Vacation / Apartment Search <11:30 PM CST - schu>
Ok, well nothing came in and I didn't find anything from my daily gaming news search so there really isn't any real news, other than this announcement.  Tomorrow I'm moving out of my apartment and into my parents basement.  On Sunday I'm driving up to Wisconsin and I'll be up there all of next week looking for apartments.  Hopefully I'll find one so the next time I need to take off will hopefully be for my move up there.  Anyway, I'll see ya in a week, please feel free to send news and questions in, I'll answer them as soon as I get back to my computer.  One other quick note is that the college radio station I used to dj for just changed over to Shoutcast.  Its a huge improvement over that Windows Media bs.  You can check it out at kcou.mu.org.

"The project is still ongoing, and with a bit of luck it'll be out by the end of August, however after Aqutiv left the scene he's given up doing the scripting so I need another nice scripting geezer or more, as well as some people with mission ideas (I've only got about 7 so far, were looking to get around about 30 or so), and someone who's been training themselves up on the GTA2 Map Editor would also be a great help."

If you interested in helping out you can contact Black Mechanic via email or ICQ (17878158).

Tiffany Updates The Shrine <8:30 PM CST - schu>
Tiffany has updated her Unofficial GTA Shrine with mugshots from Gone In 60 Seconds sent in by Gattyman.  She has also added a new batch of cars since the last update she posted here.  Get over to www.hippietiff.com and take a look.

GTA2 Tournament <8:30 PM CST - schu>
Bounty Killer is organizing a GTA2 tournament.  For more details and to sign up, check out his site at www.geocities.com/bountykiller66/gta2.htm.

"The wireframe is a development model - it will be skinned and coloured so it looks like a person and a car - just trying to get movement sorted..."
 

Additionally I got a great write-up sent in from Ted.  Ted is a long time GOURANGA! contributor and has been around since the beginning.  Here is his write-up:

"My guess would be that those are in-game -movements-.  The order of the actions isn't consistent with a cutscene, as the fellow is slim-jimming the lock on the door...something that would be relatively unnecessary for a car he'd just gotten out of.  The polygon count for the character seems about on par with other recent 3d games such as Soldier of Fortune, etc, but for there to be a smooth transition from GTA to GTA 3D, it'd be close to impossible to render a large enough number of pedestrians at the same level of definition.  My guess is that this is a production data shot from a motion-capture studio such as House Of Moves (www.moves.com), that will be used to model the character's skeletal movement in-game.  And yes, that's definitely a police car...and it's entirely possible that it's been mirrored somewhere along the line, but I'd put my money on the right-side-drive theory."

Once again, thanks to Ted and the anonymous source for making this update possible.

GTAScene.com - Coming Soon <10:00 PM CST - schu>
Aqutiv sent in a quick update on a great new site that is currently under construction.  GTAScene.com is run by Thug and will offer sub-sites and hosting after its complete.  Currently you can visit MaxPaint and the Shut Up And Type message board from the opening page.

GTA Scrap Yard Online <10:00 PM CST - schu>
Viper sent word that his site, the GTA Scrap Yard is now online.  You can check it out at www.simskingdom.com/~gta.

• Download it HERE (2MB)
• Its 2.7MB but I zipped it up and got down to a 2MB download.  Its pretty large size wise, but its not very long.
• The movie is a wireframe of a guy getting out of car, looking around and then getting back in.
• I'm not positive but it looks like a police car and I also noticed that he is sitting on the right side of the car, not the left.  I don't know if that is any sort of clue as to GTA3's setting or if its just an early model.
• More on this if I find anything else out.

  
Rockstar's GTAesqe Games <8:30 PM CST - schu>
I just thought I'd take a moment to pimp out two of Rockstar's other titles that are somewhat GTA like.  They are both coming out on the PS2 and they are both being developed by Angel Studios.  The first is Midnight Club: Street Racing and the second is Smugglers' Run.  Both games will be full 3D and they both will have you in the car at all times (no wandering around on foot).  They are both mission based games like GTA with lots of freedom and no set tracks.  Both games will also include cops who will chase you which should maintain an antiestablishment attitude, à la GTA.  If you'd like to learn more, I tracked down some links to previews on Gamespot and IGN:

Gamespot Previews:

• Midnight Club
• Smugglers' Run

IGN Previews:

• Midnight Club
• Smugglers' Run

  
Mail @ The Traffic Jam <8:30 PM CST - schu>
Olle has all the new email addresses worked out for his site, The GTA Traffic Jam.  Here they are:

• olle@gtatrafficjam.com
• info@gtatrafficjam.com
• cars@gtatrafficjam.com
• gta@gtatrafficjam.com

The Future Of GTAzz <11:15 PM CST - schu>
Azz posted a message on his GTA forum about looking for feedback on a few different designs he is working on for the GTA: Get That Azzhole redesign.  
If you'd like to help out you should --> CLICK HERE <-- and read the message.

Scrap Yard Makeover <11:15 PM CST - schu>
Viper sent word that he is redesigning his GTA website, the GTA Scrap Yard. He also mentioned that he is looking for help with the redesign and people to help out at the site. If you are interested you can contact him at Viper65564@aol.com.

GTA Hawaii Correction and Update <10:30 PM CST - schu>
First a quick correction on GTA Hawaii's last update.  Dazfish mentioned that if you'd like to contact him regarding GTA Hawaii you should use the gta_hawaii@xoommail.com address rather than the one I mentioned the other day.  I've adjusted the previous update to reflect this. 

Lastly is the update.  GTA Hawaii has a new site that you can reach at either members.aol.com/Dazfish123/Hawaii or members.xoom.com/gta_Hawaii  This is an entirely new GTA Hawaii site replacing the old site so be sure to take another look.

Site Updates <10:30 PM CST - schu>
Well that's it for today.  Not much going on but I've sent off a few emails to see if I can turn anything up.  I also did a quick scan of about fifteen different gaming news site and I didn't turn up much, but I will keep looking.  If you happen to turn anything up, please send it in.

"Microsoft's upcoming box of tricks is attracting an increasing amount of quality software, the latest of which comes from Scottish developer DMA. Grand Theft Auto 3D, the latest in the classic mission-based crime series, will appear on Xbox and PlayStation 2 when released late next year.

Little is known of the game itself, but DMA is said to be focusing heavily on online play. For those of you unfamiliar with the concept of GTA, you play a criminal for hire, doing various illegal gubbins for bosses and gangs. The move to 3D from a top-down view was inevitable if the franchise was to survive, but DMA is keeping specifics well under wraps."

Considering how easy it would be to port the PC version of GTA3D over to X-Box I don't see why they wouldn't do it.  Dreamcast is also a pretty easy port but GTA has a long history on the Playstation and I would assume that Rockstar will continue this trend in the future, even if the PS2 is a bitch to program for.  But that's just an educated guess or if you prefer, a rumor.  Once again, thangs to RGv for the URLs and the quote.

GTA Hawaii Still Looking For Help <11:59 PM CST - schu>
Graham sent in the following update about some of the things they are looking for:

"This is Graham. I need some people that have the ability to create buildings to help us out here. I would like some people to make:

• Volcano (possibly exploding)
• Ferry Terminal
• Harbor (if someone wants to make a work boat that drops off materials)
• Construction site.
• Dump Trucks to go to the construction site.
• Football field with the 1999 Pro Bowl Logo in the middle. (does not need to have a game playing)
• Mayors house (with the British, Canadian, and US flag in front)
• If you want you can also send some ideas for missions to gta_hawaii@xoommail.com.

Send any buildings to gta_hawaii@hotmail.com"

gtaworld.gtaplus.com
www.gtaplus.com

  
New GTA2 Addon <11:59 PM CST - schu>
Jimmy sent word that a team calling themselves Matrix Studios is working on a GTA2 addon.  You can check out their site at www.matrixstudios-online.com or www.matrixstudios.tsx.org.  He also mentioned that they are looking for people skilled in editing GTA2 in the following areas:

• Cars
• Maps
• Tiles
• Music
• Sounds
• Voices
• Programming
• Mission Writer
• Mission Ideas
• Message Editor
• Script Editor
• Game Editor
• Front Editor
• Beta Testers

So basically if you have any talent at editing any part of GTA2 you should email or ICQ Jimmy.

In a related bit of news, Jimmy also mentioned that Empire City is coming back for both GTA and GTA2.  Once again if you want to help out you should email Jimmy.

GTA2 More Extreme Delay <11:59 PM CST - schu>
No Fear sent this to me awhile back so I'm not sure how much it still applies, but since the last update was in June I'm guessing its still valid:

"I'd like to mention you G! visitors that I'm very sorry I haven't updated GTA2 More Extreme for a couple of days. I've been really busy and were also having some computer problems, which made me unable to update. I'll try to update on a regular daily basis, just like usual. Thanks to those who were still keeping an eye on GTA2 More Extreme (GTA2ME) in the meantime, and thanks for sending in all your questions, which I enjoy answering. Hope to see you all at GTA2ME!"

You can find GTA2 More Extreme at gtaextreme.niteshade.net.
  

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

• GTA Scrap Yard

    
Site Updates <11:59 PM CST - schu>
Ok, I think that pretty much clears up my inbox, but in case I missed anything please feel free to send it in again.

Tiffany's Shrine Hits 90k <10:15 PM CST - schu>
Congrats to Tiffany on the success of her website.  She asked that I post this short thank you note to all her supporters:

"I wanna say thanx to everyone in the GTA scene for your support, as my GTA Shrine hit visitor #90,000 on Thursday!"

  
GTA Police Chase Inbox Action <10:15 PM CST - schu>
JR is starting a mailing list over at GTA PC.  I'm not sure what all the list will feature but I figure you can expect news, tips, and that sort of thing.  He also mentioned that he was working on getting ILLSPIRIT to contribute some tips and such.  You can sign up for the list at liquid2k.net/gtapc.

GTA Traffic Jam On The Move <10:15 PM CST - schu>
Olle has parted ways with his Xtreme Getaway host and moved on to his own URL:

"Hello GTA people! I got my own URL now:

www.gtatrafficjam.com

I moved out of Xtreme Getaway (gtaxtreme.net) the service was good! But I wanted my own address.

The mail doesn't work yet, So you peeps have to mail anything(!!) to o.b.lammers@chello.nl until further notice. Thanks.

Greets Olle Lammers @ The Gta Traffic Jam!"

  
GTA: Epi Center Opens <10:15 PM CST - schu>
TheShit has renamed his old site God Of GTA to GTA: Epi Center.  The site's new name is accompanied by a kick ass new design and a new URL, epicenter.niteshade.net.  The site is looking pretty good so far and if you'd like to help out you should contact TheShit.

World of GTA2 Contest <10:15 PM CST - schu>
The guys over at WOGTA2 are organizing a GTA2 picture contest, read on if you are interested:

"We at WOGTA2 (gta2.gtaplus.com) where thinking of starting a "picture of GTA2" contest.  It's easy, go play around in GTA2, make a screenshot, and edit it or whatever you want.  The 5 funniest/goriest/best picture will be selected and the final winner will receive an huge prize (which is secret,sorry:P).  Further info is yet to come, but this is known:

• max size is 200 by 200
• it may be edited with PSP, Photoshop, or what ever program you prefer
• everything is allowed, you may make it gory, ya can cut'n'paste, just make it look good
  

That's it for now,Greetings from the WOGTA2 Staff, LD&DanceTrend"

  
Site Updates <10:15 PM CST - schu>
Ok, I have a few more updates to post but I'll probably put them off until tomorrow so I can finish up all this email I've got clogging up my inbox.  If you have anything you want posted tomorrow just let me know.  Nothing much going on lately but I'm going to send out some emails and see what news I can stir up.  Still no word on Dreamcast cheats so I might have to go rent it and test them out.  Oh and on a personal front, it looks like I'll probably be moving to Milwaukee with a friend of mine but that really shouldn't affect anything with the site other than a brief pause in updates when I actually move up there.  That probably won't occur until mid-August if everything goes well.