(Yes -- that's a GTA Race with a field of 16 APCs.)

Thanks to all of the returning regulars and bloodthirsty n00bs who turned up at our most recent Social Club Multiplayer Event on Xbox LIVE on January 21^st and helped turn it into yet another free-for-all afternoon of spirited pandemonium. We’ll be announcing a full calendar of events for the coming months soon, but know that we’re already gearing up plans to bring the ruckus to PlayStation Network and Games for Windows LIVE in the wake of the recent announcement of Episodes from Liberty City coming to PlayStation 3 and PC.  Beginning with a Grand Theft Auto IV Multiplayer Event on PSN to start warming up, this coming Friday late afternoon from 4 – 7 PM Eastern.  Look for more details on that to be announced here by mid-week.

As for the January 21^st Xbox LIVE event, here’s a little glimpse into what went down, along with a few choice screen captures.  

The dynamic duo of our own GwRockstar3 and GwRockstar5 started the night with a bang when they jumped into unranked Team Deathmatch and pulled out a close win against the team of MATTYX1 and milkweed85.  To give you an idea of how close the match was, the final score saw both teams only separated by 3 kills (Team Rockstar with 33, MATTYX1/milkweed86 with 30) -- a tense neck-and-neck match throughout.  The next 4 Team Deathmatch games were all extremely close as well, but Team Rockstar couldn’t grab another deathmatch victory on the night.  Props go to all The Ballad of Gay Tony elite players who have been obviously practicing their sharpshooting skills since our last time on.  The competition was never so fierce, so kudos to you good sirs.

After suffering four successive losses, we regrouped for a massive battle that saw Rockstar pitted against its own. Each member of Team Rockstar recruited 3 players via the official event page live chat Chatterbox and then headed into Team Deathmatch to find out which Rockstar-led team would emerge victorious.  GwRockstar4’s team was stacked (with hugorl, GermanScientist, and JaredT19) but GwRockstar3’s team (Wicked NinjaHA, Fitzed, and GTAfuc) showed some serious grit with final tallies for cash ending up at $8,703 versus $8,023 respectively.  From there, the group switched gears by jumping into some Race modes.

To separate the men from the boys, a Super Car race was used as the warm up (no weapons allowed).  The second race was a Super Bike GTA Race and it was all-out madness as everyone proceeded to crash, blow up, and exercise any means necessary to stop their fellow racers from reaching the checkered flag.  The mayhem was pumped up to 11 when the group decided to race APCs which, while slow, were super explosive (GwRockstar3 ended up taking 2nd place in the race, behind Xx VADIK RUS xX).  A final round of Super Bike GTA Race provided a smashing end to the racing segment of the night. 

The crowd in the Chatterbox pleaded for us to get into a bit of Free Mode.  So, for the final matches of the night, we were happy to oblige.  Our first Free Mode match had friendly fire turned off so a majority of the group’s time was spent trying to race to the nearest Buzzard so that they could either blow up everyone else running for the helicopter or cut down BASE jumpers.  GWRockstar3 got some huge support from GermanScientist as they tag-teamed the hordes who were constantly looking to jack the much-coveted Buzzard that was in their possession.  Losing track of time, we ended up playing an hour past our 7:00 ET stop time, having too much fun with ye merry maniacs.

Thanks again to everyone who turned out for the event – here’s a partial list of attendees – apologies to anyone omitted:

(A misplaced sticky bomb sends GwRockstar5 airborne.  Luckily, friendly fire was off in this match.)

(GwRockstar3 tries to run over an unsuspecting target but instead gets a taste of hot lead from cripin it.)

(As this taxi headed straight for GwRockstar3, he calmly reloaded his pistol and prepared to resume his destruction.)

(16 bikers poised to take off.)

(A Faggio scooter is a pretty challenging choice of vehicle when you're avoiding gunfire and rogue buses en route to the finish line.)

(GwRockstar3 takes out 3 racers and clears the path for others with a well-pitched sticky bomb.)

(GwRockstar3 fights for position but still has time to take in the view using the cinematic camera.)

(GermanScientist accidentally cuts GwRockstar3's BASE jump short as he tries to pilot his Buzzard past him.)

(GermanScientist and GwRockstar3 ditch GwRockstar5 as they head for the not-so-friendly skies.)

(A Free Mode flight for GermanScientist and GwRockstar3 ends abruptly due to heavy fire in the skies of Liberty City.)

(Everyone at the Helitours helipad got a nasty surprise from a freshly stolen Buzzard.)

(GwRockstar3 pilots his burning helicopter to a higher altitude before diving out to deploy his parachute.)

(Wicked NinjaHA gives GwRockstar3 an up close and personal look at his brand new APC.)