Everything we know about GTA IV to date

• Niko is much better equipped to deal with fire fights than his predecessors. The big-nosed Balkan can take cover, wall-hug, blind-fire, slide to cover, vault over low objects and crouch-run.

• An updated version of Salvatore Leone's - the Leone family Don from GTA III - house appears in the game. We spotted it at the end of the mission 'Truck Hustle'.

• Vehicles we've been able to identify are a Shitzu NRG 900 RR motorbike and two cars, the Stallion and Vincent.

• With regards to appearances from familiar GTA faces, Rockstar say that there will be "virtually none".

• The cargo ship that Niko arrives on is called 'Platypus'. Another boat called 'Octopus' is also seen at the docks.