PvP confirmed for PSP GTA

Rockstar Games recently updated the official Web site for Grand Theft Auto Liberty Stories for the PSP, and one of the most eagerly anticipated additions to the franchise has been confirmed: Liberty City Stories will have multiplayer modes. The series, known to the public for its glamorizing of a crime-ridden lifestyle, violence, and adult-oriented minigames, has also been long known to gamers for being almost strictly single-player. (Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has some two-player minigames.)

Liberty City Stories will feature several multiplayer modes, and it will, if a diagram on the Web site is accurate, support up to six players. The Web site details three of the modes, and it promises more to come in the future. The Web site does not say if the game will be playable over the Internet or in an ad hoc fashion.

The first mode, Liberty City survivor is the game's take on the typical deathmatch format. It will apparently be available as an every-man-for-himself format or in a team (referred to as "gangs") format. The games will be played with a time limit, and the first team to reach a certain number of kills or to have the most kills when time runs out will be declared the winner.

Protection racket sees gamers playing both sides of a gang attempting to destroy four limousines in another gang's base. Like the familiar multiplayer game of assault, play will occur in multiple rounds, and teams will be designated as being either on offense or defense. Once the four limos are destroyed, the teams switch sides. The new offensive team must destroy its rivals' limos faster than its opponents destroy theirs.

Get stretch is best described as capture the flag with a twist. Gone are the standard flags associated with this genre, as targets are now automobiles. Each gang's base has a designated vehicle the other team is required to steal and bring back to its home base.

Also released on the Web site is the latest trailer for the game, which shows protagonist Tony Cipriani interacting with some nefarious characters. The trailer also confirms, not so shockingly, the game's M for Mature rating (for Strong Language, Blood and Gore, Use of Drugs, Intense Violence, and yes, Strong Sexual Content--all on a handheld device).

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories will be released October 25 for $49.99.