Here's more info on the game 3 cities like raining smoke said:
Los Santos: Populated by the rich and famous, as well as the down-and-out, Los Santos is Rockstar North's interpretation of modern-day Los Angeles. Movie stars and millionaire rich kids strut their stuff in expensive rides, while the less-savory individuals hang out in their ghetto homesteads, peddling death and destruction. CJ's home, family, and former gang resides in Los Santos, and its here that GTA: San Andreas kicks off for real.
San Fierro: Sources indicate that CJ will travel to the city of San Fierro after spending the first part of the game in his home city of Los Santos. San Fierro is based on San Francisco, so it's safe to assume that CJ might be in for a little bad weather. Look for a tight knit cityscape, and smaller, more foreboding suburbs.
Las Venturas: Just like our own loveable sin city Las Vegas, GTA: San Andreas' third main city is Las Venturas. A place where any fool with a few bucks can get rich gambling in the casinos, or a place where the rich and famous can go bust in the course of one evening, Las Venturas has something for everyone. It's also the third and final stop that we know of where CJ will get in on some action.
Characters
Carl Johnson: The protagonist of GTA: San Andreas. CJ needs to cross the entire state of San Andreas looking for a way to clear his name, save his gang, and make it out alive -- all by any means necessary.
Brian Johnson: Dead sibling of CJ. His death was the main reason CJ went to Los Santos in the first place. Some things are best forgotten about. However, some things return to bite you on the ass.
Sweet Johnson: Older sibling of CJ and assumed member (and, maybe even leader) of the Orange Grove Families Gang. There appears to be some beef between CJ and Sweet, as Sweet looks like he's blaming CJ for the death of their brother, Brian.
Kendall Johnson: Sister of CJ and Sweet Johnson. Emotions are riding high after her mother's murder, and she's constantly warring with older brother Sweet.
Smoke: Longtime member of the Orange Grove Families Gang and bud of Sweet Johnson. Now experiencing a severe loss of street respect among the local gangs of Los Santos.
Ryder: Another key member of the Orange Grove Families, and close friend to Sweet. Together with Smoke, he's desperate to survive the ongoing unrest that comes with the turf of gang warfare.
Frank Tenpenny: One of two down-and-dirty bent policemen that are putting the squeeze on CJ's old gang. Most likely, it's these two coppers that frame CJ for the homicide he's accused of.
Eddie Polaski: The other half of the corrupt cop duo. Together with his scheming partner, Eddie is happily gunning for the Orange Grove Families as they fight for the gang's existence in Los Santos.
Don Salvatore Leone: Making a reprise appearance from GTA III, actor Frank Vincent is one again to lend his voice talent to the role of the digital mobster. It's unknown as this time as to what capacity Don will take in SA, but he's in there!
The Ballas: A local gang that manage to get right up the collective noses of our gang, the Orange Grove Families. Expect bullets to fly and blood to flow on the streets of Los Santos.
Features:
Casino: While other publications have stated that casinos will be able to be built, purchased, and managed, Rockstar tells us that it has yet to officially confirm this element. It does confirm that casinos will indeed be in the game -- especially the Las Venturas levels -- but as to how much involvement the player will have in running them remains to be seen.
Size: Rockstar's Dan Houser has been quoted as saying that San Andreas will end up being approximately four, five, or even six times bigger that the entirety of the previous entries in the series. That's pretty big. This then leads to the question -- will the PlayStation 2 game be shipped on more than one disc? One particular website spoke of a quote from the UK's Official PlayStation 2 Magazine, where it was stated that SA would ship on a dual-layered DVD to accommodate the huge size of the three cities. Nothing official from Rockstar has been mentioned at this stage, however. According to the UK print article, one of the environments features a massive mountain which can be accessed by a one minute game-time 'copter ride. That gives you some idea of the scale of the thing. Then, it's said that you may well be able to ride a bike all the way down. Should make for a little interesting side mission or two!
1990's Flava: As already stated, San Andreas takes place in the early '90s. This time period will influence everything from clothes, cars, decorations, and even tattoos, not to mention the kinds of bicycles people pedal around the 'hood.
Slick Visuals: Rockstar is apparently aiming to increase the beauty level of SA by using some cool graphical techniques. Cars might likely have real-time reflections, more realistic shadowing using radial lighting, and more. Characters will also use "impact animation," or ragdoll physics. Seen in many modern games like Unreal Tournament 2004 on the PC, ragdoll physics allow body movements to have a more realistic look and response to applied physical force. It's also expected that every visual in the game will boast independent models for both day and night. This will give the overall appearance of the game a more realistic lighting look and feel.
Borrowing from its violent Manhunt game, Rockstar North has implemented a cool lighting system into SA that will allow for both guns-blazing or stealthy approaches to some missions. A new combat targeting system is also said to have been implemented, doing away with the slightly awkward system that used to sometimes annoy in the last two games. By looking at the color of the reticle that's highlighting your current target, you'll be able to gauge how much more punishment he or she can take before keeling over and taking their last breath.
Getting Around: In addition to the plethora of vehicles and modes of transport, it's known that SA will sport push-bikes (being ridden in the screenshots by CJ) -- and in fact, the UK print article states that a BMX is your first method of transport when escaping a dodgy rival gang's 'hood. Pounding the X button will make CJ pedal his ass outta there. We're hoping there's a little room for busting out crazy moves -- imaging gunning down punks while pulling off a nice cherry-picker on your chrome BMX? That's class.
Along with the BMXing, there are said to be vehicles that are specifically designed not to be road-going methods of transport like the quad bike. This is primarily used to cover ground in the countryside. Racing over hills etc. will be made easier by the newly-refined driving engine, and while the GTA series has never been about perfectly simulated driving, the new engine is said to being a new level of control and realism than the previous games. Oh, expect some helicopter and boat mayhem to be found in SA too.
It's also anticipated that CJ will be able to swim through bodies of water -- which then implies that you won't auto-drown or die if your ride beefs it over the edge into a harbor or lake. This would be a most welcome addition. The UK's Official PlayStation 2 Magazine has stated that CJ will be able to escape and swim free of car wrecks, and indeed, that SA will feature specific underwater/swimming missions. There's a good chance to this physical exercise will help CJ shed those extra pounds brought on by eating too much pizza.
Events: SA is said to feature new events such as home invasions and house robberies. Maybe you'll just be chilling with some folks in a house when the door gets kicked down and you're all stuck staring down the barrel of a shotgun while the gaff gets torn apart. This kind of interactivity would go a long way to creating a more realistic and dynamic experience for sure.Talking of cool events, it's possible that four-person drive-by shootings could be feasible. As seen in one of the four currently released screenshots, you and your A.I.-controlled buddies can pack quite a punch by using this technique. While not the most desirable method of oppression in the real world, a video game such as SA could make this gameplay mechanic a powerful aid to combat if implemented well.
Gang warfare will only make up around 15 percent of the game in SA, but it's certainly a nice chunk of gameplay. CJ and the OGF will find themselves in a turf war with rival gangs. You'll be able to take over entire 'hoods and territories, extorting money and exuding power as you go. This is where the scary-ass drive-bys and other methods of street violence really come into play.
Fit or Fat: CJ will have a stamina meter which will indirectly allow the player to let CJ put on weight or lose weight depending on his actions. Eat too many burgers, and you might be a little slower on your feet than before, but maybe you'll be able to dish out more severe punches and kicks instead.
Along with keeping that body weight in check, CJ and the SA drones will be able to take advantage of barbershops. Yep, you can walk into to a barbershop and come out again with a brand new 'do. Apparently, if you receive a botched-job haircut, pedestrians will take the piss and shout insults at you. Conversely, if your locks look lush, the chicks will dig you and you'll receive compliments. There may be a deeper reason for this action too -- maybe it'll help you evade certain key law-givers who are looking for a long-haired hippy and not a buzz-cut bandit.
I am Robot: The populace of San Andreas are going to be blessed with brains. Yep, Rockstar North is working on a new enhanced A.I. system which will potentially allow the denizens of the three city's to act in a more realistic manner. It might not be possible to just cruise around beating up on the homeless anymore -- at least not without some more severe consequences.
Thats main basics for who that don't want to go to the site.
Wow, I shrunk...
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Every dog has his day.
