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12:01 PM on 04.08.2008

70 comments
GTA IV Week: Multiplayer, Grand Theft Auto IV has it (hands-on, details)
Nick Chester

It’s no secret -- Grand Theft Auto IV has multiplayer modes. Surprise!

There are at least 15 of them, actually, and the integration is seamless with the single-player experience in a way that’s not unlike what Criterion Games pulled off with Burnout Paradise. Accessible any time, players can create, join, or search for multiplayer games by pulling out the single-player central character Niko Bellic’s cell phone with the touch of the d-pad.

Rockstar isn't ready to reveal all of the mutiplayer modes, but they did give us a chance to go hands-on with four of the 15-plus that will ship with the game, which hits shelves on April 29. Check after the jump for the first information on and screens of GTA IV’s multiplayer, including detailed information on “Team Deathmatch,” “GTA Race,” “Cops N’ Crooks,” and the cooperative scenario, “Hangman’s NOOSE.”

[Quick update/correction: This article originally stated that there would be 15 multiplayer modes. Rockstar was quick to correct me upon seeing the article -- there will be more than 15 modes when the game ships. Sorry for any confusion, and might I say "more than 15 modes" sounds pretty sweet, eh?]

To start, as much as you’d like it to be, GTA IV’s multiplayer is not a full-fledged, persistent massively multiplayer online experience. It does, however, offer a small level of character customization. Before starting our gameplay session, we were given the option to modify our avatar’s appearance. Options like gender, face, hair, and clothing are all available at the outset with limited selections. We were told that these selections would be added as players rank up, between 0 and 10, which can be increased by picking up money across the game’s various multiplayer modes. Besides cosmetics, rank will not have any impact on how the character plays. Like in the single-player game, you cannot upgrade your speed or driving skills, for instance. Everyone will always be playing on an even field, regardless of rank, and the only real incentive to upgrade would be bragging about the fancy new shoes or shirt you unlocked.

As expected, GTA IV contains standard deathmatch modes, and the first game Rockstar fired up for us was “Team Deathmatch.” This mode can be played with up to 16 players in any configuration, which means anyone with a death wish may choose to go all Scarface on an army of 15 other gamers if they so desire. The host is able to customize the match in a number of ways -- turning police presence on or off, the density of pedestrians, weather conditions, whether or not it will be possible to use auto-aim, etc.

Here’s the important question answered -- GTA IV only ships with one multiplayer map … it’s called Liberty City. You’re reading that right; the entire map of Liberty City is available in all multiplayer modes for up to 16 people to wreak havoc in. The host can configure games in such a way that matches will take place in one borough or one particular section, but there are no boundaries (and no load times) in terms of the gameplay area. Sometimes, though, a smaller area may lend itself better to a given match; for instance, we played a four on four team deathmatch on the small island that’s home to Liberty City’s “Statue of Happiness.”

Control and gameplay wise just about everything is carried over from the single-player game, from the open-use of vehicles to weapons. One of the key differences, for better or for worse, is in how opponents and teammates are identified, which is by colored nametags that appear over each player’s head (this can be seen in all of the screenshots). This makes it easy to spot opponents in the game’s large, open world, but there’s a catch -- they can see you, too. By crouching or hiding behind cover you can obscure the tag and essentially make yourself invisible in a sort of “stealth” mode. The downside is that your mobility is severely hindered, and in the build we played, your teammates’ tags would also disappear when they were crouching, which made it tricky to differentiate between friend and foe. It’s also interesting to note that the winning team is not determined by the number of kills in this mode, but rather the team with the most money (which is dropped upon death) when the game’s timer hits zero.

After a few miserable losses to the more experienced faceless Rockstar staff who were likely laughing in a room above us, we moved on to a Midnight Club-style mode called “GTA Race.” It’s pretty much what you’d expect -- the host will select the vehicle class, the area where you will race, the number of laps, and the time limit. Up to 16 players race from ordered checkpoint to checkpoint, and the vehicle that crosses the finish line in first takes the win.

But there’s a twist -- you can go anywhere on that map that you choose, and do anything you want at any time. This includes, but is not limited to: getting out of your car/off your motorcycle and finding another vehicle; getting out of your car/off your motorcycle and firing a rocket at your opponents’ vehicles; or teaming up with other players to give other racers hell. It’s not hard to imagine things going south rather quickly, and during our play sessions it was almost immediately that one or two people veered from the race’s path to find ways to grief the racers. In Gran Turismo or Forza Motorsport this is frowned upon, and is reserved for foul-mouthed 13-year-olds and mouth-breathing basement dwellers. But it’s the natural choice in a game like GTA, and as long as you have a few people working towards the goal (the game may never end otherwise!), this mode is a set-up for true comedy gold.

Among the more exciting adversarial modes we played was a team-versus-team affair called “Cops N’ Crooks.” Just as it sounds, this mode places one team in the shoes of wanted criminals, and for the first time in a GTA game, the other team will play the strong arm of the Liberty City law. As the crooks, one player on the team is arbitrarily assigned the role of the “boss,” and the objective for the entire team is to get that particular player to safety. As the Liberty City police, the goal is to prevent this from happening at all costs, and the game ends when the boss either reaches safety or is snuffed out.

This mode takes place across the entirety of Liberty City, and is absolutely the most frantic mode we had a chance to fool around with. Playing as the cops, the crooks can be seen plainly on the radar, but the crooks can only see their escape point on the map. This creates an interesting cat and mouse situation, with each team trying to anticipate the movement of the other, which can be a monumental task considering that “Cops N’ Crooks” takes place across every acre of Liberty City. As such, finding and piling into a vehicle is key -- with one person driving, three other players can hang out of windows, firing their weapons at pursuing vehicles and persons. And on the side of the crooks, since everyone but the boss is expendable (they will respawn), we ran into a couple of hilarious situations where certain team members were left behind in a frenzied effort to escape death.

On the cooperative front, GTA will not have a cooperative campaign per se. Instead, the game will contain short, story-based four-player cooperative missions. One such mission, “Hangman’s NOOSE” has your team trying to get crime boss Kenny Petrovic to safety, as he’s being pursued by N.O.O.S.E., the GTA world’s version of the S.W.A.T. team. The mission begins at the Francis International Airport, with N.O.O.S.E. bringing the heat in the form of attack choppers and armored cars. (Yes, there are many planes at the airport, and no, we couldn’t climb into and pilot any of them.)

The host of these games can set difficulty levels, and we went hands-on with everything from the easiest to the hardest, with the N.O.O.S.E. artificial intelligence getting smarter and more aggressive as we progressed. While the safe location was the same each time (an open baseball field, far from the airport), each scenario played out slightly different -- in one instance we used a stolen N.O.O.S.E. chopper to transport Kenny to safety, in another we jacked a more durable (but slower) armored car. The mission was fun to complete as a team, with some members focusing on taking out N.O.O.S.E. on foot, with others searching for getaway vehicles, or opening up routes to clear the path to safety.

“Hangman’s NOOSE” was the only cooperative mission we were able to play, and while Rockstar didn’t comment on how many cooperative missions would be included on the disc when it ships, we were led to believe that there would be a handful. They were also mum on downloadable content, but missions like these seem ripe for digital delivery -- you can only play through one scenario so many times, and offering up additional scenarios via Xbox LIVE and PlayStation Network seems ideal.

Visually, there’s an obvious downgrade from the single-player game, but it doesn’t really have a significant impact on the gameplay. The created avatars certainly aren’t as detailed as Niko or other single-player characters, and the textures and things like shadowing are ramped down noticeably. The trade-off, however, is a smooth multiplayer experience; we experienced no lag or framerate issues in our multiplayer sessions, which took place across Microsoft’s private Partnernet network. Whether or not this will translate well to a real-world Xbox LIVE and PlayStation Network remains to be seen.

With the game shipping in three weeks, it looks like Rockstar are going to be quiet from here on out when it comes to revealing the remaining multiplayer modes. It’s only a matter of time before reviews and details start cropping up, but you may want to shield your eyes. Half the enjoyment of GTA is discovering things on your own, and it looks like Rockstar are looking to deliver a reasonably fleshed out multiplayer experience that shouldn’t disappoint fans.

--

This was part two of our five day Grand Theft Auto IV spectacular fun fest-a-thon! Check back tomorrow at 1 pm EDT for part three, and be sure not to miss our previous installment:

"GTA IV Week: Shooting and cover, Grand Theft Auto IV has them"



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Dtoiders have posted 67 comments:

Rorschach's Avatar
Rorschach at 04/08/2008 12:01

Looks alright. I wonder how the controls will work as a multiplayer title, though.
MaxVest's Avatar
MaxVest at 04/08/2008 12:02

@Nick: There were rumors flying around about one of the versions not having local multiplayer (split screen). Any truth to that? Or did you only play online?
Nick Chester's Avatar
Nick Chester at 04/08/2008 12:04

@ MaxVest:

Only played online. I will try to find out for you guys.
SteamyV's Avatar
SteamyV at 04/08/2008 12:05

That picture accompanying the Cops n' Crooks description makes me long for helicopter support in that game mode.

I desperately want to recreate the O.J. chase in game (and in the wrong digital city).
Rob165x's Avatar
Rob165x at 04/08/2008 12:05

I have to get this game!!!!! XD
MaxVest's Avatar
MaxVest at 04/08/2008 12:08

Gracias. Not that it will make much of a difference to me (owning only one platform) but it would be nice if the GF's introduction to the charming world of GTA would give her the opportunity to curbstomp me.
Cowzilla3's Avatar
Cowzilla3 at 04/08/2008 12:09

Wow this makes this the first GTA that I'm actaully interested in.
Nick Chester's Avatar
Nick Chester at 04/08/2008 12:10

@ Steamy V:

All of the vehicles are available (as far as I know) in all of the modes. Even in GTA Race you can use helicopters (and maybe boats, although I might be confusing that with Saints Row 2, which I also played last week).
xMalachi's Avatar
xMalachi at 04/08/2008 12:12

This looks to give this game even more replay value than its already going to have.
Nick Chester's Avatar
Nick Chester at 04/08/2008 12:13

@ MaxVest:

Final word is no split-screen in either version of the game.
wonky360's Avatar
wonky360 at 04/08/2008 12:14

GIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIEGIMIIE....GIMIIE
SteamyV's Avatar
SteamyV at 04/08/2008 12:15

@Nick: Aces. Thanks for the confirmation.
JACK of No Trades's Avatar
JACK of No Trades at 04/08/2008 12:16

Damn it no split-screen!!!!!!!!!!!! My girl is gonna be pissed.
B-Radicate's Avatar
B-Radicate at 04/08/2008 12:17

I can't wait for this. Every detail makes me salivate with excitement and anticipation. I can't wait.
MaxVest's Avatar
MaxVest at 04/08/2008 12:20

@Nick: Sad panda is nonetheless grateful.
AngelsDontBurn's Avatar
AngelsDontBurn at 04/08/2008 12:24

My god, when I first saw the pic of the knife fight ontop of that beam I got so excited. It looks TOO GOOD!
mistic's Avatar
mistic at 04/08/2008 12:36

sounds great! I'll be playing it!
Corak's Avatar
Corak at 04/08/2008 12:39

Looking good, glad I pre-ordered.
HarassmentPanda's Avatar
HarassmentPanda at 04/08/2008 12:40

Great write up Nick! Your cumulative experience with the multiplayer modes seemed to be good, but can you comment on the overall polish and depth of the multiplayer modes? Did any of the four you played give you the impression that they were something you would keep returning to or do you think the fifteen plus multiplayer modes will be amusing distractions that will be forgotten once the novelty wears off?
flynsk's Avatar
flynsk at 04/08/2008 12:43

I've been on the fence for a while with this one. Seemed like same old for so long, but this changes everything for me.

Refiled from M for "meh" to M for Must Buy.
Teta's Avatar
Teta at 04/08/2008 12:45

Too bad there is no split creen. But still i am really excited for the multiplayer in GTA.
MechaMonkey's Avatar
MechaMonkey at 04/08/2008 12:45

Yeah, gonna have to play the pre-order game on this one.
wardrox's Avatar
wardrox at 04/08/2008 12:48

"we experienced no lag".... we'll just see about that.
big filth's Avatar
big filth at 04/08/2008 12:49

fap fap fap fap fap fap
Anus Mcphanus's Avatar
Anus Mcphanus at 04/08/2008 12:58

Wow I have to say I wasn't interested in the multiplayer aspect of the game beforehand but this sounds awesome!
jkh13's Avatar
jkh13 at 04/08/2008 12:58

No cops

No autoaim

No items

Fox only

Final destination
Vitamin Awesome's Avatar
Vitamin Awesome at 04/08/2008 12:59

Nick Chester's Avatar
Nick Chester at 04/08/2008 13:00

@ HarassmentPanda:

It's hard to say, having some spent a little time with the game and not seeing all of the modes. There's actually going to be a deeper look/impressions post coming later this week, where we kind of chat about what we liked and what may or may not worry us about what we saw.
BigPopaGamer's Avatar
BigPopaGamer at 04/08/2008 13:03

Good God!! I loved GTA before but this is just on another level.

Am I gay when I get boners thinking about GTA?
Darkknight37's Avatar
Darkknight37 at 04/08/2008 13:09

Alright, my gamertag is Drkknght37, everyone add me as we get ready to unleash the awesome in 3 weeks!
big filth's Avatar
big filth at 04/08/2008 13:09

what are the chances of LIVE crashing the day this comes out?

about 100%
Nick Chester's Avatar
Nick Chester at 04/08/2008 13:12

Quick clarification on an early comment I made:

I was 100% in thinking that you can race boats in "GTA Race" mode. I also want to make it very clear that the only reason I was confused is because I played 20 some odd games last week, including GTA IV and THQ/Volition's upcoming open-world shooting/driving game.

Like I said in my preview of THQ's game, the two titles couldn't be more different in terms of content and experience.
weedgan's Avatar
weedgan at 04/08/2008 13:16

Every little bit of info I hear about this game drives me nuts.

I need to freeze myself like cartman, and just get this wait over with.
flaakmonkey's Avatar
flaakmonkey at 04/08/2008 13:21

i so cannot wait for this I love GTA and now new awesome MP, makes even more worthwhile.
AngelsDontBurn's Avatar
AngelsDontBurn at 04/08/2008 13:23

EUPHORIAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 04/08/2008 13:42

Oh god. awesome write up, can't wait for the next. :D
Chocobo Knight's Avatar
Chocobo Knight at 04/08/2008 14:10

Wow. It makes me feel like I haven't been paying enough attention to GTA IV with this kind of awesome preview.

Damn. Did someone just hit the Hype Machine into turbo?
TrailerParkJesus's Avatar
TrailerParkJesus at 04/08/2008 14:33

Team deathmatch sounds like a crouch-fest.
Trevsweb's Avatar
Trevsweb at 04/08/2008 14:43

i hope there is a stunt mode for those motorbikes.. MTA mod for the pc had this and it was ace
HippieGunner's Avatar
HippieGunner at 04/08/2008 14:58

Rightttttt on. Can't wait.
Delaric's Avatar
Delaric at 04/08/2008 15:01

Hype machine to ludicrous speed...we've gone plaid!!!1

Old joke, my apologies. Um...there's no mention of a PC release >.<
lubczyk's Avatar
lubczyk at 04/08/2008 15:05

I know that this might be off-topic, but what's the intial load time for the Game? The intial load times of Burnout Paradise just turned me completely off following all the problems that game had.
Dexter345's Avatar
Dexter345 at 04/08/2008 15:25

Wow, this is looking more and more incredible as the days go on.
Twosixteen's Avatar
Twosixteen at 04/08/2008 15:53

I. Am. Going to. Buy. THE FUCK! Outta. This.
king3vbo's Avatar
king3vbo at 04/08/2008 15:54

Wow, the multiplayer looks amazing
Justin Villasenor's Avatar
Justin Villasenor at 04/08/2008 15:58

This should result in plenty of FNF fun.
Fleet3000's Avatar
Fleet3000 at 04/08/2008 16:03

god this is amazing. theres gonna be so much friggin stuff to do.
Kyousuke Nanbu's Avatar
Kyousuke Nanbu at 04/08/2008 16:14

This is fucking awesome.
moot button's Avatar
moot button at 04/08/2008 16:30

Zounds! I honestly can't wait, so I'm gonna go take a nap. You guys wake me when the hype train gets to Liberty City, k?
Tricoden's Avatar
Tricoden at 04/08/2008 16:57

Wow, sounds amazing. I can't wait any longer D:.

I do have one question though. Any word on a free roam online mode? Or, can you have everyone join the same team in Deathmatch for a free roam like mode?
mabman's Avatar
mabman at 04/08/2008 17:07

i think i got a hard-on reading that
mabman's Avatar
mabman at 04/08/2008 17:07

yes... hard-on confirmed
brainderailment's Avatar
brainderailment at 04/08/2008 17:09

Wow, didn't expect to see a Space-Balls reference when I clicked here.
moot button's Avatar
moot button at 04/08/2008 17:09

free roam is a yes as far as i know.... i mean, ZZZZZZZZZZ!
Cutie Honey's Avatar
Cutie Honey at 04/08/2008 17:29

@Nick Chester
Thanks for writing an article most detailed then the ones most magazines offer. It's good I'm excited at both this game and Saint's Row equally.
Eschatos's Avatar
Eschatos at 04/08/2008 17:30

Have they announced this for PC yet? Because if they don't someone will die.
Exydoz's Avatar
Exydoz at 04/08/2008 18:59

Does this mean that both the ps3 and 360 versions will contain online muliplayer?
Delaric's Avatar
Delaric at 04/08/2008 19:01

I found a thread that theorizes about the PC release date based on the trend of previous GTA games. Unfortunately I am unable to link it here, but a simple JFGI should find it.

Apparently estimates put it 3 mos. to a year after the console release.
Samit Sarkar's Avatar
Samit Sarkar at 04/08/2008 19:27

I didn’t think my hard-on for this game could grow any more, but it has.
slayoyayo's Avatar
slayoyayo at 04/08/2008 22:06

tell me about interiors.
dvddesign 's Avatar
dvddesign at 04/08/2008 22:43

"the entire map of Liberty City is available in all multiplayer modes for up to 16 people to wreak havoc in."

That is the sexiest thing I've heard Nick say in a long time.

Innovative use of duck and hiding your tag. I like the concept of this...
deiga-the-semivaliant's Avatar
deiga-the-semivaliant at 04/08/2008 23:08

JKH made me laugh for the first time today. (It is currently 12:10 AM).
fetusmilk's Avatar
fetusmilk at 04/08/2008 23:31

since there are no "planes" you can fly do you think they might put a dodo type vehicle in gta4?

also i cant wait to do some fighting/surfing on top of a tractor trailer container (with 14 others) while someone else is driving it.
Kent's Avatar
Kent at 04/09/2008 00:30

wow. I haven't wanted a game this badly since I don't know when. Call me crazy but i've got some sick time at work to spend when this arrives.
MrSlippery's Avatar
MrSlippery at 04/09/2008 11:51

the entire city?

that makes this multiplayer alone worth playing. it's going to be very fun, to say the least.

any word on being able to duck in certain buildings? I'd like to see a shootout in a skin bar. :P
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 04/09/2008 13:14

I am so excited about this. Cops N Crooks sounds amazing.
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 04/11/2008 01:11

It sounds like a lot of unbalanced gameplay and random elements. In short, amazing for having fun without people getting all serious and taking the fun away.


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