New GTA IV news today and finally, a release date

Maybe you've already heard about it but anyway, this comes directly off www.gtanet.com/news:

euphoria provides unique moments

Not so long ago, ragdoll physics kicked the level of gaming's interactive realism up a notch; gone were the days of obtuse death animations that defied the laws of physics. With GTA IV, Rockstar intends on pushing the level of realism even further. With the powerful Euphoria technology quietly doing its thing behind the scenes, the developers have put a considerable amount of effort into the smaller details that most games tend to overlook.

IGN has a new preview up focusing on some of the ways Euphoria helps bring the game to life, touching on elements such as crowd dynamics and environment awareness.

"Niko Bellic, the central antihero, is injected with surprising physicality thanks to his freeform movements. In the most basic examples, Niko's stance adjusts depending on the grade of the ground he's standing on, and he is seemingly spatially aware of his environment."

Along with a detailed account of the drunken stumbling scene mentioned in other previews, there's also a bit of info about how Euphoria is used in car crashes, as noted below.

"During car chases, this also comes into play pretty spectacularly. Niko, as well as enemies in the game, are affected by inertia – to the point where rear-ending a car causes people in the front to fly through the windshield and into the air, arms in a controlled flail. The impact is sickening and realistic; bodies don't just ragdoll in GTA IV, they roll end over end or side-on, before coming to a natural pause."

Delightful, innit?

Four new screenshots have emerged from the website of Dutch magazine Power Unlimited

Related Links: Power Unlimited, GTAForums Topic

April 29, 2008 is a worldwide release

Rockstar Games have announced that GTA IV will be released in stores on April 29, 2008. This is a worldwide release which means it will be available in every country at the same time. Read the Take2 press statement below, and discussion on the forums (as always) is here.

New York, NY - January 24, 2008 - Rockstar Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), is proud to announce the release date for Grand Theft Auto IV, the new title in the genre-defining Grand Theft Auto franchise. Developed by Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto IV will be simultaneously available for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and will be in stores worldwide on April 29, 2008.

"We are so excited to be releasing Grand Theft Auto IV," said Sam Houser, Founder and Executive Producer of Rockstar Games. "We've pushed ourselves very hard to make something incredible and hope the game sets a new benchmark for interactive entertainment."

For more information, log onto http://www.rockstargames.com/IV

Link: Take2 Interactive Press Release

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There is your release date. Damn though, hoping it was earlier. Also, some images missing from page; Euorphia logo and some header. Yesterdays news can also bee seen on that site if you have'nt seen it already

The fact that people play this type of game is foreign to me. Teaches great moral standards doesn't it? :roll:Robbie8912

What do you got against GTA, what did it do to you?

good post, the part about car crashes boggles my mind at how awesome it sounds. this game is truly going to make a huuuuuuge impact on the gaming community. i want to see what multiplayer has to offern owfdsfgs

The fact that people play this type of game is foreign to me. Teaches great moral standards doesn't it? :roll:Robbie8912

Then it's a good thing you dont play it, see the thing is it doesnt teach me anything. Games in general dont teach me anything, it's simply for my entertainment.

I'm not saying that I would drive around in car with no respect for my fellow human but I'm happy that I can do it in a game. People who feel like doign that kind of stuff in reallife would do it with or without GTA eventually, maybe GTA is keeping them off the street hurting virtual people instead of you and me.

The fact that people play this type of game is foreign to me. Teaches great moral standards doesn't it? :roll:Robbie8912

You're supposed to already have those by age 17. :|

The fact that people play this type of game is foreign to me. Teaches great moral standards doesn't it? :roll:Robbie8912

I agree with you. but if you really think like this. then you would say the same about cod4 and all realistic shooters as it killing other humans. you would say the same about unrealistic shooters as there is no such thing as aliens (depending on beliefs) and it teaches ppl to believe in what could be lies.

you would say the same with any racing game that raced on streets. burnout paradise, test drive unlimited etc etc

what games would we have left. oh sporting games. but then you would say it leads ppl to believe they are better then they really are. can't have that.

I think we would only have games like solitare. oh without the undo feature as that would lead us to believe cheating is acceptable.

As I said in the start of my post. I agree with you. games do not teach high morals. but it isnt up to a game to teach morals, it is up to our parents and teachers to instill the values that are good in our kids.

The fact that people play this type of game is foreign to me. Teaches great moral standards doesn't it? :roll:Robbie8912

Lol who cares,what games do?

Games wouldnt be fun if you had to save cats from tress for old ladies,would they?