Old News - July 2002 Contents

07-30-02
07-29-02
07-23-02
07-22-02
07-17-02
07-16-02
07-15-02
07-13-02
07-11-02
07-10-02
07-09-02
07-08-02
07-03-02
07-02-02
07-01-02

Tuesday - July 30, 2002   <11:13 PM CST>

 <Top>

Site Updates   <11:13 PM CST - schu>
If you sent me an email recently and didn't receive a reply, please resend it.  The table of contents on my inbox got screwed after my power cut out while I was downloading my email and it seems to destroyed half my messages....

  

Monday - July 29, 2002   <3:30 PM CST>

 <Top>

Make Your Own GTA3 Cars   <3:30 PM CST - schu>
The latest update to the ZModeler includes a DFF filter which should mean new cars for GTA3.  You can download the latest version at zmodeler.nfscheats.com.  Thanks to wsm.bernd for the update.

GTA3 MultiEdit   <3:30 PM CST - schu>
If you've been having trouble downloading ICEY's MultiEdit util, you can also get it from here.

Site Update   <3:30 PM CST - schu>
The news has dropped off a bit lately, but I'm sure you can see that for yourself.

 

Tuesday - July 23, 2002   <4:30 PM CST>

 <Top>

GTA3 MultiEdit v1.1.1   <4:30 PM CST - schu>
ICEY has released GTA3 MultiEdit v1.1.1 over on his GTA3 Gangs site at gangs.tk.  Below I've posted a screenshot of the utility and be sure to take a look at the extensive feature list in the readme file.

 Click To View

  
GTA3 Skin Maker   <4:30 PM CST - schu>
Apparently the GTA3 skin maker link was down for awhile but it appears to be back up now.  You can get it from Kuraby Soft.

Change Your Character   <4:30 PM CST - schu>
Osiris set up a page on how to change which character model you use in the game.  Check out his page here.

Not So FreeLoader   <4:30 PM CST - schu>
Thresh got an email from FreeLoader announcing their new business plan.  Basically, contrary to their name, they aren't going to be completely "free" anymore.  They are introducing a pay scheme for "premium content".  It will be interesting to see which games qualify as "premium" and if GTA, GTA London, and GTA2 are still available for free.  According to their site those titles will be available "this summer", what I find strange is last winter they announced that they would be available "this spring".  Regardless, as long as the GTA series remains free after this changeover I suppose I won't have anything to bitch about.

Operation Black Thunder   <4:30 PM CST - schu>
Chris sent word that GTA2 Maps Online has released their GTA2 map, Operation Black Thunder.  You can check out some screenshots of OBT below:

  
New GTA Sites   <4:30 PM CST - schu>

  

Monday - July 22, 2002   <11:55 PM CST>

 <Top>

Site Updates   <4:55 PM CST - schu>
Sorry for the break in updates, but Diskeeper decided to eat my WinXP installation for lunch and I spent the weekend trying to get everything reinstalled.  But hey, it only took two full installs to get it right.  I guess I'll go back to PerfectDisk for my defragging needs, it never ate my registry.  Luckily I was able to boot off the XP cd and use the repair console to recover everything I needed.  That was probably more information that anyone wanted to know...  Anyway, I'll work my way through the email and hopefully have something to update on.

  

Wednesday - July 17, 2002   <11:55 PM CST>

 <Top>

GTA3 PC Still Selling Well   <11:55 PM CST - schu>
GTA3 PC is still doing quite well sales wise.  From what I can tell it has been in the top ten every week since its release.  Right now it's sticking at #6.  Check the full list at GameSpot.

More Dead Dodos   <11:55 PM CST - schu>
Nick wanted to make it known that it is indeed possible to shoot down the full-winged Dodo in the PS2 version as well, here is what he sent in:

"Hey, I'm sure you'll get a crap load of messages about this, but I have also shot down the Dodo that flies overhead in the PS2 version of the game. I was standing on the train trestle in Portland and heard it fly over heard. I thought I'd try to shoot it down with a rocket, I did and instantly got 4 stars I think. Just wanted to let you know."

Most of you GameFAQs people probably know all this stuff, but I thought I'd drop this out there for the more casual GTA3 fan...

The Competition   <11:55 PM CST - schu>
IGN and GameSpot have both announced that Driver3 is set to be released in 2003.  Judging by the trailer it will be based in Miami.  I suppose the big question is... will we still be stuck in the damn car the whole game?  It looks like GTA Vice City and GTA4 will both have plenty of compeitition judging by all the GTA3 type games coming out in 2002/2003.

  

Tuesday - July 16, 2002   <11:55 PM CST>

 <Top>

Bonus Pages on RockstarGames.com   <11:55 PM CST - schu>
Tom was checking out the Rockstar site when he came across a clock radio.  After clicking it, this page popped up.  Try clicking the buttons on the clock.  If you keep refreshing any page on Rockstar's site it will drop in little bonus items that do different things, including dice that open a wallpaper link (if you get double R* on the dice), two different pill variations, a trash can, a pop up target, a clock, some evil pool balls (666), the Rockstar Lite Orchestra / mix thing.  You might also want to check out the Rockstar Player hidden in the arcade machine's speaker.  It offers five streams, one authored by Rockstar's own Terry Donovan.  I also noticed that they have a number of 80's site listed in their Links section...

Dodo Hunt   <11:55 PM CST - schu>
Rev_Ted (PlanetSoldier.com) had some spare time on his hands so he decided to prove to himself that he could shoot down the full-winged Dodo that flies over Liberty City from time to time, here is what he sent in about it:

"Did I ever mention that I shot down the fully-winged Dodo that flies over Portland? (PC version - haven't tried in PS2)

I went to the car-crusher with a rocket launcher, walked to the top of the trash pile, and waited for the Dodo to fly over, which it does every few "hours" (game hours, not real hours). I was able to take it down with a single rocket, after I got the timing right. This gets the cops angry rather quickly, I might add, but it's a doozy of an explosion."

  
New GTA Sites   <11:55 PM CST - schu>

  

Monday - July 15, 2002   <10:16 PM CST>

 <Top>

GTA3 Modeling Program   <10:16 PM CST - schu>
dElAvA ran across a free modeling program that is compatible with GTA3's file formats.  Check out the ZModeler site for more on this utility.  GTA3Mods.com also has an excellent write-up on it.

Strange Happenings 2.0   <10:16 PM CST - schu>
Insane2757 is working on updating his listing of the strange occurrences in GTA3 and he would like your help.  If you'd like to help, just take a look at the listing and see if you've found something strange that he hasn't.  If you have, send him an email about it describing the event (where it occurred, how to reproduce it, etc).

New Forum @ GTA2 Maps Online   <10:16 PM CST - schu>
They guys at GTA2 Maps Online have added a new forum to their site that is dedicated to scripting and mapping.  You can find it right here.

New GTA Sites   <10:16 PM CST - schu>
Two new Russian GTA3 sites today...

  • GrandTheft AG
    gta.ag.ru
    "We've opened our GTA project, Grand Theft AG yesterday.
    It's in Russian, but we've implemented an interesting feature. By
    visiting our pages you earn virtual dollars. You can spend 'em later
    for visiting gold pages & buying virtual cars."

  

Saturday - July 13, 2002   <3:30 AM CST>

 <Top>

GTA3 3D Mapper Update   <3:30 AM CST - schu>
KCow sent in the details on the latest update to his 3D mapper:

"Another update, releasing GTA 3 Mapper 2.2b to fix all those Access
Violations people were getting when initially running this program in Win
9X/ME and adds a few new features (and bug fixes) :) These can be accessed
from my site: www.chronetal.co.uk/gta3 "

  
New GTA Sites   <3:30 AM CST - schu>

  
Crazy Sh*t   <3:30 AM CST - schu>
Don't ask, just click! (for the Adult Swim fans out there).  If you know who Stephen Hawking is you definitely owe it to yourself to check out MC Hawking.

  

Thursday - July 11, 2002   <11:59 PM CST>

 <Top>

MSX FM & Moving Shadow Records   <11:59 PM CST - schu>
demaxx was checking out the Moving Shadow site (a record label & associate of Rockstar Games) when he came across their MSX FM page.  Moving Shadow has MSX FM streamed from their site, along with two other streams for your listening pleasure.  If you don't have the Real One player, you can get it free right here (this is the free version, not the 14 day evaluation of Real One Plus).

OPM/Gamers.com Vice Predictions   <11:59 PM CST - schu>
Insane2757 sent me a scan of the Vice City article featured in the latest issue of the Official Playstation Magazine (US).  I cannot repost the article here because of copyright issues, but I can tell you that it probably isn't worth the purchase price just to read the one page article.  You'd be better of saving your money and reading it in the magazine isle.  The article basically makes a bunch of predictions based off of the Vice City box art.  Primarily they talk about the people on the cover and how they might by the younger versions of Donald Love, Tony Cipriani, and 8-Ball.  Personally, the only one I can totally agree with is Donald, check the comparison shots and judge for yourself (Donald Love / Tony Cipriani / 8-Ball).  They also note the Lamborghini clone on the cover and take guesses on the inclusion of a flyable helicopter and the probable inclusion of motorcycles.  Thanks to Insane2757 for the scan and to Bluedood2 and Jake for the heads up.

I also wanted to mention that I've heard from an extremely reliable source that the information Gamers.com posted was indeed based on the article in OPM.  You should also be aware that both articles are based on educated guesses and are not officially released details.

GTA3 In Automobile Magazine   <11:59 PM CST - schu>
Rev Ted (PlanetSoldier.com) ran across a GTA3 feature in the August issue of Automobile Magazine.  Here is the rundown Ted sent in:

"In the "In Gear (by Monte Duran)" Department (page 129) of the most recent Automobile Magazine (August 2002), there are listed "three systems (and their most entertaining games) that take the action to your basement." Each system (PS2, XBox, and PC) has two games listed. Each game gets a screenshot (simulated, of course) on a Sharp flatscreen television (including the two PC shots) and a three- or four-sentence caption.

On the page for the PS2, GTA3 gets this screenshot and this caption: "If there's any morally redeeming quality to Grand Theft Auto 3, it's that it allows you to act out criminal impulses without the risk of going to jail. Want to plow through traffic in a semi or destroy city blocks with a tank? This is your game. Should you tire of running amok, there's always the option of following the feeble, yet seamy, story line."

I think it's interesting to note that GTA3 is the only title in the article that is not specifically dedicated to racing.

Games listed:
PS2: GT3, GTA3
XBox: RalliSport Challenge, Project Gotham Racing
PC: NASCAR Racing 2002 Season, F1 2002

The table of contents entry for the article displays the Sharp flatscreen television with this (once again, simulated) screenshot."

  
New GTA Sites   <11:59 PM CST - schu>

 

Wednesday - July 10, 2002   <11:59 PM CST>

 <Top>

GTA3 3D Mapper   <8:00 PM CST - schu>
KCow sent me an alternate download site along with the following update on the 3D mapper:

"Just to say sorry about my site being down, I only had a 2Gb monthly allowance, and exceeded that by 3 times in the first week of July.

Someone placed my mapper on their site here:
http://www.gta3.gamehorizons.net/tools.html

But, this is still beta and people have been having major problems on Win 9X/ME which has something todo with the hardware openGl support code in my program, I am working on a fix. Or you can just force software mode by switching desktop color depth to 256 colors (if you are desperate to use it). Rotating objects hasn't been implemented yet, and I will be working on releasing a more stable version later this week! But it works fine on Win 2k/XP (though memory consumption is still high, but working on optimising the code as well)"

- KCow

peterjmag sent in another download URL if you have any other problems getting the 3D mapper.

GTA3 Admin Console   <11:59 PM CST - schu>
Alper sent in an update on a GTA3 program he's been working on:

"In the past four weeks, I have developed a program that would assist the GTA3 players to full extend during gameplay, and open a door for future modifications to GTA3 gameplay. The Admin Console works with V1.0 and V1.1of GTA3.

The GTA3 Admin-console has 130 internal commands, an integrated Garage-editor, a Trainer for GTA3 internal cheats, ability to save locations from GTA3 to enable warping the player and his car during gameplay, ability to assign keyboard shortcuts to all internal and external commands (remote-mode), lets you change online almost all aspects of the game from sub-missions to car weight, from weapons to flight-assistance.

The console synchronizes its process with the GTA3, and uses GTA3 internal functions to perform some of its console-commands. It uses also the On-Screen Feedback function of the GTA3 to send feedback messages to the player for commands that does not have visual feedback (like locking the car doors).
(Note: For the Tank-Mode to run, the player must have had at least once a tank - use tank cheat if necessary)

This program has been alpha- and betatested by 27 volunteers on the past weeks, and ready to be shared with other addicted GTA3 players.

I have set up a quick web site for the Admin-console, its functions, commands, and some screenshots as well as for full- and exe-downloads."

You can find the admin console on Alper's website or go straight to the download page.

Ted Koppel - The World's Biggest GTA3 Fan   <11:59 PM CST - schu>
ABC News strikes again, unfortunately I missed it again.  Apparently Nightline, for lack of better things to report on, decided to make July 10th their official GTA3 night.  Ted Koppel bragged about his mad GTA3 skillz and only wanted to talk about how he is the biggest GTA3 fan ever.  He went on to say that everyone was his bitch and that no one should fuck with him.  He then beat the show's production staff with a bat yelling "Sayonara hooker!" over and over again, and then mumbled something about his gat and popping some caps in that bitch ass Peter Jennings.  I couldn't find much on ABCNews.com other than the same bullshit article they posted last time, nor could I find a way to watch Nightline without being a RealOne SuperPass bitch.  As much as I want to give Real Networks $9.95 a month, I think I'll pass...  Thanks to Dave and MARC.

Oh, and MARC also sent in his rundown on the show (although I think I covered everything already :) )...

"On ABC Nightline, Grand Theft Auto III was discussed! For a rather long time at that. Perhaps one of the most open-minded "reviews" of the game by the media thus far, the segment opens with a less than enthusiastic host... giving a quick background on violence in games and the game itself. They mention the popularity of the game (best selling game of the year) and even interview its' target audience, 13 year olds! They talk about how the game is a release for them, and is "as close as you can get to killing a person without going to jail". Sounds so simple! After that little banter, they actually PLAY the game, with Steve Crenshaw, a GTA fan. He seemed quite knowledgeable, although I don't agree with all that he had to say. Disagree with the 13 year olds, Steve said it's more for the challenge than for the violence. He also said you can do "several other things that are equally satisfying"... such as flying in a plane and riding in a boat. Next we have a researcher from Cornell University. He says that research shows fantasy (violence) can help lead to reality. Granted not every kid will end up killing someone, but they are more likely to, and this is a step in the wrong direction. Concluding with a cop, who says "this game is on the list", of priorities to make the world a better place? Who knows."


GTA3 Skin Maker   <11:59 PM CST - schu>
Akuma sent in a little more on his GTA3 Skin Maker, otherwise known as Briskin:

"Kuraby Soft ® is proud to announce that our GTA site is finally online.

We also wanted to let you know that our first application for GTA3 "Briskin" it's finished.

"Briskin" it's a GTA3 skin builder we created to simplify the creation of new skins. The program allows you to combine different parts from your skins to build new ones. We also added accessories such as: Masks, Sun glasses or Stamps that you can place directly into your skin and some skin parts that are already cut and ready to use.

you can download it at :
www.kuraby-soft.cjb.net

and you can also check our main project"Burnspringfield" a Simpsons adventure game."

  
New GTA Sites   <11:59 PM CST - schu>

  

Tuesday - July 9, 2002   <11:55 PM CST>

 <Top>

GTA3 3D Mapper Released   <11:55 PM CST - schu>
The rumor is that KCow released his 3D mapper, the only problem is that his site is down.  Keep checking KCow's site and see if you get lucky.  Thanks to dElAvA and Bmxbudy for the update.

GPS Radar Mod   <11:55 PM CST - schu>
Jey Bee created a great new GTA3 radar mod (1.7MB) that is all the rage in Germany.  The zip files contains everything you need including installation instructions in the Readme file.  Below you'll find a preview image of what you can expect from the new mod:

 Click To View

RealCars Mod   <11:55 PM CST - schu>
Here's one that's sure to spark some controversy.  The Power of R&A has released version 1.1 of the RealCars mod (57k) for GTA3.  The mod basically replaces all the car names with their real life counterparts.  Here is the email that was sent with the file:

Changes in v1.1:
- Fixed a few typos
- Zipped for quicker transfer

Installation Instructions:
Extract the contents of Real Cars v1.1.zip to your TEXT directory in the GTA 3 directory of your PC.

Enjoy!

Changes to come in v1.2:
- Car specific missions will have title changes
eg. 'Rumpo Rampage' to 'Ram Van Rampage'

  
Snow Mod   <11:55 PM CST - schu>
The guys at GTA3.com released details on a snow mod for GTA3, check it out at GTA3.com.  You can also find more on it at GameStar and the mod's official page.

GTA3 Skin Maker   <11:55 PM CST - schu>
I haven't tried this one out yet, but Bmxbudy sent word that Kuraby Soft has released their GTA3 Skin Maker.  You can get it from their download page.

Finally   <6:30 PM CST - schu>
NPR's All Things Considered reviewed GTA3 today and they gave it a positive review.  Probably the first positive review out of the mainstream media that actually concentrated on why the game is so good.  The review itself is actually very good and contains various audio clips from the game.  You can listen to the GTA3 clip here (in RealAudio format).  I'm almost tempted to listen to the next few shows to see if they get any mail from angry listeners.  The full program/clip listing for the show is here, although it isn't linked up yet.

Site Updates   <6:30 PM CST - schu>

  • I still have more updates but I'm still working through email.  I tried to get all the mod news wrapped up today.
  • I got an email from my webhost asking when I want the new RAM added to the server, so if you notice any downtime tonight or tomorrow it will hopefully only last for 15 minutes as they add the new RAM.

  

Monday - July 8, 2002   <11:30 PM CST>

 <Top>

Site Updates   <11:30 PM CST - schu>
I'm back from my July 4th/Independence Day extended weekend.  Right now I'm working through email (most of which is that damn Yaha virus).  In the mean time you might want to check out the new Rockstar website.

 

Wednesday - July 3, 2002   <1:30 AM CST>

 <Top>

World's First Vice City Screenshot!   <1:30 AM CST - schu>
I get this call on my answering machine telling me to check my email because Rockstar just sent out a Vice City screenshot. Here is what I found in my inbox:

 Click To View

They also sent a link along with it.  If you read through the site you'll spot some of the possible characters that will be appearing in the game (nice, check out the web counter, I was thinking I was one of the few people who visited the site only to notice that it puts a random number up each time).  The screenshot and the link were sent out on the official mailing list.

KentPaul.com   <1:30 AM CST - schu>
If you haven't figured it out yet, KentPaul.com (the link in the Vice City Screenshot update) is basically the new Liberty Tree for Vice City.  If you notice they say they'll be updating in a month or so.  It looks like all the sections will open gradually as we get closer and closer to the release, just like Liberty Tree did (and yes it is hosted by Take2 and updated by Rockstar).

  

Tuesday - July 2, 2002   <7:19 PM CST>

 <Top>
GTA3 Mapping Tool?!   <7:19 PM CST - schu>
dElAvA sent me this link.  Apparently Kcow is working on an amazing 3D GTA3 mapping utility, check out Kcow's site for screenshots and information.  If you want you can download his 2D mapping utility right now.  You can use it for "object or map placement within the Grand Theft Auto 3 PC data files."

  

Monday - July 1, 2002   <11:55 PM CST>

 <Top>
GTA3 --> GTA   <11:55 PM CST - schu>
dElAvA is working on a GTA TC to take all the GTA3 maps and rebuild them in GTA.  Right now he is working on Portland, here is his update:

"In a previous e-mail I told you about the GTA3 > GTA TC. I finished the roads of Portland and just wanted to show it off. There were changes that had to be made such as curves into straights and corners but other than that I'd have to say It looks just like Portland. There are no buildings, slopes or anything else but there next on the list. I'm working from GTA3's radar as I could extract it from the txd files. I've attached the Portland section of the radar the edited radar and a picture of the map."

shot1 / shot2 / shot3

  
Peter Jennings - Big GTA3 Fan   <11:55 PM CST - schu>
PSG1 sent word that ABC News did a report on video game violence and GTA3 tonight.  ABC has also posted an article relating to the story on abcnews.com.  The report and the article mainly cover video game violence and how kids are getting access to M rated games (mainly through their parents).  I didn't see the TV report but I did get a chance to read through the article.  To me the article sounds like it was written by a high-school newspaper journalist, and a bad one at that.  Why is it that every article on GTA3 has to mention the hooker thing?  As long as I've been playing GTA3 I think I picked up a hooker twice and I was never so strapped for cash that I had to kill her, yet every article published by the mainstream media uses that trick as their tag line.  Some of what the article says is true, but it falls in the same trap that all commercial media falls into, the message they are trying to convey is lost when they sensationalize the topic.  "Sayonara hooker?" where did they find these kids? - and who says sayonara outside of Japan and action movies?  Thanks to PSG1 and to IdeoPraxist for the abcnews.com link.

Community News   <11:55 PM CST - schu>

  • GTA Skins.com
    Tom just opened his new site, GTASkins.com.  His site features a nice selection of skins each with their own download counter and user rating.
  • GTA2 Maps Online
    Chris sent word that you can now upload maps through the site at GTA2 maps online.  Check it out at www.pyro.gtahqmods.com.

 
<Top>