Microsoft's Don Mattrick has confused pretty much everyone this week, implying that for IV could be exclusive to the version of the game.

Speaking with Larry Hryb in the latest Live podcast, Mattrick was talking about the 2008 games line-up.

The new "is 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," the Entertainment boss beamed.

"We think consumers are going to love that and it's going to create, what I would describe again as the premium experience on our platform."

Not the clearest statement, then, however, those clever secret agents over at Eurogamer.net have noted that this isn't the first time Mattrick has implied multiplayer exclusivity.

"We're excited about Grand Theft Auto, not only because it's a great title, but there's multi-play and downloadable content that consumers will only be able to get on 360," he told MSNBC last December.

"That's a huge win. Arguably that title has the potential to be the equivalent in calendar year 2008 in terms of number-one title revenue unit."

So is this a potentially killer feather in the Xbox 360's hat? We'll wait for word from Rockstar.

Update: have responded to this chatter assuring that both versions of the game will be blessed with full online multiplayer. More soon.

By Luke Guttridge