While details are slow to emerge, there's no doubting how high this game is on everyone's 'must buy' list. We've all seen the 'Special Edition' pack which seems to be dividing the fans, and while there's been some cool trailers, we're all itching for some actual gameplay footage.

Hopefully we'll get our wish soon as we here at XBW can't wait to personally see the new animation systems, feel the vehicle handling and experience the new combat and cover systems. If Rockstar can nail everything they're trying to improve, it should be the best GTA game ever. And that's saying something.

In the meantime, Rockstar Games have sent over some pics of a few of the characters you'll soon (hopefully) be meeting in Grand Theft Auto IV...

Brucie

Anyone who thinks modern man is having an identity crisis should meet Brucie. Brucie’s a serious fitness enthusiast, car nut and self appointed VIP. He’s also proof that sometimes, delusional white idiots can take the hip-hop thing a bit far.

He's loud, he's proud and he's going to make sure you know just how much money he's got. He lives life large, just like men do in the magazines he reads. He’s got nothing but the finest women, cars, lifestyle accessories and anabolic steroids. That's how he rolls.

Manny

Manny is testament to the fact men can be reborn. Once a hard living hoodlum, who was there (and involved?) when people invented graffiti, hip hop, and breakdancing, he never wanted any credit - it wasn’t about ego for him.

He’s now a man transformed and all about one thing: cleaning up the neighborhood, the kids and the streets. To prove it, he's having a documentary made - about himself, to record his struggle.

Elizabeta

For 10 years or more, Elizabeta has been a successful drug dealer in Bohan - successful because she kept things low-key and paid off or killed the right people. She knows that a crackdown on drug dealing is going to put her under scrutiny, and that her own narcotic consumption has spiraled out of control, making her dangerously paranoid and delusional.

Vlad

In Vlad’s own mind he is a supremely powerful gangster who runs the Hove beach neighborhood of Broker with an iron fist, and doesn’t take crap from anybody. In reality, he’s a low-level Russian hood who’s trying to gain favour with more powerful criminals, while he runs minor protection rackets and talks a big game.

Roman Bellic

Roman is Niko's cousin. He’s been living in Liberty City pursuing the American dream: fast cars, women, hot tubs, and luxury condos. At least, these are the things he’s been telling Niko about. Instead, he operates a taxi stand in Broker.

A born optimist and a bit of a fantasist, Roman dreams big while he and his girlfriend, Mallorie decide whether to take each other seriously.