New Grand Theft Auto IV Xbox 360 update fix multiplayer and cheaters fixed!

Grand Theft Auto IV has passed Microsoft certification and is available now. Get ready for the update screen for the next time you boot up the title.

A simple patch that addresses two key issues present in the title’s multiplayer component: invisible characters and holes cheaters. Apparently, there was some sort of bug that allowed people to become Kevin Bacon during matches. The cheat code thing, we weren’t even aware of.

Rockstar doesn’t elaborate on its official blog, but it's stated that somehow, people managed to use a cheat code exploit in the component.

If those two things got you down, it’s time to pick up that chin and head back in. "The Ballad of Gay Tony" is hitting quite soon, so sharpen those skills.

Is the PlayStation 3 better than Xbox 360? as Rockstar say Xbox 360 is limiting GTA IV

Lack of Blu-ray and guaranteed hard drive creating limitations for the next-gen crime opus, acknowledges Rockstar

The Xbox 360's lack of a guaranteed hard disk is creating limitations in Grand Theft Auto IV's development, Rockstar has acknowledged.

During an interview with our partners in crime at Official PlayStation Magazine, Rockstar's creative vice president Dan Houser was asked: "On PS3 you've got a guarantee that every machine is going to have a hard-drive and, with Blu-ray, you've got plenty of storage, whereas on Xbox 360 there's no guarantee of a hard-drive and you're working with the DVD format. Does that create limitations?" To which he replied, "Yep."

He continued, "To be honest with you we haven't solved all those riddles yet." The difficulties aren't limited to working on Microsoft's box, as Houser explains that "both have enormous challenges" and that "both have their own particular pleasures and pains".

Rockstar hasn't said anything about a target SKU between the two consoles, but they're currently demoing the game to press running on an Xbox 360 - so we wouldn't worry too much if you've only got Microsoft's console. Look for more on GTA IV in the next few weeks.

Source: CVG

Grand Theft Auto episode from Liberty City logo released

Use the search option to find more GTA posts on gamezplay

World of Warcraft developer Blizzard Entertainment conquers respected yearly list of planet's best studios

Today sees the publication of the fifth Develop 100, a respected annual listing of the world's most successful games developers.

The book is published, in association with technology firm Emergent, by the editorial team behind Develop magazine (www.developmag.com) – the leading international publication for games developers.

World of Warcraft developer Blizzard Entertainment takes the top spot, knocking last year's number one Nintendo down to second place.

Generating over a billion dollars in revenue every year from both online transactions and boxed product sales, Blizzard is responsible for one the most famed massively multiplayer online games ever with over 11 million players.

The Develop 100 is an invaluable guide that throws light on the real winners in the world’s fastest-growing creative industry. The list is put together by the magazine's editorial team, taking into account a variety of criteria including key sales charts made available by the likes of GfK-ChartTrack, NPD and Famitsu, success of online business models, Metacritic scores and industry standing.

31 studios from across Europe feature in the list - 26 of them in the UK. These include the likes of Rockstar North (third on the list and responsible for the Grand Theft Auto franchise), LEGO Star Wars developer Traveller's Tales (11th) and Media Molecule (18th), the developer of LittleBigPlanet - and the highest placed independent UK studio on the list.

"Our yearly Develop 100 has become an essential read for games industry executives the world over," said Develop editor-in-chief Michael French. "It is read by everyone in the sector, from the tiniest independents to business leaders at gaming giants like Electronic Arts HQ in America to Kojima Productions in Japan. With widened criteria which better reflect the fast-changing and various business models adopted by studios across the globe, this edition is no different."

The listing, from 1 to 100, plus a free digital edition, can be found at www.develop100.com. More analysis and data can be found at www.developmag.com

Develop 100 is sponsored exclusively by Emergent.

Grand Theft Auto IV patch download

Rockstar Games has today released a patch for the PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV which fixes a few known issues.

Updated automatically via Steam the update includes:

Graphics

• Interior Lights for ATI 1900 series cards


• All light sources appear for users with 1900 series ATI cards. (ie. Pool Mini Game)


• ALT-TAB fixed

Graphics Settings

• Added menu option "OFF" for Reflection quality


• Added menu option "OFF" for Shadow quality


• Scrolling signboards


• Activate missing scrolling signboard text (ie. highway signs, Star Junction, Clock Tower Sign)

Performance

• Physics optimizations to improve situations with heavy physics calculations (ie. 32 player races)


• Graphical Performance Optimizations

Multiplayer

• NAT Type detection
• Detect if user has a "strict" NAT and displays message for user


• Voice chat is received even if your microphone is turned off

Controls

• Keyboard / Mouse>


• Remapping restrictions removed


• Allow Enter, Backspace, and Arrow keys to be remapped by user


• Allow multiple mouse buttons to be mapped


• Enable/Disable DirectInput in Menu


• Users can now activate/deactivate Direct Input devices from "Controls" menu
• If commandline "-usedirectinput" is active, it will override pause menu setting


• Use 2 direct input devices simultaneously (ie. Wheel and Gamepad)


• Users can now use 2 different controllers at once, including 1 XInput and 1 Direct Input device
• Added more Direct Input / XInput device support


• Saitek P380/P480/P580/P990
• Saitek PS1000/PS2700/P3200/P3600


• Gravis Eliminator Shock gamepad

Security

• Detect modified files and prevent users from entering multiplayer if found
• Game will prompt with a message after blocking user with modified data files from entering multiplayer
• Should prevent multiplayer access from cell phone and GFWL join in progress
• Detect modified / non-original game launcher
• Prevent game from Launching if modifed/non-original game launcher is found

Grand Theft Auto IV v1.0.3.0 PC Patch improves multi player races

Rockstar Games has issued a new patch for the PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV (thanks: Attila). Check full article for changelog.

Download here... (54.63mb)

GRAPHICS:

* Interior Lights for ATI 1900 series cards:
o All light sources appear for users with 1900 series ATI cards. (ie. Pool Mini Game)
o ALT-TAB fixed
* Graphics Settings:
o Added menu option " OFF " for Reflection quality
o Added menu option " OFF " for Shadow quality

PERFORMANCE:

* Physics optimizations to improve situations with heavy physics calculations (ie. 32 player races)
* Graphical Performance Optimizations

MULTIPLAYER:

* NAT Type detection
o Detect if user has a " strict " NAT and displays message for user
* Voice chat is received even if your microphone is turned off

CONTROLS:

* Keyboard / Mouse
o Remapping restrictions removed
o Allow Enter, Backspace, and Arrow keys to be remapped by user
o Allow multiple mouse buttons to be mapped
* Enable/Disable DirectInput in Menu
o Users can now activate/deactivate Direct Input devices from "Controls" menu.
o If commandline "-usedirectinput" is active, it will override pause menu setting.
* Use 2 direct input devices simultaneously (ie. Wheel and Gamepad)
o Users can now use 2 different controllers at once, including 1 XInput and 1 Direct Input device.
* Added more Direct Input / XInput device support
o Saitek P380/P480/P580/P990
o Saitek PS1000/PS2700/P3200/P3600
o Gravis Eliminator Shock gamepad

SECURITY:

* Detect modified files and prevent users from entering multiplayer if found
o Game will prompt with a message after blocking user with modified data files from entering multiplayer
o Should prevent multiplayer access from cell phone and GFWL join in progress

VIDEO EDITOR:

* Scroll Bar improved response
o Tweaked to respond better to keyboard inputs
* Sped up load times for users with many clips

TITLE UPDATE 2 FIXES:

* Return of Hot Dog Stands and other props
o Missing hot dog vendors, fences, gates, pylons should be present throughout the world.
* Scrolling signboards
o Activate missing scrolling signboard text (ie. highway signs, Star Junction, Clock Tower Sign)
* ALT-TAB pauses game during cutscenes
o Cutscenes should now pause and resume correctly after an ALT-TAB task switch. Audio remains in sync.


GENERAL ADDITIONS / FIXES:

* Mismatched MODO/Perseus Clothing
o Fixed a bug when Niko mixes clothing from Perseus and Modo
* 360 Controller Texture
o Controller image should be visible in Controller Configuration screen

Grand Theft Auto IV PC Patch number 3 Released - Link here

The third patch for the PC release of Grand Theft Auto 4 is now available from FileShack.

Update 1.0.3 brings improved graphics and physics performance, greater user control over graphic settings, and the elimination of remapping restrictions for keyboard and mouse.

Full change notes follow

Version 1.0.3.0 - March 19, 2009

GRAPHICS:

• Interior Lights for ATI 1900 series cards:
  
• All light sources appear for users with 1900 series ATI cards. (ie. Pool Mini Game)
  
• ALT-TAB fixed
  
• Graphics Settings:
  
• Added menu option " OFF " for Reflection quality
  
• Added menu option " OFF " for Shadow quality
  
• PERFORMANCE:
  
• Physics optimizations to improve situations with heavy physics calculations (ie. 32 player races)
  
• Graphical Performance Optimizations
  

MULTIPLAYER:

NAT Type detection
Detect if user has a " strict " NAT and displays message for user
Voice chat is received even if your microphone is turned off

CONTROLS:

• Keyboard / Mouse
  
• Remapping restrictions removed
  
• Allow Enter, Backspace, and Arrow keys to be remapped by user
  
• Allow multiple mouse buttons to be mapped
  
• Enable/Disable DirectInput in Menu
  
• Users can now activate/deactivate Direct Input devices from "Controls" menu.
  
• If commandline "-usedirectinput" is active, it will override pause menu setting.
  
• Use 2 direct input devices simultaneously (ie. Wheel and Gamepad)
  
• Users can now use 2 different controllers at once, including 1 XInput and 1 Direct Input device.
  
• Added more Direct Input / XInput device support
  
• Saitek P380/P480/P580/P990
  
• Saitek PS1000/PS2700/P3200/P3600
  
• Gravis Eliminator Shock gamepad
  

SECURITY:

• Detect modified files and prevent users from entering multiplayer if found
  
• Game will prompt with a message after blocking user with modified data files from entering multiplayer
  
• Should prevent multiplayer access from cell phone and GFWL join in progress
  

VIDEO EDITOR:

• Scroll Bar improved response
  
• Tweaked to respond better to keyboard inputs
  
• Sped up load times for users with many clips
  

TITLE UPDATE 2 FIXES:

• Return of Hot Dog Stands and other props
  
• Missing hot dog vendors, fences, gates, pylons should be present throughout the world.
  
• Scrolling signboards
  
• Activate missing scrolling signboard text (ie. highway signs, Star Junction, Clock Tower Sign)
  
• ALT-TAB pauses game during cutscenes
  
• Cutscenes should now pause and resume correctly after an ALT-TAB task switch. Audio remains in sync.
  

GENERAL ADDITIONS / FIXES:

• Mismatched MODO/Perseus Clothing
  
• Fixed a bug when Niko mixes clothing from Perseus and Modo
  
• 360 Controller Texture
  
• Controller image should be visible in Controller Configuration screen
  

Source: ShackNews

Bug delays Xbox 360 Grand Theft Auto IV DLC Midnight Club Los Angeles South Central but PS 3 goes ahead...

A statement from Rockstar advises, "The Xbox 360 version of Midnight Club: Los Angeles South Central, set to release on Xbox LIVE and PlayStation Network today, has not yet gone live on Xbox LIVE due to an unforeseen bug in the title update.



"We are currently working as quickly as we can to resolve this issue, and we will notify everyone as soon as the DLC is made available. Thank you for understanding and your patience. Please note that this issue does not affect the DLC on the PlayStation Network – it is currently live and available for download."

GTA IV Downloads freezing problem...

GTA IV DLC subject to reports of freezing

According to reports, a decent amount of gamers are claiming that the GTA IV DLC is freezing up on them. One user reports that the game froze on him 6 times in just one hour and a half. Apparently, there are many more reporting similar problems.

However, bulldog907 has only tried the game for a little over a hour, but he had had to restart it more than he would have liked:

“Yup I’ve had the game freeze like 6 times in the 1.5 hours I’ve played it. It’s really frustrating. I’ve had it freeze at different points (once during a mission, once in Burger Shot, once just driving, etc). I have a 60GB Xbox360.”

The list goes on and on. If you head over to the forums right now, you’ll see the absurd number of users who are dealing with this lousy issue.

Thankfully, some people have cleared the cash on the Xbox hard drive and it worked. But for many, the problem still persists.

We should mention that many, if not most of the gamers who downloaded the DLC have not encountered the freezing dilemma. Nonetheless, it sounds like an abundant amount of folks who purchased the content are having an unnecessary problem that must be addressed by Rockstar…and soon!

GTA IV DLC gamezplay post here

Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack available on iTunes

The launch of the extended Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack experience starting today exclusively on the iTunes store in the US and iTunes store in Europe.

The first release is a collection of six original tracks produced exclusively for Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned by elite underground hip-hop DJ and record producer Statik Selektah, featuring some of the most respected names in the genre.

Coming soon to the iTunes store, the second release features highlight tracks from from the overall soundtrack and gives listeners a taste of the updated genres that now play across Liberty City's airwaves via this new episode. Stay tuned for information on tracklist and release date.

Note that all of the new songs added to the Liberty City radio dial via the Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned soundtrack can be seamlessly purchased and downloaded online through the in-game ZiT function. Simply tag songs you like on your in-game cell phone to create a custom playlist which will automatically be uploaded to your Social Club profile. A simple click-through to iTunes from there will pull up your custom playlist for purchase.

Also check out the Grand Theft Auto IV destination page on iTunes with each in-game radio station's playlist, exclusive albums and more, all accessible at www.itunes.com/gtaiv.

GTA Chinatown Wars Nintendo DS first HD video game trailer released

Rockstar have released the first story trailer detailing the main plot of the game.

You will play as Huang Lee, who is on a typical mission to revenge his father's death and, in true Asian style, to restore the honor of his family by punishing those who dared to mock it. But his trip won't be easy, as the criminals found in the Chinatown neighborhood are extremely dangerous and will make a lot of trouble for him. The gameplay fragments in between the classic GTA-style artwork show a lot of fun things like running around while explosions happen at every step, in a very arcade manner as even Rockstar Leeds have said.

Below is the trailer so you can all enjoy it. Don't forget to select High Quality from the menu of the YouTube player.

Scottish comedian, Frankie Boyle, performs stand-up in GTA IV The Lost And The Damned DLC...

Scottish comedian Frankie Boyle can be found hidden in the DLC for The Lost And The Damned.

Boyle can be found performing a stand-up routine at the Split Sides comedy club. Rockstar even motion captured him for authenticity - you can check the credits at the end of The Lost And The Damned if you don't believe us.

"It's highlights from his live act plus at least one GTA IV in-joke," says GTA IV madman and OXM editor Jon Hicks (in that order). "See him at the Split Sides comedy club on Frankfort Ave, one block over and down a bit from Star Junction."

So there you have it. Frankie Boyle in GTAIV! A pretty awesome idea, truth be told. Let's hope this doesn't mean we'll also get Jim Davidson in Resident Evil 5...

Microsoft offers free biker bundle clothes, accessories for The Lost and Damned launch

Microsoft is pulling out all the stops to promote today's launch of Grand Theft Auto's downloadable content pack, The Lost and Damned. While you're waiting for the 1.78 GB download to finish, you'll find a slew of freebies and upcoming promotional events on Xbox Live, including a custom biker bundle for your avatar.


Female avatars can choose from a leather biker jacket or punk tee top (think the anarchy symbol with an x) with arm warmers, leopard-print leggings, black 60's zipper boots, feather earrings, a skull wristband and biker gloves.

Full story here...

Grand Theft Auto IV - The Lost and the Damned download now on Xbox 360

Today, Xbox 360 owners can download Grand Theft Auto IV - The Lost and the Damned.

For 1600 Microsoft Points, they can download The Lost and Damned, featuring a new main character a new plot that merges with the main storyline of Grand Theft Auto IV - new missions offer an entirely fresh way to explore Liberty City with new multiplayer modes, weapons and vehicles; and additional music.

The new story revolves around Johnny, a veteran member of The Lost, a notorious biker gang. Johnny has been creating business opportunities for The Lost in Liberty City, but his first loyalty must be to the patch he wears on his back and to Billy Grey, the club’s President. However, when Billy returns from rehab hell-bent on bloodshed and debauchery, Johnny finds himself in the middle of a vicious turf war with rival gangs for control of a city torn apart by violence and corruption. Can the brotherhood survive?

Only one way to find out, get downloading! "The Lost and Damned" is the first of two exclusive episodes for Xbox 360.

GTA IV – The Lost and the Damned for the Xbox 360 is out on the 17th February

Without an Xbox 360 you'll be left empty handed, at least when it comes to GTA The Lost and The Damned. This extra content is exclusively available on the Xbox 360. Now for the good news though.

Watch the video on my YouTube channel here... please subscribe

From the 17th to 22nd February Xbox Live users who “only” have a silver account will have the chance to run riot on in the GTA 4 and GTA 4: The Lost and the Damned multiplayer mode.

According to the information already out, the additional content will cost 1,600 Microsoft points, which is about 20€ (around £18). We’re not talking about peanuts here, but gamers who do make this investment will be able to enjoy new characters and a new gameplay, that is to say new missions in Liberty City.

Some PC gamers might think that the money involved in this DLC might have been better spent ironing out some of the bugs in GTA 4 PC.

Who knows though – maybe Rockstar might have a surprise on the horizon for PC gamers – it would be very welcome at least.

Full list of BAFTA video games nominations for 2009

The Academy today announced the nominations for the GAME British Academy Video Games Awards which this year feature 39 different games and reflect the growing diversity of games capturing the public’s imagination.

This year’s host Dara O’Briain, an avid gamer himself, recently described these times as a ‘golden age’ in video games, and this year’s nominations showcase the breathtaking imagination and creativity of the development talent working in the Video Games industry today. The Awards recognise the very best in artistic, creative and technical innovation in video games, and will be held at the London Hilton on Park Lane on March 10.

THE NOMINATIONS

ACTION & ADVENTURE

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Dead Space
Fable II
Grand Theft Auto IV
Prince of Persia
Tomb Raider: Underworld

ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT

Assassin's Creed
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Dead Space
Gears of War 2
LittleBigPlanet
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

BEST GAME

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Fable II
Fallout 3
Grand Theft Auto IV
Rock Band
Super Mario Galaxy

CASUAL

Boom Blox
Buzz! Quiz TV
Guitar Hero: World Tour
LittleBigPlanet
SingStar Vol. 2
Wii Fit

GAMEPLAY

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Grand Theft Auto IV
Left 4 Dead
Mario Kart Wii
Rock Band
Super Mario Galaxy

HANDHELD

Geometry Wars: Galaxies
God of War: Chains of the Olympus
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Patapon
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Soul Bubbles

MULTIPLAYER

Buzz! Quiz TV
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Gears of War 2
Left 4 Dead
Mario Kart Wii
Rock Band

ORIGINAL SCORE

Assassin's Creed
Dead Space
Fable II
Fallout 3
LittleBigPlanet
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

SPORTS

FIFA 09
Football Manager 2009
Motorstorm Pacific Rift
Pure
Race Driver: GRID
Wii Fit

STRATEGY

Advance Wars: Dark Conflict
Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3
Ninjatown
Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution
SOCOM: US Navy Seals Tactical Strike
Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise

STORY AND CHARACTER

Assassin's Creed
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Fable II
Fallout 3
Grand Theft Auto IV
Mass Effect

TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT

Assassin's Creed
Fable II
Fallout 3
Grand Theft Auto IV
LittleBigPlanet
Spore

USE OF AUDIO

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Dead Space
Gears of War 2
Grand Theft Auto IV
LittleBigPlanet
Super Mario Galaxy

BAFTA ONE'S TO WATCH AWARD in association with Dare to Be Digital

Boro-Toro
Origamee
VegeMe

GAME Award of 2008
(The only award to be voted for by the public)

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Fallout 3
Gears of War 2
Grand Theft Auto IV
Guitar Hero World Tour
Left 4 Dead
LittleBigPlanet
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Wii Fit
World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King

Top ten best selling video games of 2008

The results are in take a look at the top ten video games of 2008:
Grand Theft Auto IV - 13 Million - Average review 97%
Mario Kart Wii - 11 Million - Average review 82%
Guitar Hero - Various - 10 Million - Average review 85%
Wii Fit - 9 Million - Average review 80%
Super Smash Bros. Brawl - 7 Million - Average review 93%

Wii Play with Wii Remote 5.28 Million - Average review 90%
Call of Duty: World at War 2.75 Million - Average review 85%
Gears of War 2 2.31 Million - Average review 83%
Madden NFL 09 1.87 Million - Average review 76%
Mario Kart DS 1.65 Million - Average review 68%

Grand Theft Auto IV download Lost and Damned costs $20 out February 17th

Rockstar has made it official that the biker-themed Grand Theft Auto IV Download content, titled Lost and Damned, will be going for 1600 Microsoft Points ($20 USD). The DLC will be exclusively available only for the Xbox 360 version of the game.

The Download content is released on February 17th.

This time around you won't be in the shoes of Russian immigrant Niko Bellic, instead, you'll be the shoes of American born biker Johhny Klebitz. The Lost is the name of the

Johnny Klebitz, a member of Liberty City biker gang The Lost. The bike gang made a few appearances in Grand Theft Auto IV, and Niko Bellic is rumored to be making a cameo in the DLC.



The DLC has had high production values, as DLC goes, and Rockstar probably hopes that it'll move more than million units, seeing how GTA IV was one of the best selling games of the year.

Videogamer's top 5 video games 'moments' in 2008

1. Microsoft's shock Final Fantasy XIII Xbox 360 E3 announcement
2. Dennis Dyack versus NeoGaf
3. LittleBigPlanet's delay
4. Grand Theft Auto IV's all-conquering launch
5. Quantic Dream's Heavy Rain Leipzig presentation

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Grand Theft Auto IV patch needs patched...

After the release of the long awaited patch for Grand Theft Auto IV was released to fix a number of bugs, Rockstar have admitted that the patch has caused other problems.

The patch has caused problems with controllers (mouse, keyboard and Xbox windows controllers).

Rockstar have posted this on their forum here...

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