Watch the UK's slick GTAIV ad

by Richard Mitchell { Apr 17th 2008 at 3:30PM }

It looks like Microsoft is putting its massive pile of GTAIV marketing money to good use. The latest advertisement out of the UK does two things very well. One, it introduces gamers to Niko, the game's protagonist. Niko is visible for the entirety of the commercial and it's pretty clear that he is both large and in charge. Two, it showcases the variety of locations and interactions that can be had in Liberty City. Lots of people, interesting architecture, and of course, explosions, serve to highlight just what gamers can expect. Oh, and let's not forget the carjacking. It sits right at the end of the commercial, as if to say "yeah, GTA is back."

So, can we have it now? Because we'd really like to stop talking about it and start playing it.

[Via Joystiq]

Tags: grand-theft-auto, grand-theft-auto-4, grand-theft-auto-iv, gta4, gtaiv

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neeko @ Apr 17th 2008 3:41PM

Does anyone else think its odd that we havent seen any gameplay yet for this?

All these trailers and no gameplay sounds to me like theres nothing much to see in the actual game... Cutscenes always look great and these dont WOW me at all.

pkilla @ Apr 17th 2008 3:54PM

Are you retarded????????
"theres nothing much to see in the actual game"

This is GTA, come on please be serious.

Kevin Withers (Big Bird) @ Apr 17th 2008 3:56PM

Are you kidding? When have we ever seen gameply for GTA games? Just part of rockstar's mystique. We go out blindly and buy thier games and they generally deliver. :) Im sure all we see in the commericals is the in game engine, wow. The crowds in bowling allys, comedy clubs, streets, can't wait to get that wanted level up.

druggedUK @ Apr 17th 2008 4:00PM

These trailers are gameplay.

The last Trailer released "Everyone's a Rat" was something like 70% gameplay - you know that 180 degree reverse turn in the car, and that chase around the aeroplane? That was all in game.

vidGuy @ Apr 17th 2008 4:38PM

Cutscenes in GTA always use the in-game engine anyway. The models aren't supposed to wow you; they are below par for the console like all of the other GTAs visuals were. The sheer size of the game world and the detail on everything is the impressive part. Modeling two or three characters and a handful of generic enemies is easy, doing GTA in scope is as hard as Nikko would be after picking up his first American prostitute.

avantgardener @ Apr 17th 2008 3:42PM

squee!

Digital Limit @ Apr 17th 2008 3:53PM

Always the cynics in the comments.

Anyway, the most exciting part of the ad for me was the 360 logo at the end.

Truly a fanboy, or moreso worried that I might have to buy a PS3 at some point.

TomCo @ Apr 17th 2008 4:04PM

What?

This was a good ad.
it wasn't patronising or over bearing, it was visually and aurally interesting, and most importantly it didn't scream "THIS IS A VIDEO GAME".

Digital Limit @ Apr 17th 2008 4:08PM

Heh, my point about the logo wasn't to say that it was a bad advertisement. I was just pointing out that the series is more and more being associated with the 360. That bodes well for Microsoft, and for my wallet.

For the record, I really like the advertisement.

TomCo @ Apr 17th 2008 4:13PM

Ah, I forgot I was on 360 fanboy.

Lanceo9 @ Apr 17th 2008 3:58PM

lookin great

Jomolungma @ Apr 17th 2008 4:08PM

I thought the choice of music was great, really sells the ad for me. Niko, the changing scenes, and that music really present an amazing package to the would-be consumer.

NobodySpecial @ Apr 17th 2008 4:15PM

It's somewhat strange to admit.. But the most impressive thing to me was Niko's walk. That was a fantastic looking walk. Has loads of character to it. Hopefully the animation quality carries over into all of his other actions as well.

Corey @ Apr 17th 2008 5:54PM

After watching this ad, I am wondering if I'll be able to make Niko run, as cool as his walk is.

....Nah, I'm too impatient; Sprinting FTW!

:( @ Apr 17th 2008 4:21PM

Song is "Get Innocuous" by LCD Soundsystem

Deck @ Apr 17th 2008 4:24PM

Wow... what an effing good ad!

pkilla @ Apr 17th 2008 4:31PM

I'm about to fully pay off my $5 reservation today.

x DLC Hero x @ Apr 17th 2008 4:33PM

What a truly great commercial, I would love to see this on American television.

itsburnsie @ Apr 17th 2008 4:43PM

Very sweet ad.

Anyone know what the techno-ish/80s ish/Euro-popish song is? I hope it's on one of the in-game radio stations... sounded good.

CJJB @ Apr 17th 2008 4:48PM

I'm actually really looking forward to purchasing the GTA IV soundtrack as well.The music is just WOW.

EddieGreens @ Apr 17th 2008 5:07PM

LCD Soundsystem FTW!

TheMan726 @ Apr 17th 2008 5:20PM

Niko Has A Cool Swagger

andyface @ Apr 17th 2008 6:03PM

This a really nice advert, great styling and a glimpse of the sweet looking cars, the one at the end reminds me of an aston matin (a good english car) which makes me very happy indeed.

decapit8 @ Apr 17th 2008 6:07PM

got the special edition for my birthday, which comes with the soundtrack im pumped.

ALSOOOOO i saw something very INTERESTING in that trailer...

there is a car about half way through that explodes... but before it does, you see a flaming rag in the gas tank...

just throwing that out there.