I have always been baffled from what R* have released in the past with muliplayer in the GTA series.
GTA2 was a laugh though back in the day, it was very simple and most companies (games as such) were entering the new world of online gaming. Nothing appeared in either GTA3 or VC. Whilst SA had the dual mode on the console it was absolutely bad - it was beyond terrible. I know programming is a skill, I have attempted it in the past and I can honestly say I suck at it but considering the wage some of the guys at R* must be on - the work they have produced has never been to the standard many of us would have expected. I wont even get started on IV..
It seems R* are always falling behind other competitors. Maybe they should recruit some of the guys in this community and actually deliver something decent!