RUMOR: GTA IV: Set in New York? Aww, man...
by Nick Doerr 
{ Mar 14th 2007 at 1:00PM }
As the subject line says, this is just a rumor. But the "Aww, man..." is simply because GTA has already used a New York-like cityscape. A while back, we brainstormed what the possible setting for the next title would be and personally, I liked my idea. Gangster era, early 1920's, you know? Flappers, prohibition, jazz... you could make a fantastic, stylish game and keep it set in New York. Just a 1920's New York. Seriously. That would be awesome.This rumor is coming from a post on a certain forum (the thread has been removed) where someone claiming to have insider knowledge cited New York as Rockstar's choice city. The game's due out in October, with the first trailer to release in two weeks. What'll it be? Fingers crossed that I get what I want, but fingers also crossed everyone will enjoy it, no matter what era or city it truly takes place in.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joshua Campbell @ Mar 14th 2007 1:34PM
yay hope so...first post!
Otsego_Undead @ Mar 14th 2007 2:14PM
Love the idea nick. a while back there was a game called Mafia (not sure if it hit consoles) that was pretty sweet.. set in that era.. but i know Rockstar could kick that game up like 10 notches.
On another note, i SWORE i heard GTA IV was set in London...
Chris @ Mar 28th 2007 4:17PM
I can't believe no one has thought of this yet..
What has happened in NYC since the development ofGTA III? Think about it really hard.
If this is going to be in NYC, my money is either on a post-9/11 NYC or even during 9/11. COME ON! it's Rockstar, people - do you think they would shy away from this subject? No way!
Sure, the game was released a month after 9/11, but development must have been 99% complete by then.
Plus, we are finally dealing with a new engine. The games have all been running on the ancient game engine from 2001, so perhaps with the new engine they are revisiting their original city, with a new start.
pompy3 @ Mar 15th 2007 1:16PM
It would be awsome if they did a Tijuana,B.C./san diego,CA. GTA, Drug running, mexican mob hits, etc. AWSOME
a.j. @ Mar 14th 2007 2:26PM
@2 seeing as most New Yorkers (myself and Rockstar included) lost friends and family on 9/11 i would honestly be turned off if the game took place "during 9/11" as you wrote. i also thinks it's sick that people would be excited by such a premise. NYC=Rad idea, 9/11=memories that nobody wants to deal with.
DukeFett @ Mar 14th 2007 2:22PM
" A while back, we brainstormed what the possible setting for the next title would be and personally, I liked my idea. Gangster era, early 1920's, you know?"
Yeah, ever hear of the game Mafia? It's exactly that.
GRT @ Mar 14th 2007 2:14PM
It should be located in Sheboygan. There could be a giant monster as the ultimate boss...
Twizzy @ Mar 14th 2007 2:17PM
early 1920s!!! no way! how boring. the lighting and color of the game would not make it exciting. also, you wouldnt need to have a new engine to make a game like that. NYC with a newly revised style of GTA would be great. Crackdown was horrible, Saint's Row was good. GTAIV will be amazing..
SpaceButler @ Mar 14th 2007 2:51PM
"Gangster era, early 1920's, you know? "
Yeah, thats a different game. its called "LA Noire". Different city, same concept. Look it up.
Drgonzo @ Mar 14th 2007 2:26PM
OK, first off even rock star wouldn't touch a "9-11 NYC" game. The construction site in gta3 was originally a WTC type building, but was changed at the last minute to stay PC.
Secondly, let's think for a moment about why this is GTAIV and not GTA: fictional city. The last game moved from city to state, so therefore by extension this will (hopefully) be state to country, or even world. I'd personally love to see several global locations (maybe fictional London, fictional Chi Town or ny, and somewhere in south america?)
If not that, then id like to see the mafia-type game with multiple cities involved (imagine a godfather-type game with your characheter jetsetting to la, vegas, or chicago to do family business...
silence @ Mar 14th 2007 2:44PM
1920? Go play Godfather. PS3 fanboy is always a day behind a breaking story...
Roofus @ Mar 14th 2007 6:32PM
I thought I had read that the game would be back in London. /shrug...
Dan @ Mar 14th 2007 3:15PM
I don't care if it's a NYC-style city again.
I just want to world to be bigger than before. If that includes multiple cities (not just unlocked towns nearby), that would be awesome.
Like #8 said... perhaps a crime syndicate stretching along the East Coast... NYC, Boston, Philly, Baltimore, DC, Atlanta...
Maybe a little too hopeful.
naruto007 @ Mar 14th 2007 6:13PM
noooo i want some modern gta with modern vehicles super fast trains and awesome jets not poo biplanes or steam trains
Kenneth H. @ Mar 14th 2007 8:17PM
@12.....NYC....Bmore...Philly....DC...that would be hot as fu**. Blu-Ray supposedly gives u more space for more content....lets see....
kid @ Mar 14th 2007 4:55PM
WOW. People are ignorant. First of all, Houser already said in an interview that the 80's would be the farthest that theyd take the GTA series back. Its in Game Informer. Also, and Ive said this countless times, why would they go to only one city, when in San Andreas they had 3 cities plus badlands, countryside, and a desert. Thats like them going on their word and then saying "we'll make this monumental game in San Andreas for PS2 and create the biggest game world ever, but then when PS3 and 360 come out, we'll just make it in a single city." Dont even guess where it'll be, because we'll find out in a few weeks.
Ciaran Gallagher @ Mar 14th 2007 6:30PM
god I hope it's not in the past... I'm bored of America, we've seen it all in Liberty City, Vice City and San Andreas!
I want to see modern day Europe (London, Paris, Rome etc.) for some crazy car chases, gun fights etc.
Frankenstein Black @ Mar 14th 2007 10:41PM
Shaolin Isle, H World, Boogie down, Bridge and BK in full FX? Sign me up SUN!!
Tom @ Mar 15th 2007 1:18AM
How about 1970's NYC? I heard it was a real shithole and would therefore make a great setting for GTA4.
Can't wait to drive my El Camino to the Upper West Side (using the shortcut through Central Park) while listening to "the latest" from Queen.
Me @ Mar 16th 2007 12:09PM
The future!! it should be set in 2040, with spaceships and such.
doglet @ Mar 17th 2007 1:30AM
if your going to do the '20s, put it in chicago
SuperLynx @ Mar 29th 2007 7:28PM
This game will be huge its Obv for 1 its guna be on blueray and 2 if i no rockstargames they wont go smaller on blueray with GTAIV this games guna be cross contry style america,europe(london,ext.) i mean SA Was big n that was on normal disc so theres no excuse to be smaller they got enuff room to play a Global GTA...Ohhh and how coool wud this be to play online lol instead of guilds..u join a gang with ya own name and tags and ur own types of cars(asin pain jobs or certain models) the gang leader cud make deals with other gang leaders to join forces or do drug deals..and defending turf that u have taken