grand theft auto IV
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Rumor: GTA IV to be in New York City?
While we're going to categorize this as a rumor until we get a better insight upon the release of the trailer for Grand Theft Auto IV on the 29th, it definitely is worth consideration. Apparently, word on the street is that GTA IV will be taking place in New York City and have NYC stylized music. When we first got wind of this, the first thing that popped into our heads was, "Uh, wasn't the Liberty City from Grand Theft Auto I, GTA III, San Andreas, and Liberty City Stories supposed to be at the very least an homage to New York City (with a hint of New Jersey)?" If you look at the map for Liberty City from GTA I (pictured above), it's even more apparent. Or this could be a completely new direction for Rockstar, where instead of doing fictional places that are inspired by real world locations, they cut the middle man as it were, and just use the actual city. Either way, we could see a return to Liberty City, or Rockstar's rendition of the real life counter part. Which would you rather play in?
Grand Theft Auto IV trailer makes pigs squeal
"Squealing Pig" can also mean "A police car that has its sirens running, generally chasing a criminal". Then again, maybe it doesn't. I just made it up, but it makes perfect sense. Use the term, spread it around. Anyway, a teaser page for the first GTAIV trailer has popped up: a giant roman numeral "IV" and a countdown beneath it. It's clearly for the time the trailer launches, but what will it behold?First, we've been told that the game will use the Eurphoria engine which allows realistic facial features or something -- it "simulates the human body and motor nervous system. It means that in-game characters are fully interactive and always react differently to external influences, ultimately leading to a more life-like experience for the player." Great.Second, we've been informed of episodic content for GTAIV will be released starting in 2008. Which means this game needs to get released soon, so people can get tired of it and then snag up those episodes when they arrive. Throwing it all out there in the span of two or three months can be kind of aggravating. For our wallets.Begin speculation! What do you expect to see in this game? Any certain time period? Early gangster days? Modern day? Perhaps short-term future? Long term future? Perhaps the world will be taken over by sea otters who like to eat everything off of their bellies. I have no idea what to expect. So, tell me what to expect.[uh, photo credit goes to www.cartoonstock.com, obviously.]
Grand Theft Auto IV trailer coming this month
Big news everyone, we're going to be seeing some Grand Theft Auto IV footage in an official trailer set to release on March 29th. GTA IV's official website has been updated with an iconic "IV" logo, with the word "TRAILER" below it and countdown timer. Excitement for the trailer should be high, because we've been a sheltered bunch when it comes to GTA IV goods. Rockstar has kept a lock on any GTA IV related media as we have yet to see any video, any screenshots, or any information other than an October release. As the countdown to March 29th nears, any speculation to how visually the game will compare to its predecessors, or will its success hinge on its gameplay?[Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]
GTAIV going to Unleash "euphoric" experience
Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto IV will be implementing NaturalMotion's Euphoria engine for its character AI. Hmm, where have we heard that name before? Oh, yes, it's the same engine being used by LucasArts for their Star Wars: The Force Unleashed title. So, if you want to get a grasp of what this means for your car-jacking, hit-and-running, and rampaging destruction go check out the tech demo videos we have for the engine. Although, we doubt this means you'll be able to get your hands on a R2-D2 cannon. How do you think the use of Euphoria will play into the gameplay style that is GTAIV?
Pre-order GTA IV for $44.95
Normally, we look down on pre-ordering games, but plunking down $44.95 for Grand Theft Auto IV a year in advance doesn't seem like such a bad move. Even if you blow your every last dime on hookers and crystal meth over the next 365 days, you'll still have something to look forward to come October '07.[Thanks Gregory]
TTWO shares drop on earnings warning, stock option investigation
Take Two just warned Wall Street analysts that their estimates for Take Two earnings in upcoming quarters are "too high," and disclosed new subpoenas from the NYC district attorney's office for documents related to stock options grants. Company shares dropped over 8% to $11.20 in after-hours trading. Some gamers might be tempted to shrug off all this bad news and what it's done to Take Two's shares, figuring that what happens on Wall Street doesn't matter so long as Take Two delivers the goods next October with Grand Theft Auto IV. But Take Two's financial woes do matter because the company uses its stock as compensation. When the company's shares drop, employees take a de facto pay cut, making it more difficult for the company to motivate and retain the brains that create hit titles. In the software and creative industries, it's said that 100% of company value walks out of the door every evening. If this keeps up, Take Two's going to have a harder time convincing employees to return the next morning. [Disclosure: I own way too many shares of Take Two. My wife reminds me of this almost daily.]
Down under Saints Row playtest
Our Aussie friends at My360.com.au got a chance to playtest a near final build of Saints Row. In short, it sounds like great fun."Gamers will be pleased to know that Saints Row, from what we saw from the preview code, is far from a GTA-clone. It offers so much more in terms of customization and interaction that it really makes a run for the best GTA-type game out there, considering GTA is pretty much a genre in itself."Some of the high points:
