Source: A daisy-chain of blog entries, forum posts, and news reports that stem back to a piece on British industry site Gamesindustry.biz.

What we heard: On the morning of August 2, eager gamers were still saving their pennies so they could pick up Grand Theft Auto IV on October 16. However, by the afternoon, the same would-be virtual carjackers were aghast upon hearing Grand Theft Auto IV had been pushed back until the second quarter of 2008.

The delay was especially shocking because the game looked nearly done at the E3 Media & Business Summit in July. It also went against precedent. Since Grand Theft Auto III hit shelves on October 22, 2001, Rockstar Games has stuck religiously to each GTA release date it has announced. Traditionally, that date has been in October, the last month of the fiscal year of Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two Interactive.

Today, though, came a flurry of reports that raised the prospect that the game might slip yet again from its Q2 2008 window. The reports stem back to Gamesindustry.biz's summation of a presentation at yesterday's 2007 BMO Capital Markets Interactive Entertainment Summit in New York City. At the event, which was convened by the titular financial firm, a number of luminaries shared their thoughts on the state of the game industry. The speakers included THQ president and CEO Brian Farrell, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick, and Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime.

Also on-hand was Strauss Zelnick (pictured), the recently installed chairman of Take-Two Interactive. Over the course of his 22-minute presentation, which showed off the latest 2K Games and 2K Sports titles, the executive was asked point-blank by an analyst about the status of GTA. British site Gamesindustry.biz pulled some quotes from Zelnick's response and said he "refused to narrow down a release period" for the game. That report was then picked up by the online edition of UK game trade MCV, which trumpeted the fact that Zelnick "won't commit to any date or time period" for GTAIV. Given that many US sites pounce on anything coming out of Europe, the news soon mutated into various reports, blog entries, and forum posts implying GTAIV might not make its Q2 release.

The official story: Although several outlets, including Gamesindustry.biz, accurately quoted part of Zelnick's response, none reprinted the question he was asked. And, as can be heard on the BMO Capital Markets Webcast archive of the event, the analyst is clearly referring to a firm release date like GTAIV's previously announced October 16 release. The exchange--taken verbatim from the recording--is below in its entirety:

Analyst: "You guys have talked about Grand Theft Auto IV being February 1 to April 30. Obviously, there's been rumors that it could be later, and then, recently, the gaming communities have said that it could be earlier. Just help us understand when we should expect a firm date on when that release could be..." [Emphasis added.]

Zelnick: "It's a fair question, I think, given that we weren't obviously able to stick our firm date the last time. We're gonna give the firm date when we're utterly convinced we have it. And that isn't right now. You know, we do feel that the way the title is being developed so that it's going to be fantastic, we know it's highly anticipated. I think there was a concern, initially, when we slipped, that we sort of missed the boat in terms of Christmas, and I think that concern has been alleviated. I think most people are--even though, obviously, it wasn't the intent--are saying, 'Hey, that's OK. You know, the hardware penetration is going to grow over Christmas, and this is gonna be a must-have title, it's probably ok you're not selling it during the Christmas season.' So I think right now, our view is to put out a really high-quality title. Obviously, we're not in the business of disappointing investors, and we're certainly in the business of doing what we say we're going to do, so we'll give a firm release date when we know we can stick to it." [Emphasis added.]

Bogus or not bogus?: Bogus that Zelnick specifically said Grand Theft Auto IV's current Q2 2008 release window is no longer valid or in jeopardy. Not bogus that he is understandably hesitant to lock down a release date on the massively important game until Rockstar is 100 percent sure of it.

What we heard: In April, Rockstar Games revealed that Grand Theft Auto IV would include a multiplayer component. Though multiplayer isn't new to the franchise--both PlayStation Portable games included the feature, as did the PC version of GTAII--Rockstar has been mum on providing further details for the online mode. Thus far, the notoriously reclusive developer has only said that the GTAIV's multiplayer will not, as once speculated, follow a massively multiplayer- s.tyle format.

Last Friday, that curtain of silence seemed to part, ever so slightly. Reporting from the PlayStation Holiday Preview Event in Toronto, Canadian gaming site GamingExcellence cornered "Rockstar's man on the scene." The Rockstar rep reportedly told the site that "the developers were considering the possibility of having an open world completely unlocked from the start of the game." The rep also mentioned to GamingExcellence that Rockstar "is aiming for at least 16 simultaneous players [for multiplayer], with more than just the usual deathmatch mode."

Despite GamingExcellence's numerous cautionary terms indicating the information was tenuous at best, it was interpreted as set-in-stone fact by forum-goers and the blogosphere this week. However, the information should probably be taken at face value, with particular attention paid to "considering," "possibility," and "aiming."

The official story: "We do not comment on rumor or speculation."--A Rockstar rep.

Bogus or not bogus?: Not bogus that GTAIV will feature multiplayer that might just accommodate up to 16 players. Bogus that Rockstar has definitively nailed down any particulars. With the game not landing on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 until Q2 2008, Rockstar will undoubtedly continue its tinkering for some time to come.

Source- Gamespot

Grand Theft Auto IV delayed to 2008

*UPDATE* Take-Two pushes back blockbuster to next year, saying "time-intensive" nature of dual-platform development; annual earnings estimate plummets by over $200 million.

The overcrowded monkey house that was the 2007 holiday release schedule lost one of its 800-pound gorillas today. Without warning, this afternoon Take-Two Interactive stunned the game industry by announcing it was delaying Grand Theft Auto IV to the second quarter of its 2008 fiscal year, which begins on February 1, 2008. Published by Take-Two subsidiary Rockstar Games, the crime-action title had been slated to ship for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in North America on October 16, 2007.

"Certain elements of development proved to be more time-intensive than expected, especially given the commitment for a simultaneous release on two very different platforms," said Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick in a statement.

Unsurprisingly, not having GTA IV in its 2007 fiscal-year lineup has put a serious dent in Take-Two's earnings expectations. The company's guidance is now for net revenue of $950 million to $1.0 billion for the 12 months ending October 31, and a loss of $1.25 to $1.35 per share. That figure is over $200 million lower than prior estimates of $1.2 billion to $1.25 billion in annual revenue--which would have been "break even results" according to the company's second-quarter earnings statement. With the AO-rated Manhunt 2 on indefinite hold, Take-Two now expects net revenue between $275 million to $300 million for its fourth fiscal quarter, with a net loss of $0.05 to $0.10 per share.

"Obviously, we are very disappointed to reduce guidance after having previously reaffirmed it," said Take-Two CEO Ben Feder. "Other than a matter of timing, the movement of Grand Theft Auto IV does not compromise Take-Two in any way. We are in sound financial condition and have a great product lineup."

News Feature Link

Grand Theft Auto IV Update - A Day in Liberty City

Page 1 Only, rest inside

The last time we got a look at Grand Theft Auto IV, Rockstar showed us a rather modest taste of what to expect from its highly awaited crime epic, one that gave us only a basic idea of the kind of urban playground the developer was creating. More recently, Rockstar took all that theoretical stuff we've been hearing about with regard to the game's new mechanics, and put it into impressive action with a new demonstration of the Xbox 360 version that started answering our questions about how the designers will change the gameplay in the fourth iteration of their seminal open-world action series. Can they tinker with the formula that sold 900 billion games across the cosmos without damaging its core appeal? Our answer right now? Yeah, they probably can.

After all, it was Rockstar who invented the open-world action model that has since influenced franchises from The Godfather to Crackdown to Jak & Daxter. Grand Theft Auto essentially defined that giddy sense of criminal freedom, by which you could wreak utter havoc on the hapless citizenry (and the citizenry's cars) with relative impunity and explosive aplomb. So it's ironic that it's Rockstar who is now restraining that freedom with GTA IV, which will place more immediate and noticeable limits on--and stricter consequences for--the sort of illicit behavior you can get away with as you go about your dirty business around Liberty City. The goal of this constrained design isn't to ruin your happy crime sprees, but rather to immerse you deeper into the world of Liberty City by making some of those explicitly gamelike elements of the GTA titles a little more realistic. We observed some of those limits and consequences in action during our demonstration.

The session began with the game's poster boy for troubled pasts, protagonist Niko Bellic, starting out his day in Star Junction, which is GTA IV's version of Times Square. Niko received a cell phone call from crooked cop Francis McReary, who was intent on blackmailing Niko into running some shady errands. Your cell phone will act as one of your primary means of interacting with the residents of Liberty City. In past games, you merely accepted calls--and their associated missions--when they came in, as dictated by the story. But in GTA IV the phone is a two-way device, as you can just pop it up at the bottom of the screen, scroll through your list of contacts, and make a call when you need to reach out and touch the right (or wrong) person. In Rockstar's words, the cell phone is one new example of the way GTA IV will have you actively "instigating, not just reacting to" the world around you.

As it turned out, McReary wanted us to ice a lawyer who had been compiling evidence against the dirty cop. But unlike in past GTA games, the player had to go through a more subtle and lengthy process than simply striding into the law office, weapons ablaze, and gunning down every sucker in the place. What better way to get face-to-face with the lawyer in question without raising any eyebrows than to score a job interview with the jerk? To do that, we saw the player head to one of GTA IV's new Internet cafes, affectionately known as "TW@," and log onto the law firm's Web site to submit his resume and request an interview in person. Like with the cell phone, you'll be able to access a graphical interface that lets you surf the Web, check e-mail, and other basic functions whose purpose is primarily to tell you where to go and what to do next. Again like the phone, the Internet will act as a familiar real-world method of disseminating information and instructions to you without jarringly taking you out of the gameworld.

But before Niko could perform the hit, McReary helpfully pointed out that he would need some firepower to complete his task (yes, there will still be guns in the game). Niko was able to whip out his cell phone and ring up a "friend," a Rastafarian named Little Jacob who could help him get what he needed. Alas, in keeping with GTA IV's more realistic tone, you'll have to say goodbye to your beloved chain of Ammu-Nation stores. Guns won't be available from any mom-and-pop corner shop; you'll have to deal with shady characters like Jacob, who we saw selling a lovely array of automatic and semiautomatic weapons right out of his car trunk.

Hello Im Riley,And me and mjk_1 have decided to give awards every month,

Ok Here are the Categorys:

These awards are given once a month,some might be given different!

Most Active:This is given to the Recruit that is most active[Every Month this is given][Me Andmjk_1 will say if the member that is chosen gets a promotion]

Longest Member:The Member who has been with the union for a long time,and is still helping the union![Given Every 3 Months!]

The Best Designer:The Person Who Has Good Sigs,a good avatar,and anything to do with pictures[Given Every Month,Person does not get a promotion if a recruit]

The Best "NEW" Member:Given To The Member That is new and is already helping the union[Given Every Month,A Promotion Will Be Given no matter what!]

The Funniest Member:Given To The Person That always is funny but still is a good overall Member[Given Every Month,No Promotion will be given]

The Best News Reporter:The Person that is always giving us News[If A Recruit,Might Get Promoted,Given Every Month]

The Best Officer:The Officer that is always on top of his/her game,does anything to help the union,if anyone wins this award 3 times in a row,they will be put on the Legend List,and one day might run This union][Given EveryMonth]

The Best Sig:The Member who has the best sig[Given Every 1 Month,No Promotions Given]

The Mvp For The Quarter:Given Mvp for 1 Quarter of the Year[Given Every three Months]

Presented by:Riley767 and Mjk_1

Well for those who are highly anticipating this game, I'm quite sure you've been waiting on this

Gamespot's Official GTA:IV Trailer

And for those that are interested on viewing it from the rockstar site you can check out that link here.

RockStar Site for GTA:IV

Was there any question thatGrand Theft Auto:San Andreas wouldn't be the champion? Some may have hoped so, but in the end it was inevitable. San Andreas surpassed its own family, Vice City, GTA III, and Liberty City Stories to get to the finals. San Andreas also received byes in both rounds 3 and 5 so we wouldn't have more one-sided matches. In the finals, San Andreas took out the respectable& impressiveMercenaries 28-11.

We'll just have to wait for more games to come out and challenge San Andreas' throne, possibly Mercenaries 2, GTA IV, orSaints Row 2. In the meantime San Andreas is your champion. Allhail your champion!

As a side note, we have 900+ members. Hopefully it won't be long until we hit 1000.

The Finals

Mercenaries ( 8.8 ) vs. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas ( 9.6 )

And at-last... The finals. Lets see which game defines the free roaming action adventure genre!

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is obviously the favorite, but do not underestimate its adversary. Mercenaries Playground of Destruction has dominated throughout the tournament, pulling off 5 very impressive victories over The Godfather, Crackdown, Scarface, Bully, and Driver, proving that it has earned its spot in the finals. Do note that this union used to be solely based on Mercenaries, so its home-floor-advantage might be able to take down the hierarchy of San Andreas.

And then we have arguable the biggest game in history, the game that makes Jack Thompson wet the bed, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. It has only been in 3 battles which were pretty much all one-sided (except for an earlier battle against Vice City that went only 10-7 in San Andreas' favor). It later went on to defeat another 2 members of the GTA family, GTA III and Vice City Stories. GTA SA receive a bye in each round 3 and 5 so that we could have more evenly matched battles. Lets see if it can backup its hype once again.

The finals end next Saturday, this is a timed event. Get everyone you can to vote.

 Mercenaries ( 8.8 ) vs.  Driver ( 7.7 )

It's time to see who gets in the finals... As an explanation of the 5.1, lets just say that Driver has some ground to cover and Mercenaries hasn't fought in round 5 yet.

In the red corner we have Mercenaries, which has pulled of 4 very impressive victories over 4 extremely strong opponents, The Godfather, Crackdown, Scarface, and Bully, making it clear that it deserves to have gotten this far and has been more impressive than any other game in these battles.

In the blue corner we have the ancestor of free roaming, Driver, which is a late entry and has only defeated 2 opponents, Driver 2 in a close race and The Getaway: Black Monday which was shredded apart 20-0.

First to 20 wins!

The Getaway: Black Monday ( 6.4 ) vs. Driver ( 7.7 )

The Getaway Black Monday has come a long way, overcoming The (first) Getaway in a fairly one-sided manner, narrowly edging out Jaws Unleashed, and absolutely obliterating Gangs of London. Black Monday has been full of surprises and it'll be interesting to see what happens in this match-up.

Alright, lets admit it, Black Monday has been babied throughout this entire tournament with weak opponents and a bye into round 5. Now it finally has a real challenge, a late entry, but still the first game of our free roaming genre. Driver is no doubt impressive (except for Driv3r, of course), it is usually the first game people think of after Grand Theft Auto. Driver beat its successor, Driver 2, in a fairly close, extremely long match which was excruciatingly painful for some to wait through.

We already know these games can last 10 rounds... Now lets see who comes out on top, first to 20 wins!

Late Entry

 Driver ( 7.7 ) vs.  Driver 2 ( 8.2 )

I can't believe I forgot about these 2 games, they basically kickstarted the free roaming genre. Anyway, for doing that, I think we can let it slide that they are such a late entry.

First to 25 wins!

With quite an impressive track record preceding do you believe this new installment of the game or even the movie will live up to the projected hype.

 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas ( 9.6 ) vs.  Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories ( 8.4 )

San Andreas is without a doubt one of the largest games in history... In our battles, it narrowly defeated Vice City in a smaller earlier battle 10-7. It would then knock off another older brother, GTA III, 15-5. Considerring we wanted closer matchups, we had to give San Andreas a bye from round 3 because there was an odd number of games and we didn't need another ovbious one-sided victory for San Andreas.

Vice City Stories took out its PSP brother, Liberty City Stories 15-5 in the first round. In round 2 it stomped allover GTA 2, 15-1. And finally in round 3 it literally "raped" True Crime: Streets of LA 20-0 (21-0 if you want to include the late vote).

Now Vice City gets a chance at revenge against San Andreas with its PSP counterpart, Vice City Stories. As the 2 GTA's left in the tournament, lets see which one is better... First to 25 wins!

Bully ( 8.7 ) vs. Mercenaries ( 8.8 )

In the first round Bully took out Saints Row, which would have been a dangerous opponent if it weren't knocked off so quickly. In the second round it was no surprise that it would kill Destoy all Humans!2, and in round 3, Bully blew away The Simpsons: Hit & Run 20-3.

Mercenaries has pulled of 3 very impressive victories over The Godfather, Crackdown, and Scarface, making it clear that it deserves to have gotten this far and has been more impressive than any other game in these battles.

First to 25 wins

The Simpsons: Hit & Run ( 8.3 ) vs. Bully ( 8.7 )

First to 20 wins 

 Gangs of London ( 5.5 ) vs.  The Getaway: Black Monday ( 6.4 )

First to 20 wins

Mercenaries ( 8.8 ) vs. Scarface: The World Is Yours ( 6.6 )

 First to 20 wins

True Crime: Streets of LA ( 7.2 ) vs. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories ( 8.4 )

First to 20 wins