet. Each girlfriend has their own opinions on what they would like Niko to drive in, wear and go to. The 3 online girlfriends can give Niko a special ability once he pleases them enough in quality and quantity of date.


===Trailer 2: "Looking For That Special Someone"===
==Audio==
[[Image:Dents.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A screenshot showing off massively improved particle effects in the second trailer]]
{{audio | file=GTAIV-Theme.ogg | caption=[[Soviet Connection - The Theme from Grand Theft Auto IV|Soviet Connection]] - GTA IV Main Theme | author=[[Michael Hunter]] }}
On 28 June 2007 at 12:00 EST, the second trailer was released, entitled [[Looking for that Special Someone]]. The Trailer is 1:06 in length and begins with many aerial shots of [[Liberty City]] before showing Niko in conversation who replies "We're all looking for that special someone". It also reveals Niko can hold on to the backs of vehicles and skids of helicopters, however it is unknown if these are user-controlled actions or are in [[cutscene]]s only. It also displays improved particle effects, particularly on weapons, and demonstrates the increased force of the police. [[Roman]] is also partly revealed in the second trailer, and unlike Niko he does not speak with an Eastern European accent. [[El Burro]] and [[8-Ball]] make cameos as their game art is depicted as graffiti on a building opposite the Bank of Liberty, [[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City|GTA Vice City]] motorcycle artwork is also apparent on the wall. Other recurring elements from the GTA series appear in the trailer as well; [[Binco]], [[Sprunk]], [[Burger Shot]] and [[Cluckin' Bell]] to name a few.


The song played in the second trailer is "Arm In Arm (Shy Child Remix)" by a New York-based band, The Boggs.
==Plot==
{{spoiler}}
===Time period===
{{Chronology}}
The game is set in 2008, the year the game was released. It is specifically between July and October:


* In The Ballad of Gay Tony, whose timeline intersects the original GTA IV frequently, Gay Tony mentions in [[I Luv LC]] that "the banks" had been bailed out which was made official on October 3, 2008.
* A Weazel News segment on the radio says that [[Paper Trail]] and [[Entourage]] were about one month apart.
* Another Weazel News radio cast says that a month after the [[Platypus]] captain's body was found, shipmate [[Dave Bosoy]] was also found dead - Dave was found around the same time as [[Undress to Kill]].
* [[Ernesto Lopez]] mentions to [[Luis Lopez]] that his children are in school.
* The entire plot also likely happens in less than three months - a celebrity named [[Cloe Parker]] has a three-month-old child, and in tabloid tradition there would have been extensive coverage of her pregnancy.
* The real-life New York City begins to snow around mid November, and it never snows in the game.
* It's never revealed whether [[John Hunter]] or [[Michael Graves]] was elected governor, which would have occurred in early November.


===Trailer 3: "Move Up, Ladies"===
===Pretense===
The third trailer, entitled [[Move Up, Ladies]], was released on 6th December 2007. This video contains a variety of dialogue and action sequences. The trailer was announced along with the unveiling of the official [[:image:iv boxart.jpg|box art]] on 28th November 2007.
Grand Theft Auto IV follows the story of Niko Bellic; Before the events of the game, he fought in the Bosnian War as a teenager, was betrayed by one of the members (which got most of the squad killed) and is now obsessed with getting revenge. After fighting in the war, bad circumstances led him to work for Ray Bulgarin in human trafficking, which ended with Niko being blamed for a sinking ship and leaving Europe to escape Bulgarin's wrath and power. While spending the next seven months in the merchant navy he made the decision to move to Liberty City, where his cousin Roman claimed to be living a life of luxury (as well as to hunt down one of the two suspected traitors, Florian Cravic).


==Magazine Previews==
===Broker-Dukes===
The May 2007 [[GameInformer]] magazine contains an exclusive preview of GTA IV, including the name of the main character: [[Niko Bellic]].
The game begins with Niko getting off the container ship "Platypus" and meeting his cousin Roman. He quickly finds out that Roman completely bluffed about his lifestyle, both as a joke and to recruit help, as he is living the average life of a poor immigrant in [[Hove Beach]]. Niko spends the next few weeks working at Roman's cab depot (making friends like "Little" Jacob Hughes and Brucie Kibbutz in the process, as well as a girlfriend [[Michelle (GTA IV)|Michelle]]) and fighting off his loan sharks - this eventually leads to Niko killing Vlad Glebov, a Russian mobster and one of the sharks, for sleeping with Roman's girlfriend [[Mallorie Bardas]]. Immediately after, they are kidnapped by the Russian mob and before they are both nearly killed, Niko wins over the mob's leaders [[Mikhail Faustin]] and Dimitri Rascalov to work for them instead. Because Mikhail is a violent, irrational sociopath (even by organized crime standards), he has Niko kill the son of [[Kenny Petrovic]], the most powerful Russian mobster in the United States. After a short while, Dimitri tells Niko that to survive Petrovic, he must kill Mikhail. They successfully kill him and appease Petrovic, but when Niko is to receive payment, Dimitri reveals that he is now partnered with Ray Bulgarin and tries to have him killed. Niko and Roman, whose apartment and cab depot were also burned to the ground by Dimitri, must leave [[Broker]] and hide with Mallorie's cousins, north of town in [[Bohan]].


''"Life is complicated. I killed people. Smuggled people. Sold people. Perhaps here, things will be different." These words, tellingly and optimistically spoken by Grand Theft Auto IV's protagonist, Niko Bellic, don't just speak of a tarnished soul that sees opportunity in a new city. They point directly to the future of the series.''
===Bohan and early Algonquin===
Mallorie introduces Niko to both Manny Ecsuela, a community organizer making a documentary about his good deeds, and Elizabeta Torres, an extremely influential drug supplier (who, in turn, introduces Niko to Playboy X and Patrick McReary). Through Manny, Niko is blackmailed by police chief [[Francis McReary]] into silencing people for him, including famous lawyer [[Tom Goldberg]]. As the authorities close in on Elizabeta's drug ring, Niko's girlfriend Michelle reveals that she is an undercover agent and Niko will be forced to work for her boss. Elizabeta is arrested and sentenced to 300 years (but not before she kills Manny, for trying to citizen arrest her for publicity). Niko moves on to work for Playboy, who is embarrassed to welcome back his old-fashioned mentor Dwayne Forge from prison. As their views conflict and their friendship deteriorates, Playboy and Dwayne each try to have Niko kill the other. Niko's decision of who to kill is one of seven pivotal choices in the game, left to the player. Niko is paid twenty-five grand to kill Dwayne, who could be framed as suicidal, delusional and ready to die. However, if he kills Playboy, who could be considered very greedy and disrespectful to his mentor, he is rewarded with his penthouse and car (worth much more). Niko also does very secretive work for United Liberty Paper, the front company which Michelle's (real name Karen) superiors cover themselves with. Niko is ironically told to kill other criminals who immigrated from Eastern Europe, for their ties to financing terrorist activity.


''Like Bellic, Grand Theft Auto is travelling to a place where many people have gone to find the so-called 'American Dream'. Some people call it the Capital of the World. Others have learned that it is the City That Never Sleeps. No matter what you call it, New York City is a place where anything can happen. It is the biggest stage in the world, and the perfect place to usher in the next step for the series.''
===Late Algonquin and Alderney===
Roman is kidnapped by Dimitri's Russian mob once again, after his gambling habit led him to "gambling in their private club". After Niko rescues him, Roman finally becomes a millionaire and purchases a luxury condo for him and Niko. Soon after he is contacted again by Packie McReary, and begins working with his family and friends in the Irish mob (also finding out chief McReary is his brother). Niko becomes a family friend, eventually dating Packie's sister [[Kate McReary]]. Niko is introduced to Ray Boccino of the [[Pegorino Family]], who employ Packie's crew as extra muscle. Ray leads everyone involved in a messy, complex [[Diamonds|diamond]] deal that pits them against the [[Ancelotti Family]], resulting in Niko and Packie kidnapping the don's [[Gracie Ancelotti|daughter]] to demand back the diamonds that were stolen back from them. The diamonds are lost in garbage during a firefight between Niko/Packie and Ray Bulgarin again, who was the very first owner of the diamonds. Niko is also forced to make a choice of killing one of Packie's older brothers, Francis or Derrick. Francis is a crooked police commissioner, and if spared will reward Niko with $10-20,000 and the favor of calling off a police pursuit. Derrick, however, is a derelict heroin addict and has nothing to offer Niko aside from the satisfaction of killing Francis.


==Location==
For his assistance, Niko demanded that Boccino lead him to Florian - he successfully tracks Florian down, who changed his name to Bernie Crane. Niko discovers that Florian/Bernie was innocent and a closeted homosexual (leaving Niko to hunt down the real traitor, [[Darko Brevic]]). Niko continues to help Bernie as a friend, helping to ward off blackmailers of his boyfriend, closeted politician [[Bryce Dawkins]] (the demands, control of construction unions, are from Dimitri and Ray Bulgarin of all people). After his help they have a profound friendship, and Bernie rewards Niko with an [[Infernus]] supercar.
[[Image:Train.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A magnificent view across [[Liberty City]]]]
Liberty City recreates four of the five boroughs that make up NYC plus New Jersey in a smaller space than San Andreas, but with no wasted "dead spots" or "irrelevant space" such as expanses of desert or countryside. Brooklyn has become [[Broker]], Manhattan is [[Algonquin]], Queens is [[Dukes]], Bronx is [[Bohan]] and New Jersey is [[Alderney]]. Staten Island, the only area of New York not recreated in Liberty City was left out due to Rockstar deciding it would not be a fun location to play in.


New York City is not designed for video games, and Liberty City is not designed for real life. GTA IV is meant to ''feel'' like the world but still play like a video game. "We are trying to make this something that is more fun, more believable, more alive than it's ever been". Dan Houser stated that no one has attempted to recreate a location of this size, and with so much detail, ever before.
Niko works his way up in the Pegorinos, eventually meeting their boss Jimmy Pegorino and working directly for him (eventually, he is told to kill Ray Boccino). United Liberty Paper contacts Niko again to work for Jon Gravelli, the head of the city's most powerful mafia family and now on his death bed. In exchange for his help, United Liberty Paper kidnaps Darko (who lived in Bucharest, Romania) for Niko to confront personally. Darko admits to betraying the group to pay for his drug habit, and Niko must make the personal choice of either killing him or, as Roman encourages him, forgetting revenge and letting him suffer alive.


GameInformer explains that this rendition of [[Liberty City]] is more like the real one than ever before, setting aside the wild rumours that it could be set in Europe, across the entire world, or even in space. Liberty City has the [[Statue of Happiness]] (Statue of Liberty), The [[Getalife]] building (Metlife) and [[BOABO]] - Beneath the Offramp of the Algonquin Bridge Overpass (DUMBO - Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass).  
At the end of the game, Pegorino chooses to do a heroin deal with Dimitri Rascalov. Niko has the choice of whether to comply and follow Pegorino's orders, and be paid a very large sum of money, or to take revenge on Dimitri. In both scenarios, Niko targets both Dimitri and Pegorino (whether or not Niko chooses the deal, in which Dimitri betrays him as expected). In between the incidents, Roman and Mallorie get married when someone is killed at their wedding. Depending on which path is chosen, it is either Roman Bellic or Kate McReary. By the story's conclusion both Dimitri and Pegorino are dead, while Mallorie is pregnant with Roman's child.


==Technical Enhancements==
===Niko's choices===
[[Image:Bonnet.jpg|thumb|right|300px|view from the hood of a car]]
During the game, the player makes a total of seven choices based on the morality of the player. They are listed below:
There will be a much wider range of pedestrians, with massively varied behaviour in context with their environment. Some peds smoke, some are on the phone, some are sitting down reading - much more realistic than peds just walking down the street and bumping into each other. The characters will also be a lot more multicultural than previously, exemplifying the metropolitan culture of NYC.


The visual effects of the game will be massively enhanced - the rising and setting sun will reflect off glass and light up details on buildings; the streets will have potholes and rubble. Variations in terrain are reflected in the way people walk over it. Rockstar have expanded massively on detail rather than size.  
*[[Ivan the Not So Terrible|Spare or kill]] [[Ivan Bytchkov]] (sent to kill him by [[Vlad Glebov]]).
**Reward: Random character if spared.


There will be no flyable planes in GTA IV because it is just one city, which you would traverse too quickly in a plane. Also, disk space is a factor in their omission. This may be also be to prevent the game being seen as a terrorism simulator. However, players will be able to pilot helicopters in the game.  
*[[Ruff Rider|Spare or kill]] [[Cherise Glover]] (sent to kill her [[Jayvon Simson|boyfriend]] by [[Dwayne Forge]]).
**Reward: Random character if spared.


Other enhancements:
*[[Holland Nights|Spare or kill]] [[Clarence Little]] (sent to kill him by [[Francis McReary]]).
*The character [[Niko Bellic|Niko]] will not be customizable besides a wide range of clothing - Rockstar said they got Niko's physics just right and found it was difficult to implement character customisation with regards to this.
**Reward: Random character if spared.
*Rockstar haven't yet decided how to make use of Sony's [[SIXAXIS]] controller for the [[PlayStation 3]] version of the game.
*Aside from the initial startup, there is no loading in the game. Transitions between outdoors and indoors are seamless.
*Texture Popping (where buildings and foliage load suddenly) will no longer occur, due to the completely overhauled graphics engine.
*There will be 4 views, including one in a vehicle where the player can look around in first-person mode.
*Weather effects are no longer merely for show - they will affect gameplay, such as how cars drive
*Nikos mobile phone is a strong tool throughout the game, allowing him to call the police, send/receive texts (SMS) and even listen to radio
*Vehicles have in-built [[GPS]] systems to help you plan routes
*You can access the police database to find photos and addresses of targets, which is also searchable by uploading a photo from your phone


==Plot==
*[[The Holland Play|Kill]] [[Playboy X]] or [[Dwayne Forge]] (each request you kill the other).
[[Image:Street.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A street in [[Liberty City]]]]
**Reward for killing [[Playboy X]]: [[Playboy X's Penthouse]] as a usable safehouse, [[Dwayne Forge]] as a friend and a new costume.
[[Image:Gtaiv screenshot 28.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Screenshot showing Niko about to perform a Drive-By, Note that in this Photo, Niko does not Have any facial Hair.]]
**Reward for killing [[Dwayne Forge]]: [[Money|$]]25,000
The basic plot is [[Niko Bellic]] coming to America because he believes his Cousin [[Roman]] is living the American Dream. But when Niko arrives in Liberty City, he finds that Roman has been lying - he isn't rich, he isn't popular and he's actually in a load of trouble. Players follow Niko from the moment he steps into Liberty City. Niko has been duped to solve Roman's problems, and he ends up in trouble himself.
 
*[[Blood Brothers|Kill]] [[Francis McReary]] or [[Derrick McReary]] (each request you kill the other).
**Reward for killing [[Francis McReary]]: Nothing
**Reward for killing [[Derrick McReary]]: [[Money|$]]10,000 (20,000 if you call Francis on the roof) and the ability to remove your Wanted Level soon after this message (this ability is removed by the end of the game).
 
*[[That Special Someone|Spare or kill]] Darko Brevic.
**Reward: Nothing for spare or kill.
 
*[[One Last Thing|Choose]] to [[If the Price is Right|strike a deal]] or [[A Dish Served Cold|exact revenge]].
**Reward for choosing Deal: [[Kate McReary]] is alive, paid $250,000 sooner.
**Reward for choosing Revenge: [[Roman Bellic]] is alive, paid $250,000 later.


However, the biggest change from the [[GTA III Era]] is the completely free storyline. In previous games, a lot of things could be done at any time (or after being unlocked) but there was still a linear structure to the game - as in you had to follow the exact series of missions complete the game. In GTA IV, this will be much more free in the sense that the player can choose to perform any of a wide range of missions at any time. Many missions will even have multiple possible outcomes.  The use of Niko's mobile phone is said to be the way you set up "meetings" and contacts give you a mission.
==Episodes==
Two [[GTA IV Episodes|episodes]] have been released for Grand Theft Auto IV for the Xbox 360, and then released for Playstation 3 and PC in April 2010. [[The Lost and Damned]] was released on February 17, 2009, and features biker [[Johnny Klebitz]] as the player character. [[The Ballad of Gay Tony]] was been released on October 29, 2009, with [[Luis Fernando Lopez]] as the protagonist. It was simultaneously released with the disc version of Episodes from Liberty City, which features both games. These episodes are set in the same city and time as GTA IV, and have many overlapping storylines, characters, and missions. They add new missions, characters, vehicles, weapons, and other gameplay features.


The mob will be featured in the game, though they won't be lead characters. Additionally, 'hardly any' of the characters from previous games will return. Dan Houser stated in the PlayStation Official Magazine UK that "most of the characters we liked were dead," meaning that a lot of the exciting characters and bosses died within the events of the [[GTA III Era]], so bringing back a cast of only the surviving characters would not be as exciting as creating new ones. Although not confirmed, it is probably that only a small number of unimportant characters will return, and that we will not be seeing [[Carl Johnson]] or [[Tommy Vercetti]] in [[GTA IV]].
==Controversy==
There was much controversy over Grand Theft Auto IV, however, the series has experienced trouble throughout its whole time on the shelves. Before it was released, it was almost banned. MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) noted the drunk driving feature and requested it either not released or rated AO. Because of this, Niko says "I'm not sure I should be doing this," whenever he is drunk driving but strangely this is something he never would say if he were to murder an NPC or commit a crime other than drunk driving.


== External Links ==
== External links ==<!-- Please do NOT add your own sites here -->
* [http://www.rockstargames.com/IV/ Official Website]
* [http://www.rockstargames.com/IV/ Official Website]
* [http://www.gta-iv.net GTA-IV.net] (Part of The GTA Place)
* [[wp:Grand Theft Auto IV|GTA IV on Wikipedia]]
* [http://www.gta4.net GTA4.net] (Part of GTANet)
 
* [http://www.planetgta.com PlanetGTA]
<!-- Please do NOT add your own sites here -->
<!-- Please do NOT add your own sites here -->
<!-- Click "Discussion" at the top of the page and request that a link be added instead -->
<!-- Click "Discussion" at the top of the page and request that a link be added instead -->


== Information ==
{{gtaiv}}
 
{{Gta}}
*[[Characters in GTA IV]]
[[Category:Games]]
*[[Vehicles in GTA IV]]
[[Category:GTA IV]]
*[[Weapons in GTA IV]]
[[Category:GTA IV Era]]
*[[Radio Stations in GTA IV]]
*[[Liberty City in GTA IV]]
*[[GTA4 Wishlist]]
 
{{gtaiv}}{{GTA}}[[Category:Games]][[Category:Grand Theft Auto IV]]
 
[[nl:Grand Theft Auto IV]]

Latest revision as of 11:07, 8 April 2015

Grand Theft Auto IV
GTA IV Boxart
GTA IV Boxart
DevelopersRockstar North
Rockstar Toronto (PC)
PublishersRockstar Games
Capcom (Japan)
Cyberfront (Japan PC)
PlatformPS3 Xbox 360 PC
Release datesPS3
United States Canada 29 April 2008
United Kingdom Europe 29 April 2008

Australia New Zealand 29 April 2008
Japan 30 October 2008


Xbox 360
United States Canada 29 April 2008
United Kingdom Europe 29 April 2008
Australia New Zealand 29 April 2008
Japan 30 October 2008


PC
United States Canada 2 December 2008
United Kingdom Europe 3 December 2008
Australia New Zealand 3 December 2008

Japan 20 March 2009
EngineRAGE
ProtagonistNiko Bellic
LocationLiberty City
Alderney State
Year2008

Grand Theft Auto IV (officially abbreviated as GTA IV) is the eleventh Grand Theft Auto game in the series, the first of the GTA IV Era.

The game was developed by Rockstar North and was published and released by Rockstar Games for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. The Xbox 360 and PS3 versions were been released worldwide to widespread hype on April 29, 2008. GTA IV was subsequently been awarded the Gaming World Record of the Most Successful Entertainment Launch of All Time and has received numerous other awards and accolades. The original version made even more success than its expansions. The PC version was released on December 3, 2008.

Game Information


Theme

The very first dialogue by Niko in the very first trailer for the game, this sets up the first notable protagonist to be from another country, Niko Bellic, to enter the United States of America and make more critical analysis of American culture than previous main characters have done. Grand Theft Auto IV's deeper meaning circulates around Niko's own philosophy, and his clear, blunt critiques of American culture and life in general make the deeper ideas much easier to see and understand. Niko is normally shown to be in the right, but is also proven to be overly cynical, leaving interpretation open to the viewer. The game and its very complex plot deals with several themes:

As read on the packaging of the game, Rockstar Games asks "what does the American dream mean today?". Niko is cynical about America, saying "capitalism is a dirty business" and only people who are extremely greedy and/or born into wealth have any opportunity. Mikhail Faustin also laments before he dies that "America made him greedy! ...This American greed takes everyone! It is like a disease!". Niko mocks American stereotypes like "strip malls and clinical obesity" (as do the makers of the game by hilariously parodying concepts like post-9/11 hysteria and celebrity obsession). On the flip-side Roman Bellic, as well as other characters (Brucie Kibbutz, Bernie Crane, Ivan Bytchkov and Hossan Ramzy among others) are optimistic about America and life in general, tend to do very well for themselves financially, and try in vain to encourage Niko to be more optimistic.

The American dream is also shown not to be promised to anyone, not even when they already live in America. Social circles all the way from Playboy X and Elizabeta Torres to Patrick McReary all have trouble making and responsibly saving money, not restricting it to any one nationality. Early on, The Beat 102.7 explains that their listeners "don't know how to manage their money yet!". Gerry describes his family's spending habits as "Never any fucking focus! Never! ...Oh yeah, wine and women as quick as possible, and remain a slave forever". Packie eventually says after a mission "Well, Niko, that was a whole lot of effort for no fucking reward. Story of my life." to which Niko replies "It is the story of a lot of lives, Packie. I'm getting used to hearing it". A very interesting part of the in-game media is a show called I'm Rich, which documents the most outrageous displays of gluttony by the world's wealthiest people, enough to make anyone feel inadequate.

Grand Theft Auto IV has an extremely complex plot with a very long list of characters. It is also the first game that allows the player to change the plot by making choices, which all have consequences. This creates an atmosphere where Niko is haunted and shadowed by his past actions wherever he goes. He tells Roman "There is no such thing as a new beginning, Roman. With every day we live, we pick up new baggage, baggage we must carry with us for the rest of our lives. There's no dropping it and pretending we are fresh and clean, just because we get off a boat in a new place." Prime examples include his numerous run-ins with Ray Bulgarin, most of the random characters, and working alongside Johnny Klebitz or Patrick McReary while he had, either by not having met them yet or circumstances beyond his control, killed someone close to them. In the finale, Niko feels the coffin of Kate or Roman, depending on the player's choice, on his conscience because of his criminal lifestyle, saying they "never should have gotten close to me". He is deeply depressed about being trapped in the criminal lifestyle (by a need of income), telling Kate McReary and others that he wishes he could leave it behind, but often adds that he knows he can't.

Main Characters:

  • Niko Bellic: The playable protagonist, through whose eyes the player sees the world of the game. He is morally upstanding and logical despite his criminal life, but is often shown to have authority issues. He is also more cynical and pessimistic than is good for him. He seems to sort people into three categories:
  • Roman Bellic, Little Jacob, Brucie Kibbutz, Kate McReary and Bernie Crane: The optimists, people Niko likes because of their positivity, and they all try in vain to encourage Niko to be more optimistic. Many are foolish and could be mistaken for comic relief, but they do offer pearls of wisdom about life and success, a realization that Niko must make at the same time. Other interesting cases are Ivan Bytchkov, and Hossan, both immigrants like Niko but with much more confidence in the American way of life.
  • Packie McReary, Gerald McReary, Derrick McReary, Dwayne Forge and Phil Bell: The pessimists, people Niko likes because they have angst that he instinctively responds to. Packie and Dwayne especially become friends of Niko because of their shared struggle; Niko confides in Dwayne remarkably early in their relationship when he says "you remind me of me". It's also notable that he relates well to Jon Gravelli and his bleak sense of humor, despite an enormous age gap, other lifestyle differences and Niko's traditional dislike of his bosses.
  • Michelle, Kate McReary, Carmen Ortiz, Kiki Jenkins and Alex Chilton; girlfriends Niko can date. Michelle and Kate are unlocked in the story mode; the other 3 must be met by the internet. Each girlfriend has their own opinions on what they would like Niko to drive in, wear and go to. The 3 online girlfriends can give Niko a special ability once he pleases them enough in quality and quantity of date.

Audio

Audio File
File:GTAIV-Theme.ogg
Soviet Connection - GTA IV Main Theme Author: Michael Hunter

Plot

Time period

Grand Theft Auto series
chronology of events

2D Universe
GTA 1 Era

1961London 1961
1969London 1969


3D Universe
GTA III Era

1984GTA Vice City Stories
1986GTA Vice City
1992GTA San Andreas


2D Universe
GTA 1 Era

1997Grand Theft Auto 1


3D Universe
GTA III Era

1998GTA Liberty City Stories


2D Universe
GTA 2 Era

1999GTA 2


3D Universe
GTA III Era

2000GTA Advance
2001GTA III

HD Universe
GTA IV Era

2008GTA IV

The Lost and Damned
The Ballad of Gay Tony

2009GTA Chinatown Wars


GTA V Era

2013GTA Online
2013GTA V

The game is set in 2008, the year the game was released. It is specifically between July and October:

  • In The Ballad of Gay Tony, whose timeline intersects the original GTA IV frequently, Gay Tony mentions in I Luv LC that "the banks" had been bailed out which was made official on October 3, 2008.
  • A Weazel News segment on the radio says that Paper Trail and Entourage were about one month apart.
  • Another Weazel News radio cast says that a month after the Platypus captain's body was found, shipmate Dave Bosoy was also found dead - Dave was found around the same time as Undress to Kill.
  • Ernesto Lopez mentions to Luis Lopez that his children are in school.
  • The entire plot also likely happens in less than three months - a celebrity named Cloe Parker has a three-month-old child, and in tabloid tradition there would have been extensive coverage of her pregnancy.
  • The real-life New York City begins to snow around mid November, and it never snows in the game.
  • It's never revealed whether John Hunter or Michael Graves was elected governor, which would have occurred in early November.

Pretense

Grand Theft Auto IV follows the story of Niko Bellic; Before the events of the game, he fought in the Bosnian War as a teenager, was betrayed by one of the members (which got most of the squad killed) and is now obsessed with getting revenge. After fighting in the war, bad circumstances led him to work for Ray Bulgarin in human trafficking, which ended with Niko being blamed for a sinking ship and leaving Europe to escape Bulgarin's wrath and power. While spending the next seven months in the merchant navy he made the decision to move to Liberty City, where his cousin Roman claimed to be living a life of luxury (as well as to hunt down one of the two suspected traitors, Florian Cravic).

Broker-Dukes

The game begins with Niko getting off the container ship "Platypus" and meeting his cousin Roman. He quickly finds out that Roman completely bluffed about his lifestyle, both as a joke and to recruit help, as he is living the average life of a poor immigrant in Hove Beach. Niko spends the next few weeks working at Roman's cab depot (making friends like "Little" Jacob Hughes and Brucie Kibbutz in the process, as well as a girlfriend Michelle) and fighting off his loan sharks - this eventually leads to Niko killing Vlad Glebov, a Russian mobster and one of the sharks, for sleeping with Roman's girlfriend Mallorie Bardas. Immediately after, they are kidnapped by the Russian mob and before they are both nearly killed, Niko wins over the mob's leaders Mikhail Faustin and Dimitri Rascalov to work for them instead. Because Mikhail is a violent, irrational sociopath (even by organized crime standards), he has Niko kill the son of Kenny Petrovic, the most powerful Russian mobster in the United States. After a short while, Dimitri tells Niko that to survive Petrovic, he must kill Mikhail. They successfully kill him and appease Petrovic, but when Niko is to receive payment, Dimitri reveals that he is now partnered with Ray Bulgarin and tries to have him killed. Niko and Roman, whose apartment and cab depot were also burned to the ground by Dimitri, must leave Broker and hide with Mallorie's cousins, north of town in Bohan.

Bohan and early Algonquin

Mallorie introduces Niko to both Manny Ecsuela, a community organizer making a documentary about his good deeds, and Elizabeta Torres, an extremely influential drug supplier (who, in turn, introduces Niko to Playboy X and Patrick McReary). Through Manny, Niko is blackmailed by police chief Francis McReary into silencing people for him, including famous lawyer Tom Goldberg. As the authorities close in on Elizabeta's drug ring, Niko's girlfriend Michelle reveals that she is an undercover agent and Niko will be forced to work for her boss. Elizabeta is arrested and sentenced to 300 years (but not before she kills Manny, for trying to citizen arrest her for publicity). Niko moves on to work for Playboy, who is embarrassed to welcome back his old-fashioned mentor Dwayne Forge from prison. As their views conflict and their friendship deteriorates, Playboy and Dwayne each try to have Niko kill the other. Niko's decision of who to kill is one of seven pivotal choices in the game, left to the player. Niko is paid twenty-five grand to kill Dwayne, who could be framed as suicidal, delusional and ready to die. However, if he kills Playboy, who could be considered very greedy and disrespectful to his mentor, he is rewarded with his penthouse and car (worth much more). Niko also does very secretive work for United Liberty Paper, the front company which Michelle's (real name Karen) superiors cover themselves with. Niko is ironically told to kill other criminals who immigrated from Eastern Europe, for their ties to financing terrorist activity.

Late Algonquin and Alderney

Roman is kidnapped by Dimitri's Russian mob once again, after his gambling habit led him to "gambling in their private club". After Niko rescues him, Roman finally becomes a millionaire and purchases a luxury condo for him and Niko. Soon after he is contacted again by Packie McReary, and begins working with his family and friends in the Irish mob (also finding out chief McReary is his brother). Niko becomes a family friend, eventually dating Packie's sister Kate McReary. Niko is introduced to Ray Boccino of the Pegorino Family, who employ Packie's crew as extra muscle. Ray leads everyone involved in a messy, complex diamond deal that pits them against the Ancelotti Family, resulting in Niko and Packie kidnapping the don's daughter to demand back the diamonds that were stolen back from them. The diamonds are lost in garbage during a firefight between Niko/Packie and Ray Bulgarin again, who was the very first owner of the diamonds. Niko is also forced to make a choice of killing one of Packie's older brothers, Francis or Derrick. Francis is a crooked police commissioner, and if spared will reward Niko with $10-20,000 and the favor of calling off a police pursuit. Derrick, however, is a derelict heroin addict and has nothing to offer Niko aside from the satisfaction of killing Francis.

For his assistance, Niko demanded that Boccino lead him to Florian - he successfully tracks Florian down, who changed his name to Bernie Crane. Niko discovers that Florian/Bernie was innocent and a closeted homosexual (leaving Niko to hunt down the real traitor, Darko Brevic). Niko continues to help Bernie as a friend, helping to ward off blackmailers of his boyfriend, closeted politician Bryce Dawkins (the demands, control of construction unions, are from Dimitri and Ray Bulgarin of all people). After his help they have a profound friendship, and Bernie rewards Niko with an Infernus supercar.

Niko works his way up in the Pegorinos, eventually meeting their boss Jimmy Pegorino and working directly for him (eventually, he is told to kill Ray Boccino). United Liberty Paper contacts Niko again to work for Jon Gravelli, the head of the city's most powerful mafia family and now on his death bed. In exchange for his help, United Liberty Paper kidnaps Darko (who lived in Bucharest, Romania) for Niko to confront personally. Darko admits to betraying the group to pay for his drug habit, and Niko must make the personal choice of either killing him or, as Roman encourages him, forgetting revenge and letting him suffer alive.

At the end of the game, Pegorino chooses to do a heroin deal with Dimitri Rascalov. Niko has the choice of whether to comply and follow Pegorino's orders, and be paid a very large sum of money, or to take revenge on Dimitri. In both scenarios, Niko targets both Dimitri and Pegorino (whether or not Niko chooses the deal, in which Dimitri betrays him as expected). In between the incidents, Roman and Mallorie get married when someone is killed at their wedding. Depending on which path is chosen, it is either Roman Bellic or Kate McReary. By the story's conclusion both Dimitri and Pegorino are dead, while Mallorie is pregnant with Roman's child.

Niko's choices

During the game, the player makes a total of seven choices based on the morality of the player. They are listed below:

Episodes

Two episodes have been released for Grand Theft Auto IV for the Xbox 360, and then released for Playstation 3 and PC in April 2010. The Lost and Damned was released on February 17, 2009, and features biker Johnny Klebitz as the player character. The Ballad of Gay Tony was been released on October 29, 2009, with Luis Fernando Lopez as the protagonist. It was simultaneously released with the disc version of Episodes from Liberty City, which features both games. These episodes are set in the same city and time as GTA IV, and have many overlapping storylines, characters, and missions. They add new missions, characters, vehicles, weapons, and other gameplay features.

Controversy

There was much controversy over Grand Theft Auto IV, however, the series has experienced trouble throughout its whole time on the shelves. Before it was released, it was almost banned. MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) noted the drunk driving feature and requested it either not released or rated AO. Because of this, Niko says "I'm not sure I should be doing this," whenever he is drunk driving but strangely this is something he never would say if he were to murder an NPC or commit a crime other than drunk driving.

External links