GenieKnows Games Narrowing the field

PSM Spain has just been given the inside scoop by Rockstar on the upcoming multiplayer features in Grand Theft Auto IV. GTAIV's multiplayer games can house 16 players with a selection of 15 multiplayer modes. On top of that, GTAIV's multiplayer contains fully customizable characters and will use the single player campaign map for its multiplayer matches. It would seem that Rockstar isn't just tacking on some half-baked multiplayer capability but going all out in giving an excellent multiplayer experience (they even have a co-op mode, an often neglected feature).

Here are some of the 15 features translated from the magazine:

* There are 15 multiplayer game modes in GTA IV. PSM had an opportunity to play 7 of them. The rules of each game are determined by the host.

* Multiplayer supports upto 16 players.

* Your online character is fully customizable. You can alter his race, sex, hair, clothing etc.
* The game modes featured are as follows:

1. Hangman's NOOSE
2. Car Jack City
3. Bomb da Base
4. Bomb da Base II
5. Mafia Work
6. Team Mafia Work
7. Deathmatch
8. Team Deathmatch
9. Turf War
10. Cops N Crooks
11. Race
12. GTA Race
13. Deal Breaker
14. Free Mode
15. ????

* In Race and GTA Race, the host gets to decide which vehicles are involved, and the number of laps to be played. You can shoot and throw molotovs from the window, and even steal your rivals' car.

* In Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch, the host gets to decide the number of pedestrians, the amount of traffic, the intervention of police (or not), and the type of weapons.

* In Cops N Crooks, one team play as cops and the other play as criminals. The cops must stop the criminals from escaping. They can monitor the locations of the criminals on their GPS systems, while the criminals don't know where the cops are.

* In Mafia Work and Team Mafia Work, you play as one of Kenny Petrovic's mafia henchmen. You must complete hits ordered by the boss (via the cellphone) before your rivals are able to do so.

* The map used in multiplayer is the same map that is used for single player.

* A single-player mission called "Hangman's NOOSE" features co-op. You and your friends will be able to escort a mobster, while being pursused by a SWAT team.

Check out the magazine article along with pictures here: GTA Forums