The top of the 'most played' online games on Xbox Live has traditionally been the domain of the first-person shooter, with recent months seeing Call of Duty 4 and Halo 3 battling it out for top slot. But could a young pretender to the multiplayer throne emerge this week?

We're talking, of course, about GTA IV - as if there was any decent news about anything else this past few days - and its plentiful, if flawed options for online play. While it's about as well-balanced at times as a one-legged tightrope walker in a force nine gale, it's undeniably enjoyable - particularly the team-based Cops 'N' Crooks. Anyway, Microsoft expects that 'everyone' who has the game will at least give the multiplayer a bash, which is perhaps a tad optimistic, but that's PR guff for you.

"The multiplayer in this game is so well implemented that I can't imagine anyone owning a copy without trying to play it on Xbox Live" claimed Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg, continuing "GTA is unique because it appeals to such a large audience. It will likely be the best-selling game launched all year and we expect it will drive a lot of new members to Xbox Live". No arguments there, but we think plenty of people will want to plough through the lengthy single-player game first before nipping online for a quick blastathon or three.

CVG

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