Fans get social media site for Grand Theft Auto launch

LONDON - Rockstar Games, the video games publisher, is to launch a social networking website called Rockstar Social Club for its hotly anticipated game 'Grand Theft Auto IV'.

The website has been created to coincide with the release of , the latest instalment of the popular video games series which launches on April 29.

In the game, players can steal cars and drive around an immensely immersive world known as Liberty City. The website will allow players of the game to check stats from their games and see how they compare to others.

The website will be open to anyone with either an Xbox Live Gamertag or a PlayStation Network ID.

Features on the website include a tool called the LCPD Police Blotter, which keeps track of the most commonly used items in Grand Theft Auto, such as the most crime-filled areas in town.

Rockstar has released a number of trailers showing clips of the forthcoming game, which have been viewed millions of times.

Other functions of the site include Liberty City Marathon, which will track player's physical accomplishments, such as bullets fired, miles walked, swam and driven.

Rockstar said it is planning to use the Social Club to introduce new competitions and challenges for players in the coming months.

Players can start registering at this on April 15.