Our friends at computerandvideogames.com report that Rockstar is finding some issues with the Xbox360 and trying to finalize its monster title. Apparently, the problem lies in the hard drive exclusivity of the PS3. While almost everyone who has a Xbox360 has a hard drive, everyone who has a PS3 has a hard drive. The caveat here is that the systems, though comparable in graphics with the Blu-ray exception, Rockstar is trying to find ways to configure the game so it is the same on both despite these small but important differences. When asked, Rockstar big wig, Dan Houser replied, “To be honest with you we haven’t solved all those riddles yet.” He also claims that the sky is not falling and the game will show no detriments on the Xbox360, but it seems this problem will arise again.

In the latest issue of PlayStation Magazine, there’s some new details for GTA IV coming in October.

First and foremost, there’s a new semi-main character, Elizabeta, who appears later in the game. Could this mean you get to play as multiple characters?

Some other interesting points from the article, as pointed out by PlayThree:

• The star of the game is Liberty City itself, no-one has attempted to recreate an actual location of this size, and this much detail
• The new Liberty City spans 5 boroughs based on real locations, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, and New Jersey.
• The game features real life land marks such the Empire State Building.
• Work began on GTA IV in November 2004- As soon as San Andreas was released
• The game has been developed by Rockstar teams in Edinburgh, San Diego, and New York.
• The playable character is Niko Bellic and he has just arrived by boat from an unspecified Easter European country. Niko was lured here by his cousin Taxi firm owning cousin Roman, on the promise of the American dream: easy money and even easier girls. But soon after Niko arrives he realizes his cousin has overstated things, is in debt, and in trouble.

I think this is going to be a great revitalization of the series. Stay tuned as more info is released.

You ever wonder what GTA IV would like in real flesh and blood. Well, someone did. Check out this user vid especially the similarities between the Niko look-a-like. Bonus points if you can name what movie it was taken from. Comment and let me know…. cuz I do.

As the release date draws nearer, the speculation and plot turns are beginning to twist. Gamespot Forums had an interesting post recently talking about the REAL plot for GTA 4. It turns out, that the much believed protagonist Nikko Bellic, the same lad we saw in the trailer is NOT supposed to be the protagonist. Loot Ninja reported to you much of the background story and settings and these remain true. However, his cousin, Roman Petronov, is the real deal. He becomes disturbed over Nikko’s death, feeling somewhat responsible because he sent him to close a drug deal and Nikko is killed. This leads Roman on a path to indulgence and enjoy his life at anyone’s cost. Now, here for the good part. According, to TheLastBoss.com, Roman will be initiated into several gangs by being kidnapped, hijacked, beaten, and God knows what else. This also shows that the story may not be linear. Multiple plots usually mean multiple endings giving the game’s replay effort an exponential value. Also, aircraft are in the game, with helicopters being accessible. As you know, this could all be true or just fanboy BS, but the poster from Gamespot claims to have broken the Jet Pack in San Andreas. We all know how that turned out. If you have any news or think we are lying through our teeth, please let us know.

Here it is. The breakdown on what is and will be GTA 4.

This information is all available in the upcoming release of May issue of Game Informer and was confirmed by our friends at www.Gta4.net.

Character: Niko Bellic. He has come from eastern Europe for the american dream. What that will be who knows.

Location: Liberty City(NYC 2007). Turns out, it will be smaller than San Andreas but much much more detailed. No forests and deserts just to make the world bigger. There will be 5 main areas: Broker =Brooklyn, Algonquin = Manhattan, Dukes = Queens, Bohan=Bronx, and Northern New Jersey is Alderney. No Staten Island. Sorry Wu-Tang. Expect more police, more interacitve pedestrians and the use of the subway.

Story: Well, like I said, Niko has come to America as per the request of his cousin Roman. After that, its anyone’s guess. Even though you will be given orders by various characters, you can choose who you want chill with. Niko has a cell phone which works just like yours and mine. Voicemails, Messages, Contacts, and a camera. Hush hush on the specific details but it should be groundbreaking.

Mission Loading: A thing of the past. Once you load the main game, thats it.

Downloadable Content: There will be content to download, like new missions that have been compared to episodes by rockstar. As of right now it is Xbox360 only. Just another reason why that PS3 looks like an expensive dvd player. No word on how much the episodes will cost but free, I wouldn’t bet on it.

Online/Multiplayer: The game will not be a MMORPG, but Rockstar said they are working on ways to integrate the game online. Do not expect it to be like Warcraft. The game would make no sense. The online modes will compliment the main game, but no way change it.

Graphics: Think Gears of War quality. It has taken Rockstar 3 years to put this out. You know damn well its gonna look and feel good. The man in charge of the game, Dan Houser has compared the jump from GTA III to GTA IV as big if not bigger than GTA to GTA III.

October 16th can’t come soon enough.

We will have more details as they are available. Comment and let us know what you think.

Sony has some weird idea that only releasing content to the PlayStation Store on Thursday is a good thing. Yeah, ummm… not so much. Maybe we can start getting more content on a regular basis here guys?

Anyway, today we get an update to Gran Turismo HD to make it v1.2. The update adds force feedback support with PS2 racing wheels. We reported earlier on Europe getting this update since launch as v2.0. We get crappier version numbers. Why not make them the same? Only Sony knows, and they’re off in their own little world.

PS3 owners will also get to see the GTA IV trailer in glorious HD, something Xbox 360 owners have been able to do for a week now. Way to be on the ball, Sony. There’s also an Armored Core 4 video, but who cares about that game really. It’s pretty bad.

Hopefully we’ll see something good in the coming weeks. Super Rub-a-Dub and Mortal Kombat II are supposed to come out in April.

[Update] So apparently Sony is releasing a demo for Armored Core 4, not a video. Either way, the game is still bad. There’s also a couple new movie trailers available for Are We Done Yet?, Perfect Stranger and Stardust.

Ever wondered how the new GTA will stack up against Saints Row, the current best looking GTA-style game? Well, wonder no more. GameTrailers, in their infinite wisdom, have put together a clip comparing the trailer for GTA IV, which we all know and love, against some in game footage of Saints Row.

I think they both look great. With GTA, we don’t know for sure how the final product will look, since this was just a trailer. But if we’re comparing apples to apples, the GTA trailer looks more polished, as it should. Better lighting effects and character detail mainly. They both look better than GTA: San Andreas anyway

Here you go folks… you daily dose of HD.

The setting: Liberty City. It looks terrific! From the looks of it, the main character is a Russian mobster. Not too far off the point in New York City, speaking from some personal experience. I’m sure more details will be coming out soon, with some gameplay footage and all.

I haven’t decided yet whether I’ll get this for PS3 or Xbox 360. I’m leaning towards PS3 because I’m so familiar with their controller with the GTA series. We’ll see what happens in October.

Check the video…

All the speculation and rumors will be quashed tonight when the GTA IV trailer premieres for the first time on next gen systems. You can click here to see the countdown and what we all think will be the site for the trailer. Expect it to be dissected and discussed by your friends here at loot-ninja.

As we all know, Rockstar is being tighter than a dolphin’s asshole on the future locale of GTA 4. The trailer is due out next week and here is a countdown to the exact moment. Instead of waiting, I am going to speculate on where it will take place and I believe it will NOT be in America. GTA is going international and here are the top 5 cities I think would make the best background to the juggarnaut title.

5. Grand Theft Auto Amsterstam. This place makes Las Vegas look like fucking Sesame Street. Prositution is not only legal, they have licenses. And if you want a bong hit with your waffles, they are happy to oblige. Nowhere in the world does a country let people do whatever the hell they please, and this would make a great place to cause some havoc.

4. Grand Theft Auto Cancun. Anyone who has ever gone on Spring Break or ordered Girls Gone Wild tapes knows what I’m talking about. The police are more corrupt than the criminals in Mexico. Could you imagine running around with a chainsaw while girls who hate their fathers play grab ass by the swim up bar? Or run into Senor Frogs only to see some person from the Real World Dallas drinking tequila out a super soaker? Better bring the silk boxers.

3. Grand Theft Auto Bogota. For those who failed geography class, its in Columbia, the cocaine capital of the world. This could have a Scarface-esque feel to it, just done right. With a mix of jungles and urban layouts, this could be really sweet.

2. Grand Theft Auto Ho Chih Minh. Vietnam is officially where keeping it real goes wrong. First of all, their nationally currency is called a dong. That will never get old. Second, you can walk down the street and see a Muay thai fight just break out for no reason. I hear they also have 12 yr old asian lady boys for sale. Its like the wild west in the present day. Did I mention they call their currency the dong?

1. Grand Theft Auto Baghdad. I was not going to use this because of the war, but fuck it. Imagine this scenario: The army withdraws and its dog eat dog in the middle east. An american with an itchy trigger finger and a penchant for greed goes overseas and wreaks havoc. What other game could you hijack a camel? Plus, what red blooded american wouldn’t want to go their and kick some ass anyway.