NTSC Grand Theft Auto IV leaks online

by Xav de Matos { Apr 24th 2008 at 10:00AM }

A day after the PAL version of the game was illegally released on torrent sites comes word that an NTSC version of Grand Theft Auto IV has made it online. Clocking in at a whopping 7.9 GB, the game has been released by a group calling themselves 101 and, at the time of this story, over 25,000 copies were in the process of being leeched.

Like yesterday's claim we're unable to verify if this is the real deal, we've pre-ordered thank you very much, and with only a few days to go before April 29 we'd recommend you wait on a retail copy before doing anything illegal. Unless you're down for taking a chance on being shunned from Xbox Live and generally hated by everyone. It's Grand Theft Auto IV. Go buy it.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Tags: grand-theft-auto, grand-theft-auto-iv, gta, gtaiv, piracy, rockstar

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

HazyCloud @ Apr 24th 2008 10:08AM

I must ask. Which version are you picking up, Xav?

Vigil @ Apr 24th 2008 10:09AM

Well I was only a matter of time.

Why can't be just wait and buy it like everyone else?

Javier Aguayo @ Apr 24th 2008 2:38PM

I say go ahead and wait a couple of days and just go out and buy it. It looks like it is worth it. Hell, I would even pay 10 dollars more for it, thats how good I think this game is going to be.

diamondxp @ Apr 24th 2008 10:10AM

Geez Man 25000 wow I am not going to do this. I think that this game should be purchased legally. Well I guess no extra content for these guys.

Please buy GTA legally.

Vigil @ Apr 24th 2008 10:13AM

Yeah,your just hurting yourself in the long run, as you won't be able to get the DLC.

Just pay for the game, so Rockstar can continue making games.

Bootes @ Apr 24th 2008 11:00AM

Anyone that downloads it can still get the DLC. Also plenty of people that downloaded it will also buy it. I've already preordered it, but I would definitely download and be playing it right now if I had my 360 with me. I agree with supporting Rockstar, I don't see why having to wait for all the stores to be ready to sell it to me has anything to do with that though. Here's the end of the .nfo from the release, which is kind of like a readme.

Buy this game. It rocks, and is worth every penny. Seriously

"This is pretty much a one time deal, so don't be expecting much more
from us old retired sceners. Perhaps for the next huge game release

And forget "Bush Lovers." Vote Obama"

Bootes @ Apr 24th 2008 11:01AM

The quotes are actually supposed to start before Buy this game. :)

C Money Bad S @ Apr 24th 2008 10:14AM

Im too stoaked about this game and have waited way to long to not make it till Monday night. I would much rather get it legally and get to enjoy all the benefits of DLC.

Britton @ Apr 24th 2008 11:11AM

Wrong, DLC is still available to those who pirate games.

elmersglue @ Apr 25th 2008 3:30AM

@britton,

Not unless they're banned, in which case, buying it legally wouldn't help either.

Rell @ Apr 24th 2008 10:17AM

I see another l Scar l situation coming soon.

TORO @ Apr 24th 2008 10:18AM

Well I hope the "101" gets banned...losers

Maximun2k10 @ Apr 24th 2008 10:19AM

I'm from Brazil, but i live in USA for 5 years... i can tell, in Brazil a few people are going to buy the original, first because take forever to get there, second, when gets there, the price is abusive, so, if i was there, i probably would be playing righ now, but here, i prefer buy original, i pre order the special edition... but yes, all my friends there are playing already... and i'm envyous :D

Drunkenshaolin @ Apr 24th 2008 10:27AM

modders will get whats coming to them. Karma watching them.
theres alot of them F???ers out there,
I put the Cockney Voodoo on all them.

John @ Apr 24th 2008 10:37AM

Oh the irony...
A game about illegal activity finds itself a victim.

Maybe 'Do as I say - not as I do' should be 'Do as I say - not as I show you'

Don't get me wrong. I have nothing personal against the game or the developers. And I don't have an 'against video games agenda.'

But when you sit around and dream up a game that promotes doing anything you want and avoiding johnny-law it's hard not to snicker when they say "Hey! Don't do that!"

GTAIV will be a massive hit regardless. I hope those that want a spoiler-free experience will be able to resist the temptation of the web.

Chris @ Apr 24th 2008 12:57PM

@Drunkenshaolin: I'm giving you bad luck for life voodoo! Yeah! Now I'm just gonna go back to playing my DOWNLOADED copy of GTA: IV, and wait till I can buy the DLC :)

EMaster @ Apr 24th 2008 10:28AM

Come on guys! Take two needs our money here and we are paying for a quality product here. Were not paying for 25 to life (shakes) but rather GTA IV. I'll be going to my local EB..sorry Gamestop (in Canada now too) and pick up my copy i payed for a year ago.

Hump @ Apr 24th 2008 10:29AM

I'm downloading it now... and why no DLC? You are just ignorant. we can easily buy DLC for GTA or any other burned game... fools.

Fady @ Apr 24th 2008 10:31AM

"It's Grand Theft Auto IV. Go buy it."

Does that infer that if it's not GTA4, you don't really have to go buy it (e.g. ok maybe we can pirate it)? lol...I know that's not what you mean, but it could be misunderstood that way.

Xav de Matos @ Apr 24th 2008 10:35AM

If anyone reads that post and believes I'm advocating any kind of piracy regardless of the game, they are a douchebag.

Britton @ Apr 24th 2008 11:24AM

A bit far fetched, Fady.

killploki @ Apr 24th 2008 10:32AM

why are we assuming they wont be able to get the downloadable content? someone with a modded 360 can still play on live without being detected, so what is stopping them from just downloading the new content when it arrives?

Britton @ Apr 24th 2008 11:28AM

A modded console can obtain anything a normal console can, it's as simple as that. If anyone says anything differently, punch them in the mouth for me.

Jez @ Apr 24th 2008 10:33AM

It's GTA the game taught me to nick things!!!! So I'm going to go download this.

Terror @ Apr 24th 2008 10:42AM

I like your logic, teach me how to shoot, don't be surprised when I shoot you. For the record I'll be buying the official copy.

Jez @ Apr 24th 2008 10:46AM

I'm not actually downloading this but it had to be said.

nerrrrrrd @ Apr 24th 2008 10:36AM

i understand posting about the original PAL version being leaked since it was a major warning that spoilers will be all over the internet.

However, a follow up that the NTSC version is out a day later is retarded and pointless. Anyone who's already into this type of illegal activity has already downloaded it by now or been informed by their sources. We don't need X3F reporting on every bootleg to stir up hits.

Xav de Matos @ Apr 24th 2008 10:40AM

So I should probably delete this upcoming post about a possible leak of the NTSC-J copy?

Also, my sink is leaking. I smell a new post!

Rell @ Apr 24th 2008 10:46AM

Of all things, you had to say sink lol

Bootes @ Apr 24th 2008 10:59AM

The PAL release already works in NTSC-J consoles. ;)

nerrrrrrd @ Apr 24th 2008 11:26AM

actually I'd like to know more about the leaking sink. My toilet is acting up and I need some plumbing tips.

Phil J W @ Apr 24th 2008 10:46AM

i myself find it intresting, im more curious as to what microsoft or rockstar say about it. if it wasnt posted on here and we found out later it was pirated i know for aq fact id be curuios as to why it wasnt posted on my main scource for 360 news.

Gerson @ Apr 24th 2008 10:56AM

http://maximun2k10.deviantart.com/art/Gears-of-War-2-Wallpaper-83724037

Britton @ Apr 24th 2008 11:19AM

Wha??

ozzzy @ Apr 24th 2008 1:35PM

Awesome GoW2 wallpaper. Not sure what it has to do with this article, but then again these comments will only dissolve into anti/pro piracy arguments.

GTA4 pre-ordered at BestBuy, but open to any retailer who breaks the street date. =)

joey @ Apr 24th 2008 11:04AM

25000 ???
I don't even think many of them realize that you need a modded xbox 360.
Or is modding more popular than I thought?

Sinnix @ Apr 24th 2008 11:12AM

That's exactly what I was thinking. Are there really that many people with modded 360s out there?

mike @ Apr 24th 2008 11:50AM

yes there are. Modding is probably as popular as 1 in 5. ITs so simple as it requires 0 mod chips and therefore, is FREE. All you need to do is flash your drive which you can do yourself right from home.

My 360 is not modded as I have no use for playing every game as I only find 1-2 games a year enjoyable and jsut buy them anyhow, but I have 3 friends with xbox 360s, and 2 of them have modded consoles.

The ability to pirate games actually helps sell hardware. It worked for the ps2, and now its working for the ps3.

I wish all these anti-pirates would stop bithing about how their millionair company needs more money for their hard work so they can make another game. I dont think you guys understand just how rich these companies are. GTA4 could sell 0 copies worldwide, and take 2 would still have plenty of money left over to make more games. These are not small indy developers here.

Britton @ Apr 24th 2008 11:59AM

Bingo, Mike. +1 for knowing your stuff.

Quote the Raven @ Apr 24th 2008 11:04AM

I'm curious as to why Rockstar doesn't flood the bittorrent sites with torrents that has the same file names and sizes but doesn't work. Get a bunch copies being shared and leeched and you won't be able to pick out the real one. Madonna did this with some music 3-5 years ago. When you played the track it had Madonna saying something about pirating music is illegal and prevents her from buying multi million dollar homes and exotic cars or something.

Britton @ Apr 24th 2008 11:16AM

They don't do this for numerous reasons. Firstly, it would cost them time and money to fight an impossible battle considering those who do accidentally download a duped copy will leave info about it being a fake in the comments section thus nullifying the purpose of them uploading a fake. Also, people will directly link or reroute others to a more viable source if that starts to happen. Pirates work together impressively.

Quote the Raven @ Apr 24th 2008 11:29AM

It really actually is semi-effective. It takes a group of 5 about a day to really ham up the system. Put interns or low level employees on it and it really isn't expensive. And to store it, 1 terrabyte drive will host 147 (apprx) copies. And when you have them post on all the real ones that they are too the fakes... you see it really starts getting difficult to spot the real one. The persistent will always get it, but it thins out the "successful" downloads a lot. And yes, the resourcefulness of the pirate community is amazing!
Arr

Britton @ Apr 24th 2008 11:43AM

Alright, alright, I'll agree with you there: the schematics you've presented are entirely plausible, but the issue is Rockstar actually taking the initiative. Although, another issue might be the legalities of them doing that considering the times have changed since Madonna's dupe release.

Man, maybe we should do this for Rockstar. You contact 'em and I'll start building the psuedo-GTA's. Also, ask 'em if they do PayPal...

(:

mike @ Apr 24th 2008 11:57AM

This would never work. Im sure it didnt work for madonna too. And this requires modded xboxs, which means your average user is smarter then the average mp3 downloader.

Also, 1 tb does not mean they can put out 147 fake copies. A copy is a copy, they only need 1 and they can release it 10000000000 times if they wanted. No need to duplicate the file. The trick would be to get enough bandwidth. Even the fastst servers in the world would lag to hell hosting even from 10 different torrent sites, which would make speeds so slow, people would simply leave and goto another torrent thats complete already.

Furthermore, Bit torrent is not even the first place these releases occur. First they are sent out over release ftp sites (Which are impossible to fake) then they are trickled down into the p2p scene, and still not only bit torrent, but IRC, newsgroups + more.

To top it all off, Thats what the scene is for. Every release from the scene has the name of the group at the end. Grand.theft.auto.4.-.scene.name.torrent. If a file is fake, its nuked all over the net. Its just not possible to upload fakes to deter pirates in any possible way. They would only waste millions in bandwidth fees doing so.

Britton @ Apr 24th 2008 12:09PM

Not including the slew of sites out their that are forums dedicated to circulating games via Megaupload and Rapidshare (suck)...

ZEBRA NINER @ Apr 24th 2008 11:16AM

I've never Illegally downloaded a game, but since Xav posted this... I'm now selling pirated copies on city street corners. Thanks X3F! :P

I'm guessing you need a modded box, right? So if you have one of those, you are probably going to illegally download it anyway. I wonder what Rockstar thinks.

Only a few more days to go!

Vcize @ Apr 24th 2008 11:21AM

I'll be buying mine legally like every other game I play, but it gets old hearing the "pay for it so Rockstar can keep making games" and "Rockstar deserves our money" crap.

The amount of people playing a pirated console version of this game will probably be less than half a percent of the total number of people playing, and probably a lot less than that really. Probably less than one tenth of a percent. I can assure you, it will not be enough to have any kind of financial impact on Rockstar.

Those hard working developers will not get a dollar less or a dollar more on their paychecks due to it.