Grand Theft Auto IV, has had a rocky run since the start. Many of us had a smooth install and smooth gameplay from the getgo. But many people had issue that almost seemed to be unresolved. The forums at gtaforums.com  practically flipped upside down. Many posts had been sent by flamers and trolls but there where lots of real legitimate posts. So for the moderators such as CC (CharmingCharlie) there was a heavy steady task. Regular users such as myself spent hours trying to contribute, by helping the legit and reporting the blatant flamers. That is all important because There where actual Rockstar game programers that would frequent gta forums to get ideas and imput. As we actually found out at the release of patch one.

The first patch was clearly a quick fix to suppress the unruly scream-alots. I totally understand and was happy with the fact that someone was there to hear and  tame the cries of the kids with bad installs. I don’t remember exactly what was shut off in the patches but I do remember  like the hotdog stands disappearing, and then when they came back, deeper detailed  controls for video settings had been enabled. Of course that was at a later patch. Third patch I believe.

The fourth patch well there really was not much to the fourth patch as far as we could see. In fact the guy from Rockstar Torronto informed us it was preparation for next few big moves. Some of us old schoolers suggested it was for Downloadable content for pc..We where slapped down by forum moderators that let us know there was nothing in the statement that suggested DLC, and they locked our posts. They don’t realize that half the game of GTA is speculating what is to come in next game and by reading to much into anything said by R*. That is the heaviest traffic to gtaforums. but what ever. We have since then proven this to be true with the release of the fifth patch we see tlad in the achievement area for pc gtaiv.

Cheats are now nearly impossible, the servers are now used like dedicated servers, meaning the game creator  can now ban anyone on his/her server at any givin  moment, we no longer have to wait for votes. I assume that someone will create a script that allows them to jump servers and bann people at random without being modderator or  creator. until then I am super happy with what is available.

many many fixes with patch five.

Incase you have not found the link to the fifth patch, here you go.

patch 5 for gtaiv

List of Fixes

GENERAL:

• Convert all region SKU’s into the same SKU.
• Include support for all languages within single exe.

CONTROLS:

• Allow controls to be double mapped on keyboard.
• Added option in controls menu to disable mouse controls in helicopters.
• Adjust keyboard control sensitivity in hood cam view in vehicles.

MULTIPLAYER:

• Security Updates to deter cheating in multiplayer.
• Hosts can now immediately Kick users from their games in Lobby and in game via Cell phone without having to rely on peer voting.
• Fixed a bug in Cops ‘n Crooks mode where Host would drop out and prevent remaining players from leaving game.

Sad to say, they have it labeled as patch 4, even though it is the fifth patch.