Ain't Sh*t <7:30 PM CST - schu>
Nothing going on today but I might as well take this lapse in news to once again mention that I will not be updating on Thursday or Friday this week.  Updates will hopefully resume sometime next week after I get my phone and Internet stuff set up.  Please feel free to send in any news or questions.  I will get to them as soon as I'm back online.

Site Updates <8:15 PM CST - schu>
Not much going on today, however I wanted to mention that I will be moving to my new apartment this weekend.  Actually I'll be leaving on Thursday morning so there will be no updates this Thursday or Friday.  Monday's update really depends on getting my phone and Internet service set up.  I really have no idea how long that will take but hopefully I'll be back to regular updates sometime next week although I'm not sure which day.  If I get access to the Internet from another computer I'll be sure and post a message on Shut Up and Type and on Azz'z Message Board.

"I wanna thank everyone for visiting my site so much! I finally hit 100,000 visitors after 2 years of updating often! Thanx! =-)"

  
GTA Oz Dies <7:20 PM CST - schu>
I spoke with Byron recently about some X-Com related stuff and he happened to mention that GTA Oz is pretty much dead.  I'm not sure if he has any plans on releasing any parts of the unfinished project but I'll see what I can find out.  GTA Oz has sort of been in limbo for months now but Byron finally put the last nail in its coffin when he started work on a new game that's not GTA related.  More on the fate of GTA Oz's remains when I hear back from Byron.

GTA World 2000 Closes <7:20 PM CST - schu>
GTA World 2000 has been closed by its host because of "missing requirements."  Apparently it was missing a banner or something.  Anyway, here is the update on GTA World 2k and GTA Hawaii:

"My GTA WORLD 2000 site is closed. It is no longer available. I did not decide to close it, it was my host. I received this e-mail from GTA+ saying:

"GTA+ has been closed because of missing requirements on the hosted sites. That's why I'm sending this email, so you can change it for the demands. It was my job to control that, but I didn't, and I've been yelled my pants off.... :("

They I think wanted me to put a banner on the site. If anyone thinks I should keep the site open and move it to another host, just email me.

P.S- Please, go with any host except GTA PLUS, they just screwed me up.  And also, if you are wondering GTA Hawaii is still going. Dazfish123 has told me the GTA Hawaii site will be updated very soon."

  
Voices of Evil <7:20 PM CST - schu>
ZOCKS, a German gaming site, has posted an interview with Lani Minella who has been doing voice over work for games for awhile now.  She was in Diablo2, StarCraft, Unreal, Duke Nukem 3D, etc.  Ok, I admit that this has nothing to do with GTA at all and I wasn't even going to mention it, but the interview is rather interesting, especially for anyone who wants to know more about how the games industry works.  To tell you the truth I'm not even sure why they sent me this URL, but what the hell.  The interview comes in two flavors, English and German.  You can link to parts 1 and 2 of the "Voices of Evil" interview from THIS PAGE.

Site Updates <7:20 PM CST - schu>
I did a quick scan of about ten different gaming news sites but they have been pretty devoid of any GTA news.  I'll keep checking them anyway in the hopes that I'll find something.  Either that or I'll have to go back to annoying Rockstar for more scraps of information.

GTA Epi Center Revamped <7:35 PM CST - schu>
TheShit recently revamped his site, the GTA Epi Center. The revamp looks pretty good so you should check it out over at epicenter.niteshade.net. While you're there, be sure and put your vote in on what you think of the current design.

• Midnight Club: Street Racing @ Gamespot UK
• Midnight Club Official Home

  
More On Stan's GTA Guides <9:15 PM CST - schu>
I talked with Stan again about his GTA guides and he said that he currently plans on creating guides for every GTA game ever made on all platforms (GTA, GTA2, GTA London, GTA Gameboy, etc).  His site is set to launch in September sometime but I don't think all the guides will be ready by then.  There will be two different versions of the guides, one set will have coordinates and the other won't.  So if you don't want to feel like a complete cheater you can use the version without coordinates :).

Scrap Yard <9:15 PM CST - schu>
Viper mentioned another bit of information that wasn't in yesterday's update.  His host was the main reason that he closed the site down.  Apparently he was being bitched at for not bringing in a enough hits so he closed the site and told the guy to go fu*k himself.  Currently he is working on a RCT page over at Teknics place.
 
 

Scrap Yard Scrapped <9:50 PM CST - schu>
Viper wrote in to tell me that he is closing his site, the GTA Scrap Yard, due to lack of hits.

New GTA Sites <7:00 PM CST - schu>

• GTA Aza World 2
  gtaworld2.moonfruit.com

Nothing Today... <8:00 PM CST - schu>
Kind of a dull way to end a pretty good week.  Hopefully Monday will be better.

"You can also take a trailer with a car on it. The crane will then exchange the cars. You have to do this in the third level (industrial sector) of GTA2, because there is a kill frenzy car with machine guns placed on a trailer."

  
GTA2 Map Idea <9:00 PM CST - schu>
Nick was working on ideas for a GTA2 map when he realized he doesn't have any time to use his notes.  He asked that I share them with anyone who might be interested.  Basically this RTF file (13k) is Nick's notes and ideas for a map based in the UK on a "James Bond/Russian/Local Crime" sort of theme.  Check em out if you're interested and if you use any of the ideas, please remember to mention Nick in the credits.

GTA Hawaii - Update <8:30 PM CST - schu>
Well, that was quick.  GTA Hawaii found a car maker who will also take over the entire cars section, here is the update on the latest:

"I have found a more than a car maker now. I have found a manager that will take over the entire cars section.

His name is Sam Swales.
I am still looking for a car maker though.
If you would like to be a car maker, do the following.

1. E-mail me first: graham_woloski@hotmail.com
2. I will give you Sam Swales e-mail address
3. Listen to what instructions he gives you.

I have no idea what is in store for you guys.  Only one car maker will be accepted."

  
More On Smuggler's Run <8:30 PM CST - schu>
Smuggler's Run was recently featured on Daily Radar as the PS2 game of the day.  Smuggler's Run is one of two GTAesque games from Rockstar coming out for PS2.

GTA Scrap Yard In Danger <8:30 PM CST - schu>
Viper's site, GTA Scrap Yard, is in danger of disappearing due to lack of hits.  If you get a chance, get over to the Scrap Yard and take a look.  If you run a GTA site you may want to consider adding a link to Viper's site.

GTA3 Wire Frame Info <6:00 PM CST - schu>
Just a quick update on the GTA3 wire frame movie I posted a while back.  As you may recall the guy in the movie was sitting on the right side of the car which led me to believe that all or part of GTA3 might be based in the UK.  I found out today that the wire frame was just a test model and although my source could not confirm or deny the GTA3's setting, the email hinted that GTA3 would be set in the US.  Keep in mind this is all just rumors at this point and until GTA3 is officially announced, reliable information will be hard to come by.

GTA3D Planet Opens <6:00 PM CST - schu>
HinGTA has opened his new GTA3D site, GTA3D Planet.  You can use either of the following URLs to get to the site, gta3d.niteshade.net or www.gta3dplanet.com.

GTA2 Tip of the Day or Something <6:00 PM CST - schu>
Doug wrote in asking me if it was possible to put cars on the trailer using the truck trailer from the 2nd level.  After you drive the trailer to the crusher it picks up the car that was on it and drops it in the crusher, but until now I never knew if you could put another car on it.  Doug claims to have solved the problem.  According to him, you can park the trailer next to a crane that isn't by a crusher.  Then you drive the car you want on the trailer next to the crane.  The crane should then pick up the car and put it on the trailer.  I haven't tested this out yet but it seems pretty logical.  Thanks to Doug for this tip.

GTA Hawaii - Help Wanted <6:00 PM CST - schu>
GTA Hawaii is once again in need of help.  Currently Graham is looking for a car maker to replace Master S who left the GTA Scene a short while ago.  Here is Graham's update:

"GTA Hawaii has lost another member. Master S has once again quit the GTA Scene. So this means that I am in search of a  new car maker for GTA Hawaii.

If anyone would like to be a car make e-mail me at"

graham_woloski@hotmail.com
http://gtaworld.gtaplus.com
http://members.aol.com/Dazfish123/hawaii

I have finally finished my powerup index, the complete list of powerups, weapons, shops and docks in every single player level of Grand Theft Auto. Since my last GOURANGA! update I've released printable versions of my major indices and added lots of hints and tips and some remote controlled cars to my pages.

GTA Tanks
http://go.to/gtatanks

  
GTA Costa Brava Looking For Help <7:00 PM CST - schu>
Roland is looking for help with GTA Costa Brava.  More specifically the project is currently in need of a map maker.  If you are interested please contact Roland at roland@flame.nu. 

• Midnight Club: Street Racing
  http://www.gamespot.co.uk/news/2000/08/7778.html
• Smugglers Run
  http://www.gamespot.co.uk/news/2000/08/7779.html

  
Wankers On Duty <7:00 PM CST - schu>
gangsterboss sent me and URL for Da Hool's site, Hool Productions.  The German DJ, DA Hool aka DA Hooligan put together the GTA2 'Wankers On Duty' video that you can download off of Take2's German site (although I'm not sure if its still available or not).  You can also download the 'Wankers On Duty' track from the Hool Productions site.

GTaEdit Redesigned <7:00 PM CST - schu>
The Andinator sent word that GTaEdit has been resigned.  I just took a peek and its looking very nice.  GTaEdit is in German, but don't let that dissuade you if you don't speak German.  If you find a tutorial or something else you'd like to read you can simply cut and paste it into Babelfish and translate it into the language of your choice.  Currently GTaEdit has tutorials on making trains, missions, and kill frenzies along with many more.  Check it out at gtaedit.gtazone.de.

New GTA3D Site <8:00 PM CST - schu>
Even though we still don't know for sure what the next GTA will be named (GTA3, GTA3D, GTAWhatever) that didn't stop Markus from setting up a German GTA3D site.  You can find it at www.gta3d.de.

Tiffany On Vacation <8:00 PM CST - schu>
Tiffany's Unofficial GTA Shrine will not be updated from August 6th to August 13th, she asked that I post the following announcement:

"I'll be away from August 6 through 13, so if you do send me anything, it won't be added or seen until I return, so don't think I'm ignoring ya! *giggle*"

  
gta: epi center's New Car Section <8:00 PM CST - schu>
TheShit sent me the following update on his new car section over at gta: epi center:

"The gta: epi center has plans of opening a car section. But you can't have a cars section without people knowing you have one or people sending cars. The cars section can be found on my site epicenter.niteshade.net. The cars can be sent to gtacars@crimewave.org.  This site also features daily updates and much more.  I am also searching somebody to take over the maps section ..."

  
The GTA Directory's Massive Update <8:00 PM CST - schu>
Ollie sent word that The GTA Directory has undergone a huge update along with a complete redesign all to celebrate the first year at its new URL, www.olliesplace.com.  The GTA Directory caters to GTA, GTA2, and GTA London, take a look.

Site Updates <8:00 PM CST - schu>
Ok, I replied to pretty much all of the email I got but there a still a few floating around that require me to think so I'll be getting to those a little later.  I'm making some inquires about GTA3 so hopefully if I become too much of a nuisance they will throw me a bone.  I'll see what I can scrape together in the mean time.  Also I added links to GTA News Network and The GTA Directory and I'll probably get to the webring queue shortly.