According to a thread on the matter,[0] it appears it was done by a script. However, it was not done in a recreated world, but in game.

Which means, they created a script that would walk around the world to specific set coordinates, take screenshots in all directions. Then when done, stitch the screenshots together to form the panorama pictures. Accordingly, this took 140 hours. I am assuming a lack of processing power was influenced by it.

Also, the thread reveals it was done in May 2011.

[0] http://www.gtaforums.com/index.php?showtopic=476068

So they basically recreated the Google Maps car with a script.

Given the screenshots, I don't think the player is actually in a car at the moment, but rather on foot. But in a sense, yes.

I don't think it was. The cars aren't consistent when you "walk" down the street like they are on Google Maps which implies that these weren't generated by someone driving around the GTA4 world taking screen shots. It kind of gives it a sort of an uncanny valley feel.

Also, what's wrong with doing it manually? That's how the real Google Street Views is generated.

> Also, what's wrong with doing it manually? That's how the real Google Street Views is generated.

There would be a lot more dead bodies.