We all aware of Grand Theft Auto IV coming to PC this autumn, but will it be any different than on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3? Everyone wanted to get more information of what we can expect from this release and Leipzig Games Convention 2008 gave us this chance. Apparently PC version wouldn’t be so different after all.
Other than an overall higher resolution (supporting up to 2560x1600 pixels), the game benefits from higher-res textures, better streaming, longer draw distances, and better anti-aliasing. Rockstar Games also added a replay editor, which allows you to view 30-second instant replays and then chop and edit them, add filters, and even combine them into a montage of clips to upload to a Web site of your choice, or to Rockstar's Social Club. The multiplayer game also has some improvements, like a higher player number limit. Rockstar mentioned that GTA IV on PC will also offer improved searching and filtering to find the type of multiplayer games you're most interested in joining.
Source: gamespot.com, 1up.com, gta4.net
Other than an overall higher resolution (supporting up to 2560x1600 pixels), the game benefits from higher-res textures, better streaming, longer draw distances, and better anti-aliasing. Rockstar Games also added a replay editor, which allows you to view 30-second instant replays and then chop and edit them, add filters, and even combine them into a montage of clips to upload to a Web site of your choice, or to Rockstar's Social Club. The multiplayer game also has some improvements, like a higher player number limit. Rockstar mentioned that GTA IV on PC will also offer improved searching and filtering to find the type of multiplayer games you're most interested in joining.
While the game is still a work in progress, Liberty City looked amazing as ever. Textures were sharp, animations looked clean, and environmental effects such as shadows, lighting, and water all looked top-notch. There were a few glitches when there was a lot of onscreen action, but by and large the engine looked pretty robust. The game was demoed on a giant plasma TV, and even at that size (60-plus inches) the game looked visually impressive. GTAIV will support Xbox 360 controllers in addition to keyboard and mouse, and the demonstration was done using a controller. Icons on the in-game menus reflected the button names and colours of a 360 controller, and if we hadn't seen a giant, glowing PC tower in the corner of the room, we might've suspected the demo was being run on an Xbox 360. We were told that at this late stage of development, Rockstar are spending the next three months tweaking and polishing the game for its PC launch.Don’t forget that in order to actually witness all that HD beauty or even be able to play GTA IV, many of us would have to reach deep in our pockets to get those hardware upgrades we were saving up for so long. Perhaps in some cases the new PC would be in order. For now feast your eyes on the first PC screenshots of the upcoming epic game soon to take over almost every single PC.
Source: gamespot.com, 1up.com, gta4.net
