Tuesday - February 26, 2002 <8:50 PM CST>

Site Updates   <8:50 PM CST - schu>
Sorry about the lack of updates...  I'm in the midst of reinstalling my computer and I'll be going out of town tomorrow.  I was hoping to have an update done for today but this thing isn't going as smoothly as I had hoped.  I'll probably do my next update sometime early next week, unless I get back earlier than that...  In the mean time I'll have SOE along with me while I'm out of town so I can give that a try.  I'll also keep checking the forums.  Please keep sending news in and I'll post everything in my next update.  

Friday - February 22, 2002 <11:50 PM CST>

DMA Reborn?   <11:50 PM CST - schu>
Many of you may or may not realize that DMA is a very different company today.  Just before it became a wholly owned subsidiary of Take2, many of the guys involved with the original GTA left DMA to pursue other interests.  I recently heard from an anonymous source that David Jones and his DMA all-stars have gotten back together to form a new company called Real Time Worlds.  If the past is any indication of what to expect in the future, then you should definitely keep an eye on RTM.  Whatever they do, it's bound to be something unique.

GTA: Miami This Fall   <11:50 PM CST - schu>
Gamers.com is reporting that GTA: Miami will be released for the PS2 this fall.  Very little is known at this point, but GTA: Miami is believed to be a GTA3 expansion pack that will continue GTA3's story line. Thanks to Lone Wolf for the link.

GTA3 - As Seen On TV!   <11:50 PM CST - schu>
Matt ( gta:uk ) mentioned that GTA3 adverts continue to appear on various television channels in the UK, including MTV Europe.  From what I understand, the adverts are basically the same as the ones appearing here in the US (just a chopped down version of the GTA3 trailer that was released awhile back).

New GTA Sites   <11:50 PM CST - schu>

• GTA: Informant
  informant.grandtheftauto3.net

• Liberty City Inquirer - Relaunched
  www.liberty-enquirer.cjb.net

Crazy Sh*t   <11:50 PM CST - schu>
Don't ask, just click!  They have a pretty cool clock as well... Or if you're looking for something of a more political nature, try this.  This is my personal favorite.  Gate ( american-trade.org ) sent in a few good links as well, including Downing Street Fighter and Brick a Brand.

Thursday - February 21, 2002 <8:00 PM CST>

GTA3 RingTones   <8:00 PM CST - schu>
Johan has created a RiseFM ringtone for Nokia phones.  I don't have a phone myself so I have no way to test it, but if you are looking for help, I'm sure someone on the G! Forum in the Rise FM Ringtone thread can help you:

It is written on a Nokia 3310.

Name: GTA3 RiseFM
Tempo: 140

16a1 8b2 16a1 8b2
16a1 8c3 16a1 8c3
16a1 8g2 16b1 8g2
16b1 8g2 16b1 8g2
16b1 8g2 16b1 8d3
16c2 16e3 16d2 8f3
16d2 8f3 16d2 8e3
16d2 8e3 16d2 8d3
16f1 8a2 16f1 8a2
16g1 8a2 16g1 8a2
16g1 8a2 8b2

SOE   <8:00 PM CST - schu>
Insane2757 sent in a link to IGN's SOE review, if you care to take a look.

I also wanted to mention that Gate, a good friend of mine, recently put his SOE site online at www.american-trade.org, please take a look.  Gate is actually involved with a number of organizations that protest on a variety of issues in real life.

GTA Space Released   <8:00 PM CST - schu>
Pyro has released GTA Space.  Check it out at www.geocities.com/pyrogunman.  Keep checking the site for future projects.  Pyro mentioned that he also has the following projects in development, Operation Black Thunder, GTA - Space, GTA - Invasion Mars, and GTA - Time.

New GTA3 Clan   <8:00 PM CST - schu>
Peter has decided to start a GTA3 clan over at grandtheftauto-3.com.  If you are interested in helping him out, please read the announcement on his site.

Monday - February 18, 2002 <8:00 PM CST>

Real Life Grand Theft Auto   <8:00 PM CST - schu>
dudetjb, illspirit, and Striderhiryu sent in a rather disturbing article.  The article basically tries to link Grand Theft Auto with some very similar acts committed by someone who can only be described as, fu*king insane.  I admit the similarities are there, illspirit even noted that the guy stayed at the "St. Marks Hotel".  That being said, are we really supposed to censor all of our entertainment media based on whether it might set off a mentally deranged person?  On a lighter note, check out the poll that accompanies that article :).

Insane2757 turned up a few links related to the whole video game violence issue that might interest you...  First up is more at Gamespot and Yahoo on the new bill in Georgia.  Second is an older article trying to link the WTC attacks to video games.  I'm not even going to bother commenting on that second article.  Insane started threads on these topics here and here if you care to comment.

New GTA Sites   <8:00 PM CST - schu>

• GTA_Max
  uk.geocities.com/gta_player2001

Friday - February 15, 2002 <11:50 PM CST>

GTA3 On Campus   <11:50 PM CST - schu>
Rev Ted recently spotted a GTA3 controversy in his own campus newspaper, the Texas A&M Battalion.  Once again I was left wondering why these articles refer to the main audience of GTA3, and video games in general, as "children", when the majority of gamers fall between the ages of 18 and 35.  After all, GTA3 is an M Rated game and is geared for, and marketed to gamers who are 18+.  If parents wish to allow their children to play games that fall into this category then it is not the responsibility of the government to infringe upon that right. On top of that she cites a study published in 1999 to support her allegations, when newer, government supported, studies have been published more recently that tell a very different story.  

It will be a cold day in hell when I sit down and let Kelln Zimmer and her fascist state tell me what I can and can't play just because she can't be bothered to keep an eye on the children she may have one day.  It's amazing how easily people are willing to give up freedom so their government can "protect" them.  Personally, I have a brain of my own and I don't need my government thinking for me.  Sorry, that rant went a little longer than I intended...

I was happy to see that they published both Anti-GTA3 and the Pro-GTA3 viewpoints however, at least it wasn't completely one-sided.  Rev Ted also provided this link, where you can see the entire page with both viewpoints and accompanying artwork.  The artwork left Ted and myself wondering why they chose to give the character a scowl when he remains completely emotionless throughout the game.

In related news, the state of Georgia is considering a bill, that if passed, would make it illegal to sell M rated games to minors.  Read more about it at AVault.

Random Bits of News   <11:50 PM CST - schu>

• GTA3 On TV
  The GTA3 trailer/commercial has been spotted on UK TV channel 4 and 5 by both pheed (GTA3 Rampage) and Peter

• SOE
  Insane2757 found a nice article about the enemies in SOE on IGN.  IGN also has a review up for SOE, but don't bother clicking unless you've paid the price of admission (or wait a day or so when they release it to the rest of us).

• EB's Best Seller
  Teck sent word that SOE is the current best seller at Electronic's Boutique US.  So far I haven't heard from anyone who has spotted it in any stores yet though.

• Opie, Anthony & GTA3
  Apparently Opie and Anthony, of the Opie and Anthony radio show, are GTA3 fans.  In fact they named GTA3 the best console game ever.  Thanks to UTICKY for sending word on that.

• Take-Two Financial News
  Rev Ted found a follow-up article reporting on Take-Two's financial status.  More on this at PS2.ign.com (part1 / part2)

• IGN Insider's Rejoice
  More GTA3 goodness on IGN Insider, too bad I'm penniless and stuck on the outside.  God I'm a cheap bastard.  Insiders, check out Part1 - "Tank you very much", Part2 - "Invisi-mobile", and Part3 - "Hidden packages".

GTA Community News   <11:50 PM CST - schu>

• GTA-reality
  Phil has a new GTA site that is currently under construction at www.gta-reality.iwarp.com.  After it's completed, it will contain some of the things you can't find on other sites, like some of the pedestrian dialog heard throughout GTA3.

• GTA HQ
  Justin is opening a new GTA site at www.gtahq.com, take a look.

• Operation Black Thunder
  Pyro and Gunman's GTA2 map project, Operation Black Thunder, has reached it's first milestone.  The Nanosoft side of the project is complete.  Pyro also informed me that they are starting a new project entitled, GTA: Space.  Check out more on their projects at www.geocities.com/pyrogunman.
  

  
Crazy Sh*t   <11:50 PM CST - schu>
Don't ask, just click!  Damn, I wish I would have found these cards sooner (thanks to Insane2757 for the v-cards link).  At least Mr. T still loves you and so does David Hasselhoff...  As if you didn't know already.

Thursday - February 14, 2002 <1:00 PM CST>

GTA3 Ringtone! - Part 2   <1:00 PM CST - schu>
One quick update on the GTA3 ringtone.  Zingy is available in the US only.  Rockstar is looking for another solution so people in the UK, Europe, etc can download the tone as well.  If you know of a good, FREE, service that can do this, please let me know.  The key is, it has to be FREE, they don't want fans to have to pay to get this thing.

Wednesday - February 13, 2002 <1:00 PM CST>

GTA3 Ringtone!   <1:00 PM CST - schu>
Last month Alex wrote in asking about the possibility of using the GTA3 pager sound as a ringtone for his Nokia phone.  It sounded like a great idea to me so I forwarded it on to the guys at Rockstar.  We talked it over, and to make a long story short, Rockstar has made the tone available at Zingy.com.  Zingy is a free service and the tone should work on all logo & graphic enabled phones.  Check the Help section at Zingy if you need help installing the tone or if you're looking for a listing of compatible Nokia phones. Thanks to Alex for the idea and to Rockstar for making it happen!

Tuesday - February 12, 2002 <11:59 PM CST>

GTA3 In Australia   <11:59 PM CST - schu>
If you are interested, S3KT0R turned up a few links at the OFLC's site that show the GTA3 classification changes:

"This shows that the OFLC has classified the "revised" GTA3 PS2 as MA 15 + (HIGH LEVEL ANIMATED VIOLENCE)"

• 28 November 2001 Refused Classification
  
• 29 November 2001 Reviewed and Refused Classification
  
• 17 January 2002 Revised GTA3 classified MA15+

  
Site Updates & Random Crap   <11:59 PM CST - schu>

• Not much going on today...  Unfortunately, if you were looking to bid on that nice batch of faux moose pubes, you're a little too late...
• I still haven't gotten to the tips and I still have this bullsh*t cold, but I'm going to visit the doctor tomorrow so hopefully be I'll be able to get some real drugs.  Robitussen just doesn't seem to be cutting it.
• The city of Milwaukee can kiss my ass...  I got a ticket for exceeding a 15 MPH speed limit.  Have you ever driven 15 MPH?  Trust me, if you're driving a stick, trying to get your car to stay in first gear at 15 MPH is a pain in the ass, especially when your driving through a park, late at night, in the hood.  Does anyone really care about this?  Probably not, but I needed to vent, and I'm still in a state of disbelief that cops are wasting their time watching a 15 MPH curve at 12am.

Monday - February 11, 2002 <7:40 PM CST>

GTA3 In Australia   <7:40 PM CST - schu>
Zombi found an ad in an Australian paper today that should clear up any confusion about GTA3's re-release.  Take a look:

Thanks to Zombi for the update.

State Of Emergency   <7:40 PM CST - schu>
Insane2757 turned up a few decent links on SOE if you're interested:

• GameSpot Movie Page
• GameSpot Preview

Insane also noticed that the SOE official site now has information on all the weapons, check it out.

Friday - February 8, 2002 <11:30 PM CST>

GTA:Miami & GTA4 Confirmed!   <11:30 PM CST - schu>
According to IGN, the Miami prediction I made awhile back appears to be true.  IGN's latest rumor report confirms that GTA: Miami and GTA4 are both in development at DMA.  GTA: Miami is basically going to be a GTA3 expansion pack and is expected to hit stores toward the end of 2002.  GTA4 is the actual sequel to GTA3 and will be released sometime in 2003.  Rockstar still hasn't gone official on any of this, so dates and information may change after they issue their official press release.  Thanks to Insane2757 for the link.

Interactive Achievement Awards   <11:30 PM CST - schu>
GTA3 has been nominated in a number of different categories for the 5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards:

• Console Action/Adventure Game of the Year
• Outstanding Achievement in Game Play Engineering
• Outstanding Achievement in Game Design

This is great and all, but this left Insane2757 asking himself, "why the hell wasn't it nominated for Game of the Year or Console Game of the Year?"  Thanks to Insane2757 for the link.

NOW Gets Pissed   <11:30 PM CST - schu>
NOW, or the National Organization of Women apparently doesn't care for GTA3 too much.  Do we really care what NOW thinks?  Not really...  But I do get tired of hearing the same overused, unproven argument that video games are going to cause me to commit acts of violence.  Thanks to Eric! and Anon for the link.

Orbital & GTA3   <11:30 PM CST - schu>
Apparently music group Orbital are big GTA fans.  M@T was watching a recent episode of Thumb Bandits (a UK TV show on gaming) that covered gaming soundtracks.  Mainly they were talking about how more and more well known bands are producing music for game sound tracks.  At one point Orbital was interviewed, and they said that they wished they had a chance to work on the GTA3 soundtrack and that they would have loved to have had their own station in the game, Orbital FM.  Strangely enough there are signs in GTA3 advertising Orbit FM :) .  Not quite Orbital, but close...

Outsiders Get Screwed Again   <11:30 PM CST - schu>
If you forked over the cash to become an IGN Insider then you can enjoy part 1 of IGN's Insider Secrets of GTA3.  If you aren't an insider then that link will just take you an annoying "join now" page.  IGN is also covering the Weapons of SOE on their Insider site.  Once again, thanks to Insane2757 for the update.

Crazy Sh*t   <11:30 PM CST - schu>
Don't ask, just click!

Site Updates   <11:30 PM CST - schu>

• I think I still have some other random news items floating around in my inbox, but I'm currently coping with the world's most annoying cold (I wish I could just hack up this lung already and get it over with).  I'm also trying to backup my stuff so I can do a fresh Windows install.  I think I'll probably do a 98SE / XP dual boot just in case GTA and GTA2 decide not to cooperate.  I'm hoping to get to the tips that have been stacking up in my inbox along with any news items I may have missed over the weekend.
• I actually do find some of this stuff myself, but I always credit anyone who submits news items, even stuff I've found already.  Just so you know that I am actually doing something :)

Wednesday - February 6, 2002 <11:30 PM CST>

PS2 Online Beta Test   <11:30 PM CST - schu>
Insane2757 sent in an interesting link to a story at PS2.ign.com.  It looks like the beta test for the PS2 online gaming network is drawing near.  Read the entire story at PS2.ign.com.

IGN Addresses GTA3 Rumors   <11:30 PM CST - schu>
Apparently IGN is getting as many of these, "has GTA3 been banned" letters as I do.  Check their letters section and read the third letter down.  Thanks again to Insane2757 for the link :) 

Tuesday - February 5, 2002 <10:30 PM CST>

GTA3 In Australia   <10:30 PM CST - schu>
BUSTeD has been calling some of the major retailers near his home in Australia and they all are currently reporting that GTA3 will be re-released on February 14th or 15th.

GTA3 Clans   <10:30 PM CST - schu>
SquirrelMaster wrote in to set the record straight on the topic of GTA3 clans.  Apparently GTA Champ is not the first GTA3 clan as was reported yesterday.  According to SquirrelMaster, a group known as Mafia, Inc. was the first clan on the web.  SquirrelMaster is an admin on the GrandTheftAuto3.net forums (gta3forums.com) and has been watching clans come and go for awhile now.  Some of the other clans/gangs he listed are, D11, Yakuza, The Precinct, Southside Hoodz, Dead Presidents, and D.E.A..  Apparently DEA is MIA though.  I'm sure there are more out there and if any of the GTA3 clans want a mention, just send me an email with a link to your website.  Thanks to Squirrel for the clarification...  and, yes I have watched Half Baked a number of times :)  

Monday - February 4, 2002 <9:30 PM CST>

GTA Online! - Part 2   <9:30 PM CST - schu>
Teck was kind enough to send the actual quote from EGM that PlanetPS2's update was based on:

“The rumors about the next game in the Grand Theft Auto series persist and they’re getting crazier every time I hear them. Remember last month I told you that a new game was both inevitable and due fairly soon? Well, there’s even more to get excited about now. It seems that the big hook this time is that the games well have a huge online aspect. There are actually two different rumors doing the rounds at the moment, and while I’d love to think that both are possible, the simpler one seems much more likely.

The first rumor is that GTA4 will build a lot on the PC version of the game that’s due in a couple of months, taking advantage of the 16-player online support that is boasts. GTA4, they say, will allow people to wander around Liberty City in “GANGS”, working together on jobs, drive-buy’s, heists and all that other goodness.

The second rumor expands on the first, suggesting that the game will be a massively multiplayer online experience that will allow hundreds of players to populate the city and form their own gangs, mobs, businesses and other GTA fun.

Personally, I think the 16-player game is more likely—but the idea of a version in which everyone you meet is a “real” person is certainly something to make you think about where things could go in the future. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty excited for whatever they decide to do. I just want more!”

I'd have to agree with the original author at EGM that it's more than likely that GTA4 will include multiplayer support for the PS2 with some sort of gang coop mode, rather than a full blown massive multiplayer online experience.   Now that being said, what I found interesting was that the quote seems to confirm multiplayer support for the PC version of GTA3, which up until now was only a rumor.  Granted, it's still a rumor, but it sounds as if there is some truth behind it.

GTA3 In Australia   <9:30 PM CST - schu>
Afro Slasher spotted an advertisement in an Australian newspaper stating that GTA3's re-released will occur on February 14th.  I have no way to verify this date, but it sounds plausible.

GTA Community News   <9:30 PM CST - schu>

• GTA: Gaming Army
  Just in case you weren't aware of it already, GTA: Gaming Army is back online and looking better than ever.
  

• AV Redesign
  Alfadog has redesigned his site, Alfadog Vehicles.  AV houses all of Alfa's vehicles, concepts, and also a complete history of AV.  Take a look.

• GTA3 Clan
  Jakob recently formed GTA Champ, the first GTA3 clan on the web.

  
New GTA Sites   <9:30 PM CST - schu>

• GTA4 Central
  www.gta4central.grandtheftauto3.net

Friday - February 1, 2002 <11:40 PM CST>

GTA Online!   <5:00 PM CST - schu>
PlanetPS2 is reporting that the latest issue of EGM contains some very interesting news for GTA fans.  Apparently there are rumors that GTA4 will either be a massive multiplayer game or will contain a massive multiplayer component.  Read all about it in today's news at PlanetPS2.

This of course brings up a few questions.  Mainly, how the hell are they going to do it, does the phrase "massively online multiplayer gaming" mean the use of persistent world, and are we going to have to pay a monthly fee?  Until I know more I really don't want to just start guessing.  However, the thought did occur that if it does have a persistent world, it might be something like PlanetSide.  More of an action based thing where different factions (gangs in GTA's case) vie for control of different areas.  Anyway, until we know more this is just me talking out of my ass.  I'll let you know if I get a comment from Rockstar or EGM.

Thanks to Rev Ted and Albert/UnDone for the update.

Crazy Sh*t   <11:40 PM CST - schu>
Don't ask, just click!  Just a few other random things, Castlevania fans, click here...  David Lynch fans, click here...  Still bored?  Try here or here.