Prerelease:Grand Theft Auto IV (PlayStation 3, Windows)

This page details prerelease information and/or media for Grand Theft Auto IV (PlayStation 3, Windows).

This article is a work in progress. ...Well, all the articles here are, in a way. But this one moreso, and the article may contain incomplete information and editor's notes.

To do: Come on. There must be some more stuff to be covered.

Developmental Timeline

2004

Oct. Development of Grand Theft Auto IV begins after Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was released.

2006

May. 10 - The game is revealed at E3 2006, in the form of Peter Moore showing a tattoo with the game's early logo.

2007

2008

Apr. 29 - Grand Theft Auto IV is released for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in North America and Europe. Oct. 30 - Grand Theft Auto IV is released for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in Japan. Dec. 3 - Grand Theft Auto IV is released for Windows.

GTA IV Website

There are images from GTA IV's official website that contain changes from the final.

(Source: GTA IV Screenshot Gallery)

2004

Development Beginnings

After the development of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas had officially ended, Grand Theft Auto IV started development.

2006

May

E3 2006

Grand Theft Auto IV was officially unveiled at E3 2006, where Peter Moore revealed a tattoo on his arm containing the game's logo. He said that the game would be for next-generation systems and would have downloadable DLC.

2008

February?

Screenshots

Bellic Enterprises/Broker Navy Yard

Pre-release	Final

• Next to Roman's Cab Office, there was a hot dog stand and newspaper stands in the pre-release. In the final, the newspaper stands moved closer to the building, a couple of barrels were added, the hot dog stand was moved down the street, and the street light moved across the street.
• The newspaper stand's name was changed from the Daily Globe to the Liberty Tree.
• The bridge in the background was absent.
• Roman's Taxi has some differences too.

Vehicles

• The license plates didn't say "LIBERTY CITY" in some instances, implying that a randomized license plate number generator was planned for the cars but wasn't implemented until the sequel.

Annihilator

Pre-release	Final

• The Yellow stripe was moved down.
• "LC12345" was changed to "LC270881".
• The number was moved onto the door.
• The logo by the rotors was removed.
• The logo was recreated.
• The doors were made open.

Comet

Pre-release	Final

The logo was mirrored and added "PFISTER" in the final. "Comet" was made smaller.

Marquis

Pre-release	Final

There were two steering wheels in the pre-release.

Roman's Taxi

Pre-release	Final

The car's brand name and logo were added later. A red light was also added on the grill.

In-game Television Programs

To do: There's more.

Since they were recorded in early builds of the game, the watchable videos in-game have a good amount of changed content in them.

Higgins Helitour Commercial

Pre-release	Final

• The billboards weren't finished, so a low-quality placeholder with the Rockstar logo and "TEMP" written on the sides of it was used instead.
• Channelizer cones were once present.

"I'm Rich" CNT Skit

Pre-release	Final

• Leftwood was changed to Westdyke and the text was made bolder in the final.
• Light posts were added to the ledges.
• A railing was added.
• More posters were added inside the interior.
• The tree was removed.

Websites

www.love-meet.net

Pre-release	Final

• The picture for "HumpPleaseRupert" was changed completely.

CNT Banshee

Pre-release	Final

• There is now one stripe instead of two.
• The rearview mirror and the car's brand logo were added.

Super GT

Pre-release	Final

• On the back, the car name and brand were completely removed and added a different logo instead.

Unknown Car

In the background, there is a car that looks different from the others. Judging by the body frame and tires, it may have been an early version of the Landstalker.

LCPD Recruitment

Pre-release	Final

• Lights and benches weren't present.
• The cobblestone walkway was originally a reddish-brown color. Additionally, at the end of the walkway, there was a runoff drain.
• The pillars on the side were removed and taller pillars were added at each end of the walkway.

VIG Insurance Commercial

Pre-release	Final

• Parking garage was incomplete and missing interior walls and exterior pillars.
• Retaining wall and fence along parking garage were not present.
• Two over-hanging signs for southbound traffic, while only one is present in the final build.
• Guardrails separating north/southbound traffic were not present.
• Foreground stoplight model had a hanging street sign.
• The second stoplight in the background was once present.

Pre-release	Final

• The first floor of the first building on right has been completely reworked - scaffolding is now present, stoplight has been removed, two bushes have been remodeled, payphone has been removed.
• Scaffolding has been added to the building on the right one block down.