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Grand Theft Auto 1 and 2 rated for PlayStation platforms
Grand Theft Auto and Grand Theft Auto 2 have been rated for PlayStation devices by the ESRB, implying that the two classic crime games are on the way to the PlayStation Network. Yup, if you're as surprised as we are this hadn't happened already, join us in the boat. Curiously, rumors of GTA and GTA 2 coming to PSN go all the way back to February 2008, when Official PlayStation Magazine first heard whispers. The other rumored game from that same article, Street Fighter Alpha, arrived in August 2008. GTA certainly took its time.
Grand Theft Auto 5 trailer; no fancy headline needed
The latest event trailers for Grand Theft Auto 5 are available now on the Rockstar site. We say "event" because the internet stops for a good amount of time when these things get posted. Grand Theft Auto 5 drives onto Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on September 17.We'll have the videos posted here as soon as we can. The Rockstar site currently has a waiting period of 55 minutes to even watch the clips.Update: Okay, here are all the videos in one place. Michael is above, Franklin and Trevor are after the break.
2K Games won't attend E3, Take-Two to have meeting rooms
Take-Two Interactive, parent company of 2K Games and Rockstar Games, has clarified its E3 status to Joystiq. Take-Two plans to have meeting rooms at the show, but 2K's presence isn't planned. 2K Games announced earlier this week that it would not have a booth on the show floor at E3. That didn't necessarily mean the company wouldn't participate at all, since we've seen publishers in the past not have a booth, but hold meetings in the upstairs concourse.A representative for the Entertainment Software Association, which organizes the annual conference, tells us, "We can confirm that Take-Two Interactive Software is participating in E3 2013.""We are going to have a meeting room in the upper concourse level and we'll be doing some business meetings as we usually do," a Take-Two spokesperson tells Joystiq. "2K is not participating."As for Rockstar, the rebellious child of Take-Two, we're still waiting to hear official word if they plan to participate. Rockstar does not typically attend E3 and hasn't made any announcements.2K's scheduled projects for this year include The Bureau: XCOM Declassified, Civilization V: Brave New World, XCOM: Enemy Unknown for iOS, more Borderlands 2 content, WWE 2K14 and NBA 2K14.
BioShock Infinite soundtrack has a hymn sung by its two leads
Irrational Games has dropped the details on the full BioShock Infinite soundtrack, which will be included in both the Premium and Songbird editions of the game. Series composer Garry Schyman returns to score the game. His work is also joined by some appropriate period music, including the Irish jig "Saddle the Pony," and the Scott Joplin ragtime tune, "Solace."The soundtrack also features the hymn "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," including a version sung by Troy Baker and Courtnee Draper, who play Booker Dewitt and Elizabeth in BioShock Infinite (as seen in the video above).
Abduct XCOM: Enemy Unknown PC for $16
If for some reason you still haven't let XCOM: Enemy Unknown get its sharp, slimy hooks into you, Green Man Gaming has a heckuva deal on the PC version. Already discounted to $20, you can knock it all the way down to 16 bucks with the coupon code GMG20-P4DLK-FKYRS.We suggest you use the savings on building satellites. Like, as many as possible. Always.
BioShock Infinite baaa-ck with 'Lamb of Columbia' trailer
See, if we were located in the country of that other Joystiq, the headline would have been: "BioShock Infinite serves 'Lamb of Columbia' trailer frenched."
Take-Two to publish WWE games pending court approval
Take-Two Interactive is set to enter a publishing deal for WWE games, confirming a previous report. IGN obtained a quote from the parent company of 2K Games, 2K Sports and Rockstar that it expects to take over the license previously held by defunct publisher THQ."At this time, the agreement is pending court approval and we anticipate that it will be finalized shortly," a company representative told IGN. "We are very excited about the potential of this agreement and will have more to share at the appropriate time."Take-Two plans to keep developer Yukes on to helm the franchise. The exact financial terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed. WWE isn't the only thing Take-Two picked up from the collapse of THQ, spending $10.9 million on Turtle Rock's still secret Evolve during the asset auction last month.
Take-Two Interactive bags 405% year-over-year profit increase during Q3 2013
Take-Two Interactive has released its financial report for the three month period ending on December 31, 2012, or "Q3 2013" in technical terms. The company raked in net revenue (read: gross income) of $415.7 million during that period; a 75.9 percent increase over the $236.3 million it earned in Q3 of fiscal 2012.Net income (read: profit) was also up year-over-year, $71.3 million during Q3 2013 versus $14.1 million in 2012, which is an astonishing 405.9 percent increase. Meanwhile, Take-Two's nine month year-to-date figures are reporting a loss of $51.9 million, down from the $41.9 million loss reported at this same time in fiscal 2012.Revenues accrued from digital sales were up 244 percent year-over-year, an increase that Take-Two attributes to Borderlands, Borderlands 2, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, NBA 2k13, the Grand Theft Auto series and all of those games' respective DLC.
NBA 2K13 sets franchise records, ships 4.5 million copies
The Bieber-licious NBA 2K13 has sold-in (i.e. "shipped") 4.5 million units to date, publisher Take-Two announced today as part of its third quarter financials.2K Sports previously noted NBA 2K13 sold 49 percent more worldwide during its first-week sales than previous record holder NBA 2K11. The franchise has now shipped over 15 million units since NBA 2K11.Part of the series' success has been the lack of competition from Electronic Arts. Last year's NBA Live 13 was canceled, after already being downgraded to a digitally distributed product. It was the third consecutive year EA dropped the ball and didn't show up to compete with a basketball game.
Grand Theft Auto 5 launches Sept. 17
Grand Theft Auto 5 will hijack Xbox 360 and PS3 retail on September 17, 2013. Publisher Rockstar Games says the game has been moved from its originally projected release window of spring in order to "allow additional development time.""We are very excited for people to learn more about the game in the coming months," said Rockstar Games founder Sam Houser.Rockstar Games parent company Take-Two Interactive and its investors are likely more eager for GTA 5 to launch than gamers, since the game's release is projected to deliver $600 million in revenues.
Download XCOM for $25 from Amazon
In turn-based strategy terms, here's how to acquire XCOM: Enemy Unknown for $25. Order your browser to go to this Amazon link. Spend 25 money units to purchase and download the PC version XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Alien Activity Play XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Rejoice over substantial savings.
Report: THQ's WWE license going to Take-Two
While most of THQ's coffers have already been cleaned out, there's been no official word on any party making a move on the WWE license. An IGN source suggests Take-Two will take over the WWE line of games. The negotiations for the WWE license apparently took place outside of the formal THQ auction, IGN notes. According to documents obtained by Joystiq, Take-Two has already spent $10.9 million snagging Turtle Rock's Evolve from THQ.
Report: THQ assets divided
The THQ auction has resulted in the company's assets being distributed among several publishers. Developer Volition and the Saints Row franchise, along with the Metro license, have been purchased by Dead Island publisher Deep Silver. Relic Games (Warhammer 40K, Company of Heroes) has gone to Sega. The South Park game and THQ Montreal have been purchased by Ubisoft. Take-Two Interactive has purchased Evolve.Vigil and other unnamed THQ properties not included in the sale will "remain part of the chapter 11 case," and THQ will look for buyers. According to a letter sent to employees, "If you are an employee of an entity that is not included in the sale, we regret that your position will end."Update 2:Official court documents of THQ bid winners with prices, along with runners-up.Update: DDinvesting reports THQ auction results: $500k Homefront (Crytek) $26M for Relic (Sega) $2.5M for THQ Montreal (Ubisoft) $3.2M for South Park (Ubisoft) $11M for Evolve (Take-Two) $22.3M for Volition (Koch Media) $5.8M for Metro (Koch Media)
Grand Theft Auto 5 sharks, subs and pups be rollin' screens
Twas the day before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring... except for Rockstar's marketing department. This morning the developer posted several screenshots on the company's site for Grand Theft Auto 5 to elicit speculation.There's a swimming with sharks shot, along with a dog in the passenger seat of a car. Drive-by pooches confirmed?! There's also a mini submarine picture, as well as a shot featuring a commercial jet, a fighter jet and a blimp. No word yet if these are actual player-controlled vehicles for use in the game, but feel free to dream about that tonight, along with sugar plums dancing.
Levine knows why the boxed BioShock Infinite Songbird sings
Irrational Games' Ken Levine hypes the Ultimate Songbird edition of BioShock Infinite in this trailer, featuring the 9.75" statue designed by concept artist Robb Waters. The $150 Songbird is one of two special editions available for the game available February 26.
Borderlands 2 on Mac Nov. 20
Borderlands 2, which has already shipped 5 million copies on other platforms, will become available for Mac players on November 20. Porting duties will be handled by Aspyr, purveyor of many major Mac ports.The Mac version will support the same drop-in/drop-out features found elsewhere, so the Apple crowd won't be left out of some of the best co-op action of the year.%Gallery-161206%
Take-Two moving 2K QA to downtown Las Vegas
Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of never-the-twain-shall-meet siblings Rockstar and 2K games, announced today that its 2K publishing label will relocate its "QA Testing studio" from Northridge, California to Las Vegas, Nevada. The move, which popped up on radar this past weekend, is made possible by a partnership between the publisher and the state of Nevada, along with the city of Las Vegas."This move will allow 2K to operate a significantly larger and more effective QA facility as we continue to grow our business across all divisions," said 2K COO David Ismailer. Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman noted, "We have a skilled and talented workforce in Las Vegas that is ideal for companies like Take-Two. I am so thrilled that they will be a part of the downtown community, and I know that their presence will attract other high-tech firms to Las Vegas." Obviously, Take-Two made the move for some tax breaks. The publisher is also applying for "Catalyst Funds" from the state. The $10 million Catalyst Fund was created in 2011 and is designed to incentivize "the expansion or relocation of businesses that will quickly result in the creation of high-quality, primary jobs in Nevada." Now, before you bring up that other government-financed debacle, let's be clear that there's a huge difference between $10 million and $75 million. Also, it doesn't appear Take-Two is seeking the whole enchilada.
NBA 2K13 is everywhere in this developer video
This developer video for NBA 2K13 elaborates on the Facebook, Android and iOS apps that expand the game's "My Player" career mode. The initiative, known as NBA 2K Everywhere, allows players to build up their characters' skill ratings through mini-games and unlock collectibles on the go.
Take-Two potentially opening new offices in Las Vegas
Take-Two, publisher of XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Borderlands 2, et al, may soon be opening new offices in Las Vegas, according to proposal documents concerning Take-Two and The City of Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency. If opened, the new facility would employ a minimum of 150 persons full-time, all of whom would earn a "gross average hourly wage, including overtime, of at least $18 per hour."The agreement also stipulates that, in order for Take-Two to be eligible for the (up to) $600,000 in incentives, 15 percent of all full-time employees must be "full time residents within the Agency's redevelopment area" as well as "members of racial minorities, women, disabled or veterans."The purpose of the facility is still uncertain; whether this could be a new studio or a satellite testing office is unknown. It's worth noting, however, that while $18 an hour sounds like QA/testing wages, that's the minimum amount required by the agreement and may not accurately reflect what the real average ends up being.
Backup singer loses lawsuit against Take-Two over GTA: San Andreas
Michael "Shagg" Washington, supposed former Cypress Hill backup singer (though the band denied any affiliation), lost his 2010 lawsuit against Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games over alleged use of his likeness in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Wednesday. Washington claimed he met with the game's developers in 2003 to discuss his troubled youth and "street life." He first learned of his resemblance to the game's "CJ" character six years later, leading to the $250 million lawsuit.The California appeals court upheld the ruling in favor of Take-Two, in which the judge said the "plaintiff is relying entirely on CJ's physical appearance in the game, but that appearance is so generic that it necessarily includes hundreds of other black males." The lack of evidence in whether Take-Two actually used Washington's likeness, in addition to a failed test for insufficiently transformative use, led to Washington losing the case.
