Official GTA: SA Thread - (XBox & PC 7th June '05)

That second screen shot of the motor way looks quality, cant wait to take a helicopter round there with some rocket launchers and machine guns :)
 
The more I see the more I want this game right now, October has never seemed so far away
 
loz said:
That second screen shot of the motor way looks quality, cant wait to take a helicopter round there with some rocket launchers and machine guns :)
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Doesn't seem that many vehicles on there tho, hate to be negative but are we going to lose something with this game being so big.

I hope not. :l
 
Doesn't seem that many vehicles on there tho, hate to be negative but are we going to lose something with this game being so big.

I hope not. :l
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yup we are gonna lose something alright our minds :mrgreen:
one of the three games on my list this year
 
IGN have posted a new in-game screenshot, not a cut scene, of cj doing a slamdunk. Whether this means you can play b-ball in the game is unknown but it sure looks interesting.

grand-theft-auto-san-andreas-20040812114257946.jpg


GTAGaming.com also report that in the new UK OPS2 mag they have a 3 page preview mainly highlighting the countryside areas of the game. They also reveal that to ride a bike (BMX) from Los Santos to "The Back O' Beyond" would take around 40 minutes. :shock:

farm2.jpg
 
Hands-On impressions from C+VG.

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE: SAN ANDREAS FIRST-HAND IMPRESSIONS!

Drive-bys, hotel shoot-outs and flat-top haircuts. First verdict of San Andreas? Utterly brilliant

17:10 Amazingly, despite our recently endless stream of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas info, it wasn't until this morning that we online crew finally got to see the game running first-hand for ourselves.

Sitting back in a comfy seat, enjoying a chocolate croissant in Rockstar's London HQ, we witnessed a building get stormed by police, a chopper downed by shotgun fire, a motorcyclist blasted off the back of a car, a pizza joint raided by a bearded nutter, 20-plus gangsters slaughtered in a drive-by shooting...

...two frantic car chases, a load of cut-scenes, a visit to the barbers and last (and surprisingly, not least) a pushbike jaunt through roughtown backstreets - all from the game's Los Santos levels. Phew!

Were we impressed? Hell, yeah. In fact, while we regained our breath after witnessing such pixellated cacophony, a calmly composed Rockstar employee demanded our initial impressions. "Not bad, not bad..." was our very restrained response (we actually loved it).

Paradise city, where the grass is grim and the girls are...

So why so enthralled by this presentation? Well, first thing's first, despite its new early-'90s West Coast setting, it still looks like the GTA we know and love. Like Vice City, San Andreas has that distinct uber-comic look, a simple interface, those large, free-roaming environments and that unmistakeable driving/mission-based gameplay - but with tons of new features and technical tweaks to make it something truly special.

Visually, there's a new level of detail to the surroundings. The hazy orange glow of Los Santos' daytime sky, the sharpness of CJ's jawline, the reflections in the barber shop mirror - it's all impressive stuff that we didn't realise could be achieved on a PS2.

The playing area is also considerably larger (four to five times more so, according to Rockstar), with the state of San Andreas contributing three cities and a surrounding bounty of countryside, deserts and rivers. Cars get dirtier as they speed through the polluted air, building interiors appear more real and detailed and graffiti scrawlings adorn just about every wall of any relevant significance.

But more importantly, the action part of the game has been greatly tinkered with too, with a new targeting system allowing you to strike specific areas, be it a gangster's foot or a car's tyre.

Although there's still so much more to be seen and discussed, Rockstar did at least treat us to some of the game's earlier missions. Here's what we found...

The missions:
(Please note: mission names names our own witty design).

1) "Oi, flat head!"

Task:
Lose the dodgy barnet.

The Story:
After arriving back in Los Santos, you (as CJ) hook up with best mate and hot-headed member of the Orange Grove Families gang, Ryder. To celebrate your return, you decide to get a brand new hairdo.

What happens:
A quick stop at Reece's Hair & Facial Studio gives us our first opportunity to tinker with CJ's appearance. For 50 bucks we get to select between a standard afro, a camp blonde afro, a Richard Pryor afro-and-'tache combo, and - our eventual choice - a classic early '90s flat-top. Our cut clearly isn't to Ryder's approval though, the sarcastic git labelling us "ridiculous" as soon as we leave the shop.

What we liked about it:
Being able to customise your character adds a greater sense of freedom, plus the comedy reactions and respect that a good/bad haircut entails adds a whole new dimension to the gameplay.

2) Gunfight at the O.K. Pizza Parlour

Task:
Take Ryder to the local pizza joint.

The Story:
Ryder is incensed that the owner of the nearby pizza parlour scrubbed the gangland graffiti off his walls. Taking offence, he decides to exact revenge by raiding the store.

What happens:
We arrive at the pizza parlour where Ryder instructs us to order pizza. While tucking into a mammoth $30 meal, Ryder pulls a gun on the guy behind the counter. However, a moralistic CJ then tries to talk his mate down (all scripted, this bit). Meanwhile, during such commotion, the pizza boy pulls out a shotgun and starts firing. The mission ends with us trying to flee the shop and driving Ryder to safety.

What we liked about it:
Nice little twist in the tale, and a fun little 'escape' mission.

3) The San Andreas Drive-By Massacre

Task:
Become the driver in a drive-by shooting.

The Story:
CJ and his Orange Grove Families gang (Ryder, big bruv Sweet and Smoke) decide to teach rival Los Santos mobsters The Ballas a lesson, and drive into hostile territory to slaughter as many of them as possible.

What happens:
As soon as we encounter the first lot of Ballas, our pals begin blasting like crazy from the open car windows. Bullets fly everywhere and bodies scream and drop. Inevitably, return fire is almost immediate, so we keep our car mobile, spinning back and forth. With a bit of cunning, we also speed into stranded rivals and send them flying across the road.

Finally, we chase a few more down back alleys to squash them like bugs. It's not long before the police arrive though, and a panicky chase to the re-spray garage ensues.

What we liked about it:
Dramatic and action-packed with serious car driving skills required. It's great fun ploughing into the surprised enemy too.

4) In the Hotel California... Police are shooting at us!

Task:
Rescue Sweet from a hotel crawling with armed cops.

The Story:
Los Santos gangsters meet in a hotel (at least, it looks like a hotel) to discuss the threat of the newly-arrived drug pushers The Flats. However, a tip-off results in the hotel being besieged by cop armies and choppers. With Sweet stranded inside, CJ must go in and rescue him.

What happens:
A totally brilliant shoot-out that shows off the game's new 'zoomed-in' targeting system. We run through the corridors and rooms, blasting cops with a shotgun. Impact animations mean that aggressors shot in the leg are momentarily disabled. Those hit in the head are killed instantly.

There are also a few neat scripted events too, such as police smashing in through the windows. The mission culminates in a rooftop skirmish with a police helicopter, which subsequently explodes once we've hit it enough times.

What we liked about it:
Far more realistic, strategic and engaging than any shoot-out seen in previous GTA games (a bit like Max Payne, actually). Great targeting system and closer view adds extra depth to the gameplay.

5) Backseat Shooter

Task:
Blast pursuing cops in frantic getaway mission.

The Story:
Following our escape from the hotel, Smoke and Ryder pick us up in a car. However, the police are still hot on our trail, and with us in the backseat, must use our gun skills to ward them off.

What happens:
A first-person shooter that's a lot like a lightgun blast-'em-up. We use our crosshair to blast pursuing police cars while Smoke handles all driving. Shot cars fly across the road, crashing into walls and trees. Some cheeky motorcyclist cops leap off their bikes onto the car's bonnet, although we soon see those cretins off with a quick bullet in the head.

What we liked about it:
Totally unique to the GTA games. Adds much more variety to the overall game, and it's great fun being the shooter rather than just the driver. Top 'jumping' police bits too. All very sadistic.

So there you go, we can happily report that Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is living up to its hype. With Rockstar promising to show us even more stuff in the coming weeks, you can rely on us to bring you further impressions very soon indeed. Can you wait? Well, to be honest, we're struggling ourselves...
 
Holy shit!!!! :shock: Even though its fan made if that is comparable to the real thing this game is truly immense!!!
 
Hi guys, sorry if this has been answered elsewhere but what do we know about an XBOX release of San Andreas? When?
 
This fuckin thing looks too good to be true. It really does look like the crowning achievement of the ps2 and the most ambitious game ever.
I'm setting aside 3 weeks from Oct. 22. Once that game is out, I'm disappearing. Fuck life.
 
Gamespot Update: Robbery and Home Invasion

It's well known already that Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas will be by far the biggest in Rockstar's blockbuster series of open-ended criminal action games when the game ships this October. Question is, what kinds of activities will you be filling your time with as you explore a state-sized chunk of land that features three huge urban sprawls? In recent weeks, GameSpot was the first to bring you details on a number of key, new features and details in GTA: San Andreas, such as the food system, bike tricks, and gym workouts. In addition, we provided an intimate look at the streets of Los Santos, San Andreas' LA-style capital city. This week, though, we've got perhaps the most intriguing update yet, and suffice it to say we can't come up with any euphemisms for it. So let's cut to the chase and tell you all about breaking into people's homes and robbing them blind. And after that, be sure to stick around for details on how to swim in San Andreas. (Say goodbye to treacherous instant death-by-water!)

Latter-day GTA games have allowed you to take on story missions as well as some optional side missions, such as ferrying folks around Crazy Taxi-style in taxicabs, fighting fires in fire trucks, or requisitioning cop cars for some vigilante justice. Vice City added pizza delivery missions, which were good for a chuckle but maybe didn't seem like an appropriate use of ambitious gangster Tommy Vercetti's time. In turn, San Andreas will feature what sounds like the most intense, deepest, and most lucrative side mission-type in the series to date: robbery.

Robbery will be a means to an end in GTA: San Andreas. That's because money will be very important in the game, since you'll need it not just to equip yourself with the hardware you'll need to survive but also because it'll be the key to main character CJ's influence and ability to move freely about the state. Unfortunately for you and CJ, you won't automatically rake in dough each time you complete a story mission like you did in previous GTA games. After all, CJ's not some hired goon. He'll end up doing much of his dirty work on account of his friends and family. Still, he'll need cash. And to earn it, he'll be able to break into people's homes, steal their valuables, and then sell these items to a fence.

One of the very first images released for GTA: San Andreas--the one seen above--showed a gang of armed hoods sneaking up on a residence in the dead of night, shotguns drawn. This image turns out to be highly reflective of the new robbery missions in the game, which represent a new type of "R3" mission. This means that, just like with the taxi or vigilante jobs, you'll initiate them at will simply by pressing down on the right analog stick when behind the wheel of the appropriate vehicle. What's an appropriate vehicle for a robbery? A moving truck, of course. Find one, switch places with its driver, hit R3, and you're good to go.

Well, actually, maybe not quite. You don't want any eyewitnesses, one way or another, if you intend to bust down some rich snob's back door. So, to prep yourself for a heist, you'd better change out of those shorts and T-shirt and try on something like a ski mask or a balaclava. Naturally, both are available for a fair price from the local sporting goods shop. A baseball bat might not be a bad impulse purchase while you're there, though a visit to the local Ammu-Nation would probably be best for safety's sake.

Then it's time to pick your target. We pointed out last week that rich neighborhoods like Los Santos' Vinewood and Rodeo will be readily apparent from their fancy-pants residents and overpowered sports cars. These may be appropriate locations for you to strike. Alternatively, some quaint, little out-of-the-way homes may offer fewer rewards, but there's much less risk as well. Gotta start small, right?

Read on and we'll tell you all about the fine art of breaking and entering.

Interestingly, robbery missions may only take place at night, which makes sense, because you wouldn't want to get the police to catch wind of your scheme in broad daylight. Furthermore, when you walk straight through the unlocked back door of some ignorant sap in the middle of the night, chances are you'll find him sound asleep. Maybe you can take his TV, VCR, stereo, and other valuables without even rousing him. And if not, well...just make sure he doesn't make it to his telephone--or else you'll have company real soon courtesy of the fine folks at the 911 hot line. A pistol or rifle trained on your robbery victim's chest might cause him to throw up his hands in surrender. However, it's up to you to decide how to proceed from this point. Of course, cowards aren't the only people you'll be robbing in San Andreas; some of the state's finer residents will make every effort to defend themselves and their possessions. As a result, you might have a fight on your hands, which is all the more reason to show up ready for anything.

Speaking of which, it's not like everybody's going to leave their doors wide open for you. That's why they've got windows. Bust those suckers open, and climb on in. And if there's a fence barring the way between you and a door or window, well...climb over that ******* too.

Robbery missions will reward you for not making a ruckus. Rockstar recently informed us that as soon as you equip yourself with a ski mask or balaclava, you'll enter into a sneaking mode, causing you to move about more quietly than usual. We've already learned that GTA: San Andreas will incorporate some of the improved gameplay mechanics found in Rockstar North's last game, Manhunt, including that game's improved targeting system. Now we've learned that some of Manhunt's stealth elements will also figure into play. A horizontal noise meter will appear as part of the game's heads-up display, and you'll need to gingerly nudge the left stick to move quietly, or else the noise meter will top out and send some unwanted attention your way. In Manhunt, characters could hear you as well as see you if you weren't standing in shadows, so expect some of those same gameplay refinements to be put to good use in San Andreas.

Rockstar also informed us that San Andreas will feature some new audio technology, making for realistic contextual audio distortions. This will be apparent in such cases as when you're trying to eavesdrop on a conversation in a home you're robbing but are barely able to make out the words that are being said because of the building's solid walls. As another example, when you're in a high-speed chase in a tunnel, the action will sound even more deafening than usual.

At any rate, once you've taken anything of value from the house and have loaded it into your truck, it's time to pawn off all the junk you've "collected" to reap the rewards of your hard night's work. This means it's time to pay a visit to the local fence--that is, the guy that's willing to buy all of your hot goods from you. What you proceed to do with your hard-earned loot is naturally yours to decide. Whether you pig out on fast food, pick up a shotgun, or save up for that local business that's looking for a shrewd investor is up to you.

So it's clear that robbery will be a surefire means of making some money on the hard streets of San Andreas. But will the robbery missions be any fun? We haven't tried them for ourselves yet, but they certainly sound like it. These are apparently complex, multistep affairs that seem much more involved than previous R3 missions in GTA, and they involve driving and on-foot sequences, both outdoors and indoors. One possible hitch is that Rockstar has previously noted that GTA: San Andreas will feature no loading times as you drive across its massive expanse of land. However, there will be brief pauses as you make transitions to and from the insides and outsides of buildings. These brief pauses will probably be along the same lines as the transitional loading times found in Vice City. So that might seem a little discouraging for those enjoying the completely seamless experience that the game provides. On the other hand, though, it sounds like the robbery missions will pack in a lot of variety. You'll never quite know who or what to expect when you make the decision to case a joint. Besides--it sounds like a decidedly action-packed way to while away the wee hours of San Andreas.

Another way to pass the time in the next GTA will be to take a little dip. That's right! Previous GTA protagonists' intense aversions to water will be things of the past this time around, which was recently revealed to us by Rockstar. You'll be able to dive into San Andreas' many rivers--or even the ocean--to cool off, exercise, and more. Plus, getting onto boats from a pier will be a life-or-death affair no longer. Find out all about swimming next.

Swimming will be easy in San Andreas. Jump on into the water and you'll immediately begin treading it--and you'll be able to do so indefinitely. You'll then be able to swim around at a leisurely pace by doing the breaststroke, which requires you to simply move the left analog stick. Alternatively, you'll be able to do the equivalent of sprinting on land by switching to a freestyle swimming stroke. This is handled by pressing and holding the X button; tapping X will make you swim even faster still, but this causes your stamina to drain quickly, so you'll only be able to sustain this pace for so long. Still, swimming as quickly as possible may be just the ticket to a clean getaway. Cops got you pinned down on a bridge? Just dive on down, and wave good-bye to those suckers.

Speaking of diving on down, you'll be able to dive under the surface of the water when you press the circle button. There you'll be able to explore San Andreas' watery wonderland as much as you like--at least until your breath-o-meter runs out, in which case you'll drown. So just remember to come up for air. Rockstar promises that underwater adventures will be worth the trip. Hidden packages, anyone? But there should be a lot more than just a few secrets. Expect to see aquatic life (sharks, perhaps?), as well as a cool refraction effect when you look up past the surface of the water. Incidentally, you're not the only one who knows how to swim in the state of San Andreas, so expect to see other folks swimming in the drink along with you.

The fact that the main character can swim may not sound like a big deal, but anyone who's spent some time with recent GTA games and anyone who spends a few moments thinking about the ramifications that water in the game is no longer equivalent to molten lava will realize the potential here. For one thing, you'll now be able to survive situations in which you send your car careening into the water. Again, let's say you've got some unfriendlies in hot pursuit, and there's no way out. Now you can just head for the nearest body of water so that you can get the heck out of your car as soon as you're immersed. There won't be much time to escape from the waterlogged vehicle, but you're not going to need much time if you can swim.

Getting out of the water is going to be easy. Just mosey on up to any nearby beach or embankment, and you'll get right out. Ledges or piers will also allow you to automatically climb out--if they're realistically low enough to the surface of the water for you to reach. This doesn't mean that you'll always need to swim to shore. A nice city by the bay, like San Fiero, is sure to have plenty of boat traffic, so why not try to swim on up and grab yourself one? The sheer terror of having someone clamber up onto their lovely overpriced yachts will generally be enough to cause these former boat owners to dive the heck off the sides of their floating palaces, thus leaving you with a convenient means of getting back to solid ground. Careful, though, the waters won't always be calm along the San Andreas coast. New weather patterns and waves may rock you and your little schooner like nobody's business.

At any rate, it's clear that Grand Theft Auto will be departing from the relative stability and predictability of street-centered life in this next, upcoming installment. Between having lots more action inside people's homes and having lots more action out in the water, it's becoming clearer and clearer that GTA: San Andreas is, well...going to offer even more depth than its predecessors. And that's exciting news, indeed. Stay tuned to GameSpot for more weekly updates on important, new features in what's surely one of the year's biggest, most important games. We can't wait to tell you more.
 
this game is so great.. i heard you can gain/lose weight... you can customize CJ... get haircuts... tatoos... and drive other gangs into your neighbourhood so they can get their asses kicked.. and there are no loading scences in between cities... and there are 3 now!! this game must be the best in it's series!!
 
Still not sure about the whole eating/exercising thing, and if it's as vast as it seems I doubt I'll ever finish it, but who cares. Three cheers for the Scots and their hip-hop chic.
 
GTA:SA trailer due this week according to Eurogamer, and there could be a teaser site set up soon as well which will be pretty sweet :)
 
More details, this on clothing............CVG:

THE SAN ANDREAS SHOPAHOLIC

CJ leads the way with this season's grooviest lines

15:39 We all know the importance of dressing to impress: If you've got the right threads, jewellery and haircut, you can step into any room knowing you look the absolute bomb, full of confidence and ready to impress the ladeez or gents, as your preference dictates.
Ah, well in a classic example of how art imitates life, Rockstar seem to agree and they've just released a raft of new details, as well as some splendid screens detailing how San Andreas will boast a keen fashion sense, all of its own.

Here's how things will work: people are always judged on how they look and San Andreas proves no exception. As a result, CJ's hair and clothing are important factors which affect the degree of respect which everyone shows toward him and Rockstar have just given us some intriguing details on how this will work in-game.

Of course we could re-write all for you, but we're sure you'd much rather hear it straight from the horse's mouth, although we have changed the quaint US spellings and the silly sub-heads naturally, are our own.

Short back and sides?

There are several barbershops located throughout San Andreas. In Los Santos, Reece's barbershop is part of the neighbourhood. Inside the barbershop, CJ sits in the chair and checks his reflection, he can select from a number of different looks for both his hairstyle and his facial hair. If he has enough money, CJ can get the cut of his choice.

The sharper CJ looks, the more he is respected. The women of San Andreas will take notice of it, as will the gangs - rivals will be a bit more wary and CJ will command a bit more authority within his own gang, the Orange Grove Families.

Some of the many different looks for CJ include bald, afro, jheri curl and if you look carefully at the screens, you can even check out some Beckham-style cornrows.

Ooh, suits you sir?

Of equal importance to CJ's look and the respect it generates are the clothes he wears. CJ begins the game with a very basic, no-frills pair of pants and t-shirt. As he progresses in the game, his fellow gang members will gain respect for him when CJ successfully completes missions, and will suggest that he start dressing in gang colours.

At first, this means sporting traditional Orange Grove Families colours. Wearing colours has consequences. Other members of the Grove Street Families will respect you more, however, rival gangs and police will be able to tell your allegiances easier.

If you happen to find yourself in Ballas territory or stumble into the middle of a gunfight, the impact of your clothing choices can be significant. Gang colours are not the only choices available to CJ. There are a number of stores in San Andreas that allow CJ to select a full line of clothing choices. New clothes affect the level of respect people have for you. Some missions will even require CJ to be wearing a certain outfit. These are some of the places to shop in San Andreas:

Shop till you drop

Binco

Binco is a discount store found a few blocks away from CJ's cul-de-sac deep in Orange Grove Families' territory. It's a discount store, so the clothing selection is utilitarian and cheap.

Binco features a small selection of low cost clothing. Most people in the Grove will be wearing clothes of the type sold here. The clothing choices are affordable to those in CJ's neighbourhood-and since the Orange Grove Families aren't what they were, expect to find a selection of plaid shirts, khakis and sneakers on a budget. This is a good place for CJ to go after he returns to the grove and needs to wear the colours - but the clothes aren't free and he will need to have enough money to get what he needs. Locals will respect CJ more after he's switched back to more familiar threads.

SubUrban

Located near the Towers in Ganton, SubUrban specializes in a full line of clothing brands, such as Mercury and Base 5.

The selection here is different than Binco. SubUrban favors name-brand apparel popular amongst those in Los Santos with a bit more disposable income, and since the store is located in Ballas territory, it is very popular amongst the gang set.

The colours and clothing choice reflect the neighbourhood, and are priced to reflect the prices one of the more successful gangs in town can afford. Your respect will go up higher than if you were shopping at Binco. At first, CJ might be able to afford one or two items here. As he completes missions, his budget will increase and he will be able to purchase more items. You needn't be a gang member or a Rock Star to shop at SubUrban, but you'll find clothing selection that both would be comfortable wearing.

ProLaps

For a full selection of the ProLaps brand apparel and footwear, head to the flagship store located west of Downtown Los Santos.

ProLaps is the leading choice of athletic gear in San Andreas. The clothes are decidedly more athletic and are the perfect choice to show of CJ's musculature or just to switch his look up with shorts, sneakers, hats and other items. Also, CJ can find some very specific items, motorcycle helmet, boxing headgear, even a hockey mask. Concerned about looking too much like a gang member? The clothing choices here are more mainstream, and though the TRAIN HARD tagline might implore you to work out, the clothes themselves are popular amongst the other inhabitants of San Andreas. The prices are a bit higher here, and CJ will have to earn a good deal of money to afford the pieces offered here.

The price of fame

As CJ attains the material trappings of success - clothes, the right hair, sneakers etc he will gain respect. Women will notice CJ and be more responsive to him, while the men will be wary and in some cases even fear him.

CJ will get to keep all the clothes you buy for him, if you change your mind as to what you want to wear, you don't have to go back and repurchase an outfit after you've changed into something new: just walk into your safe house, go to the closet, and every single piece of clothing you've earned/purchased so far will be there. This provides for a huge amount of customisation, and adds an amazing collecting dynamic for the truly hardcore player. Want to mix and match? Once your wardrobe is stocked, you can change into any combination of shirt, pants, hat, shoes, and accessories as easily as you can save or load a game.
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I still don't know how R* are gonna pull all this off.......... :shock: ;)
 
That car really does look sweet, and i love the edition of trams they'll be fun for car chases, nipping in and out around one with the police on your tail... brilliant.
 
WOW a trailer, that would be sweet, any idea where this "Trailer" will be? Il just keep checking Kiziko and Gametrailers.com.
 
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