GTA IV for PS3 *will* have online play

Two comments by Microsoft’s entertainment boss, Don Mattrick, have been getting GTA IV fans hot under the collar. He’s said that downloadable content and online multiplayer support for the eagerly awaited title will be “unique” to the 360 and that it will offer the “premium experience”.

The revelations came during a podcast with Xbox Live big-wig Major Nelson, leading some to interpret that, come launch day on 29 April, there would be no multiplayer mode for the PS3.

But fear not, PS3 peeps. Game creators Rockstar have acted swiftly to quell the rumours by saying that both releases will have the killer online play feature.

Which leaves us wondering just what Mattrick may have been on about. Could it have been a stray slip? Um, no. It’s since come to light that back in December he was telling America’s MSNBC about “multi-play and downloadable content that consumers will only be able to get on 360”.

That sounds as if Microsoft has some online feature it’s keeping to itself – or it’s just marketing fluff to describe the Xbox Live “experience”. Guess we’ll just have to wait ’til April to find out which.

Grand Theft Auto IV

Price: £50

On sale: 29 April

Contact: Rockstar Games

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