Liberty Tree #4 On Newsstands   <11:57 PM CST - schu>
Liberty Tree #4 is out with three brand new GTA3 shots!  The shots are very nice...  The first one has to be most violent shot released to date (note the blood all over and the arm and other bits of your hapless target floating around). The second is a lead into the third and the third one gives you an idea of what the targeting box will look like (if you can't see you're blind - also take note of the blood all over the pavement).  While you're there, make sure you read the damn thing!  and take a look at the ads as well.  Personally I like the "Mayor O'Donovan" touch :) (no doubt in reference to Rockstar's Terry Donovan).

Iraq Wants You   <11:57 PM CST - schu>
The GTA Iraq project is still looking for help in the following areas:

• Car designers (must be able of creating deltas)
• Mission.ini editor or owner of tutorial
• Ideas from people
• Movie starts
• Background starting image altering
• Character changing
  

If you want to help out, contact Adam Jordan from the GTA Iraq website @ www.iraq.fsworld.co.uk.

More Crazy Sh*t   <11:57 PM CST - schu>
I got a pretty good reply on Friday's "Crazy Sh*t" post.  Here are few links that lead to more stick fights:

• Probably the best stick fight ever
• StickDeath.com

I also found out that our own Rev. Ted actually did some animated gifs for some of these sites.  You see some of his stuff here (just click on his name at the bottom).  Thanks to Xenic, Rev. Ted, and Sam Harwood for sending in the links.

Site Updates   <11:57 PM CST - schu>
Ok, I've updated and added loads of stuff to G!.  I spent most of the weekend tweaking and adding different download sections.  All the Car sections should be on-line now (except for GTA3 of course) and I've updated and revamped the Editor and Map sections for all the games (except GTA3).  If you think I missed anything or if you have a site you'd like me to add to a particular section, please let me know.  I also did a little work on the About and Contact sections.  Next I'll be working on the Other Download sections where I'll be stashing files that don't really fit anywhere else.

GTA, GTAUK, and GTA2 Car Sites   <11:57 PM CST - schu>
If you run a car site for GTA, GTAUK, or GTA2, please let me know.  I'm working on my different car sections and I'd like to add links to sites with cars, help sections, utilities, or anything else car related.  This applies to both big and small sites.  If you send an e-mail, please specify your URL, the name of your site, and what types of cars you have on your site (GTA, GTAUK, or GTA2).

Random Headlines   <11:57 PM CST - schu>

• The GTA Iraq site has been updated and has a new URL.  Check www.iraq.fsworld.co.uk for more information.
• I spoke with Luxe and he says that he is going to continue work on ChinaTown.  As you might recall, ChinaTown is a GTA2 map that has been in beta for a long while now.  Keep an eye out for more ChinaTown updates in the near future.  You can find the beta version of ChinaTown in the GTA2/Downloads/Maps section.
• One of the people who wrote in with a Win2K/GTA2 problem is still having problems.  Here is the latest on his problem, if you have any ideas on this, please let me know:

  "I don't think that's the issue in my case. I have tried both the patched and unpatched versions on Win2k, neither work. They both exhibit the same problems. The GTA2 manager says that I don't have a suitable video card, and gta2.exe just crashes with an access violation error 05. I know that my graphics card is suitable because I was successfully using GTA2 (both patched, and unpatched) in Win98 previously with the exact same hardware configuration. My video card is a Matrox Millennium II, and I am using the standard drivers for it that came with Win2k"

  
Crazy Sh*t   <11:57 PM CST - schu>
Don't ask, just click!  Here are a few of the better ones 1 - 2 - 3...

All New GTA3 Screens   <11:55 PM CST - schu>
GameSpot UK has posted some brand new GTA3 screens.  There are loads of new screens along with some character art, some wireframes, and some car renders.  This actually bugs the shit out of me, unfortunately I can't say why until E3.  I suppose I really have no room to bitch...  Thanks to JL2001 and Sean for informing me about this.

GTA2 & Win2k, Problem Solved   <11:55 PM CST - schu>
Well, it wasn't as much of a problem as I would have thought.  Numerous people wrote in and told me what I should have already known.  The GTA2 patch at GTA2.com solves this incompatibility problem.  Alfadog also mentioned that if your hardware doesn't jive well with Win2k then you might also experience problems.

Site Updates   <11:55 PM CST - schu>
I've updated the GTA2 maps section with an old map that I forgot about, China Town.  Luxe, the map's creator, wrote me about it recently.  I also added Aqutiv's GTA2 Mission Pack.  Along with the two maps I also added some general installation instructions.

GTA2 & Win2K   <11:55 PM CST - schu>
If anyone out there has successfully run GTA2 under Win2k, please write me and let me know.  I've been getting lots of e-mail lately from people who cannot run GTA2 under Win2k.  I don't believe GTA2 officially supports Win2k, but there has to be some way to make it work.  If you know anything about this topic, please e-mail me.  Also, if you run a GTA site and want to help find a solution, please post something on it and let me know if you get an answer...  I've heard the Windows Media Player solution previously, but it sounds as if that doesn't work.  Personally, that solution sounds a little sketchy to me.

Another GTA3 Print Preview   <11:55 PM CST - schu>
The May 2001 issue of Expert Gamer has a 1/2 page preview of GTA3.  There isn't anything new in the way of screen shots or information.

More GTA3 Previews   <11:52 PM CST - schu>
News is slow so I dug this stuff up.  Not much there, but if you are a French GTA fan, the last two might be of some use to you:

• Computer & Video Games GTA3 Preview
• PlayScope.com's GTA3 Preview (in French)
• GameKult.com's GTA3 Preview (in French)

  
New & Old GTA Sites   <11:52 PM CST - schu>

• GTA & GTA2 Total Conversions - www.gtatc.cjb.net
  Jonas just recently opened his site back up.  As the name suggests, his site handles conversions and utilities for GTA and GTA2. If you have any conversions or utilities for GTA or GTA2 that you'd like to submit, please contact Jonas on his site.
  

• GTA Station - www.gtastation.f2s.com/home.html
  GTA Station is a site that handles Grand Theft Auto files, cars, news, utilities, etc.  There was a little confusion because for a short while, there were two sites named GTA Station.  The other site at 3DAP has been renamed to GTA Sentinel.  I've updated the links section to reflect this change.

GTA SVT Returns   <10:50 PM CST - schu>
Patrick Russell and Alfadog are bringing back the Special Vehicle Team, read on fo mo:

"SVT is back, and better than ever. We're here for what you really want - cars. We've figured the less crap we have here the more time we have to review cars. What's that mean for you? More cars, and quicker. The Special Vehicle Team is now run by two carmakers, Patrick Russell and multiple One winner Alfadog. This is the 5th incarnation of SVT, and hopefully it will be more successful than its predecessors. Check it out at www.gtasvt.com"

GTA3 Print Preview Blowout!   <10:10 PM CST - schu>
An anonymous source sent me a massive amount of scans from all the latest GTA3 print previews, most of which I didn't even know existed. They are all from the May 2001 issues of the magazines, with the exception of Silicon, which might be from their April 2001 issue.  As a stipulation of reading the scans I agreed not to post them on the web.  However, I've already been in contact with people from each of the magazines and I should be able to get the original screens after a short wait.  All of this information has been added to the GTA3 Info section.  Someone requested that I add a "What's New" section to the GTA3 Info section.  As requested, I've added that section so you don't have to reread all the old information every time you want to see the newest stuff.  Aren't you reading my updates every day? :)

PSE2 - May 2001 Issue
(Two page preview with nine shots and two 3d car renders - at least three of the shots are brand new)

• It turns out that your ex-girlfriend's name is not Miguel :).  Your ex-girlfriend's name is Catalina and your ex-partner in crime is Miguel.  I'm guessing that Catalina rats you out to the Police while she runs off with Miguel and the money, leaving you to take the fall.  The preview in Game Informer was incorrect.  Here is the new setup, reported by PSE:

  "It seems you were left to take the fall while your skanky girlfriend, Catalina, and your so-called partner-in-crime, Miguel, have run off with the loot.  Thankfully, the Man just can't keep you down.  As it turns out, on the way to the jail house, your paddy wagon is ambushed by the Yakuza (Japanese mobsters who have a penchant for chopping off digits).  Seem they are interested in an old Japanese man sharing your ride up the river.  Along with another escapee (who happens to be an explosives expert) by the name of 8-Ball, you carjack the nearest vehicle and make your way to freedom - well, actually a hideout in Liberty City's seedy Red Light District run by a Mafioso named Luigi.  Here is where your road to vengeance begins."

• As you may recall from previous previews, 8-Ball is your partner in crime.  He accompanies you on your first mission and then helps you remotely with later missions.  Almost all of the other magazines below incorrectly report that 8-Ball is the Asian guy in the paddy wagon with you.  This is incorrect, there are two guys in there with you, the Asian Yakuza guy and 8-Ball.
• Some of the peds you see on the street include car jackers, gang members, hookers, bums, business men, joggers, and old women with walkers :)
• Along with the new plot setup, they also mention a new time-specific mission where you have to rob an armored van that makes it's rounds early in the morning.  If you miss the job, you'll have to try again the next day.  Judging from previous previews, it sounds as if you can miss some missions and retry them the next day, while others are one-shot deals that you will fail if you don't show up at the correct time.
• Rush hour traffic during the day will slow you down in certain parts of the city.
• The PSE preview also confirms that GTA3 will be more linear and more story driven than the past two GTAs.  You still have the same freedom of movement, but now you are actually doing all this stuff for an overall reason, driving the plot forward with each new job.
• It sounds like the water cannon from GTA2 is returning to GTA3.  PSE states that you can put out fires with the fire engine.
• Some of the PS2 graphical enhancements are, rain, fog, lighting, reflection mapping, zero clipping, and lots of detail.
• Best of all, PSE will revisit GTA3 next month with a cover feature and all new details.

PSM - #45 - May 2001 Issue
(Two page preview with 12 shots - one or two might be new)

• Different sections of town will have a different variety of vehicles.  I.E. You'll see more sports cars in the commercial and suburban districts.  That sort of thing.  Peds will also vary in the same way.  No business men and joggers in the industrial part of town.

Silicon - April 2001 Issue
(1/2 page preview with four shots - two might be new)

• Not much new here, the preview is pretty short but it does mention that GTA2's respect-o-meter is definitely gone and that you can perform some pretty amazing stunts with cars, like hand-brake turns and jumps.

Next Generation - May 2001 Issue
(One page preview with two shots.  This preview is more of a teaser page really, nothing new in the way of information, but the shots are big and detailed)

  
GTA Tanks Has A New URL   <10:10 PM CST - schu>
Harry at GTA Tanks sent word that his URL has changed.  The new URL is gtatanks.electricweb.org.uk.  Please update your links or bookmarks. The new URL goes directly to his site without using the go.to redirect.  This change does away with the annoying pop-ups.  The old URL at go.to/gtatanks still works but has the pop-ups.  The alternate go.to/gta_tanks URL is completely dead.

Crazy Sh*t   <10:10 PM CST - schu>
Don't ask, just click!

Sky-Scraper Chat - Time Change   <11:57 PM CST - schu>
ElBazo has moved the chat with Dan Houser up an hour.  It will be at 3PM EST (8PM GMT).  I've updated yesterday's preview to reflect the time change.

Site Updates  <11:57 PM CST - schu>

• Today was slow, but please check back tomorrow.  You won't regret it...
• I've pretty much decided to change the chat client over to an IRC based thing.  I've already got the client, I just need the weekend to work on tweaking it.  After that's done I'll be working on getting more people in there, more on that later...

Sky-Scraper To Chat With Dan Houser    <11:55 PM CST - schu>
ElBazo has informed me that he will be putting Sky-Scraper.net back on-line soon and that he is organizing an exclusive chat session with Rockstar's Dan Houser.  Here are the details from El Bazo:

Hey GTA Fans,

Sky-Scraper.net is coming back soon and we have some big features coming, but the biggest for sure has to be the exclusive GTA3 Dan Houser chat, which I can now confirm has been set for the 31st of May at 3PM EST (8PM GMT)

You can join us At www.sky-scraper.net/chat.shtml or join us on IRC at chat.planetz.net in room #gta

Thanks for listening, and I hope you can join us on the 31st!

ElBazo

  
GTA Iraq On The Web  <11:55 PM CST - schu>
Last Thursday I reported that Adam Jordan was reviving the GTA Iraq project and opening a new site.  Well that web site is now on-line @ www.iraq.fsworld.co.uk.  The site contains screen shots, news, and details on the project.  Adam is still looking for car designers, texture designers, and mission editors.  Check the Help Needed section on the GTA Iraq site for more information.

GTA Skate Returns?  <11:53 PM CST - schu>
Ok, I'm not sure what this means, and to tell you the truth I had all but forgotten about GTA Skate until I got this in my mail box.  It was sent from an anonymous source known only as Tease Er.  When I asked what it was, I was told that "a keen eye can reveal answers."  I took a quick jog down memory lane and quickly realized that GTA Skate was one of Mouse's projects and first appeared in the news around July 3rd, 1998 (the old GOURANGA! archives are still alive and well on my hard drive).  GTA Skate all but disappeared after Squish and PileUp went MIA.  Now I'm not positive that the picture definitely relates to GTA Skate, but I don't know what else it could mean.  Any ideas?  GTA Ice Capades - GTA On Ice :).

Site Updates  <11:53 PM CST - schu>

• I've gotten some pretty good feedback on ILLSPIRIT's new GTA2 map.  Check out yesterday's update for more details and be sure to visit his site.  If you haven't ever tried out his GTA maps, Snowball City and Space Station GTA, you don't know what you're missing.  They are superb maps, definitely worth installing.
• OK, I've been talking with my friends at Ziff Davis Publishing and things are looking good.  It might take a month or so, but it looks like I should be able to get originals of all the GTA3 shots in their magazines.  I'm only able to pull this off because I know some of the guys at EGM and OPM.  This is still reliant on their bosses OK'ing all of this, but so far it's going well.
• One of these days I'll put the old GOURANGA! back online for anyone who wants to see all the old updates.  I can't imagine why, but then again, there is some pretty cool stuff stashed away on my old site.  It's hard to believe that I've been doing this since 1997.

"GrandTheftAuto3.net is a new resource for GrandTheftAuto3. The site features the latest news, information, events, downloads, and much more for GrandTheftAuto3. In celebration of our official launch, we have 5 exclusive screenshots!  We welcome you to join the GrandTheftAuto3 community."

Get over to GrandTheftAuto3.net and take a look...

ILLSPIRIT's GTA2 Map  <6:10 PM CST - schu>
There is good news and bad news behind this headline.  The good news it that the man behind some of the best GTA maps just sent me a GTA2 map he had been working on.  The bad news it that it will probably stay incomplete.  The map is in the Industrial Zone, so if you had to reinstall GTA2 like I did, you'll probably want to use the TUMYFROG cheat to get there.  The map has an unfinished feeling to it, but you can still see what he was going for, not to mention that there are some very nice parts to the map and some excellent building work.  Definitely worth a look at only 236k.  Here is the e-mail I got from ILLSPIRIT:

"Hey schu, whuts up?  I bet you thought I was dead or something... I'm still alive, I just never have time to use my computer.  I started working on a map for GTA2 a long time ago, but I have never had time to finish it.  I just thought I'd send it in case you or anyone else wanted to check it out.  It was supposed to be set in a mountain city after global warming flooded everything else.  Kind of a sequel to Snowball City and a prequel to SSGTA...  It's only about 2/3 done because I was trying to make it way too intricate for my own good...  Almost every building has multi-levels, stairs, fire escapes, etc... and I spent a lot of time on lighting effects for dusk mode.  There's no missions or anything, just a basic .scr file to generate the player.  I probably will never finish it since GTA3 will be out soon and nobody seems to like GTA2 anyway.  Well, check it out if you have time, and tell me whut you think. Oh yeah, it replaces the Industrial Section.

Peace"

I went ahead and added the map to my newly opened GTA2 Maps section, or you can download it right here (236k). I actually owe some thanks to Ricardo for the GTA2 maps section, he sort of reminded me of the fact that I have a lot of Under Construction stuff that I need to get on-line.

GTA3 On GameCube - Commentary  <6:10 PM CST - schu>
I got a lot of feedback on Friday's update from Nintendo fans.  Mainly Gamecube supporters that want to see GTA3 on the Cube...  Personally I support any effort to bring GTA3 to as many platforms as possible, assuming it's a good port.  If anyone is interested, here is my take on the topic (keep in mind this all based on my opinion and is not a statement from Rockstar, Take2, or DMA):

"I think the main problem at this point is that Rockstar and Take2 probably view the Gamecube as a "kids" console since Nintendo has targeted the under age group for so long... Hopefully they will look past that so Gamecube people can play GTA3 as well... It will probably come down to Gamecube sales and Nintendo's willingness to bring GTA3 to the Cube...  If there is enough of a Cube user base in the age range they are looking for, then we might see a release...

I know the guys at DMA are big Dreamcast fans, but they said in one of the previews that it couldn't handle the stuff they wanted to do... I'd imagine Gamecube could handle it, but like I said... They will probably take a "wait and see" attitude... I'm not sure if they've had problems with Nintendo or what... There was going to be a version of GTA for N64 a long while back, but I think Nintendo canned it and may have pissed off Rockstar in the process. I'll keep asking them about Gamecube from time to time to keep the idea going... Either way, if Nintendo has the option to release two versions of GTA3, aimed at two different age groups, then it might make them more willing to release it. Its true that Nintendo is trying to alter its demographic by releasing Conker's Bad Fur Day.  I will admit that Conker's is violent, but its also a squirrel being violent, the media and the government are generally more pissed off at human on human violence which in the end makes some publishers more wary.

I will try and keep bringing this topic up to Rockstar to keep them thinking about Gamecube... I can't promise anything, but at least it will keep the idea out there..."

  
Site Updates  <6:10 PM CST - schu>

• The GTA2 Map Vault is finally open. Just after I opened it, Der tolle Emil downloaded GTA2 Forever's Gangsta City, and liked it so much that he translated the ReadMe file into English.  Thanks for Der tolle Emil for the translation.  If you have a GTA2 map or a GTA2 map utility that you'd like me to post, please send it in.

DMA To Release Two Versions of GTA3?  <1:44 PM CST - schu>
I got another look at the GTA3 preview in OPM and found one interesting bit of news I missed the first time.  The article mentions that DMA is toying with the idea of releasing two versions of GTA3, one version with an MA (Mature) rating, and another version with a T (Teen) rating.  The mature version will have everything you'd expect in the way of language and violence, while the other version will be toned down enough to get a teen rating.  If they do end up going with this plan it might mean new hope for a Gamecube version, since Nintendo seems to be stuck marketing to a younger crowd.

Crazy Sh*t  <1:44 PM CST - schu>
I keep finding this stuff all over the place so every Friday I'll post a new link.  If you run into anything interesting, please send it in, but for now... Don't ask, just click!

More On OPM's GTA3 Preview  <10:34 AM CST - schu>
Ok, I got a brief look at the OPM article at the local bookstore.  Unfortunately I'm flat broke and can't even afford to buy the damn thing.  Regardless, the preview is only about a page long and has about 15 screenshots, some old and some new.  I'm working with a friend of mine at Ziff Davis to get the actual shots, but I might have to wait until the next issue comes out before they can be released on-line.

GTA MODs Coming Back From the Dead  <10:34 AM CST - schu>
Two old school GTA MODs are giving it another go at life, here is the latest:

Star Wars GTA Returns:
Well, SWGTA isn't exactly returning from the dead.  Asante has decided to raise it just long enough to release a second version.  Along with the second version he is also releasing a great tool for GTA developers. Check Asante's announcement for more: 

"Star Wars GTA, the original(ish), hath returned. We've been doing very little work since we last reappeared, and the amount of effort we've been putting in has dropped off to just above none. But what with all the previous bouts of effort going to waste with the files lying around, we've decided to release a second version of SWGTA. Like last time, it's still incomplete, although this time all the files are included, and it's likely to be the last release we, erm, release. So we thought we'd let you know. If people feel like downloading the 6.4Mb install file, then they would be best going to www.swgta.co.uk.

Also, for those GTA developers still kickin' around, we have a little tool that can be used to create fon files (the files GTA uses for fonts and some animations). Be warned, it's not for the faint hearted. That's also at www.swgta.co.uk."

GTA Iraq:
Adam Jordan of Vice City Docks and GTA2 Mainframe has returned.  He stopped work on GTA Iraq over a year ago, but he has decided to resume development.  Along with the MOD he is working on a new site to accompany it at www.gta-2.freeserve.co.uk.  Currently Adam is looking for "expert mission editors" and "car designers".  If you have the skills and want to help out, send him an email @ gtairaq@kenetek.co.uk.

  
9 Ones  <10:34 AM CST - schu>
Azz is giving out "Ones" like its Christmas morning.  Take a look at azz.gouranga.com.  Be sure to check out Azz'z latest poll while you're there.

GTA Busted On The Move  <10:34 AM CST - schu>
Polish GTA site, GTA Busted, has moved to a new home @ www.busted.nano.pl.

New GTA3 Print Preview  <11:55 PM CST - schu>
The May 2001 issue of the Official US Playstation Magazine features a GTA3 preview.  I'm not sure how many pages the preview encompasses or how many new screen shots it may contain, but I do know that it should be on newsstands soon. I'll see if I can turn up an issue and do a follow-up by the end of the week.

The Competition  <11:55 PM CST - schu>
S3KT0R turned up a preview on World's Scariest Police Chases, yet another member of GTA3's competition.  You can read the preview on IGN.

New Car Reveiwer @ GTAzz  <11:55 PM CST - schu>
Azz has finally chosen the new car reviewer for Get That Azzhole?.  Here is the latest, straight from Azz:

"GTAzz has recently taken on a new car reviewer in the form of Paul Wright, known from the GTA newsgroup, aggta. With a little help from me, he has worked his way through the backlog of over 100 cars waiting review on my site, and GTAzz is now operating at full capacity.

We now have almost 4200 cars for GTA available for download! More GTA2 cars are coming soon, I promise."

SprayShop Update  <11:55 PM CST - schu>
Klamy is toying with the idea of updating his GTA classic, Spray Shop / GTA.  Before he starts, he would like to get the opinion of the viewing public.  First off, please read the following email Klamy sent me about possible updates to the site, then check out the site itself at sprayshop.gouranga.com.  Finally, please send your comments to Klamy @ klamy@linone.net.  Actually it's neeKlamy now :) :

Spray Shop TO DO list, April 6 2001

HTML

• Deuglify HTML, bring inline with w3c standards (3.2?)
• Standardize navigational aids, remove image maps
• Move all *.htm files to *.html or maybe remove the extension altogether?
• Remove page tables
• Simplify colour schemes

STRUCTURE

• Point all mail links to one page
• Create link directory and point all links to it
• Rename some pages to more logical names, e.g.: shock3a to grand-theft-auto e.g.: dr03.1xs.200x140.jpg to 3.1.jpg

CONTENT

• Remove all references to Windows and other specific platforms other than in the updates that is, there shouldn't be many
• Remove superficial graphics
• Spell check to British English standards
• Grammar check to British English standards
• Convert .SWF files to the open equivalent
• Convert Smacker files to mpeg playable on UNIX, MacOS etc. will need someone to do this for me
• Convert .GIF files to .PNG
• Split old news into smaller pages (halve again?)
• Implement a simple search engine and text box on each page

This little lot is sure to take some months of toiling away to complete, but by the end of it all - the site will be in a much fitter state than it ever has been (too many ideas, such little time to make good)..

GTA3D.de --> GTA-3.com  <11:55 PM CST - schu>
The German GTA3 site, GTa3D.de, has a new URL and a great new design.  Check them both out @ gta-3.com.

More on EGM @ Gamer's Army  <11:55 PM CST - schu>
Tek posted some cleaner scans from the EGM article in his April 8th update.  According to the update, he is still working on scanning some more shots from the article, so keep checking GTA Gaming Army for the new scans.

Site Updates  <7:00 PM CST - schu>
Well, this has been a pretty slow day for an otherwise news filled week.  However, if you are looking for something to do, get over to this page Alfadog set up for a nice weekend surprise.

EGM Previews GTA3  <7:00 PM CST - schu>
The US print mag, Electronic Gaming Monthly has a GTA3 preview in the May issue.  The article is two pages long and includes 15 screen shots and two shots of character art (most of the shots are new).  As for new information, here is what I've gathered so far:

• Your ex-girlfriend, who was originally mentioned in Game Informer's article, is named Miguel.
• Unlike GTA and GTA2, you aren't in this game alone.  Your criminal ally is Eight-Ball, a demolitions expert. Eight-Ball will accompany you on your first mission and later in the game he will help you by restocking your munitions.
• Since the last preview, the number of side missions has increased from 30 to 50.  According to EGM you will have 50 main missions and 50 side missions.
• Sprayshops are back to keep the law off your ass
• The PS2 version should be running at 30 FPS
• Here's the kicker...  The preview actually states that it is possible to hijack the helicopter and take it to a different section of the city.  I guess the question remains if this will be done in a cutscene or if you'll actually be able to pilot the thing.  I'm guessing it will be done in a cutscene, but you never know.
• The boats have their own physics and handle differently than cars
• As everyone knows, the PlayStation2 has both PS1 and PS2 hardware inside it.  DMA is going to utilize the PS1 sound hardware to stream the music, freeing up the PS2 sound chip to handle more complex environmental audio effects.
• You can play GTA3 from a top down camera angle if you are looking for that old-school GTA/GTA2 feel.

Hyakugojyuuichi!!!!!!!  <7:00 PM CST - schu>
Don't ask, just click!

Site Updates  <7:00 PM CST - schu>
I updated the GTA3 Info section with the latest details from the EGM preview.

Sweden Update  <11:50 PM CST - schu>
Artur (GTA HELP PL) has made a small update to the GTA Sweden demo he released yesterday.  

You can get the patch from gta.help.pl/sweden_demo_patch.zip (12K).  

If you haven't gotten the demo yet, you can download it, with the patch, from gta.help.pl/sweden_demo.zip (2.10MB).

Zaibatsu: Polskie Centrum Graczy  <11:50 PM CST - schu>
The Polish GTA2/GTA3 site, Zaibatsu: Polskie Centrum Graczy, has a new URL.  You can find the site at gta.nano.pl.  Please update your links and bookmarks.

New GTA3 Shots @ GTA Gaming Army  <11:55 PM CST - schu>
Teknics scored two new GTA3 shots.  These aren't any ordinary shots either, they appear to be from a new build and are a definite must see.  Get over to GTA Gaming Army and check them out.  Here is the email Tek sent in with his analysis of the new shots:

#43 is pretty cool. 2 cops arresting the main character. The flasher on top of the cop car is transparent red glass(cool ideas for this if cars are editable) so you can see the reflecting thing inside. The Flashing light is on the ground, or some type of light is. And coolest of all is that there's a reflection in the side mirror, which is quite cool, and implies when driving you'll be able to use them to watch the cops.

#44 is even cooler, the first GTA3 screen on the web showing proper car damage without the car blowing up. You can see the door off it's hinges and the bonnet/hood bent upwards, well the whole front seems bashed in. One neat thing is if you reference the 1st ever screen (the cop car thing) you'll see in the back of #44 that that is the corner where that cop picture was taken, you can even see the hot dog cart thingy.

In both of them you notice the car's levels of details are much better than initial screens, and all they need is some highlighting/light effects and they should be awesome. You'll also notice peds walking in the background :) oh and #43 has 5 cars, and 4 people on one screen which hopefully means there'll be plenty of cars on the road at a time. Oh and for stuff to add to your car list you see a big trailer truck on the far right of #43. Also on #43 there seems to be guts or something, maybe a car pieces on the road just in front of the light on the road which just seems cool (perhaps the blue stuff is water or something? just guessing)

I personally think GTA3 development seems to be stepping up.

GTA Chat Now Open  <11:55 PM CST - schu>
I've installed and tested a new JAVA chat room.  Just click on the Chat link on the nav bar and start chatting.  If you have any suggestions for permanent room changes or additions, please let me know.  I'm also working on adding a JAVA / IRC chat room.  If it works out I might just end up using the IRC one and dropping the regular JAVA room.

Miracle Maker 2 v1.26 Released  <11:55 PM CST - schu>
<miracle maker> has released version 1.26 of his GTA2 script editor.  This release features speed increases and bug fixes among other things.  Head over to www.miraclemaker.tsx.org for more details or to download.

GTAPL Map2: Sweden  <11:55 PM CST - schu>
Artur Lion has released a demo of his new GTA map, GTAPL Map2: Sweden.  Artur sent in an extensive email explaining the new map along with some screens.  The email is quite long so I've got it on a separate page, to read all about it, click here.  To download the demo, you'll have to visit Artur's site, GTA Help PL @ gta.help.pl.  Here are some shots from the new map:

EpiCenter Redesign  <11:55 PM CST - schu>
TheShit sent word that GTA: Epicenter has been redesigned.  Personally I think the new design looks great and is a definite improvement over the old one. Go to epicenter.niteshade.net and take a look for yourself.

Another GTA3 Preview  <11:55 PM CST - schu>
nomp informed me that Game Revolution has previewed GTA3. The preview is more like a feature list with a few screen shots. Not really anything new, but I'll add it to the list in the GTA3 Reviews/Previews section.  Thanks to nomp for sending the link in.

Back On-line <11:55 PM CST - schu>
Once again I apologize for the downtime last week. I didn't realize my old web provider was going to yank the site after I told them I was changing providers. Regardless, the change should be a positive one if the new host is as good as advertised. So far everything appears to be working correctly. If you run into anything that isn't working, please notify me and I'll fix the problem.

New Email Address  <11:55 PM CST - schu>
Along with the new host I finally have an @gouranga.com email address. Took long enough...  Anyway, I've changed all the links on the site to reflect my new email address, schu@gouranga.com.

New GTA Sites  <11:55 PM CST - schu>

• GTA Station
  http://3dactionplanet.com/GTA

  
Site Updates  <11:55 PM CST - schu>

• I updated the GTA3 Reviews/Previews section with a link to Game Revolution's GTA3 Preview. Thanks to nomp for sending in the link.
• I found another update on the GTA Palm project @ FGN. It's more of the same, but I thought I should mention it.