GTA IV Online Multiplayer Due for Both Xbox, PS3

Microsoft's senior VP of Interactive Entertainment, Don Mattrick, caused quite a stir last week when he told Major Nelson that the XBox 360 version of Grand Theft Auto IV would exclusively have online multiplayer.

"It's an amazing piece of software, and I'm really excited with its downloadable content and online multiplayer support -- again, that's something that's unique to 360," he said.

The revelation would have been a brutal blow to the PS3 version, which already lacks the Xbox 360's exclusive episodic downloadable content, but it turns out the statement was inaccurate at best.

In response to Mattrick's comment, GTA IV developer Rockstar Games confirmed that the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 editions of the game will feature multiplayer content.

"It's always something we've been open about, both versions will support online multiplayer capabilities," a Rockstar spokesperson told GamesIndustry.biz, although exact details on those capabilities have not been announced.

Grand Theft Auto IV is scheduled for release on both consoles on April 29. This week, Rockstar launched a Web site for the game.