Grand Theft Auto IV

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Miscrosoft finally weighs in on the delay of GTA4:


Microsoft on GTA IV Delay: Good for Business?
Posted Aug 13, 2007 at 09:33PM by Isaac C.
Microsoft's stand on Grand Theft Auto IV's (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3) delay? Apparently, they are really happy the development, saying that this will "allow gamers to focus on the other titles in this year’s holiday lineup." From a Q&A by the New York Post, however, there seems to be more to it than that.

First we have to go through a quick history. It's been reported that Take-Two acquired US$ 50 million for 2 exclusive episodic content to GTA IV, a move that would have gone well for Microsoft when the game should have gone out on October. However, due to "certain elements of development prov[ing] to be more time-intensive than expected," GTA IV got bumped to early 2008, past the holiday season when the market is at its peak.

The argument stands that the money was dished out so that Microsoft would gain the upper hand over Sony, a move most effective during the holiday season. The point that the New York Post's journalist wanted to make clear is how Microsoft could be happy with GTA IV being delayed, past the holiday peak season, when it had shelled out US$ 50 million.

Microsoft being "giddy" about the delay doesn't quite fit. The delay would seriously cut profits because it missed the holiday deadline, making their investment of US$ 50 million less effective than it should have been. Plus, the rumor that the delay was caused by programming issues with Sony's PS3 certainly wouldn't have helped since the "investment" was intended to funnel fans away from the PS3 and towards the 360. The discussion between the New York Post and a Microsoft representative, formatted for your convenience, flowed as follows:
  • New York Post: Excuse me, but - the money Microsoft paid to Rockstar was quite a hefty chunk. Now I'm not saying this was a bad business move, but it was clearly designed to pull GTA-Sony loyalists to your side. So are you saying that the millions you guys paid out of pocket to get gamers into Microsoft hands for the holiday rush wasn't wasted in any way?

  • Microsoft Rep: I never said we gave Rockstar money. I don't think we ever...

  • NYP: I'm not asking if you said it, I'm suggesting that your plan was blown out of the water a bit because now there isn't as much of a draw for "converts."
Afterwards, there was "a brief, awkward silence." The New York Post correspondent also claimed that there were "more assurances that ... Microsoft is totally happy about GTA IV being delayed."

So is Microsoft really happy about the delay? Maybe, but they're probably having second thoughts about timing of their "investment." Nevertheless, the exclusives will still ultimately benefit Microsoft, if not as effectively as it would have if GTA IV wasn't delayed.
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8 new digital screenshots have been uploaded here.

If you look at the first shot, you can see we now have stars in the sky. Proper ones - not the Rockstar logo mapped out in a connect-the-dot style. This shot shows GTA 4's equivalent of the Empire State Building.

The second shot is a nice look at Niko in action. The anger on his face, as we've previously seen, is very cool. I'm not quite sure what the black stuff is. Possibly, the ba(l)d guy dropped something, but I can't quite make out what it is. It looks like oil or paint. You get a decent look at the much-improved trees here, too. Also, note the guy in the background frozen with fear as Niko shoots.

Shot number 3 shows Niko hanging onto a truck as it speeds off. I'm really looking forward to this feature, by the way, if it's possible in-game. Not too much to this one, but it is a pretty neat looking Italian-American street, with the Italian flag painted on the wall and the typical-looking Italian restaurant down the road.

Screenshot 4 is another look of the city skyline that we've all become familiar with. This time, we see it from amongst a suburban area. The sunset looks quite cool, and it's a beautiful view I can't wait to view in-game.

In shot 5 you see Niko pulling away in a very cool-looking old muscle car as he evades the police. This isn't a very good shot in terms of quality.

Niko stands in the forefront of shot number 6. In the background you can see the Liberty Yard building that was seen in an earlier screenshot. I wonder what's in there? There's also a very interesting-looking structure to the left of Niko, just under the traffic light. There's also a bus stop sign to the right.

Screenshot 7 is very cool. Niko sits with his AK-74 (maybe?), crouching behind a parked truck. To the right are two and a half dead bodies, which look very, very cool, and quite real. Also note the attention to detail on the wheel of the truck. Very impressive.

Finally, we see screenshot 8 in mid-explosion. It doesn't look like Niko's doing, however. The explosion looks quite cool, with debree, sparks and litter flying everywhere.

That's all for the digital screenshots. Hopefully, we start seeing more and more news, as it's become very slow since the delay news went public.
 
I’m assuming that black stuff is blood.

Otherwise, the stars look awesome, dead bodies are wicked cool, and so are the explosions.
 
Jimmy Enslashay
8 new digital screenshots have been uploaded here.

If you look at the first shot, you can see we now have stars in the sky. Proper ones - not the Rockstar logo mapped out in a connect-the-dot style. This shot shows GTA 4's equivalent of the Empire State Building.

The second shot is a nice look at Niko in action. The anger on his face, as we've previously seen, is very cool. I'm not quite sure what the black stuff is. Possibly, the ba(l)d guy dropped something, but I can't quite make out what it is. It looks like oil or paint. You get a decent look at the much-improved trees here, too. Also, note the guy in the background frozen with fear as Niko shoots.

Shot number 3 shows Niko hanging onto a truck as it speeds off. I'm really looking forward to this feature, by the way, if it's possible in-game. Not too much to this one, but it is a pretty neat looking Italian-American street, with the Italian flag painted on the wall and the typical-looking Italian restaurant down the road.

Screenshot 4 is another look of the city skyline that we've all become familiar with. This time, we see it from amongst a suburban area. The sunset looks quite cool, and it's a beautiful view I can't wait to view in-game.

In shot 5 you see Niko pulling away in a very cool-looking old muscle car as he evades the police. This isn't a very good shot in terms of quality.

Niko stands in the forefront of shot number 6. In the background you can see the Liberty Yard building that was seen in an earlier screenshot. I wonder what's in there? There's also a very interesting-looking structure to the left of Niko, just under the traffic light. There's also a bus stop sign to the right.

Screenshot 7 is very cool. Niko sits with his AK-74 (maybe?), crouching behind a parked truck. To the right are two and a half dead bodies, which look very, very cool, and quite real. Also note the attention to detail on the wheel of the truck. Very impressive.

Finally, we see screenshot 8 in mid-explosion. It doesn't look like Niko's doing, however. The explosion looks quite cool, with debree, sparks and litter flying everywhere.

That's all for the digital screenshots. Hopefully, we start seeing more and more news, as it's become very slow since the delay news went public.
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Man, the night shot looks really, really good! Can anyone imagine how the city will look with next gen. graphics? IMO, day shots are great for graphics, but night shots are even better.
 
To be honest most these new pictures dissapoint me a little, besides the few gems like the night shot.
 
Some info from a Croatian magazine.
Niko´s nationality haven´t been revealed yet (so all those magazines that claim he´s russian are probably wrong)

-there will be many enterable skyscrapers with really detailed interior
-in the morning you will see many peds go/drive to work,in the middle of the day you´ll see peds have their lunchbreaks and some sit and eat in the park for example,then in the evening/night you´ll see a sparkling nightlife,peds going to disco´s and clubs and stuff like that.
-there will often be many different ways to do a mission
-no lifebar,he equipped weapon will only show for some seconds then fade away,people will not be marked
-money can be stored in your own account,and then you´ll be able to use ATM´s to get it.
-not only weapons can be stored in trunks of cars
-radio will still play when you get out of car
-It will take more than a AK 47 or a M16 to blow up cars
-rocket launcher will be in
-you will be able to hide yourself into the car trunk
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Some more info from GTAForums.
1. PSM3 UK

-Niko heads over the road (displaying accurate momentum as he shifts from a walk to a sprint) onto an awaiting NRG900 bike - his helmet 'magically' appearing as he sits.
-The screen becomes an active homepage - we notice links for Personal Ads and Cars - before Niko clocks to apply for a job. Rumours persist that you can play the game 'honestly', holding down a job to earn cash, but in this situation we're applying to be a lawyer as part of a mission. Niko scrolls through his, probably doctored, CV (We note he was "captain of the shooting team"), before sending it off.

*note-remember what deepthroath said??
-Step into the orange target circle (like all GTA games), to initiate a cut scene where McReary tells you to retrieve....
-Internet café lets you apply for jobs, plus play 'Gamer Zone' mini games.
-They also mentioned police dogs, but persist that they are still just a
rumour

2.GamesMaster UK

-SWAT Teams are confirmed
-Drive-bys can now be done with pistols/handguns rather than just machine guns

3.OPM UK Issue 009 - September 2007

NO NEW INFO HERE

4.360 GamerUK Issue 030

-Small Fish in a Big Pond was the title given to the second demo of the game
-The actual name of the cafe is Totally Wireless, but the sign reads TW@.
-Niko can actually open doors with his hands instead of just walking into them to open them.

5.Gameplay Balkan

original topic

-you will be able to hide yourself into the car trunk and to put other things then just weapons in it.
-In the demo they didnt see the health bar and after you change weapons (L2,R2)it will just show on a second ,then go away.
-Also people wont have arrows on top of their heads

6./PSU3 Magazine UK - Issue 13
7./Xbox 360 Magazine UK - Issue 23
coming soon.

Thanks to mattyblog and GTAIV dude.

P.S-no scans available for any of these magazines,and sorry if some of them are old.
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Apart from the helmet "magically appearing" (which I don't really like), I'm very happy about all of this. The being able to hide more than guns in the trunk, including yourself, is really neat. I'm also glad that you can open doors with your hands, rather than just walking into them. Very glad.

Having no health bar will be another cool addition (or deletion). I hope they do it a bit like The Getaway, but a lot better than that. The lack of arrows is a welcome change, too. I just wish they didn't have the orange halo to walk into for missions..

The drive-by shootings with more than just a sub-machine gun is a very good improvement. I think I complained about that at some point in every one of the previous games. I hope he doesn't point the gun out the window when you look right if you have a gun on you, though. That was a tad irritating for me. Don't ask why, it just was.

I expected SWAT teams to be back, but police dogs will be an interesting addition if that does become a reality. It will open up all kinds of possibilities animal-wise. Although, I'm sure they'll get crucified for their inclusion at some point, even though there's been plenty of games where you can shoot/kill dogs or other animals without the creators being the target of an angry-mob. I'm also very glad you can't just blow up a car with a few bullets from an M4/AK-47, etc. I'd like to be able to put bullets in it or shoot someone through the doors with a powerful weapon, without blowing up the damn thing.

The update on the pedestrian happenings is quite neat. It'd be pretty cool if you follow the same person all day they'll always go back to the same home? I highly, highly doubt it, as that would be quite difficult to master, but I'm just thinking aloud. While I'm doing that, the radio playing as you get out of the car is pretty neat. For how long, though? I also wonder if bodies and abandoned cars will stay there until an ambulance/tow-truck picks them up?

Finally, I'm glad we've gotten a small update on the internet café (Totally Wireless.. I like it :p). Being able to play games will be a bit of fun to deviate from the norm. :D

Thanks for the update, McLaren! 👍
 
I really like the idea that I can play and earn money 'honestly'.
Filling the car with bullets without it just blowing up would/will be awesome, and finally (hopefully) we can driveby with pistols.

Overall sounding really good! (except the circle part that initiates the cut scene, that is dissapointing)
 
So, we've to wait until next February before the game it out?

AAAAARRRGGGH!

Half Life 2: Episode 2 is delayed indeterminably, Alan Wake is also delayed indeterminably and now GTAIV is delayed for another six months or so! Aaargh!

At least I've got Guitar Hero II to have fun with and tide me over until next year. But I don't think it can amuse me for more than another couple of months.


KM.
 
KM
Still, I bought Bioshock at the weekend but I've already finished it! Great game, but it ain't gonna last me months....
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[offtopic]My goodness we sold some pre-orders of that. Gone before it was even released. (We got some in today though).[/offtopic]
Ebiggs
I keep popping in here when I see new posts hoping to see new info.
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Don't hold your breath. Since it's been pushed back 5 or 6 months, the intended release of information will be stretched out over that time, and, especially in the earlier months after the delay while they're sorting things out, it's going to be very slow.

I'm assuming the last trailer, which would've been coming out very soon, won't be shown until january/february next year at the earliest.
 
We have action, folks. This is a combination of news from GTA4.net and PlanetGTA:
Some new details have emerged in the latest issue of US magazine GamePro.
  • One of the billboards seen during the demo advertised "Shark Credit Cards," while others advertised "Pirate Music" and "The Whiz" ("The Whiz" is the type of phone that Niko uses.)
  • The HUD is described as "minimalist to its core." There is a mini-map, a "low-key" cash counter, and they say that the HUD in general looks more clean than in previous GTAs.
  • The magazine states that Ammu-Nation no longer exists. A lot of other magazines spoke about new methods of obtaining weapons, but until now, none of them actually confirmed whether Ammu-Nation still exists.
  • The rocket launcher will return (what would a GTA game be without one?)
  • One of the female pedestrians screams "this s*** is bananas!" from her vehicle.
  • A fare meter appears on-screen as soon as Niko enters a cab, and the camera pans around it as it drives.
  • The little green guy on crosswalks is crisp and clear.
  • Clothing in GTA IV is described as "customizable, and also realistic." So no more leopard cowboy hats we presume?
  • On shooting, the magazine states that: "the cover system borrows elements of Gears of War, and Rainbow Six: Las Vegas." It also says that "the aiming is a Resident Evil 4, over the shoulder style."
  • The magazine confirms that the Sanchez and PCJ motorcycles are both returning.
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Also, an article from Games Industry.biz have claimed that Australian band Airbourne will feature on the radio.
 
Oh my god I love Airbourne. And a cover system? Interesting...but so far away :(
 
Digital-Nitrate
as Dan Houser and RockStar have made it quite clear that the PS3 edition is not a port, and that both editions are being developed separately for each of the consoles.
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Thats good to know :)

I really cant stand people who always assuming things are always ports from the 360 version without knowing properly what the devs are actually doing, Most PS3 games are now been done by separate dev teams because this saves time and they will be better accustomed to the system thus gaining the most potential from the hardware....... but despite this still most multiplatform games get lower reviews (even if its 0.1 difference) for just been on PS3 because people see 'make believe' problems and issues with it because of their metal bias block... if the PS3 was the more popular system this would all be the other way around.

Its going to be along time before people stop playing the PS3 blame game!

Robin
 
http://gamepolitics.com/2007/09/18/...ion-target-is-him-threatens-to-block-release/

Jack Thompson Says GTA 4 Mission Target is Him; Threatens to Block Release

Plenty of gamers would give their left arm to be included in Grand Theft Auto IV.

Miami attorney Jack Thompson, however, claims that he’s depicted in the game and wants out. And he threatens to block the release of GTA IV if Rockstar doesn’t comply.

In a document filed yesterday with a federal court in Florida, Thompson includes a letter written to Take Two Chairman Strauss Zelnick which reads in part:

I have this morning read with interest an article on page 80 and 81 of the September 2007 issue of Game Informer magazine which was generated when, according to its author, Rockstar Games “stopped by the Game Informer offices for an impromptu hour-long gameplay session with the Xbox 360 version of the game.”

The showcasing play of the game to Game Informer revealed that the first killing mission of the “hero” of the game, Niko, is to kill a certain lawyer. When Niko comes into this lawyer’s office, having used subterfuge to do so, Niko pulls a gun on the lawyer who says, “that the firm supports the second amendment and that ‘Guns don’t kill people. Video games do.’”

…The fact that the lawyer, killed on Niko’s first mission, would bring up video games, makes it clearly a reference to me… This is not the first time Rockstar Games and Take Two have targeted me in this fashion. Take Two references to me as a bisexual pedophile on its corporate website…

GP: What’s he referring to here? See GamePolitics’ September, 2005 article Jack Thompson Accuses Rockstsar of… Parody. Thompson’s letter continues:

You have until five o’clock P.M. this Friday… to inform me that you are going to delete the above references and any other references that could reasonably be construed to be references to me in Grand Theft Auto IV and any other video games that are pending release…

Now you have descended this low - using one of your games to threaten my physical safety… Failure to comply with the deadline… will result in my having to take necessary and proper means to stop release of the game which targets me personally… given the copycatting of violent games…
 
Too bad his case on this isn't going to exactly go through IF his name isn't used, or the guy doesn't look like him. I mean, he can say they're making fun of him, but the defense could easily say it's about someone else.
But all in all, it's just Thompson up to his usual schemes. Wasn't he just sued by TakeTwo a couple months ago for "harrassment" or something?

I like this line though.
will result in my having to take necessary and proper means to stop release of the game which targets me personally
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I didn't know GTA IV was just going to be about targeting him. :lol:
 
As much as I would like to be able to shoot Jack Thompson in a video game I'm pretty sure this isn't a reference to him, more to the people who argue against video games in general. Even if it is aimed at him he won't win, he agreed to stop with this sort of BS several months ago, I wouldn't be surprised if this was the last straw and he got his ass sued into the ground...
 
FatAssBR
http://gamepolitics.com/2007/09/18/...ion-target-is-him-threatens-to-block-release/

Jack Thompson Says GTA 4 Mission Target is Him; Threatens to Block Release

Plenty of gamers would give their left arm to be included in Grand Theft Auto IV.

Miami attorney Jack Thompson, however, claims that he’s depicted in the game and wants out. And he threatens to block the release of GTA IV if Rockstar doesn’t comply.

In a document filed yesterday with a federal court in Florida, Thompson includes a letter written to Take Two Chairman Strauss Zelnick which reads in part:

I have this morning read with interest an article on page 80 and 81 of the September 2007 issue of Game Informer magazine which was generated when, according to its author, Rockstar Games “stopped by the Game Informer offices for an impromptu hour-long gameplay session with the Xbox 360 version of the game.”

The showcasing play of the game to Game Informer revealed that the first killing mission of the “hero” of the game, Niko, is to kill a certain lawyer. When Niko comes into this lawyer’s office, having used subterfuge to do so, Niko pulls a gun on the lawyer who says, “that the firm supports the second amendment and that ‘Guns don’t kill people. Video games do.’”

…The fact that the lawyer, killed on Niko’s first mission, would bring up video games, makes it clearly a reference to me… This is not the first time Rockstar Games and Take Two have targeted me in this fashion. Take Two references to me as a bisexual pedophile on its corporate website…

GP: What’s he referring to here? See GamePolitics’ September, 2005 article Jack Thompson Accuses Rockstsar of… Parody. Thompson’s letter continues:

You have until five o’clock P.M. this Friday… to inform me that you are going to delete the above references and any other references that could reasonably be construed to be references to me in Grand Theft Auto IV and any other video games that are pending release…

Now you have descended this low - using one of your games to threaten my physical safety… Failure to comply with the deadline… will result in my having to take necessary and proper means to stop release of the game which targets me personally… given the copycatting of violent games…
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LOL.

I doubt anyone would've harmed Thompson, or for that matter know how Thompson is before he started bitching out R* for putting a character in GTA4 potraying him.
 
Oh, don't get me started on Jack Thompson... He's an idiot because he thinks video games is the center of all violence. I'd like to make a mod to put him into San Andreas so I can shoot him in the face or something.
 
16-Player Online Mode in GTA IV?????

In an interview with reps from GamingExcellence at the recent PlayStation Holiday Preview Event, apparently a Rockstar representative may have slipped some very surprising info on GTA:IV


Coverage of the PlayStation Holiday Preview Event
Posted October 12, 2007 by Rick Poulin, GamingExcellence
Skipping over the delights of navigating the downtown Toronto core, our adventure begins at the College Park Shop, a multi-storey art-deco landmark across the street from Ryerson University. The rather unremarkable first-floor shopping area drastically changes as we round the corner to an out-of-sight elevator lobby, whose lavish décor seemed at odds with the adjoining Canadian staple Tim Hortons coffee shop, not to mention the small crowd of eager journalists sporting jeans and game-related printed t-shirts. The elevator brings us up to the seventh floor, which opens to the huge lobby of the newly renovated Carlu event venue, complete with artsy lighting and an array of black leather couches. The game room was equally swanky, though the red strip lights lining the back of the standing game stations gave an appropriate techno spin to the setting. Clearly, Sony was gunning for an ultra-modern look and the only missing pieces (thankfully) were tight pink or turquoise shirts and an abundance of Cosmopolitan cocktails. It occurred to me to give some thumbs up to the event planners, but my thumbs were already too busy with a game controller.

Numerous publishers attended the event, which featured a mix of released and unreleased games. A number of titles had already been showcased at Microsoft’s X’07 event at the end of August, and PS3 fans will be glad to know that big cross-platform games like Call of Duty 4, Rock Band, Guitar Hero 3, and Devil May Cry 4 look equally impressive on Sony’s next-gen console. But Sony brought out other highly anticipated titles, including Electronic Arts’ Army of Two and NFS: Pro Street, Ubisoft’s Haze, D3Publisher’s Dark Sector, Rockstar’s Manhunt 2, and Sony first-party titles Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction and less known Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. Our impressions of most of these titles will be available shortly. Oddly enough, some other big games set for release this holiday season were absent, such as Assassin’s Creed which was shown at X’07, and two games that remain below the radar, Timeshift and Turning Point: Fall of Liberty. Set for 2008’s second quarter, GTA IV was also missing, but Rockstar’s man on the scene told GamingExcellence that they had begun testing the various plots and that the developers were considering the possibility of having an open world completely unlocked from the start of the game. We also understand that the game’s multiplayer mode, unseen in the GTA franchise since GTA2 in 1999*, is aiming for at least 16 simultaneous players, with more than just the usual deathmatch mode.

We also caught up with Matt Levitan, PR and Marketing Manager for Sony Computer Entertainment Canada, to discuss Sony’s plans for the holiday season and the near future. Asked about rumours that a new 40GB PS3 model may be coming to North America, following the model’s release in Europe and Japan very recently, Levitan would only say that “no such announcement has yet been made.” He mentioned that there are no further price reductions planned on current products, as the company is comfortable with current PSP sales and that the 60GB PS3 had already seen a significant decrease in price. As it gears up for its eighth holiday season, the PS2 won’t be getting the proverbial boot any time soon: Levitan says they typically expect a ten-year lifespan out of their consoles and the PS2 is still very much alive and kicking.

Levitan also commented on the delay in releasing PlayStation Home, stating that he had recently been very much impressed with an early beta version. The development team has been adding features while ironing out some bugs, making sure that the network is fully compatible across the globe. It’s now slated for an early 2008 release.

It seems many third-party game publishers have moved away from platform-exclusives lately, with many titles primarily targeting the Xbox 360. Levitan pointed out that developers haven’t had as much time with the year-old PS3 console, which is just shy of a year younger than the Xbox 360. However, Sony is confident that they will maintain the exclusivity of big PlayStation franchises, such as the much-anticipated Final Fantasy XIII, as well as other popular titles like Metal Gear Solid 4. In the meantime, Levitan reports that Sony has much improved its internal development, and is relying on first-party titles to carry the console this holiday season. Ratchet and Clank are back at it again at the end of the month, followed by the tropical action adventure Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune in mid-November. The huge first-party shooter Killzone 2 is set for release late next year. As for the future of cross-platform titles, Levitan predicts a growing divergence between systems in graphics and gameplay, and believes that the SIXAXIS technology will be a considerable factor in shifting gamers and developers to the PS3.

Sony’s Holiday Preview attracted a fair amount of journalists and presented a suitable array of titles. However, the subtle, almost imperceptible detail that made the event a success was that at the end of the show, the lights came on instead of off.

Without further ado, here’s what you can expect to see on Sony consoles.


Shooters
  • Call of Duty 4: Activision's graphically-orgasmic shooter returns in a modern-day warfare scenario, taking you to undisclosed Russian locations to fight new waves of terrorists bent on world revolution or destruction, whichever comes first. Featuring realistic body and materials physics, many multiplayer modes and handling up to 18 players online, this one will be flying off the shelves in early November.

  • Haze: Ubisoft proudly presents their drug-induced shooter set in a futuristic world where “nectar” is used to enhance your character’s abilities. The premise of the game sounds like one giant conspiracy and sees the player gradually come to realize that his military unit is not what it seems. Gamers can start shooting up in mid-November.

  • Dark Sector: D3Publisher introduces us to a game with amazing lighting and dual-wielding controls, where a CIA operative that can’t feel pain cleans up the baddies in an unknown Soviet state with the help of a glaive. This weapon is basically a boomerang with three sharp knives, which is part of the character’s body and can be used to generate light. The game is targeting January 22 for release.

  • Army of Two: EA showed us its latest shooter, centered around two mercenaries who charge into dangerous environments to make a buck or two. The underlying Unreal 3 Engine has been extensively modified to produce amazing character detail, and there’s a very strong emphasis on co-operative play. Army of Two blasts onto shelves November 13.

  • Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune: Featuring decent outdoor environments and action-packed gameplay, Sony’s third person shooter/adventure is centered on a modern-day treasure hunter who finds himself pursued by mercenaries on an uncharted island. The hunt begins in mid-November.

Action
  • Devil May Cry 4: Capcom launches into the world of devils and demons for the fourth installment of an action game providing players with interesting swordplay and acrobatics. As if that weren't enough, the game also promises an interesting storyline but hasn't yet set a fixed release date, though it's expected to arrive close to the New Year.

  • Manhunt 2: Rockstar presents a disgustingly violent sequel to Manhunt after having the ESRB downgrade the game's Adults-Only rating to Mature. Don't worry, it's still graphic enough to satistfy even the most demented of serial killers. Manhunt 2 comes out Halloween day.

  • Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction: The metropolises of worlds of the future are more alive than ever as the Lombax and his robotic friends start their adventure on the PS3 on October 30.

  • WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008: THQ brings the franchise back on a number of consoles, including the PS3 for the first time. Expect the usual wrestling mayhem when the title is released in mid-November.

Racing
  • Need For Speed: Pro Street: EA’s racing franchise returns to portray the next level in underground racing. It’s no longer about territory feuds in this title but rather about taking on the best racers the world has to offer. The game speeds onto store shelves November 14, with over 60 cars, a new car modification model, and an unprecedented realism of physics.

  • Cars: Mater-national Championship: The Disney/Pixar movie is the basis for THQ’s game, where players are treated to their favourite car/characters and more in settings they’ll recognize from the movie. Targeting a younger audience, the game is unlikely to appeal to hardcore racing fans but we have to admit that the mini-games, including tractor-tipping, did have some appeal. Cars come alive early in November.
  • MX vs. ATV: Untamed: THQ appeals to the motocross crowd once again as they publish a game where motocross and ATVs race side-by-side, and a lot of attention was given to players flinging off their rides because you’ll be doing that often. If you’re up to the challenge, you’ll have to wait until mid-December.

  • Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity: Sega brings Sonic Riders back on PS2 and the Wii with a variety of vehicles and the ability to “temporarily suspend” gravity, allowing players to experience the tracks from multiple angles. The game is now scheduled for Spring 2008.

Music Players
  • Rock Band: MTV, Harmonix and EA partner-up to produce the ultimate music game incorporating all elements of traditional rock bands: guitar, vocals, drums and bass. The game is certainly entertaining but our only concern is the likely heavy price tag attached to the equipment required to enjoy the game to its fullest. Rock Band is set for release November 23.

  • Guitar Hero 3: Activision will be heading the release of the latest in the hit series after the acquisition of RedOctane. Available October 28th, the gameplay hasn't changed too much but the awesome track list should be enough to carry this title.

  • SingStar: Sony’s popular franchise makes its debut on the PS3 and will feature the SingStore, allowing players to download a customized track list. The title won’t be home for Christmas; it’s set for early 2008.
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