Multiplayer in GTA IV



Multiplayer is a new feature in Grand Theft Auto IV.

Basic information
Multiplayer in GTA IV is hosted on the PlayStation Network (PS3), Xbox Live (Xbox 360), and Games for Windows (PC). The game can support up to sixteen players on Xbox 360 and the PS3, and up to 32 players on the PC. Gameplay features differ slightly to that of standard single player. The player can always sprint and never gets tired, and can change weapons more quickly. Health can also be collected while in a vehicle therefore repairing it. Plus the phone can be accessed at any point during gameplay. Everything else about multiplayer is listed below:

Accessing multiplayer
Multiplayer is available from the beginning of the game despite that Niko actually receives his phone with expanded features in the second mission. To access multiplayer, the player has to bring up his/her cell phone and select "multiplayer". This will bring up a new menu which contains six options:

Games - Brings the player to two options, Quick Match, and Custom Match. Quick match allows the player to jump into a game via the game lobby. And Custom Match allows the player to customize the game type, as well as the private slows (the number of players that require a game invite to join).


 * Deathmatch
 * Mafiya Work
 * Car Jack City
 * Race/GTA Race
 * Team Deathmatch
 * Team Mafiya Work
 * Team Car Jack City
 * Cops 'n' Crooks
 * Turf War
 * Deal Breaker
 * Hangman's NOOSE
 * Bomb Da Base II
 * Free Mode

Part Mode - An invite-only variant of free mode. The player(s) are free to do as they wish as with free mode. Each one also starts party mode at the Alderney Casino (also marked with a safehouse icon). Default settings are used here. If at least two players are in the game, then they can start any game (see above).

Invites - The third in the menu, game invites are shown here. Selecting one of these will allow the player to join the game in which the player's friend(s) are in. Invites last until the game session is over. If waited to long the player can still join but they will have skipped the game lobby. These can be sent if the player is or isn't already in a game session. Invites sent to someone playing single player will be represented by a friends icon native to the player's system of choice.

Player Model - Selecting this allows the player to customize the look of their multiplayer character. As with each rank the player will unlock more clothing. After ranking up to level 1, the player has a choice of a zombie model. If the player is in the game lobby, and is the host they can change their model before starting. Note that in some games more specifically Turf War, Bomb Da Base II, Hangman's NOOSE, and Deal Breaker the player will assume the appearance of a generic gang member.

Preferences - Options that the player can change. The three options are auto-aim, police, and friendly fire. Each can be set to disallow, don't care, or allow. Players join games based on their preferences, unless they use an invite.

Tutorial - A quick tutorial about multiplayer. Selecting this will transport the player to Charge Island where the game gives beginners instructions about weapons, pickups, games, and teams. To view the tutorial the player cannot have a wanted level.

Phonebook - This contains the other members of the game session which can be called (via headset/microphone), as well as Zit! which is always in the phonebook. Players can also partially communicate with others via the player model. Pressing the L2 button will let the player say things like "hey" or "what's up?", and the player is also given to choice to "mute", and "unmute" other players. Provided there is at least three players one can kick another player from the game. This can be used if a player is repeatedly causing trouble for other players, or just if the others want to maintain a private match.

Leave Game - Self explanatory, selecting this will allow the player to leave the current game session.

Game Info - Information on the current game. Has the description of the game, as well as the set preferences, and host's options.

Multiplayer - Selecting this let the player start a new game, a party mode, or with the downloaded TLAD, and TBOGT, change the episode.

Friends - Allows the player to send a game invite for friends to join them. Friends can only be invited if they have a IV icon next to their name. If the friend doesn't have one and their name is in black they are online but not playing GTA IV. If the name is in red however they are offline.

Next Game - Selecting this, and selecting another game allows the player to suggest the next game.

Player match
Player Match puts the player up against other GTA gamers in every possible multiplayer mode. Scores in these matches are not carried over into other matches, and are irrelevant once the time is up. You also cannot earn money or achievements in this mode; it is a casual mode, well-suited to socialising and to getting a feel for the different modes before jumping into Ranked matches.

Ranked match
Ranked Matches — either on PlayStation Network or Xbox Live — give the player a rank which will gradually increase (to a maximum rank of 10) as they advance and earn money. Advancing in rank unlocks additional clothing for one's multiplayer character. Some money earned in team matches is split up equally (Turf War, Team Car Jack City). Although in others the amount of money the player has earned themselves depends on how many kills they have made and not the whole team (Team Deathmatch, Hangman's NOOSE, Deal Breaker, and Bomb Da Base II). Any money received at the end of one of the three co-op games is the same for everyone. Though killing oneself will cost the player (or team) a loss of $100. Below is a chart showing the amount of money needed to get to each rank. Ranked money from regular GTA IV will carry on to TLAD and TBOGT.


 * Ranking system
 * 0=0
 * 1=1,000
 * 2=10,000
 * 3=50,000
 * 4=100,000
 * 5=250,000
 * 6=500,000
 * 7=750,000
 * 8=1,000,000
 * 9=2,500,000
 * 10=5,000,000

Game options
These are the options in which the host of the game (represented by a crown icon) can alter:

Location
 * Liberty City
 * Alderney
 * Algonquin
 * Bohan
 * Dukes/Broker
 * Acter Industrial
 * Prison
 * Docks
 * Happiness Island
 * Colony Island
 * Charge Island
 * Airport

Duration
 * 5 minutes
 * 10 minutes
 * 15 minutes
 * 20 minutes
 * 30 minutes
 * 45 minutes
 * 60 minutes
 * $500
 * $1000
 * $2500
 * $5000
 * $7500
 * $10000

Weapons
 * Weak
 * Standard
 * Powerful
 * Pistols
 * Shotguns
 * Projectiles
 * Melee
 * SMGs
 * Assault rifles
 * Rocket launchers
 * Sniper rifles
 * All

Traffic
 * Parked
 * Low
 * Medium
 * High

Pedestrians
 * Off
 * Low
 * Medium
 * High

Blips
 * None
 * All
 * Near
 * Far
 * Leader

Online ID Display
 * On
 * Off

Reticule Health
 * On
 * Off

Voice Chat
 * On
 * Off

Respawn Distance
 * Near
 * Medium
 * Far

Respawn Time
 * 1 second
 * 5 seconds
 * 10 seconds
 * 15 seconds
 * 20 seconds
 * 25 seconds
 * 30 seconds

Time of Day
 * Random
 * Morning
 * Midday
 * Evening
 * Midnight

Weather
 * Variable
 * Clear
 * Overcast
 * Drizzle
 * Rain
 * Foggy

Achievements/Trophies in multiplayer

 * Main article: Achievements in GTA IV.

Tips

 * With reticule health the player can see that there are 8 bars inside the reticule. One headshot takes away seven, so two headshots will kill an opponent. This does not apply to NPC pedestrians where just one headshot would kill one.


 * Reloading after every kill helps so the player won't run out of ammunition, it also helps to always have full health, and full armor.


 * If someone is using a dumpster or similar object for cover, aiming for their feet can inflict damage.


 * Auto-aiming can also help. Keeping the auto-aim reticule on someone while they are moving, allows the player to track their every movement.


 * Using the in-game map can help the player track what other weapons players have picked up.


 * Crouching with a weapon can minimize the recoil given off by it and increases accuracy. Though doing this the player can expose themselves.


 * If someone else is coming towards the player they can either roll, or move out of the path of the other, and have a better chance for a kill.


 * In a deathmatch with only sniper rifles, instead of using it the conventional way, using the cover system can be a better way.


 * If a deathmatch is set in the airport most players will either use the Annihilators, or use the blue hell glitch to enter "one-way" buildings.


 * Don't hide at the edge of your cover, as this can give opposing players more of a target to hit.

External link

 * GTA4.net - Multiplayer: Gametypes, Modes, Online

Multiplayer (IV) es:Grand Theft Auto IV: Online