Grand Theft Auto returns

There’s only one week to go before Grand Theft Auto IV drops. Thanks to my girlfriend’s amazing credit rating I have an Xbox sitting under a 32″ Sony Bravia, completely unpaid for, and ready to go. Just for GTA.

I’m not doing this by halves. I know people who are booking a week off work. It’s time to put real life aside for a bit.

I’m gagging for the multiplayer. There’s a mode called Cops And Crooks where one team play as bank robbers and the other play as police. Insane. Imagine: one of your mates is a getaway driver. You rob the bank, jump in the car. Your mate burns it. The Popo blow out a tire. You take to the streets. Big gun fight. In my head I am De Niro and you are Pacino and it’s Heat.

Then there’s a 16 player free-for-all. Hanging out in cars with your mates listening to the radio (surely, this will make PlayStation’s forthcoming online world Home redundant?)

Look at this picture:

What can we see here? One guy is flying a helicopter, one guy is just chilling out, one guy is jumping out of the helicopter on to a van below that another guy is driving. Seven days to go, lads.

And look at this one:

WHAT THE FUCK

And for the fashion fans who look down on videogames, prick up your ears: Karl Lagerfeld has put together a playlist of his favourite electronica and dance music commentary for one of the in-game radio stations. Lagerfeld says, “Music is part of the life of fashion, too. Through the famous sound stylist Michel Gaubert, I’m very much ‘au courant’ and know what’s going on.’” Whatever that means.

See you in Liberty City.

SIMON HELYAR