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This just in: GTA: Chinatown Wars to sell lots
The release of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars on March 17 is probably going to be A Big Deal™. As the coming together of the world's current favorite console and one of the most mega franchises out there, it's an event that threatens the very fabric of the space-time continuum should see a silly number of DS carts snapped up.But how many? Take-Two will reveal its own expectations in its fiscal 2008 earnings report tomorrow, but for now analyst Mike Hickey of Janco Partners is calling five million copies sold between March 17 and October. That's a zany figure, but this is GTA and the DS we're talking about here: loopy numbers are nothing new.%Gallery-35102%
Chinatown Wars releases on March 17th
If you've been liking what you've been seeing from Rockstar's upcoming installment in the Grand Theft Auto franchise, GTA: Chinatown Wars, then know that you're only a few months away from the game's release. Rockstar has informed us that the game will be available in North America on March 17th and hitting Europe on March 20th.So, who's pumped to deal drugs and take part in other shady deeds in Chinatown Wars?%Gallery-35102%
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars coming March 17
We know it's hard to think about any other holiday with the holidays just around the corner, but there's a big new reason to look forward to St. Patrick's Day. Next year you'll spend March 17 ditching the green beer and big crowds at your local pseudo-Irish pub and snuggling in with Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. Our friends in Europe will able to pick the game up three days later on March 20. ... Hey, why are you crying? Oh! Well, we were just kidding about the green beer, pumpkin, of course you'll have time for both! Punish your thumbs, then punish your liver, that's what we always say.
DS Daily: GTA too good to be true?
GTA: Chinatown Wars is sounding more and more ambitious every day. Perhaps too ambitious, what with the timeline for release and how it's going to incorporate a lot of Liberty City. Do you think Rockstar and Take-Two can pull it off? Do you think it sounds too good to be true? Thoughts?%Gallery-35102%
GTA: Chinatown Wars to feature entire Liberty City
Spanish magazine Hispana has published a new preview of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars in which it discloses that the gameplay won't be limited to, well, Chinatown. In fact, the mag states that the full areas of Duke, Bohan, Broker, and Algonquin from GTA IV will be part of the handheld title's game world, although Alderney (New Jersey in "real life") won't.The magazine also offers a few more nifty details, such as the ability to whistle (or, we're guessing, yell irately) into the DS microphone to hail cabs, and that the PDA, GPS, and radio are all touch-screen based. On the topic of selling drugs, Hispana reports that It will be a "good way to make money in the game." Oh lordy. [Via Nintendo Everything]
Take-Two CEO says to expect GTA: Chinatown Wars between Feb and Apr
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick dropped a bomb on all of us anxiously awaiting the DS installment in the Grand Theft Auto series, GTA: Chinatown Wars. Speaking at the BMO Capital Market conference today, Strauss pushed the release of the DS title back into Take-Two's second fiscal quarter, which goes from February through April. That means we're a few short months away from getting down and dirty with GTA on our DSes!So, who's ready to clean up the streets of Chinatown?%Gallery-35102%[Via Joystiq]
Chinatown Wars in Feb-April; GTA IV DLC end of Jan, tentatively
Speaking at the BMO Capital Market conference today, Take-Two fitness guru Strauss Zelnick posed some new release dates for the next entries in Rockstar's sprawling crime epic, Grand Theft Auto. All signs point to peace in the streets as we approach Chinatown War's previously marked release in late January. Strauss has pushed the downtown conflict into Take-Two's second fiscal quarter, which runs from February through April.Possibly joining the isometric pocket pusher in Q2 will be the overdue GTA IV DLC for Xbox 360. Strauss still has his heart set on January, though, as the total package is "close to completed."
Edge gets up close and personal with GTA: Chinatown Wars
Edge has posted an extensive (and extremely positive) hands-on preview of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, describing Rockstar's DS debut in luscious detail.The overriding message seems to be: Chinatown Wars on the DS really works, in the sense that it feels like any other Grand Theft Auto title. Despite the hardware limitations, Liberty City comes across as a living, breathing city, with civilians who exit and enter houses, get into cars, engage in conversation with one another, purchase snacks from fast-food carts, and put up umbrellas when it rains. Assisting this illusion is a full day and night cycle, along with a dynamic weather system and realtime shadowing.As you'd expect, any vehicle can be hijacked (and driving an ambulance to people in need is one way of making some extra cash), and your surroundings can be trashed, too -- Edge mentions how "fences, street lamps, and newsstands can all be smashed aside." Meanwhile, driving does feature a "little bit of auto-alignment." According to Rockstar's Dan Houser, this is to "make the driving a little forgiving, without it feeling like you're wearing armbands or something." When out of your car, a stun gun and flamethrower are just two of the weapons you'll be able to use. Toasty.Houser also discusses how missions have been made shorter, to accomodate shorter bursts of play, and describes one "outlandish" errand where hero Huang Lee robs a bank and escapes through Chinatown by blending into a parade, disguised as a dragon. Hit up the full preview at the link below, and don't forget to stop by our gallery!%Gallery-35102%
Edge takes closer look at GTA: Chinatown Wars
Despite their early doubts, the staff of Edge has, and we don't think we're exaggerating here, fallen head over Perseus shoes in love with Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. You can find out exactly what the diminutive new object of their affections has to offer in this recently released, extensive preview.For our part, we're most intrigued by the minigames, which include using the stylus to hot wire a car, even fill molotov cocktail bottles at the gas station. Our protip to Rockstar: Avoid the compulsion to add a stylus-based sex minigame. Just ... trust us on this one, OK?
Outrage! UK media up in arms over DS games
It's rare to see DS titles being held responsible by the mainstream media for society's ills. Usually, such treatment is reserved for home console releases, but in the last 24 hours two DS games have triggered a bout of misguided bleatings, both from British papers that amazingly aren't the Daily Mail. That's right, readers: two titles. Welcome to a special, double edition "Outrage!" post. Double the horror! Double the controversy! Double the irrational fear!We'll start with the obvious one, then. We sensed there'd be a backlash against Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars as soon as we saw these shots, but even we were impressed by the speediness of The Sun's error-strewn report. Next to an incorrectly captioned picture of Grand Theft Auto III, the paper reveals how a game about selling drugs will soon be playable on the "family-friendly" Nintendo DS, and remarks that, "Experts predict the final edition is unlikely to feature explicit criminality." They're in for a surprise, then.Next up in the stocks is a far more surprising scapegoat: the rather innocent Advance Wars. According to the Daily Telegraph, police investigating the stabbing of a 20-year-old who was also a massive fan of the game (to the extent that he ran an Advance Wars fansite) are now investigating whether the killer was a fellow "internet gamer." Of course, that's just one of several potential links being examined by the authorities, but the newspaper still leads with the Advance Wars angle. Why? OUTRAGE!Source: Grand Theft your child's INNOCENCE [Via Game Politics]Source: Advance Wars: Murder Weapon [Via Game Politics]%Gallery-21950%
DS Daily: Has Chinatown Wars surprised you?
A bunch of new Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars details appeared yesterday, specifically the kind that would make the Daily Mail's hair stand on end. According to various magazine spreads, you'll be able to sell drugs (with their real names), tattoo fellow gang members, and hotwire cars. Rockstar itself has said Nintendo ruled out a GTA game for a younger audience.As opponents of censorship in most cases, we were delighted that Rockstar has been granted such artistic freedom in Chinatown Wars, but also rather surprised. Anyone else with us, or did you expect such controversial content all along from Rockstar, even on the DS?
GTA Chinatown Wars maintains gritty, urban edge with drug-dealing minigame
Coke, heroin, weed, acid and the blue pill confirmed. There was a time when a sensational cocktail like this would have raised red flags at media headquarters everywhere, but this is Grand Theft Auto, like, "Grand Theft Auto 8!" We've been down this road before and we know where it leads ... to a penthouse, deep pockets, and a dried up sandbox. So what if it's on DS? Chinatown Wars isn't a kid's game, but like all GTAs, it's the game kids want to play. And if they do get their hands on it, they'll be -- surprise! -- forced to deal drugs. "It works well with what GTA is, with driving around the map, and it gives you another thing to think about -- another layer or piece of the puzzle to keep you motivated," Rockstar boss Dan Houser explained to Edge. Motivational tool, eh? Good one.[Update: Added image, direct from the folks at T3 magazine.]
Be a drug dealer in GTA: Chinatown Wars [update]
Update: Screens! Past the break! Why are we yelling?!We all love games. And if you're like us, you enjoy escaping the real world through gaming every now and then. Well, now you can escape into the life of a dastardly drug dealer.Rockstar's Dan Houser has dropped a few deets on the upcoming DS game, GTA: Chinatown Wars. Following up what was in the latest issue of Nintendo Power, we now know the game will not only be following its mature roots (which means "Mature" rating), but Nintendo actually wanted Rockstar to make a mature game. They didn't push for a family-friendly, tone down title on the handheld. So what's all this drug dealing business about?In this drug dealing minigame, players will be able to peddle six different types of narcotics and gain profit depending on how smart they are at selling. The "smart" selling (remember, kids: drugs are bad) comes in the form of recognizing market conditions, based on geographical location, and selling one of the six different types accordingly, with the aim being gaining the most profit possible. Confused? Well, basically, the game will tell you what drug is the most scarce and will fetch the highest price in any given terriroty, then all you have to do is sell accordingly.Edge promises more details in their latest issue, so sadly this is all we have to go on for now.
Take a closer look at GTA: Chinatown Wars
Courtesy of RockstarWatch, the November issue of Nintendo Power has been scanned and uploaded online. In case you missed it last week, it's the issue with all of the details and first screens for GTA: Chinatown Wars. With all four of the pages scanned, it's a wealth of information on the upcoming game that you likely won't want to miss out on. So head on over here to check out the scans.[Thanks, Josh!]
DS Daily: Grand Theft Info
Now that we know something about Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, aside from the usual stuff like how it's going to force us to stop watching the news for a while, we can make somewhat informed decisions about our own interest. To us, the screens look pretty great, the PDA interface sounds fun, and the isometric perspective may just make us care about GTA.What about you? What do you think of the first known details about Chinatown Wars?
GTA: Chinatown Wars details finally revealed? [update]
Update: First screens! Check past the break to see them.Some details on the upcoming portable GTA game, GTA: Chinatown Wars, have dropped in the latest issue of Nintendo Power. For one, it's apparently following the sandbox formula of previous games, and will have that M label slapped on the front of the boxart. Due to hardware limitations, these details say the game will have an isometric camera angle and be a cel-shaded affair, complete with no load times. There will be dynamic weather effects and it's reported that draw distance and frame rate are sound. Liberty City will be scaled down quite a bit, though (and changed some), but there will be pedestrians and cars about, doing their thing. Oh, and there will be radio stations, although songs are going to be focused more on instrumental numbers.As for controls, there will be an auto-targeting system that the player can utilize with the R trigger. They can also use the d-pad to aim and bust caps that way. There's also going to be "subtle" auto-steering for when you're in a car and players can use the touch-screen to navigate the in-game PDA, which will allow you to "email, contacts, the map, a music player, GPS, and stat-tracking (which allows you to upload stats direct from the game to Rockstar's Social Club website)."And that's basically all that's being reported right now. Sounds like a lot for such a small cartridge, and until we see some screens, we're going to remain skeptical. What about the rest of you?
Nintendo Power: GTA Chinatown Wars is cel-shaded, isometric, M-rated crime drama
... With "tasteful" minigames. Indeed, Nintendo Power has published the first comprehensive preview of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, according to details provided by NeoGAF poster botticus. The relayed information (in handy bullet-point format), describes Chinatown Wars as a "true GTA game," which is to say, a Mature-themed sandbox game concerned with all things criminal (just like the survey said). The DS technology limits gameplay to an isometric camera angle with cel-shaded visuals, though the load times, draw distance and frame rate are reportedly sound; and weather effects, along with a day and night cycle are in tact. The preview claims there are plenty of on-screen pedestrians and cars -- speaking of: there are multiple radio stations, mostly juiced with instrumental tunes. All in all, "800,000 lines of hand-optimized source code" are packed into the tiny cart.What else? Chinatown Wars is said to return players to a sizeable portion of Liberty City (wild guess: Chinatown?), though the map has been altered from the console version. Missions will also be shortened and can be easily restarted upon failure. The D-pad is used for aiming, while the R-button activates auto-targeting; and there's "subtle" auto-steering built into the driving controls. The touch pad will be used for the aforementioned minigames, in addition to navigating the PDA-like UI, which includes email, contacts, the map, a music player, GPS, and stat-tracking (stats can be Wi-Fied to the Social Club). Now, how about some, uh ... scans? (Or better: screens! C'mon Rockstar, with this game scheduled to release in mere months, throw us a friggin' bone or two!)Update: Gamekyo's got some scans right here. [Thanks Fernando!][Via GoNintendo; thanks, Frank]
Rumor: GTA Wii project in the works
With recent details dropping about the DS game, GTA: Chinatown Wars, the relationship between Take-Two and Rockstar with Nintendo was on the mind of the press. Take-Two CEO, Ben Feder, addressed the idea of Rockstar and its publisher bringing something to the Wii, namely its big franchise, Grand Theft Auto."Without commenting on whether GTA is coming to the Wii or not, Nintendo and Take-Two work very well together; Nintendo and Rockstar work well together, and we are continuing to grow that relationship," said Feder. He also commented that the relationship is not "one-way." He wants everyone to know that GTA: Chinatown Wars "is not even the first step, but an important step, in continuing to develop that relationship."So, the substance to back this rumor is kind of light. Feder addressed the idea, but not really. When you think about it, though, Take-Two and Rockstar, as well as Nintendo, are in this for the money. And what could be a better cash generator than bringing one of gaming's most popular franchises to a console that has a humongous base?See also: GTA usurps Ocarina of Time
GTA: Chinatown Wars to bust caps this winter
During an end-of-quarter conference call yesterday, Take-Two Interactive will be releasing GTA: Chinatown Wars this winter. That's a release window of November to January 31, 2009, according to Take-Two's fiscal year. One individual from the press asked if the game would release before Christmas, but Take-Two was quick to comment that they "didn't say that," further adding that they're "not confirming that."So, with some hints at Wi-Fi play and a release window, we're starting to get a better idea of what to expect from the title. Next up, let's see some game footage!See also: Point/Counterpoint: Should GTA be 2D or 3D?
Point/Counterpoint: Should GTA be 2D or 3D?
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Should_GTA_be_2D_or_3D_on_DS'; That's right folks, it's that time again: two bloggers square off in debate over one subject in our Point/Counterpoint feature. This time, we're talking GTA: Chinatown Wars and whether or not the title should be 2D or 3D. So, without further ado, hit the button below and read the arguments. NEXT >> #ninbutton { border-style: solid; border-color: #000; border-width: 2px; background-color: #BBB; color: #000; text-decoration: none; width: 100px; text-align: center; padding: 2px 2px 2px 2px; margin: 2px 2px 2px 2px; } .buttontext { color: #000; text-decoration: none; font: bold 14pt Helvetica; } #ninbutton:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #BBB; background-color: #000; }
