revelation

Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto IV is one of the most hotly anticipated video games coming out this year. Imagine an immersive city environment where you're free to roam and do as you please, now with ultra-realistic next-generation graphics. GTA IV will be released for both X360 and PS3 in October 2007. I'm a big GTA fan, and I can't wait to play this latest one on my PS3.

Yesterday Rockstar continued to build up the hype around this game, by giving the gaming world a glimpse of things to come, in the form of a short teaser trailer. The speculation is over, the next GTA is coming back home to Liberty City, which is a thinly veiled version of New York City. The trailer shows some cool digital renditions of various NYC landmarks, like the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, the Chrysler building, and Grand Central Terminal.

To be honest, I'm a little disappointed that it's Liberty City again. I've already roamed the streets and dominated the crime underworld twice in LC, with GTA III and GTA: Liberty City Stories. I was kind of hoping they'd take the franchise to another new and exciting city, perhaps somewhere international like Hong Kong or Germany.

What's interesting though, is that based on the trailer, you will be playing the role of a thickly accented immigrant -- everyone seems to think it's a Russian accent. This is a new take on the GTA plotlines, but Rockstar has always had a reputation for doing unconventional things and making them into a success. I'm sure I'm going to enjoy playing this one when it comes out.

View the GTA IV Trailer at Rockstar's site