GTA IV Receives First Patch Update

Xbox 360, PS3

The next time you throw your GTA IV disc into your console, you'll be prompted for an update. This update fixes eleven bugs (or at least, eleven that Rockstar want to make public), which include:

1. Fixed an issue where players were unable to enter or exit vehicles in GTA Race.
2. Fixed an issue where scripted vehicles were causing games to unexpectedly crash.
3.  Improved reliability and frequency of PS3™ online leaderboard updates.
4. Fixed a rare hang some players encountered when moving from a Race or GTA Race lobby into gameplay.
5. Fixed a hang that would occur when players were switching teams during the countdown in the lobby.
6. Fixed an issue where players were able to get ridiculously high scores from Cops 'n Crooks matches.
7. Changed GTA Race and Race so that the last player remaining always receives a reward of $250.
8. Fixed an issue where spectating players would prevent the game from finishing.
9. Fixed an issue where players were unable to spectate in Round 2 of Cops 'n Crooks games.
10. Changed countdown timer in lobby so that it no longer resets when new players join a game.
11. Changed the kick option so that kicked players are no longer brought back to single player.

Everyone knows patches also include unnamed bug fixes, usually more focused on online multiplayer exploits. Gamers will also find that they can't play the game online unless they update it.

Still no news on a solid date for the first DLC episode, but we definitely expect it some time before Christmas.