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GTA IV 40GB PlayStation 3 bundle surfaces in Europe
If you're still licking your lips while gazing at that limited edition GTA IV Xbox 360 Elite, you may have the opportunity to make your GTA-branded console ownership dreams come true in a slightly different manner. Out of seemingly nowhere, a Grand Theft Auto IV PlayStation 3 bundle has popped up on a Swedish retailer's website, offering a 40GB PS3, a copy of the game, a decorated box and little else (DualShock 3?). Judging by the package art, we're guessing there's no suave paint job waiting on either side, and Webhallen has the unit priced at 4,499 SEK (or about $755). Before you ask -- there's no telling whether this thing is headed stateside or not, but surely Sony / Rockstar Games wouldn't let such a moneymaker swim around the US of A, right?[Via N4G, thanks John]
Australia gets censored GTA IV
The Age is reporting that Rockstar had to submit an edited version of Grand Theft Auto IV to the OFLC in order to receive a passing rating. Rockstar confirmed this, but did not clarify what the censored content was. The game officially earned an MA15+ rating last year, Australia's most restricted rating.This must be really saddening news for all you Aussies. Not only do you have to live with those horribly annoying OFLC ratings crowding your beloved box cover, but they also serve as cruel reminders of the censorship only you must endure. Sad indeed, especially after hearing the good news about the UK version.
Introducing the Joystiq Grand Theft Auto IV page
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Joystiq_s_Grand_Theft_Auto_IV_central_hub'; Need a refresher on Liberty City? Check out our game page for all things Grand Theft Auto IV. Seriously, this is everything we've written on the game. Bookmark the page, as we'll be constantly updating.
GTA IV: subway map, PS3 controls revealed
The news keeps leaking out of Rockstar today. Images of Liberty City's surprisingly complex subway system have been found at GTAGaming.com. While it doesn't come close to matching the true depth of NYC's real world subway, Rockstar clearly goes beyond any effort in the gaming world to date. Even lesser known NYC locales, like Roosevelt Island, get a treatment in this faux recreation of the Big Apple.It doesn't take much to imagine the scale of GTA IV. Simply think of all the blocks, buildings and landmarks that fit within this map. It boggles the mind, and makes us wonder if anyone will be playing anything but GTA in the months following its release.[Thanks, Neil C.!]
Family Album: Take-Two Interactive
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/How_many_studios_does_Take_Two_have'; It's no secret that Electronic Arts has had its eye on Take-Two Interactive lately, but a purchase of the company means a lot more than logos and IPs. What follows is an examination of the development resources under the Take-Two umbrella. Take a look, you may just be surprised how big that bumbershoot is. For instance, were you aware that that there are more than eight Rockstars? No? Well, what are you wasting your time here for?It's time to get educated.
GTA IV multiplayer: 15 modes, 16 players
As if Grand Theft Auto IV's single player campaign wasn't ambitious enough, the team at Rockstar is adding a comprehensive set of online multiplayer features that'll sure keep gamers busy for months. PSM Spain got to play about half of GTA IV's fifteen (!) multiplayer modes: Hangmans NOOSE Bomb da Base Bomb da Base II Mafia Work Team Mafia Work Deathmatch Team Deathmatch Turf War Cops N Crooks Race GTA Race Deal Breaker Free Mode Car Jack City There are an eclectic mix of modes: Hangman's Noose appears to be an interesting co-op mission, Cops N Crooks is exactly what it sounds like, and more. With support for 16 players, this is certainly going to be interesting. Check out the scans at GTAForums.com.[Thanks, Cory T.!]
Microsoft expects Feb. 360 sales to trail PS3
Delivering the giant corporation version of you may want to sit down for this, Xbox group product manager, Aaron Greenberg, has predicted less-than-stellar sales results for the American Xbox 360 during February. Beating the NPD Group to the forthcoming bad news punch, Greenberg told Reuters that continued supply problems would likely place the system behind Sony's monolith for the second month in a row."We definitely expect we will trail in February as a result of our supply constraints," said Greenberg. Things are expected to improve in April, however, with "a very healthy inventory situation" setting the table for Grand Theft Auto IV's trumpeted arrival.
Pachter: GTAIV to sell 9 million overall, 6 million on 360
In other news, the sky is blue. But seriously folks, Michael Pachter of Wedbush Morgan has gone on record to say that Grand Theft Auto IV could sell as many as 9 million copies by Halloween 2009 (it just so happens that Take Two's fiscal year ends on October 31). Furthermore, he expects the first 6 million to be sold within the first week of the game's availability. Using arcane mathematical wizardry, Pachter also believes that the game could generate an operating profit of $135 million, thus making it responsible for 103% of Take Two's high end predicted operating profit of $130 million. Yeah, we're confused too.Anywho, buried in this prediction is another prediction that the Xbox 360 version of GTAIV will sell 6 million copies, leaving 3 million for the PS3. The 6 million estimate is raised concerning the 360 exclusive downloadable content. Pachter doesn't see the DLC as something that's likely to succeed, as it would require a download by 50% of GTAIV owners who are also Live members. Not impossible, but not a sure thing either. Pachter concludes by noting that GTAIV looks like the only bright spot in Take Two's 2008 lineup, saying, "This is clearly a company that is losing market share, and as we review the lineup for the balance of 2008 and 2009, we see more of the same type of games we have seen over the last three years." We guess releasing the same games repeatedly doesn't work for everyone.[Via Joystiq]
Pachter: GTA IV could sell 9 million units by Halloween
Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter believes Grand Theft Auto IV could become the best-selling game of 2008, with $450 million in revenue and over 9 million units sold by the end of Take-Two's fiscal year (Oct. 31). He believes that GTA IV will ship 6 million units in its first week and sell 75% of that in a brief amount of time -- that means the game should not be difficult to find at any big box retailer. GTA IV is expected to mask the "underperformance" of other Take-Two games and make up "100% of Take-Two's earnings for the year."It's not all sunshine and lollipops, though, as Pachter questions the profitability of GTA IV's Xbox 360 exclusive downloadable content. The conclusion of some fancy math is that 50% of Xbox 360 GTA IV owners will have to purchase the DLC for Take-Two to generate cash from the deal, which Pachter believes is "not highly likely." Taking GTA IV out of the equation, Pachter continues to make his case for the EA buyout of Take-Two by saying the company continues to lose market share and revenues. GTA IV unleashes panic on Liberty City beginning April 29.
Analyst: Iron Man film could suffer from GTA IV release
Jon Favreau's Iron Man adaptation is looking really good, but its ticket sales may suffer from a proverbial digital drive-by. That's according to Janco Partners analyst Mike Hickey (via Next-Gen), who warns that the April 29 release of Grand Theft Auto IV could adversely affect the superhero film's May 2 opening the same week. Said Hickey, ""We anticipate the video game release of GTA IV on April 29 could dampen the potential from Iron Man's theatrical release on May 2."While you might scoff at the notion, remember that Halo 3 was cited as a primary reason for poor box office sales the week after its release last year.
New Grand Theft Auto IV trailers to enjoy
It's finally coming. Grand Theft Auto IV is finally coming. After months of delays, it looks like Rockstar's ready to put the finishing touches on the game. These two new trailers show the tongue-in-cheek humor the franchise is known for. Check out the other new trailer, after the cut. %Gallery-3566%
Grand Theft Auto IV website relaunched
Hidden behind an easily foiled age gate (today we're 76 years old) lies Rockstar's flashy, Flash-based website tied to its next controversial opus, Grand Theft Auto IV. Though the presentation is sleek and the diversions amusing -- do try the Love Meet quiz -- we all know you're just in it for some new videos. You'll find the satirical clips and character introductions embedded after the break.Oh, don't worry, there are plenty of other reasons to visit the website. We suggest annoying your coworkers by repeatedly rolling your pointer back and forth over the audible menu options. Keep doing it until the game finally arrives on April 29th.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Grand Theft Auto IV website launches
Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto IV website has just gone live. Their first outing into the current generation looks incredibly hopeful, with a stunning recreation of New York City waiting to be criminalized. The official site includes a map of the newly rebuilt Liberty City, and includes a plethora of downloads, from videos to widgets to buddy icons.The trailers have suggested that this upcoming GTA will finally take the series to a more serious, mature place, and the website seems to reflect that. It's far classier than previous efforts, while still maintaining the tongue-in-cheek humor the franchise has been known for.
GTAIV viral marketing: wanted posters
Now that Grand Theft Auto IV has an official release date, it's time to let the viral marketing begin. Enter this scarily realistic wanted poster uploaded by Flickr user freshyill. Honestly, is that the kind of face you'd want to see at your car window late at night? The answer to that question is an emphatic no. Actually, we're a little curious to see if these posters raise any stink, because they could be mistaken as real posters by those who aren't in the know. Let's just hope the folks behind the viral marketing don't take it too far and actually rob a bank.
Rockstar finally pins GTA IV delay on PS3, er, it was a 'contributing factor'
We say, let bygones be bygones. GTA IV is dated – the delays are finished (fingers crossed). But for those who simply must know: "It's really no surprise to anybody that the PS3 was definitely a contributing factor to [the delay]," Rockstar's Jeronimo Barrera tells MTV. No surprise indeed.The finger pointing began last August when Take-Two cited "technical challenges" as the reason for the considerable delay, which was quickly interpreted to mean: Sony's big, black box. But Take-Two and Rockstar have stuck to the "it's not 'helpful or beneficial' to go into specifics" excuse, until now. Rockstar is openly chatting about the delay because the challenges are "not an issue anymore" – both versions are now "neck and neck" in their development phases. "They're both identical," Barrera concludes. So there! They'll cross the finish line together, as equals (oh, 'cept for those bonus episodes).
GTAIV officially dated April 29
Wow, the Devil May Cry 4 demo and the official release date for Grand Theft Auto IV in the same day? What did we do to deserve this? After a delay in late 2007 and the months of speculation that followed, Take Two has finally pinned down the official release date for the game, April 29. We should note that this is the worldwide release date for GTAIV, so gamers the world over can officially start getting excited now. If you're not excited, then perhaps you should direct your attention to the flood of previews that swept the internet yesterday. Once you've reached the proper level of excitement, please read this post again and react accordingly.[Via Joystiq]%Gallery-3451%
GTA IV to be released on April 29th
The release date for Grand Theft Auto IV has finally been pinned down. The game will be let loose upon the world on April 29th of this year - and yes, to clarify, that is a worldwide release. This may be a little later than most of you had hoped, but no doubt the extra time in development will allow Rockstar North to create something truly special. Speaking of special, why not celebrate the news by pre-ordering that Limited Edition of the game? Go on, treat yourself.Check out previews of the latest build by heading over to Joystiq.
GTAIV in March, so says Micro Center
According to a flier from computer retailer Micro Center, Grand Theft Auto IV will go on sale beginning "March 08." GameDaily speculates that this date refers to Saturday, March 8. Joystiq, on the other hand, assumes the "08" in question refers to the year 2008 (C.E.). Given that the only word on the release date from Rockstar and Take Two is that the game will release sometime during their second fiscal quarter (February - April), we're inclined to agree. Sure, it's possible, but it seems odd for GTAIV to forgo the traditional Tuesday release day (and it would put the game on US shelves a full month before the projected April release for the UK). In other words, don't hold your breath.[Via Joystiq]
Fable 2, Alan Wake and more confirmed for 2008
Microsoft Games chief Don Mattrick has confirmed (or, in some cases, reaffirmed) via a memo a handful of exclusive titles to arrive on Xbox 360 in 2008. The list of assuredly not canceled titles include Halo Wars, Too Human, Fable 2, Alan Wake, Splinter Cell: Conviction and "several exciting yet-to-be-announced titles." Following the list of 2008 exclusives, Mattrick continues to say that "Xbox 360 will be home to the next versions of great franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Resident Evil ... Madden and FIFA." We're not sure if he meant to imply Resident Evil 5 is due out this year, but it's certainly a suspicious line. Other than this year, no schedule was given as to the release of these titles, although we now get a sense of what Microsoft feels will keep gamers happy in this post-Halo 3 world.
GTAIV dated April 25 for the UK says MCV
According to MCV, "senior industry sources" have intimated that the UK release of Grand Theft Auto IV will not be in March as previously expected, but rather on April 25. Naturally, Rockstar refused to comment on the speculation when contacted by MCV. Assuming the sources are correct, this would put GTAIV's release in the very last week of the second fiscal quarter for the game's publisher Take Two. This lines up well with previous statements from Take Two head Strauss Zelnick, who noted last month that the release would be, "sometime between the beginning of February and the end of April." It's also worth noting that an April 25 release in the UK would likely put the title on US shores somewhat earlier. Don't expect Take Two or Rockstar to talk anytime soon either, as one source expects them to wait until "two or three weeks before release" to divulge more information.[Via Joystiq]%Gallery-3451%
