[G-WizZ]

During the last week of March I received a phone call from Mike Torok of Rockstar Games. While this in itself was a surprise, what he was calling about was even better. Rockstar was inviting the webmasters from the major GTA fansites to New York City to experience Grand Theft Auto IV first-hand, a week before its release. Over the next few weeks our transportation was sorted out, and we were basically left in the dark on all other details besides the fact that we were going and when. I didn't plan on publishing this article until after GTAIV was released, but pretty much all of the other sites posted theirs already so this article may seem a bit rushed. I wasn't as much of a shutterbug as the other webmasters, however; living close to New York City myself I visit there quite a few times a year.

http://www.gtawh.com/gwizz/photos/invitation_tn.jpg

You can read my full article detailing our trip here. The other webmasters that were invited were:

• Adam, Andy, illspirit, & Jevon - GTA4.net
  
  
• Chris - The GTA Place
  
  
• Jordan - PlanetGTA
  
  
• Kodo & Zidane - GTAGaming
  
  
• Psy - GTA4.tv

[mirzab14]

Thanks for that WizZ! Interesting read. That hotel must've been awesome, especially since everything was paid.

Im suprised it was leaked, most likely from a R* employee? Even if I did have a Xbox360 and a DVD burner I wouldn't do something like download it due to the respect I have for R*.

This post has been edited by mirzab14: 26 April 2008 - 12:04 AM

[cwickster]

That would be so amazing to be able to play GTA IV before it's released! It would be hard as hell not to be able to talk about it though.

I agree, mirzab. I do have a 360 and a DVD burner, but I'm not even going to look for the torrent. R* worked too hard to have people rip the game off for free.

[matlocktheartist]

I actually liked the write up you posted from NY... there was allot of excitement in your words.
I could feel your enthusiasm! Though it's good to see more pics! All those goodies!

[G-WizZ]

enthusiasm...or inebriation? :brows:

All the other sites have put up their articles now so I recommend checking them out. You'll hear a lot of repetitive stuff but it's cool to hear it from different perspectives. Hopefully all the webmasters can get together online again for some more multiplayer and pretend that we're still in the penthouse togehter :P

[andymci]

I can guarantee that you'll hear me dropping more excessive F-bombs online.

[JeremyGTA]

so did you receive the game then or do you still have to wait till tuesday?

[TonyMontana131]

you bastard! so this is where you were.. i'm sittin at my laptop wondering.. wtf is going on? its a week before gta comes out and each day gets harder to get through, i need some gta article to read to kill some time... with no updates from wizz, ive been on kotaku the past few days.. it's nice to have you back, this was a good read... after you mentioning the gta ads in ny it makes me wanna make the 3 hour drive and go check out manhattan and see the ads, also so i can compare it to the game on tuesday.. ha, too bad i'm on probation and cant leave the state

[Zaibatsu]

lol Zidane. Is he a prick in person? I'm just curious cause I few yrs back he was an asshole on the forums.

[CC]

I am surprised they even let people from GTAGaming there as they have completely disregarded Rockstars respect in the past.

[equilerex]

mirzab14, on Apr 26 2008, 02:03 AM, said:

Thanks for that WizZ! Interesting read. That hotel must've been awesome, especially since everything was paid.

Im suprised it was leaked, most likely from a R* employee? Even if I did have a Xbox360 and a DVD burner I wouldn't do something like download it due to the respect I have for R*.

the xbox also needs to be modded... mod chip installed... voids warranty... people who have those usually never buy their games... not to mention it gets banned from live if you go online

hehe, i was wondering why no content has leaked on fan sitesyet with the game out but i guess thats the reason :P

[mirzab14]

Quote

the xbox also needs to be modded... mod chip installed... voids warranty... people who have those usually never buy their games... not to mention it gets banned from live if you go online

I know, I just didn't want to be bitched with writing all that, but yeah modding can ruin a console if you do it wrong.

I hacked my friend's 360 a while ago and he begged me to download GTA IV for him and burn it so he can play it, I refused sese

Youtube has tons of vids on GTA IV gameplay from the leaked game, but they are all taken down due to Youtube managment or whatever.

This post has been edited by mirzab14: 26 April 2008 - 07:17 PM

[G-WizZ]

CC, on Apr 26 2008, 10:53 AM, said:

I am surprised they even let people from GTAGaming there as they have completely disregarded Rockstars respect in the past.

That was only Neil's doing. Zidane and Kodo had nothing to do with it. That's why they went and Neil didn't. Neil was the butt of every joke during the entire trip anyway.

[Zaibatsu]

Ok, so Zidane isn't an ass then? Thats good I guess.

[JayStorm]

Had to be an intresting trip, having all you guys at one place. If EA ever buys GTAWH, WizZ you should invited all the members who have been here way to long to play GTAIV: Vice City :P

[CrYpTiK]

GTAIV: VICE CITY?!?!?!?! :o ;)

[G-WizZ]

I received an email from Rockstar yesterday inviting me (and some of the others) back to NYC to check out The Lost and Damned February 9-11. They didn't give specific details but I'm assuming they're using the same hotel since Rockstar is listed as one of the hotel's regular clients.

Quote

From: "Mike Torok (R* NYC)" <torok@rockstargames.com>
To: "Gerald Cascagne (GTA Warehouse)" <webmaster@gtawh.com>
Subject: Invitation to NYC for GTA IV: The Lost and Damned Event
Date: Monday, February 02, 2009 6:36:27 PM

Hey guys,

Shortly I will be sending you each out a formal invitation, but I wanted to give you all a heads-up and let you know some details first. You are being invited to come to New York on February 10th for an exclusive opportunity to see Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned for yourselves. If you are able to come to the event we will sort out your travel/hotel arrangements, similar to the last time (for those of you that were here back in April). Also, the invitation will have a email link to RSVP for the event, but I would appreciate it if you could respond to me as well to let me know if you are coming, so I can help coordinate your travel arrangements.

Look forward to hopefully seeing you all next week.

Thanks,

Mike Torok
Online Producer
Rockstar Games

You can still read the full account of last year's trip here and I will be adding to it after next week.

[PyroMaster]

Lucky ass. I wish I had a site with large enough attention for Rockstar to notice. Pffff

This post has been edited by PyroMaster: 04 February 2009 - 03:43 AM

[steveplayer]

Nice.

Bring back pictures sese

[Gmoney]

WizZ.

Fuck you.

:P

Have fun AGAIN, you lucky prick!