The new PSM article has been summarized for your conveniance in an easy-to-read bulleted-list. It covers all of the new features and confirms some of the speculation.
- The necessity of a PS2 dual-layer DVD is confirmed
- Los Santos is on the lower east side of the map and is only a small part of the state�s geography
- There are 16000 unique objects in the game as opposed to Vice City�s circa-5000
- Despite the map�s size it�s all quality, no True Crime level detail here
- No breaks during driving over bridges or into different cities, only a short second pause during the entrance of buildings
- Weilding two weapons at once is now confirmed
- Vinewood is San Andreas� version of Hollywood
- Lots of new outfits are confirmed
- You can improve your character�s skills, such as shooting and driving
- New graphics engine confirmed (35-50% more polygons on screen at a time) including real-time reflections, a better draw distance, an enhanced shadows system and lighting effects, more detailed textures and realistic animations
- Manhunt-style gun targeting system
- Vehicles now rust and show age
- The difficulty setting automatically adjusts according to how well you do
- Not only can you improve social skills and relationships, but you can acquire a small crew of thugs that you recruit by yourself
- You acquire actual possessions
- The Flats and the Ballas are two confirmed rival gangs
- Latin flavor is added to the mix with the revealing of Cesar as a new Hispanic character
- There is an unidentified fat thug (as indicated in a screenshot) that might be a part of �the help�
- The first three missions are named �Menace�, �Driveby�, and �Reuniting the Families�
- Our first glimpses of in-game dialogue show no sign of some essential street slang, but doesn�t forget to use the word �homie� nine times