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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.
Take-Two board of directors gets carjacked
Following the revelation that Take-Two hadn't found a buyer, news arrives today via GamePolitics that Paul Eibeler, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, has been forced to step down. Take-Two's annual meeting took place yesterday and was quickly taken over by shareholders demanding that Eibeler step down. Strauss Zelnick, former CEO of BMG Entertainment has become the new Chairman of the Board. Ben Feder, coming from News Corp., is now acting CEO.While the change isn't likely to affect Take-Two's lineup of games, it should hopefully help the company shed its reputation for accounting problems and coffee that's just a little too hot. Then again, according to GP, it will take more than a few replacements to make things right. You can bet GTAIV will be watched like a hawk from both inside and outside Take-Two.
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 is Live 4 realz!
While the official page has worked for some of us here at Fanboy Towers, we have another alternative for you to check into. Xbox.com just added the HD trailer to the Game Detail page. After verifying your age you can check the quick teaser for Rockstar North's masterpiece. Taking place in New York Liberty City, we see a few of the more distinct locales found in Manhattan Liberty City as well as the Statue of Liberty. The narrator (whom we can only assume is the character you play) appears to have a Russian accent and is looking for a fresh start in the city that never sleeps. Graphically speaking, the lighting and character models look light years ahead of any previous GTA title and the score was very foreboding and somber, adding the perfect mood to the teaser. Simply put, we're stoked. What say you, fanboys?
Take-Two saga continues: no buyers yet
It seems Take-Two just can't catch a break. After the golden towers of Take-Two were ransacked by angry shareholders demanding that CEO Paul Eibeler step down, Take-Two announced that it was postponing its annual meeting to come up with alternative solutions. Alternative solutions, in this case, means selling the company. TeamXbox has received word from Take-Two that the company is "unlikely to present alternative courses of action prior to the annual meeting on March 29th." In other words, it looks like Take-Two hasn't managed to find a buyer (not even Microsoft).Expect more Take-Two drama to unfold during the company's annual meeting this Thursday.
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?
Irrational developing X-Com sequel?
If you played PC games during the 90s, chances are you've played X-Com. A memorable turn based strategy title, X-COM put players in control of an elite agency tasked with defending the planet from alien invaders. Players researched alien technology and built their arsenals to combat different types of enemies. All in all, X-COM earned a fond place in many gamers' memories. Potentially good news then, as Irrational Games, makers of the upcoming BioShock, may be working on a sequel. A client document from Irrational's law firm, Fierst, Pucci, & Kane LLP was discovered by Shacknews. The document in question lists X-Com among Irrational's games. Adding fuel to this fire is the fact that Irrational's Ken Levine himself has professed his love for the X-Com series and Take-Two (owner of Irrational) purchased the rights to the series in 2005.Should the rumor prove true, we can only hope that the imminent success of BioShock will convince Irrational Games to bring the game to the Xbox 360.[Via 1UP]
Take Two downgraded. EA seeks 2K sports?
Michael Pachter of Wedbush Morgan Securities recently downgraded his assessment of Take Two Interactive stock from "hold" to "sell." While Grand Theft Auto IV is a guaranteed smash, WMS is wary of the lackluster performance of 2K Sports and "everything else." Naturally, Take Two's recent "hot coffee" scandal add to the decision, which Pachter chalks up to management decisions. Essentially, Take Two allows great freedoms to its creators, which results in groundbreaking games like GTA, but also results in sexual content making it onto a retail disc.Pachter discussed the possibility of the company being bought, divided, and sold in pieces. It's "unlikely" according to Pachter, but he does note that EA would be the most likely candidate to purchase 2K, as it would give the company a monopoly on nearly all major sports products. Pachter said such a monopoly could be worth as much as $1 billion, though he believes 2K Sports itself could probably be had for $200 million.[Thanks, dpcough]See Also:NFL2K rises from the ashesReduced 360 target causes VG stock dip
Duke Nukem ... Finally?
Although the title should be Duke Nukem Forever (in the Making), is it finally coming out? It was announced way back in 1997, meaning that there are tons of young gamers out there who have never even seen a Duke Nukem title, so they have no idea what all this about anyhow. Best Buy is listing it for sale now on January 2nd, 2007 for $59.99. They also claim that, "Duke Nukem is an action hero for the ages, with his big muscles, big guns and an even bigger sense of humor." For the ages. Yep, they sure would have appreciated this guy back in 1300 AD. He could've teamed up with Ash, ftw.The listing is probably pure crap, especially since both the Take 2 and 3D Realms sites say nothing about a final release date. But, it sure makes us wonder. Is this thing ever going to see the light of day? Several key members of the Duke development team left 3D Realms in August, which surely hurt the work on this title. Your guess is as good as any if this listing is real or not. But for the adventurous readers out there, pre-order and cross your fingers.Of course, if it doesn't come out, we're pretty much used to waiting at this point, as evidenced by a similar situation last year. However, if a miracle happens and it hits the shelves, where will we point to as the longest game in development from now on? Does anyone still care about Duke at this point? [Thanks, Kurt & Tim]
Sid Meier's Pirates! swashbuckles its way to the PSP
For all your port haters out there don't look now because the PSP is about to get a port of a port in the form of Sid Meier's Pirates!. In the game, which was originally released in 1987 and re-made in 2004 on the PC, then released in 2005 on the Xbox and is now scheduled to be released in January on the PSP, players take control of a pirate who must find his kidnapped family members, gain revenge and obtain lots and lots of booty."We love the new possibilities from handheld systems like the PSP," added Sid Meier, Director of Creative Development at developer Firaxis Games. "Pirates! for the PSP system allows players to shape the heroic life of a pirate while embracing the pirate's way of life -- always on the go!"Thankfully, the PSP version, which will be published by Take-Two Interactive in North America and Europe, will feature some new features like new treasure hunts, widescreen display and four-player wireless multi-player, according to Gamespot. Pirates! is a game I always wanted to play on the Xbox but never got around to it, so I'm really hoping this version comes through.
Take-Two in trouble with NASDAQ
Take-Two Interactive, publisher of the famed Grand Theft Auto series, is under pressure to complete its quarterly report. NASDAQ has filed a non-compliance on the company for failing to report its July 31, 2006 statement on time. If Take-Two fails to comply, the company may have its stocks de-listed from NASDAQ, which would cause havoc with the share prices. Take-Two's official stance is that they wish to review their stock options before releasing the financial report, though taking over three months to do so is suspect. According to the SEC, 10-Q forms (the form Take-Two is late on) must be filed within 40 days of the end of the financial period. There's gotta be something more than a simple review of stock options going on. Could Take-Two be shuffling around records to hide or eliminate a fraudulent transaction? Maybe the media exposure over Bully has hampered sales; TT could be stalling for time to release the bad news, hoping the share price impact is softened by strong holiday sales outlooks. In any case, Take-Two needs to get their act together or investors may look elsewhere to keep their retirement assets. If so, TT would need a mega-hit series to keep the investor's money from falling out of their pockets ... oh, wait.
Take-Two finally reaches resolution
The FTC has left the building! Take-Two wipes its brow in both relief and aggravation. According to the article at 1up.com, Take-Two and the FTC have taken care of all the issues and no fines were assessed. Looks like Rockstar can come out of the crawlspace and breathe easier.All is not pizza and wine (if anyone gets the reference, you are greater than gold), as a consent order was still issued to Take-Two. Basically, it means they can't misrepresent the content of their games (saying there is alcohol consumption in a game, but omitting drug use, for example) and they also have to create a personal reviewing committee to make sure they're in line with the ESRB. All is well for now, but if something like this happens again, the FTC will come back with all the might the law will allow. Still, congrats on getting out of the noose, Take-Two! Now then, about making us some PS3 games...
