the details of the GTA4 multiplayer modes are friken cool and i hope you guys will like them too, here is the link and the copy for lazy peoples... best part? : "after players earn the cell phone in the single-player game (which takes about five minutes), if they want they can jump online and never even play the single-player again."

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/08/gta4-preview-details-online-multiplayer-modes/

GameTap has finally gotten a chance to share the previously embargoed details of its recent hands-on time with Grand Theft Auto IV. The preview discusses four of the game's fifteen online modes: Team Deathmatch, GTA Race, Cops 'N Crooks (a Counter-Strike style team match) and Hangman's Noose (a co-operative escort mission).

Among the interesting details discussed (some of which have also been revealed elsewhere):

* Previously rumored 16-player online play is confirmed.
* The online maps aren't changed in any way from single-player -- you can still drive vehicles from one end of the city to the other, if you want.
* There's no co-op option for the single-player missions, but many online modes allow for cooperation.
* Ranked online matches earn players in-game cash for character customization. Higher difficulty means more cash.
* Race mode can be played with or without weapons.
* The volume of other characters voices will vary depending on their distance from you. "So if you hear an enemy's voice, he's probably right behind you and it's too late."

The most telling quote in the preview is Vice President of Game Development Geronimo Barrera's suggestion that "after players earn the cell phone in the single-player game (which takes about five minutes), if they want they can jump online and never even play the single-player again." With the extremely varied multiplayer options, we might just be taking him up on that.

Can someone please explain to me why GTA is such a popular game? I've played them all and I really don't get it. You steal cars, shoot people, pick up hookers, ect. all in the name of the mob. Ok, I get that part, but it's not that special. There are tons of games where you can drive nice cars and shoot people that are better made games with higher quality graphics and better music too. Seriously, why are these games so goddamn popular when in the end they really just suck?

i dont like the story at all or the people to be honest, but its the game with the best sandbox game play, once you unlock all citys you can do whatever the heck you want without going back to the story at all, you can just drive around, or explore its realy awesome.

plus the last one you could parachute and fly in planes, do base jumping. the new one with the addition of these things plus online play just increases its awesomeness

and none of those things i enjoy involve killing or drugs, so its realy up to you what you want to see in the game.

I am so tempted to just delete this thread....

you might as well, this was before last nights talk on the subject