Grand Theft Auto IV: In Video

By Shaun Hunter

One final look at the all the trailers behind the hype.

With a little over 12 hours until the launch of Grand Theft Auto IV, we go back to just over a year ago, when the world saw the first images of GTA4.

We've compiled all four official trailers from over the past year, in one last effort to build up both your, and our, excitement for the game. So take the time to sit back, watch the trailers, and count down the hours until midnight tonight.

Trailer 1: Things Will Be Different

It was the very first piece of media that the world gazed it's eyes upon when it came to Grand Theft Auto IV. Sporting a countdown clock for close to a month, not even Rockstar's own website could withstand the huge influx of users trying to get a peek of the next-generation GTA as the trailer hit.

Speculation ran wild to what the game would contain. The city it’ll be set it, the new features we could look forward to, and the high-definition graphics – these were all in the thoughts of fanboys around the world.

Much of that speculation was answered when the first trailer, entitled 'Things Will Be Different' was finally unveiled. We quickly saw that we would be taken back to Liberty City, a fictional city based around the real-life New York. The main character was introduced, a heavily accented man who was seemingly new to the land.

Trailer 2: Looking For That Special Someone

It wasn't for another three months that we saw another GTA trailer. Trailer 2 hit at the back end of June '07, and as the title suggests, Niko does appear to be on the search for someone. The trailer gives us what it perhaps an insight into the what we may be able to expect from the storyline of the game.

While there wasn't a huge amount of new features, or any substantial gameplay shown, we do get to see a couple of neat inclusions, such as Niko hanging off the back of a truck, along with dangling from a helicopter.

Trailer 3: Move Up, Ladies

December was the month the third trailer was shown, at which time the game had been delayed until April '08 from it's original October '07 release date.

'Move Up, Ladies' was all about the characters you'll meet in your journey through the game. We see the important role Roman Bellic, Niko's cousin, will play in the game. Roman's been living in Liberty City pursuing the American dream: fast cars, women, hot tubs, and luxury condos. At least, these are the things he’s been telling Niko about. Instead, he operates a taxi stand in Broker. There's only one way to the top!

Trailer 4: Good Lord, What Are You Doing? (AKA Everyone's a Rat)

It was exactly one month ago that the final trailer hit the internet. At the time a whole month to wait seemed like an eternity to wait, but we're now here - with just a little over 12 hours until the launch of Grand Theft Auto IV.

Trailer 4, 'Good Lord, What Are You Doing' aka 'Everyone's a Rat', takes the time to show off the final polish the game has received, from the vibrant shots of the street, to the dark and gloomy rain soaked bridges. Also shown is the euphoria engine, creating more realistic - and always different - animations from tumbling down stairs to being hit by a speeding car.

That wraps up our feature on the trailers that have made Grand Theft Auto IV so anticipated. Be sure to continue to watch our Launch Zone for continued coverage of GTA4, including our full review and our report from the midnight launch!

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