"Take-Two Interactive's Global Star subsidiary, which already has 52% of the Palm Pilot software market, according to January figures from PC Data, will ship Grand Theft Auto for the Palm in time for the holiday season, as well as Action Bass and Jet Fighter."

You can find more on this at Eurogamer.

Happy Puppy's GTA3 Preview <11:58 PM CST - schu>
Nothing new, but for the sake of completeness I thought I should mention Happy Puppy's GTA3 preview... If you have an taken upon yourself to read every GTA3 preview, then by all means, go to Happy Puppy and continue your quest.

TDR2000 ---> GTA2 <11:58 PM CST - schu>
The guys at Driven To Destruction have almost completed their Carmageddon TDR2000 conversion for GTA2.  Basically they are porting all of the TDR2000 cars into GTA2.  The final product should contain 40 new cars for GTA2!  Get over to Driven To Destruction for more details and be sure to check out the screen shots.

Site Updates <11:58 PM CST - schu>
If you can read this then the site is back online at its new server.  Sorry for any inconvenience the downtime may have caused, but I really couldn't do anything about it.  Assuming this web host is better than the last, all the problems should be behind us.  Thanks to Teknics for posting my message and informing people of the transition.  It was really suppose to go a lot smoother than it did...

Site Updates <11:52 PM CST - schu>
Well, I haven't really got anything to update on, I just wanted to let you all know that I'd be doing daily updates if I had any news to report.  I did post a few interesting things this week.  Most notably is the new GTA3 information from Game Informer's preview.  The other big headline this week is the impending closure of FreeLoader.com.  If you are planning on downloading the free versions of GTA, GTA London, or GTA2, I'd suggest you get over to FreeLoader.com and get to it.  Its not closed yet but from what I've heard, FreeLoader's days are numbered.

FreeLoader To Close? <11:55 PM CST - schu>
FreeLoader.com currently offers GTA, GTA London, and GTA2 all for free, but for how long? FGN is reporting that Freeloader may be closing soon due to slow advertising sales. Just a warning, get it for free while you still can. You can read more about this on FGN and EuroGamer.

Smuggler's Run 2 <11:55 PM CST - schu>
Another one from FGN... According to their latest update, Rockstar is currently working on Smuggler's Run 2, but we won't know much more until E3. All this was garnered from Rockstar's latest press release about the rockstargames.com relaunch.

Work @ Rockstar <11:50 PM CST - schu>
Rockstar Canada is looking for programmers. If you live near Toronto and think you have what it takes, check out the wanted ad on FGN.

GTA2 Merchandise <11:50 PM CST - schu>
Looking for GTA2 merchandise? Look no further... Get over to www.cafepress.com/gta2 for t-shirts, mugs, sweatshirts, and mousepads all bearing the GTA2 or Zaibatzu logos.

• GTA3 was originally planned for the Dreamcast but the DC hardware couldn't handle it so it was moved to the PS2.
• The XBox and PC versions should be released concurrently.
• GTA3 will feature "continuously streaming environments" allowing the DMA team to use an "unlimited number of building models".  This should reduce the amount of repetition in the environment.
• The radio stations will feature news reports to detail your latest criminal activities and may give you clues as to the police presence in the area.
• There will be "well over" 50 mandatory missions and over 30 "odd job" type side missions.  Rewards in the form of special items and modes will be issued based on the amount of side missions you complete.
• 60% of the missions will be car based and 40% will be on foot.
• There will be lots of cutscenes with full voice acting to break up the action and flesh out the plot.
• There will be over 60 characters who you will interact with along the way.
• The missions provided by Darkel will replace the Kill Frenzies in GTA and GTA2.
• Each section of the city will have one safehouse where you can hide out, save your game, and store a vehicle.  These safehouses will start out as complete dumps and gradually improve in appearance as you complete more missions and earn more money.
• One mission will feature a single engine Cessna plane missing most of its wingspan.  You will use this plane to get enough loft to access new areas (this explains the recent announcements of airplanes in GTA3).
• Hand to hand combat may feature some more advanced combos.
• The radar in GTA3 will not show street layout, only two floating points.  This was done to keep the player from staring at the radar instead of looking at the road.
  

New GTA Map Team <11:58 PM CST - schu>
Daniel is organizing a new GTA map team.  If you would like to participate, or if you would like more information, please contact Daniel @ d_orlic@hotmail.com.

Site Updates <11:58 PM CST - schu>
I've updated the GTA3 Info section with the new information from Game Informer's preview.  Sometime this week I'll probably be moving the screen shots out of the GTA3 Info section and into a GTA3 screen shot section to decrease load time.

Yet Another GTA3 Preview <8:30 PM CST - schu>
Daily Radar UK previewed GTA3 recently, but you won't find much in the way of new information.  Its mainly mentioned for the sake of completeness.

More on Gain Software <8:30 PM CST - schu>
Teknics informed me that Ringo has been having some trouble with the Gain Software site. Mainly problems with Freeserve. Anyway, until his site is back up, you can get all the latest Gain Software releases at GTA Gaming Army. Tek also mentioned that PileUp should be making a comeback. Thanks to Teknics for this update.

GTA Scene Interviews Teknics <8:30 PM CST - schu>
Speaking of Tek, you can check out an interview with him at GTA Scene.com. The interview has lots of great details on his upcoming GTA2 TC, definitely worth a read.

Site Updates <8:30 PM CST - schu>

• I fixed a few minor site bugs.  Mainly some of the info links on the front-page were linking to an older frameset.
• This may be the last update this week.  I'm going out to the West coast for the weekend and I'm not sure if I will have enough time to update again before my flight leaves.  The next update will probably occur next Monday.

Rockstar Relaunch <11:55 PM CST - schu>
Rockstar Games has relaunched their web site with a brand new design.  Once again its all in Flash and once again it kicks ass.  Get over to rockstargames.com and take a look.

AVault Previews GTA3 <8:20 PM CST - schu>
More of the same at AVault, however they do confirm a few of the new details mentioned in PlayZone.  The screen shots are a rehash as well.  The only other thing worth mentioning is that their screen shots don't have that annoying tag in the corner that most sites use.

Details on PlayZone's GTA3 Map Shots <8:20 PM CST - schu>
On Friday I incorrectly reported that PlayZone's development shots (scanned by GTA3D.de) showed Liberty City's entire 20 square kilometers.  As I suspected when I posted it, that information is incorrect.  Here is Rev. Ted's explanation of the two shots plus some interesting insights into the other GTA3 shots:

"I'm having a hard time imagining that the GTA3D.de shot is the 'entire
20 square kilometers'.  Just by looking at it, you can tell it's all a single land mass, and the bridge which gets repaired to allow travel to another part of the city is (apparently) shown in the lower right-hand corner (It's obviously the same area shown in gta3_artwork_08.jpg of the broken bridge). If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say it looks to be about 10 to 15 km² tops.  Secondly, the mission mapping sketch they also posted isn't of any area shown in the color shot, and appears to be of a much more residential/commercial area of the city.  However, I must say it's the best resource yet for determining the locations of many of the screen shots (like the ones near the large Chinatown towers and gta3_01.jpg, which is apparently taken from the deck of the northernmost cargo ship).  Putting those shots with a location on that map certainly gives a much better sense of how large the gamefield is really going to be and also shows that there's a LOT of interesting stuff we haven't seen shots of yet.  Hopefully this means despite all the information we're getting, there's still going to be a good deal left to explore when GTA3 finally ships."

Thanks also go out to XinGViruS for noticing this :)

Gain Software MIA? <8:20 PM CST - schu>
Does anyone know the current location of Gain Software?  Both the Pile Up URL and the www.i999.freeserve.co.uk URL are dead.  Speaking of Pile Up, it seems to have disappeared as well.  If anyone knows the current location of either site, please let me know.

Site Updates
I added the two development shots to the GTA3 Info section and I've updated the GTA3 Reviews/Previews section.

New GTA3 Info @ GTA3D.de <1:25 AM CST - schu>
GTA3D.de has posted some new information they found in the latest issue of PlayZone (a German gaming mag).  Along with this new information they have also posted two new development shots showing a sketch of some of the mission planning and another that shows a model of Liberty City's entire 20 square kilometers.  Here is some of the new information featured in PlayZone, translated using Babelfish:

• You can shoot from your car window using the Uzi.  Drivebys are back :)
• GTA3 will feature over 100 missions
• You will be able to use the water cannon on the fire engine
• Vehicle reflections have not been added yet but they will be featured in the final version of GTA3.  More vehicle effects will be added as development progresses.
• Wet roads will affect vehicle handling
• Each part of Liberty City will be controlled by a different criminal group.  The Mafia for example will control the industrial district.

Babelfish's translation was a bit sketchy on one of the new features but it sounds as if GTA3 will also feature airplanes, boats, and tanks, along with the usual array of vehicles.  Be sure to check GTA3D's March 7th update for the two new development screens.

13 Robots Killed In Shooting Spree <1:25 AM CST - schu>
S3KTOR sent this in.  Enjoy!

GTA3 Previews <1:25 AM CST - schu>
Teknics ( GTA Gaming Army ) found a new GTA3 preview at Gaming Age.  I suggest you read Teknics short write-up on this preview.  It pretty much sums up my thoughts on the latest batch of previews :).  Azz ( GTAzz ) spotted another GTA3 preview at PSX Extreme.  It's another rehash preview, but it does include a link to GOURANGA! :) since they used my feature list.  I've added links to all the new previews in the GTA3 Reviews section.

Snow? <1:25 AM CST - schu>
Last Saturday I posted an update about the GTA3 movie IGN released.  In one portion of the movie it looked like snow was on the ground, however Rev. Ted solved the mystery behind this.  Here is his take on the "snow":

"The movie makes it look like the car is sliding sideways in front of another. The whiteness seems to come from the bright lights from this car reflecting off the road surface. "Muzzle Flash" shows the same effect."

Thanks to Rev. Ted for sending in this information.  

Star Trek GTA Alpha Test <1:25 AM CST - schu>
John sent in the latest build of Star Trek GTA.  If you wish to participate in Star Trek GTA Alpha Test you'll need to download the following files:

• Settings File 1 (1.9 MB)
• Settings File 2 (155 k)
• Characters (191 k)
• Levels (3.41 MB)
• Vehicle Settings (260 k)

Please send any bug reports here or contact Captain Sisko at phanks1@orange.net.

GTA UK's Top Sites <1:25 AM CST - schu>
GTA UK has started a voting program to rank GTA sites.  You can find out more at GTA UK and at gta.mytopsitelist.com/general

New GTA Sites <1:25 AM CST - schu>

• GTA Ignition
  www.gtaignition.fasturl.it

• GTA Busted
  www.busted.hg.pl

• ZAIBATSU - POLSKIE CENTRUM GRACZY
  www.gta2.tc.pl

• GTA3 Madness
  members.tripod.com/~TheIrishBren/public_html/gta3.html

Site Updates <11:59 PM CST - schu>
Sorry for the lack updates lately.  I'm in the process of upgrading my computer and reinstalling Win98SE.  The hardware part is done, now I'm working on getting all the OS bullshit taken care of.  Hopefully I'll be up to the point tomorrow when I can get everything rolling again.  I just got my email client back up and running so I'll work on replying to everyone who wrote in and hopefully have a proper update tomorrow or Friday.

DMA's Manhunt <11:56 PM CST - schu>
According to PS2.IGN.com, DMA is currently working on an additional title for the PS2 and the XBox.  GTA3 is in development at their Edinburgh studios, but they are also working on a game called Manhunt for PS2 and XBox.  Here is the quote from IGN:

"No, our trip to Scotland did not land us this secret little tidbit, although we wish it had. Instead we heard it through the well-worn grapevine, and there isn't much to tell, really. The secret project is called something like Manhunt, and it's going to be a PlayStation 2 and Xbox game sometime in 2002.

GTA3 Previewed by Gamespot UK <11:56 PM CST - schu>
Same preview, different location... This preview is the same as the one on GameSpot.

More XBox Confirmations <11:56 PM CST - schu>
I saw a few new GTA3 XBox confirmations @ IGN, EuroGamer, and FGN.  Not much to say really, just more of the same.  This isn't really GTA3 related, but FGN also posted an interesting article on why XBox will outperform the PC.  Personally I'd rather just stick with my PC.

Take-Two Doing Well <11:56 PM CST - schu>
Take-Two's latest financial report shows strong earnings in Q1 2001, mainly due to success of Smuggler's Run, Midnight Club, and Oni.  This is definitely good news for us since these are all games published under the Rockstar label.  Hopefully this will translate into more money for GTA3's development.  You can read more about this at Gamespot and IGN.

The Competition <11:56 PM CST - schu>
GTA3's competition is definitely out there, mainly in the form of Loose Cannon and The Getaway.  Recently AVault mentioned that Loose Cannon is currently in publishing negotiations because Microsoft dropped the title after acquiring Digital Anvil.  As for The Getaway, you should read this new preview on IGN for the latest.

Another title I ran into was Motor City Online.  It looks like it might attract the racing fans and motor heads, but its not really along the same lines at GTA3.

New GTA Sites <11:56 PM CST - schu>

• GTA UK
  www.emote.org/gta
  

  
Site Updates <11:56 PM CST - schu>

• Hmm.. I didn't realize my grammar was so bad.  Maybe I should take another look at my GTA3 section.  Then again I did stay up all night writing that stuff...  Useless links?  What's he going on about?  Sorry, I'll stop rambling to myself, I have to run off and link to some more useless stuff.  Oh, and if you run into any broken links, please tell me about them so I can fix them.
• I just wanted to mention once again that my email address has changed to gouranga@ameritech.net.
• I added a few new vehicles to the GTA3 car list in the GTA3 Info section.  These suggestions were submitted by Sam Harwood who wrote the following:

  "The delivery truck in the screen shots bears more than a passing resemblance to a Ford Transit van Also there is dump truck in one of the shots which is missing from the list."

  Thanks to Sam for the additions.  If you have spotted a GTA3 car in a screen shot or preview that isn't on the list, please let me know and I'll add it to the list.

Liberty Tree #2 Hits The Newsstands <11:45 PM CST - schu>
Rockstar Games has released the second issue of the Liberty Tree newspaper.  If you haven't already, you can subscribe to the newspaper and get it in your inbox by sending a blank email to
gta-subscribe-request@listserv.rockstargames.com.  This issue features three new GTA3 screen shots along with the latest happenings from Liberty City.

GameSpot Previews GTA3 <11:45 PM CST - schu>
The good news is that GameSpot has posted a GTA3 preview.  The bad news is that it really doesn't say anything new and its rather short.  There are 26 screen shots with the preview but I think they are all repeats.  I'll have to go through the screens again and make sure, but they all looked familiar.

GTA3 Shots @ PowerPlay <11:45 PM CST - schu>
German gaming site, Power Play, recently released some GTA3 shots, but once again they are repeats, in fact they still have the IGN logo down in the corner, but its news nonetheless.

GTA Tanks 1st Birthday <11:45 PM CST - schu>
Harry's site, GTA Tanks, is celebrating its 1st birthday.  Here is what he had to say about the birthday:

"GTA Tanks is one today! Exactly one year ago, this site was launched. Nearly 10,000 hits later the site now gets a healthy visitor rate by itself, it would never have got off the ground or had the boosts it need to the hit count in the early months, were it not for the help of other people in the scene. In particular schu, who runs the GOURANGA! which must be responsible for a large proportion of those 10,000 hits, including the original 180 hits which made this site my most successful yet before the official launch day was even over."

Congratulations and Happy Birthday to Harry and GTA Tanks.

My New Email Address <11:45 PM CST - schu>
My email address has changed and all email links on the site should now be going to gouranga@ameritech.net.  If you happen to have me in your address book, please change the address as the old GTE address will be dead tomorrow.

Site Updates <11:45 PM CST - schu>
I'm in the process of adding the news shots from Liberty Tree, those should be up shortly in the GTA3 Info section.