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Time Flies In Liberty City
Five New Screens to Get You Ready for Gay Tony
Rockstar: Toys R Us' PS3 GTA IV Episodes Is A Mistake
Man Plays Grand Theft Auto For 40 Hours Straight
Here, Have Some Ballad of Gay Tony Screens
Meet Your GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony Achievements
Introducing Mr. Yusuf Amir of Liberty City
GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony Preview: Crimes For The Crazy Rich
GTA IV: The Ballad Of Gay Tony Trailer Goes Over The Top
GTA: Episodes From Liberty City Box Looks Like This

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dreamfall
11/05/09

In reply to Time Flies In Liberty City
You know, even with all the backlash after this game got such high scores, I will admit that this is still my favorite game of this generation. I find myself wandering back to the streets of Liberty City every other week or so- just to walk around, take a friend out to eat, and now manage clubs.

This city is alive. I've just started playing through Dragon Age- and while that game is brilliant in its own regards, it certainly does not have the glitz and glam of the GTA world. Even when I went off to play games like inFamous, I felt like GTA set the bar for what to expect in terms of visual flair and game setting.

I'm sure I will get flack for comparing the game's environments to others, but is that so wrong? Even walking around in Liberty City feels much more exciting than some other games... #grandtheftautoiv
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Culebra
11/05/09

In reply to Time Flies In Liberty City
Just finished playing Ballad Of Gay Tony, and I have to say, it really reminded me how impressive GTA4 really is.

I really appreciate all the little details that went into it, the city just feels alive. #grandtheftautoiv
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strideo
11/05/09

In reply to Time Flies In Liberty City
That looked pretty nice.

I also liked that in one of those shots there was a guy on a bench reading a book for like 12 hours straight. Talk about an iron bladder! #grandtheftautoiv
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PuffyTail
11/05/09

In reply to Time Flies In Liberty City
Bah, Grand Theft Auto IV was an amazing game in every respect and people who talk trash about it are just haters. F**k the haters!! *gives them stinkface* #grandtheftautoiv
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kitsuneconundrum
11/05/09

In reply to Time Flies In Liberty City
the nights felt more alive probably because the zoomed out daylight scenes couldnt render vehicles. Which brings up this question, which version is this trailer from? No doubt the PC version would have made things even more impressive. #grandtheftautoiv
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ThursdayNext
11/05/09

In reply to Time Flies In Liberty City
If anything, this video highlights one of my major gripes with the game. The city simply does not react to you. You play your part but you have no influence.

Had this been San Andreas, you would have seen the population change day by day as turf wars were fought, you would see the political landscape change as you amassed power.

Even in Vice City you would have seen buildings change ownership, as one person became more and more influential, names on auto dealers, ice cream vendors would change till the name Tommy Vercetti was on every street, hidden in the background yet in everybodies mind.

No one in Liberty City knows the name Nico Bellic, he's a nobody, a nothing, a storm...no, a brief shower, in a teacup. The only mark left to speak of his existence a shabby burnt out Taxi firm that bears his cousin's name. #grandtheftautoiv
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nuh uh no way
11/05/09

@ThursdayNext: the city is the main character in the IV games. niko IS a nobody. you're cheating yourself by expecting anything else but "nothing" to happen to the city. #grandtheftautoiv
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ThursdayNext promoted this comment nuh uh no way was starred nuh uh no way was unstarred

drag
11/05/09

@ThursdayNext:
Over-stating it somewhat. Didn't, like, one building change in Vice City? Granted, the turf wars in San An put guys in different coloured clothes around the place and kind of felt like you were impacting upon the city - but it also came with a terrible, irritating gameplay feature. And the political landscape is a metaphor, right? Not having any actual effect on the physical city itself. #grandtheftautoiv
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ThursdayNext promoted this comment drag was starred drag was unstarred

Calverz
11/05/09

@ThursdayNext: Yea I kinda understand where you are coming from. But Rockstar always said it was not going to be a rags to riches story like the old ones. But I agree nevertheless. #grandtheftautoiv
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ThursdayNext promoted this comment Calverz was starred Calverz was unstarred

ThursdayNext
11/05/09

@nuh uh no way: It's my opinion that the quality of a character is linked to how much they change over the course of a story. Liberty City does not change, does not grow.

While I agree with @drag: the changes in Vice City were minor and the ones in San Andreas came at a price at least there were changes.

I guess I just miss the chump to champ story line, I wanted to be the king of liberty city, not just another guy. #grandtheftautoiv
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ThursdayNext was starred ThursdayNext was unstarred

nuh uh no way
11/05/09

@ThursdayNext: The only change I remember in San Andreas was the billboard you drive through staying all messed up. Look, I agree that the world stays static in GTA games and that it's frustrating. In that regard, GTA IV was no better or worse - and that's a problem. I don't really know where I'm going with this. #grandtheftautoiv
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ThursdayNext
11/05/09

@nuh uh no way: I think the world reacted more in the previous ones, your crew would populate the turf you owned in San Andreas for example, I know it's not a huge change, but it is something that I always noticed when I drove through "my" hoods. Strange to say that it made me feel safe knowing that I was in home territory and aprehensive when I was in a purple area.

I'm not saying that Rockstar's execution of Liberty City was poor, in fact in creating a New York clone that doesn't care if you live or die a cynic could say that they produced a near perfect facsimile.

I just think that the design choices made me feel isolated from, rather than an integral part of the game world. The introduction of "friends" could, I suppose, be meant to counter the fact that the city would be even more unaffected by your actions than usual, but in my view it didn't work.

In short, I felt the game didn't care about what I did, so why should I care about the game? #grandtheftautoiv
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ThursdayNext was starred ThursdayNext was unstarred

nuh uh no way
11/05/09

@ThursdayNext: What about hearing your exploits being talked about in newscasts or reading about them in the paper? That made me feel very involved in the city. I'm having trouble thinking of things Niko visibly and permanently did to the city that would require a "change". #grandtheftautoiv
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genkainashi
11/05/09

@ThursdayNext: Consider your point about feeling "isolated" from rather than an integral part of the game world. This would almost seem to mesh with the original story line. One of the main themes was the experience was to feel isolated and alone - to feel small in a city so big and cynical that things/people indeed pass by so quickly or are ignored.
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ThursdayNext promoted this comment Edited by genkainashi at 11/05/09 10:25 AM genkainashi was starred genkainashi was unstarred

robotsneedhugs2
11/05/09

@ThursdayNext: possible spoilers?

In the Ballad of Gay Tony you destroy one of the cranes and it stays that way. #grandtheftautoiv
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-MasterDex-
11/05/09

In reply to Time Flies In Liberty City
Great vid. You really have to give it to Rockstar for creating such a masterpiece in Liberty City. I can only salivate at what the next GTA will have to wow us. Carcer City perhaps?
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Edited by -MasterDex- at 11/05/09 5:52 AM -MasterDex- was starred -MasterDex- was unstarred

cyruss
11/05/09

@-MasterDex-: Carcer City interesting! maybe! they have referenced it a lot but never actually put it in GTA... i reckon they could very well do Carcer City if they choose not to do Vice City, San Andreas or London... something new and fresh

i can't wait whatever they choose, loved GTA IV... just hope they make the next one more random fun and less realistic... moar jetpacks! #grandtheftautoiv
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-MasterDex- promoted this comment cyruss was starred cyruss was unstarred

-MasterDex-
11/05/09

@cyruss: just hope they make the next one more random fun and less realistic

Agreed. I don't mind if they add realism but taking away the random fun is taking away one of the things that made GTA so great in the first place.

I haven't played the two expansions yet (thanks to a "friend" "borrowing" my copy of GTAIV and trading it in) but now tha Liberty City Stories is out, I'm going to check those out....I think I may be getting a bit excited by the prospect of that now. #grandtheftautoiv
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cyruss
11/05/09

@-MasterDex-: sound friend :D

I have a PS3 so no DLC for me :( hopefully Rockstar will be nice and release it on PS3 early next year #grandtheftautoiv
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NinjaMarion
11/05/09

@-MasterDex-: Double agreed. Sure, they made a beautiful game, had a more realistic, sympathetic character and put out their best outing so far technically, but while they were doing all that, they forgot to add in the fun. After the lack of awesome, fun stuff GTA 4 had, I ended up moving on to Saints Row 1 and 2 and haven't looked back. I kind of want to try Gay Tony to see if they managed to GTA it back up, but I don't know if I can bring myself to pay them and reward them further for a game that was just so insanely less fun than the mere "ripoff" franchise turned out to be. #grandtheftautoiv
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AcidSanta
11/05/09

@-MasterDex-: Is Carcer City based on any real life cities? So far there's been a real-life counterpart to all the GTA cities but... I just remember Carcer City being a real shithole. #grandtheftautoiv
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-MasterDex- promoted this comment AcidSanta was starred AcidSanta was unstarred

-MasterDex-
11/05/09

@AcidSanta: Dunno really, apparently it's near Libertyu City though so somewhere near NY? #grandtheftautoiv
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Asbestos_Underwear
11/05/09

In reply to Time Flies In Liberty City
All it needs now are seasons. Trees growing and loosing leaves that litter the streets. Snow piling up on the side of the street. Lights going on and off randomly at night, not all buildings being fully inhabited. #grandtheftautoiv
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-MasterDex-
11/05/09

@Asbestos_Underwear: And made using Cryengine 3! That would be epic. #grandtheftautoiv
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dodger
11/05/09

@Asbestos_Underwear: I think Mafia 2 is doing something similar to that, ever that or its permanently snowing. #grandtheftautoiv
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dreamfall promoted this comment dodger was starred dodger was unstarred

Prathik
11/05/09

@Asbestos_Underwear: Bully had seasons in it. But I guess it benefited the story since the kid had to live through a whole school year..

Maybe as the game progresses the seasons change, and at the end you get a number on your phone that can change the season. Like the weather cheat, but would probably need a load screen. #grandtheftautoiv
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dreamfall promoted this comment Prathik was starred Prathik was unstarred

dreamfall
11/05/09

@dodger: I can not wait for Mafia II! most anticipated title EVERRRR!!! #grandtheftautoiv
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dreamfall
11/05/09

@Prathik: I love that idea. The story progression in Bully alongside with the seasonal changes made the environment feel really fresh, and added some really cool Holiday based missions! Still love playing that game! #grandtheftautoiv
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Prathik
11/05/09

@dreamfall: My favorite game this generation :) #grandtheftautoiv
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Bokusatsu_Tenshi
10/26/09

In reply to Five New Screens to Get You Ready for Gay Tony
Is it gay Tony as in Tony Stark? I see... never would've guessed. #theballadofgaytony
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lolgreg
10/26/09

@Bokusatsu_Tenshi: Iron Man on Man #theballadofgaytony
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zukalous
10/26/09

In reply to Five New Screens to Get You Ready for Gay Tony
Rockstar doesn't even need to put explosions in their screen shots. Its just a bunch of guys standing around. Way to do. #theballadofgaytony
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nerve11
10/26/09

In reply to Five New Screens to Get You Ready for Gay Tony
I didn't even know there was a new GTA coming out so soon... I haven't been a fan of the series really, too much controversy and RS trying too hard to be cool with all the violence and whatnot. #theballadofgaytony
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ShaggE wants to join the Egg Council. promoted this comment nerve11 was starred nerve11 was unstarred

ShaggE wants to join the Egg Council.
10/26/09

@nerve11: There's not. It's the DLC that's been plastered on the front page of everything even slightly gaming-related for the past year. #theballadofgaytony
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Archaotic
10/26/09

In reply to Five New Screens to Get You Ready for Gay Tony
I like how the TV in the back is clearly just based on a Samsung model. It looks exactly like one I saw in the store a few days ago. #theballadofgaytony
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Strider_Kaijin
10/26/09

@Archaotic: Your posts are interesting even when mundane. #theballadofgaytony
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D-K, a burning sensation
10/26/09

@Archaotic: Panasonic, hands down.

How fares the job-hunt? #theballadofgaytony
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Archaotic
10/26/09

@D-K, has mastered the dim-mak candlepunch: Still flailing. I'm going to be moving pretty soon though, it's very clear that New Hampshire is just not the place to look for work, especially as a creative person.

I think I'm gonna be moving to Chicago after the holidays. I have to get out of here.

@GunFlame: Hey, it's always nice to have a calm, reasoned discussion on something almost totally unrelated to games sometimes, no? :P
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Edited by Archaotic at 10/26/09 9:40 PM Archaotic was starred Archaotic was unstarred

jslizzle
10/26/09

@Archaotic: what kind of creative stuff do you do? #theballadofgaytony
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Archaotic promoted this comment jslizzle was starred jslizzle was unstarred

Archaotic
10/26/09

@jslizzle: My degree is in fiction writing, but I also have experience in editing, script writing, market research, concept design, and (well, kinda) journalism. #theballadofgaytony
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D-K, a burning sensation
10/26/09

In reply to Five New Screens to Get You Ready for Gay Tony
I'd like very much for a 70's hippie setting for their next game.. experimentation, free sex, protest rally's.. a man could have some fun in those days! #theballadofgaytony
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Communist Pope
10/26/09

@D-K, has mastered the dim-mak candlepunch: I would assume you're in your early 20s or younger, because all the stuff you're talking about is more associated with the '60s than the '70s. Except maybe the experimentation, though the experiments were more with cocaine and heroin than pot and acid. The '70s were known as the "Me Decade," and were filled with disco, the dawn of punk rock, women's lib, and urban decay. Not to mention zero super cars, at least by today's standards. #theballadofgaytony
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Goldwings
10/26/09

@D-K: That reminds me of the nostalgic time I had with Vice City and I LOVE Vice City.
Consider me sold (you're reliable if I don't enjoy it :/) #theballadofgaytony
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D-K, has mastered the dim-mak candlepunch promoted this comment Goldwings was starred Goldwings was unstarred

D-K, a burning sensation
10/26/09

@Communist Pope: I should clarify, 1965-1975 are the "70's" i'm referring to, the cool era. before '65 it was depressing.. so was everything after '75.. right up to the 90's, which incidently started 1990.

Those were some groovy times, i'd like me a 70's GTA... get some of that off-colour humor back #theballadofgaytony
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D-K, a burning sensation
10/26/09

@Goldwings (Hopefully Temporarly): Took that zombie vaccine did ya? Nice to see you all yellow again.. #theballadofgaytony
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ppppp
10/26/09

In reply to Five New Screens to Get You Ready for Gay Tony
A little hard to care when it's not for the PS3 too. #theballadofgaytony
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D-K, has mastered the dim-mak candlepunch promoted this comment ppppp was starred ppppp was unstarred

D-K, a burning sensation
10/26/09

@ppppp: I beg your pardon? #theballadofgaytony
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neoraul20
10/26/09

@D-K, has mastered the dim-mak candlepunch: You are begging for his pardon? Whaa?? #theballadofgaytony
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D-K, has mastered the dim-mak candlepunch promoted this comment neoraul20 was starred neoraul20 was unstarred

D-K, a burning sensation
10/26/09

@neoraul20: I'm a very polite people-pleaser.. #theballadofgaytony
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lolgreg
10/26/09

In reply to Five New Screens to Get You Ready for Gay Tony
Jeff Goldblum? #theballadofgaytony
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TheOrtega
10/26/09

@lolgreg: Whats wrong with Jeff Goldblum? The man hacked a Alien mothership with a G3 macbook for Gosh sakes! #theballadofgaytony
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lolgreg promoted this comment TheOrtega was starred TheOrtega was unstarred

lolgreg
10/26/09

@TheOrtega: Jeff Goldblum's awesome, I just didn't know he was in GTA #theballadofgaytony
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