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Staten Island slighted by GTAIV
Many will recall yesterday's big Grand Theft Auto IV news including plenty of new details about the game. One of those details is causing a bit of a stir in Staten Island. It was revealed yesterday that only four of New York's five boroughs would be represented in GTAIV, with Staten Island being left out. It seems that Staten Island (or at least one of its newspapers) is miffed at its exclusion from the game. As John Annese writes in the Staten Island Advance "When did Staten Island get run off the road as a borough of New York City?" A gamer at a local gaming center stated, "If you're gonna base a game on the five boroughs and you leave out one of the boroughs, it's kind of unsettling" (he added that he would still probably buy the game though).Of course, not everyone is displeased with the news. Linda Baran, the president of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce noted, "That's something I appreciate being left out of." A mother at the gaming center shared similar sentiments, noting that GTA is "not a great game" and that her son wasn't allowed to play it.Naturally, as game journalists, we're disappointed that so many people remain unaware that games have grown up over the years. Still, the response is expected at this point. Considering the flack companies have been getting lately for basing their games on real world locations, it's interesting to see things turned the other way around.[Via Game Stooge]
Loads of new GTAIV details rounded up
With scans of the latest Game Informer hitting the net earlier today, our paymasters at Joystiq have uncovered lots of juicy details about Grand Theft Auto IV. There are so many details, in fact, that it would be impossible to enumerate them without the aid of a bulleted list. Lucky for everyone, we have such a function handy for just this kind of situation. Many of these bits were copied directly from Joystiq because we're lazy to preserve clarity. So, here we go.
GTA IV scans hit the internet (and run)
Our buddies at Xboxygen nabbed over a dozen scans of Grand Theft Auto IV (GTAIV to the kids) from the latest Game Informer. The screens give a nice idea of the level of detail in the game, as touched upon by the recently released trailer. The shot above in particular is a great example of how alive the game seems to be. In this shot, you can see reflections on the car, realistic shadows, and of course, lots of pedestrians. It's unfortunate that this shot shows off two identical NPCs (the women in white shirts and jeans), but the level of detail is still very impressive. There are also some nice shots of GTAIV's locations, cars, and characters (including some character art). Hit the "read" link to check 'em out. Be sure to head back here and tell us what you think.
Manhunt 2's crazy story revealed
Occasionally, game details slip out of Gamestop's website, like drool from a bulldog's mouth. This is such an occasion. Visiting Gamestop's Manhunt 2 page reveals story details on the mysterious Manhunt 2. What do PSP gamer's have to look forward to in this macabre title? Let's have the game description itself tell us. "An experiment at a secret research facility has gone catastrophically wrong. Daniel Lamb and Leo Kasper are the only surviving subjects. The Pickman Project will stop at nothing to hunt them down and stop the truth from getting out. Demented screams echo around the dank asylum that has caged you for the last six years. You open your eyes. A white-coated body slumps to the floor through your shaking hands. A bloody syringe slips from your arm. Waves of confusion and paranoia crash over you. You have no idea who you are or how you got here. The door to your cell is open. One choice. One chance. They took your life. Time to take it back." Pickman Project? I wonder if Miyamoto is behind this. [Via Kotaku]
GTAIV trailer reimagined in real life
Video games have a way of creating dedicated fans. With the advent of YouTube and viral videos, many video game fans are turning to user created movies. Some films, like the ones produced by Mega64, poke fun at video game conventions. Other films take existing game engines to create new stories, something that has become very popular with Halo and Halo 2. This video, however, brings something different to the table. The video is a recreation of the recently released trailer for Grand Theft Auto IV. The entire video is done in live action. That in itself is worth a look, but what makes it even more interesting is that the video is composed entirely of clips found on YouTube. Has society come so far that we now make YouTube videos from pieces of other YouTube videos? Simply astounding. Give it a watch, check out the original, and tell us what you think.[Via GamePolitics. Thanks, Pedro Monscooch ]
GTAIV trailer now on Marketplace
If you're the kind of person who prefers to watch trailers on a television, then you should be pleased to know that the GTAIV trailer is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. Whether the trailer is the most masterful or the most over-hyped thing ever created is up to you. Still, we have to say, Liberty City looks mighty pretty, especially in HD. Go download it and begin planning your domination of the Russian crime syndicate today!
GTAIV Trailer today
In just under 7 hours, the Grand Theft Auto IV Trailer should be hitting the series of tubes. Hopefully you've properly prepared yourself for this. We're interested to see what kind of hype this will generate, with the logo having been showcased on FX for a half hour accompanied by the ticking count down. Also interesting to note is that the xbox.com Game Detail page showcases box art which could be placeholder, as it's just the "IV" logo slapped on the template for 360 Titles. That's not to say that it couldn't be official, but it greatly differs from all the box art since GTA III, which may actually be the point. In any case, we'll be closely watching Rockstar's game page this afternoon, will you?[Thanks, Chris G]
Rumorang: Microsoft not buying Take-Two
Quelling rumors that Microsoft is bidding on the ailing Take-Two, Shane Kim has confirmed to CNN that Microsoft has no such intention. According to the CNN article, taking over an independent publisher that creates games for multiple platforms would actually create a revenue loss, as all Take-Two's development would be shifted to the 360 alone. Said Kim, "We could never launch an acquisition bid at a third party publisher."As for parties that are interested in the company, speculation ranges from Ubisoft to Elevation Partners (of which U2's Bono is a member) to Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. The article also suggests, as others have suggested in the past, that Take-Two may be sold in pieces, offering up divisions like 2K Sports and Rockstar Games instead of Take-Two being sold as a whole.[Via DCEmu]
Rockstar taps Timbaland for Beaterator PSP
Take a two-year-old web app, sprinkle a lil' Timbaland on top, and Rockstar just baked us a Beaterator. But will it bring sexy back to PSP? Excuse us for being wary of Rockstar's continued re-usage of old content for its PSP titles. Recycling is generally a valuable effort, but "Beaterator: Timba-Land Stories" isn't exactly the megaton announcement PSP owners seem to be waiting for. What Beaterator will bring to Sony's handheld this summer is a distinctly un-Rockstar (at least, the game company) like offering; and perhaps, with the addition of minigames and challenge modes backed by the proven excellence of Timbaland production, Beaterator can help PSP finally adopt the 'non-gaming gaming' reputation that DS has sold so well. But the seemingly-hip(-hop) factor could also backfire. Battle of the bands: Beaterator or Jam Sessions?
Rockstar and Timbaland present: Beaterator
Two years ago, Rockstar Games had a version of Beaterator on its website. Today, Rockstar and famed R&B producer Timbaland have announced they would be teaming up to bring a full-fledged version of the music title exclusively to the PSP handheld system. Beaterator will feature a music mixer, and a collection of original music and rhythm games. "Music has always been a hugely important part of everything we do here," said Sam Houser, Founder and Executive Producer of Rockstar Games in today's press release. "I've always been a huge fan of Rockstar and love playing their games," said Timbaland. "I'm thrilled to be partnering with them and making music for Beaterator. I cannot wait to get this in the hands of our fans!" Beaterator will be available on PSP this summer. Play the original Beaterator by visiting Rockstar.
The Warriors tagging NYC?
PSP Fanboy recently spotted evidence of a Warriors resurgence in New York City. With a PSP port of The Warriors in the works, could those Rockstar hooligans be dabbling in guerrilla marketing? We wouldn't put it past the studio, which is headquartered in NYC; but this could easily be a remnant from the game's first go-round on PlayStation 2 and Xbox -- or just the uninspired work of a fan. Anyone else spotted tags?
Manhunt 2 trailer online! [Update 1]
It's only been a few hours since Manhunt 2 was announced for PSP, but there is already a trailer online. It seems like the game has a different main character and the story is quite unclear from the trailer, but then again, what Rockstar Games teaser trailer ever really gives away too much? Either way, I can't help but be psyched by what is shown. Check out the official Manhunt 2 site to see the trailer now. [Update 1: Changed link to official site]
Rockstar co-founder takes break, never comes back
Take-Two reports that Rockstar co-founder Terry Donovan has left the company. Donovan, who served as managing director, reportedly took a one-month leave, after which he decided not to return. Rockstar noted that Donovan would not be replaced; instead his responsibilities would be divided up among several other employees."Sam [Houser] and Dan [Houser] is the leadership now, along with Gary Dale. The roles have been filled," affirmed a Rockstar representative. Dale recently joined Rockstar as the new COO.
No Bully sequel, judging by the numbers
Despite a strong first month in sales (estimated at 250,000 units worldwide) that was backed by critical acclaim, Bully's popularity at retail has quickly dwindled. Wedbush Morgan Securities Managing Director of Research Michael Pachter projects Bully will peak around 800,000 units sold; generating roughly $24 million in revenue. While that might sound rich, Pachter calls it a wash for Take-Two. "I would NOT expect a sequel," Pachter emphasized to GamePolitics.If Jimmy Hopkins' video game career is indeed one and done then it would go against Rockstar's standard practice (presumably encouraged by Take-Two). The developer has always molded its titles into series; The Warriors being the only Rockstar game that has yet to be revisited* (sequels to Manhunt & Red Dead Revolver are in the works). At the very least, we would expect Bully to be ported to PSP.*A PSP port of The Warriors is in the works.
Capcom bringing GTA San Andreas to Japan
With controversy having cooled, Capcom has reached a deal with Rockstar to localize, publish, and distribute the PlayStation 2 version of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in Japan. The release is scheduled for January, a full 27 months after the game's initial debut in North America. What's with the delay? Guess car jacking and gang banging doesn't move units at quite the same pace in Japan.
Trailer for Rockstar's LA Noire is Ellroy-esque
LA Noire, Rockstar's latest, takes you out of the role of a late 20th century street thug breaking laws in locations as exotic as Liberty City, Vice City, and San Andreas, and dumps you into the role of a detective, solving "a series of gruesome murders" in a gritty black-and-white, 1940s Los Angeles. LA Noire looks like the videogame love child of James Ellroy's Hollywood noirs, like LA Confidential, and the classic chiaroscuro of films like Double Indemnity. Toss in an open-ended city (Team Bondi, the developer, did work on The Getaway), some cinematic storytelling, and you've got something that certainly sounds like it follows the GTA formula. Let's call it Grand Theft Auto: Noir City. There's no gameplay on display here, so we're not sure if this is what we can expect the finished product to look like (it seems doable), or if this is just a "target render." Noire is a next-gen title without any platform loyalties announced just yet, though some major sites seem to think it's been confirmed for the PS3. But with Grand Theft Auto dropping its long-standing exclusivity, like many other next-gen titles, the lack of a console name on the official site may be sign of an impending exclusivity mystery, ala Assassin's Creed.
L.A. Noire: Rockstar's latest is a black & white mystery
Rockstar has unveiled L.A. Noire, a period piece developed by Team Bondi, a new Australian studio founded by Brendan McNamara (The Getaway). Set in 1940's L.A. (before the freeways), L.A. Noire explores a series of gruesome murders through the eyes of, we assume, a detective.We've eyed a 37-second teaser, which sweeps through an eventless urban street scene, while a horn whines a sleepy jazz tune. We suspect, like The Getaway, Noire will be less open-ended than GTA and will rely on cinematic elements to keep gamers interested. While billed as a "next-generation" title, Rockstar has not specified platforms.
Rockstar's Soft Serve tour in Philly tonight [update 1]
Rockstar's "art, music, video & clothing installation" is going down in the City of Brotherly Love today at Jinxed Clothing, on 4th St. just south of South St. Not sure what to expect? Check out pictures from the Miami, Orlando, and Tampa stops. Not helping? Check out the featured artists who'll be, uh, arting at the event. Still not sure? There's going to be Table Tennis tournaments. Yup, the show isn't just about the uber-hip art world, but it's also about the uber-nerdy video game world and, try as Rockstar may to meld the two, we're like oil and vinegar, baby! We'll come together for little events like this, then be on our separate ways, back to our artist's communes/parent's basements respectively. As soon as I can figure out what time things are supposed to go down, I'll update the post and let y'all know. Philly Weekly has a writeup of the event listing 7pm as the start time and $0 as the cost. Anyone planning on attending? Want to meet there and beat my ass at Table Tennis? [Update: added event details.]
Rockstar presents "an art, music, video & clothing installation"
The bad boys at Rockstar sent word of their latest and greatest: "a traveling group art show that features all sides of the art world, including but not limited to: painting, music, video, screen printing, drawing, wheat pasting, clothing, photography & more." So, just art and fashion and music, brought to you courtesy of Rockstar Games? Of course that's not it, there's also going to be "a fast-paced and action packed tournament courtesy of Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis." The "installation" winds its way across the country, hitting hot spots like Columbus and Louisville, ultimately ending in The Town That Loved E3, Los Angeles. A notable omission: hipster-haven and Rockstar's 'hood, New York City. No bother here, I'll hit up the Philly show and embarrass the Joystiq name with my sorry Table Tennis skills ... I'm not even color-blind.
Colorblind gaming or: Table Tennis is impossibly hard!
Around one in ten males and one in two hundred females are unable to discern the difference between some or all colors that other people can distinguish. Like most other people with the disability, I've been colorblind (or, to use the politically correct term, have had color sight deficiency) since birth. I find it hard, and sometimes impossible, to tell the difference between shades of red, green and brown, blue and purple and oranges and yellows. As my optician told me when I was young, this disability means that I can't work in a paint factory or be a pilot. What he didn't tell me was that I'd have trouble playing friggin' computer games! As you probably know, the Xbox 360 features several colored buttons. Usually I can tell the difference between these buttons (the problem isn't so bad that I can't tell the difference between the equivalent of red and green at traffic lights). However, there's one game that has caused a problem: Rockstar's Table Tennis. A fundamental part of the gameplay is being able to respond to the opposing player's spin on the ball. This is represented by one of the colors which are also found on the gamepad. Blue for left spin, red for right spin, green for forward spin and yellow for back spin. Unfortunately, I can barely tell the difference between the red, green and yellow on a standard definition display. On a high definition screen the green and yellow are still nearly identical to my eyes. This isn't usually much of a problem during normal play (besides, I can always just press the green button), but on the training levels where you are taught how to spin the ball, I found the task physically impossible. I literally had to guess which spin the computer was giving the ball! Table Tennis has the hardest training level of any game, at least for me. Since completing the training levels is an Xbox 360 achievement, it's also possibly the hardest achievement there is. It took me around 3-4 hours and dozens of reattempts to get the 5 points given to you after you complete training.
