Greenberg: GTAIV could steal top Live spot

by Richard Mitchell { May 1st 2008 at 3:45PM }

Is it all that surprising? Xbox 360 director of product management (and all around snappy dresser) Aaron Greenberg told Reuters that it wouldn't be surprising to see Grand Theft Auto IV snag the top position on Xbox Live. While most Xbox Live gamers know that shooters like Call of Duty 4 and Halo 3 are generally the major competitors for the number one slot on Xbox Live, Greenberg said of GTAIV, "The multiplayer in this game is so well implemented that I can't imagine anyone owning a copy without trying to play it on Xbox Live." Greenberg is probably right about that. After all, he forecasts (correctly, we'd guess) that GTAIV will be the highest selling game of 2008, so there will certainly be plenty of players ready to go online. The question is whether or not players will continue to play once they've given multiplayer a try.

Will GTAIV take the top spot? We're going to go out on a limb and say yes. Will it stay? We'll have to wait and see.

[Via Joystiq]

Tags: grand-theft-auto, grand-theft-auto-4, grand-theft-auto-iv, gta4, gtaiv, rockstar, take-two

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

wa27 @ May 1st 2008 3:47PM

Just looking at my friends list, I'd say yes. Maybe not in the long run, but definitely this month.

ZEBRA NINER @ May 1st 2008 3:48PM

I wouldn't say it's as addictive as COD, but it's fun. I can't wait to try out the co-op modes.

Chase @ May 1st 2008 7:05PM

If I could jump into games, I'd appreciate it. Also, the camera just and still sucks. However, most of the modes are really fun. And starting out on-foot before car races was a good idea and makes for hilarious moments. It definitely isn't as addictive as Call of Duty 4, but Grand Theft Auto 4's multiplayer is definitely worth playing - a lot.

BananaBoat @ May 1st 2008 11:35PM

It really depends. GTA IV's Deathmatch modes aren't worth playing (atleast, not to me). The other modes (especially the one that is basically cops and robbers) are excellent though.

Will GTA:IV pull me away from COD4? Yes, but for the single player, and not for the multiplayer.

More than anything..I'm hoping rockstar puts parachutes back in with a patch. I want to base jump off a skyscraper dammit!

haukke @ May 1st 2008 3:59PM

i had no joy in the multiplayer except for the party mode.

E.J. @ May 1st 2008 4:05PM

Captain Obvious to the rescue!

nathan @ May 1st 2008 4:11PM

Actually the xbox live stats they put out are not based on multiplayer only. If you are connected to live while in single player OR multiplayer it counts towards that game.

nathan @ May 1st 2008 4:14PM

FYI how do you think the oblivion (single player only) game got the number 10 spot on live this past week?

Tom @ May 1st 2008 4:12PM

Probably for 1 or 2 weeks, but I don't think it (online mode) will have the lasting appeal as COD4 or Halo3.

Peacefuloutrage @ May 1st 2008 4:15PM

IIRC, it doesn't matter if the game has multiplayer or not. I remember Oblivion up there for a while. All you have to do is have enough different people play while their profile is connected to Live!

joey @ May 1st 2008 4:15PM

I sure as hell haven't been playing COD the last two days.
The real question is will people who bought an Xbox to play GTA IV renew their LIVE membership after the first month.
The problem with GTA IV's multi player is that you need to have a good friends list to have the most fun.

Can't wait to get off work!

TORO @ May 1st 2008 4:26PM

I agree with that, it's hella fun when all my friends are logged on

andyg8180 @ May 1st 2008 4:54PM

Check out the 360Voice stats... toook 1st place and almost took 1st spot in single day users...

http://www.360voice.com/games.asp

Muffin_man @ May 1st 2008 5:05PM

The mulitplayer isn't that great.

dylan @ May 1st 2008 5:22PM

cops and crooks!

c. thomas @ May 1st 2008 7:33PM

Call Of Duty 4 SUCKS its all hype. Gears still better online. More personal.

Gloqwi @ May 1st 2008 7:59PM

It doesn't SUCK, it just doesn't live up to the hype(and there was a freaking LOT of hype).

Gloqwi @ May 1st 2008 7:58PM

Could? Could? Am I hearing this right?(or seeing?)

Flakundenga @ May 1st 2008 8:13PM

i've tried to get online but i can't. it either takes too damn long or other players connection are dropped. aghhhh!!!! @ least there's always halo and COD

SadisticHam @ May 1st 2008 11:02PM

Short term yes, long term? Not unless rockstar patches the problems and sorts a few things.

Lot of problems, getting more and more retards driving around tracks backwards in Race modes cause they suck to much to win.

charles @ May 2nd 2008 4:07AM

It's fun, but far too hampered by problems at the moment. I don't have enough patience.

borocouncilman @ May 2nd 2008 1:25PM

By 1337pwn.com's numbers, GTA IV has made an impressive ascent to 3rd place, but when you look at the overall popularity index (scale of 1000), it's got a long way to go to the top.

Call of Duty 4 (1000)
Halo 3 (832.4921366396)
GTA IV (509.18001609246)

For GTA IV to take the top spot, people need to stop playing COD4. Given that parents are more likely to let their kids play COD4 than GTA, it may take a while.