After yesterday’s post about my issues with the Grand Theft Auto series and wondering aloud what sort of plans Rockstar had for how players can interact with the rather beautiful version of New York City they’ve created in the next installment, it was rather helpful to read to the end of Edge’s monstrous cover feature on the past, present, and future of the series to find them talking about just that. The piece is one long ramble with Rockstar president Sam Houser, and about as solid a look at the mentality behind each previous game you could hope for. Best of all, though, is when talk talkers to GTA IV and the little touches hidden throughout.

What sort of touches? Houser talks at length about main character Niko’s cellphone, and how it’s evolved from a way of getting new missions in previous games to become a significant means of interacting with the game. As you encounter other characters in the game, you can add their names and numbers to your phone’s address book. While they’ll still call you for missions and such, the twist here is that you can call them whenever you like, and even arrange to hang out with them. So when not on a mission or just wandering around to take in the scenery, you can call up your friends and hit the bars for drinks, darts, bowling, and more. The more you hang out, the better your relationship with them becomes, and the more they’ll help you out with free cab rides, access to weapons, and more.

Even more interesting is something Houser touches on for just a moment before quickly changing the subject – GTA IV is going to have comedy clubs you can go to, either alone or with friends. While details currently amount to pretty much that sentence, the potential is incredible. What else could be hiding out there?

Between that question and the promised social interaction from the interview (and everything else the game going for it), I’m sold. While there’s still a chance of ending up disappointed, it sounds like Rockstar have finally created a character with as much potential as the city around him. And that’s something worth showing up for.

Filed under: Grand Theft Auto IV, talk about games, thinking outloud