10-31-03
10-30-03
10-24-03
10-15-03
10-09-03
10-01-03
New
GTA3 XBox Preview
<7:00 PM CST - schu>
IGN released another GTA3
preview to accompany their earlier Double
Pack previews. This article gives some more in-depth information
into the button layout, among other details.
Manhunt
Hands On
<7:00 PM CST - schu>
IGN posted a new Manhunt hands-on
article yesterday giving us the first comprehensive glimpse into Rockstar's
upcoming release. The article includes new screenshots and loads
of new information. Thanks to zeppelincheetah.
Fox,
UPN & Rockstar
<7:00 PM CST - schu>
If you've been watching Fox or UPN lately you may have noticed Rockstar
logos, posters, and stickers in a few of the different shows on both Fox
and UPN. I've heard reports that in at least one episode of "The
Mullets" there were either Rockstar or GTA posters in the background
at various points throughout the show. Pietak wrote in and mentioned
that he spotted some Rockstar product placement on FOX, appearing on both
"Stan Hooper" and "The OC". Apparently there
is a Rockstar logo on the restaurant menu at the beginning of the Stan
Hooper show and The OC features a Rockstar logo in the main character's
bedroom. Thanks to Pietak and Gate.
Announcements <7:00 PM CST - schu>
- GameSpot released a transcript of Take2's introductory comments for the 20th Annual Technology Conference. There really isn't too much new in the article, but it does give an overall layout of Take2's release schedule next year, including the pending releases of GTA: Next, The Warriors, and other titles.
- Happy Halloween!
GTA:Next
In Q4 2004
<6:45 PM CST - schu>
Take2 has officially announced
that the next GTA will be released in Q4 2004 (who want's to bet on October
2004? Anyone?). For the uninitiated, Take2's fiscal year ends at the end
of October and like clockwork almost every GTA release has been in October
giving Take2 a financial boost at the end of their fiscal year and a nice
start to the next fiscal year. The announcement was made at the 20th Annual
Technology Conference in New York City. I'm still trying to hunt down
a transcript for the event but no luck so far. Other than that they didn't
say much. The next iteration of GTA has not been named yet, in fact, other
than the rough release date, no one knows anything about it. Rumors abound,
but nothing official yet. Thanks to XaeroN9ne, Starving Russian,
JCronic, and zeppelincheetah.
New
Version of MTA:VC
<6:45 PM CST - schu>
The guys over at MultiTheftAuto have released a new version of MTA:VC,
v0.2.2. Details and download information can be found at www.mtavc.com.
Thanks to S3KT0R.
Japan
Awards GTA:VC
<6:45 PM CST - schu>
Japan's Consumer Entertainment Software Association (CESA) recently announced
the the winners
of their 2002/2003 video game awards. GTA Vice City was given an award
for Best Foreign Video Game (Global Award) and considering how many titles
were produced outside of Japan, that ain 't bad :).
GTA
Xbox Preview
<6:45 PM CST - schu>
GameSpy released a new GTA Xbox Double Pack preview
today. Not much new really, but a decent run down on the new features
and a small selection of Xbox GTA3 & VC screenshots. In case you weren't
aware, the new feature list for the Xbox includes:
- Enhanced Graphics ("Specular lighting, reflection maps, texture re-insertation, higher polygon models, and an enhanced particle system.")
- Enhanced Sound (Re mastered Audio, Dolby 5.1 Support, Custom MP3 Radio Stations)
- Alternate Control Layout (Analog shoulder buttons used to accelerate/brake)
- Performance (Faster load times and better frame rates)
Grand Theft Auto: Scarface
<6:45 PM CST - schu>
Game Chronicles Magazine recently posted a great article detailing
some of the many similarities between Scarface and Vice City. Check
it out at GCM. Thanks to JetSetFuture (no name provided).
PS2
Double Pack In Stores
<8:15 PM CST - schu>
The PS2 version of the GTA
Double Pack should be in
stores in both North America and Europe by the time you read this.
From all that I've read I can't quite tell if the Double Pack adds
anything new to the PS2 version, or if it's just a bundled package of
the two original versions. As you know, the XBox
version (due out November 4th) will contain some new features as well
as updated graphics to take advantage of the XBox hardware. Now
if they'd just drop the price of the XBox so I could check it out :) ...
GTA
Lawsuit
<8:15 PM CST - schu>
I'm not going to comment on this too much since I already mentioned it
in the past, but a few new articles regarding the lawsuit are out there
if anyone is interested:
Thanks to Mike and mattias.
New GTA Sites <8:15 PM CST - schu>
- GTAGames.nl
www.gtagames.nl
Announcements
<8:15 PM CST - schu>
- Matt posted an editorial on the free versions of GTA and Hidden & Dangerous, petitioning Take2/Rockstar to release the source code. I'm not sure if it will ever happen, but the article is definitely worth a read. Give it a read over at Curmudgeon Gamer.
- The site for the GTA clone Payback has been updated once again with new information on the GBA version of the game.
- Alastair
sent me some more information on VIS, apparently they aren't based in
Dundee but they have an office there. "Vis
are (were) actually based in Dunfermline in Scotland, although they
do have an office in Dundee which opened about 3 years ago.
Due to their lack of successes, they no longer have their London office and I think Dunfermline office may have closed now as well.
They were due to be opening an office here in Edinburgh, but I've heard nothing recently about this. They still have their Dundee office though."
MaxPayne
2 Ships
<11:30 PM CST - schu>
MaxPayne 2 for the PC has shipped
to stores so it should be available
any day now. Check out the previews below for more information:
PC
PS2
XBox
Manhunt Trailer #2!
<11:30 PM CST - schu>
The second Manhunt trailer has been released by Rockstar and is finally
available on their
site. Insiders can also view the trailer over at IGN.
This trailer is much longer than the previous one and this time
around it drops some hints into the back story. You can find more
out about Manhunt at the official Rockstar
site, the Manhunt spoof
site, or check out one of the previews:
GTA
Xbox Gets MP3 Support
<11:30 PM CST - schu>
GameSpot
is reporting that the Xbox versions of GTA3 and Vice City will both support
custom MP3 playlists. It also sounds as if Xbox will support multiple
radio stations, rather than just one. I also just noticed that GTA's own
Mugwum also reported on this over at EuroGamer.
Check out more on the XBox Double Pack at Rockstar,
IGN,
and at Gamespot.
(This is beginning to look like one massive IGN/GameSpot ad)...
SOE2
In Development
<11:30 PM CST - schu>
VIS Entertainment recently announced that State of Emergency 2 is in development.
According to the article on GameSpot,
VIS is currently shopping around for publishers, so the next version of
SOE might not be published by Rockstar. Something I didn't realize until
now is that VIS
is based in Dundee, Scotland, and as you might recall, Dundee is the place
GTA was originally created (back in 1997 when Rockstar North was called
DMA Design - before their move to Edinburgh). I never realized Dundee
was such a gaming development hub.
VC
Still In UK Charts
<11:30 PM CST - schu>
Vice City is still
hanging on in the UK Top 20 and GTA3 popped up in the UK Top 20 Budget
Charts. Check out all the UK chart listings over at the ELSPA.
$99
PS2?
<11:30 PM CST - schu>
GameSpot
and GameSpy
are reporting that Sony's PS2 may drop to a price of $99 in mid-November,
just in time for the holidays. The story was originally posted on Game
Cube Advanced and cites an un-named executive working for the retail
chain, Target. SCEA did not confirm or deny the price drop so I guess
we'll have to wait and see. Check out GameSpy's article for a more in-depth
analysis.
PS3
In 2006
<11:30 PM CST - schu>
The GameSpy
article I mentioned above also reiterates the prevailing rumor that
Sony's PS3 will debut in 2006. I suppose the main question is, "Will
the next big step in GTA development be on the PS3, and will it be a North
American launch title?" I guess it's pointless to even ask because
we probably won't hear anything about until early 2006 :).
Rockstar News <10:30 PM CST - schu>
- Inside
VC's Development
If you haven't visited Rockstar North's site for awhile then you should give The Lab another look over. The guys at Rockstar North have added lots of new content giving a glimpse into the development of Vice City.- The fascinating character development progression of Tommy, Lance, Ken, Avery and many others, from rough sketches all the way up to the finished illustrations you know and love.
- Vehicle development of such modes of transport as the Sand King, Faggio, Maverick and more, highlighted by screen captures of 3DSMax works-in-progress, wireframes, and finished models.
- A study of the audio design production science behind in-game helicopter noise. A subtle, but as you will see, not so simple sound effect.
- Animations and motion capture - see Vice City's beloved characters and landmark vistas in motion, evolving from simple wireframe to full rendered glory.
- 360 degree tours of the lush, textured environments of the Malibu club, Ken's legal office, and the modest oceanfront hotel Tommy once called home.
- A look at the star studded Vice City voiceover sessions.
- A breakdown of pedestrian voiceover audio design. Peds say the damndest things..
- XBox
Double Pack
Also in Rockstar news, both the GTA3 and Vice City parts of the XBox GTA Double Pack site are now open with some nice shots of what we can expect from the XBox versions. Now I just need to figure out how I'm going to scrape together the cash to buy and XBox. Any Microsoft employees out there got a free one laying around? (yeah right)... - Max
Payne 2
Max Payne 2 is gold and will be in stores next week! IGN has a decent "hands on" article with lots of shots and movies. For more info, check the official site @ rockstargames.com/maxpayne2. - Manhunt
Manhunt trailer #2 is due out any day now. Make sure you explore the official Manhunt site thoroughly, there is lots of hidden content, just start by clicking on the open door. Thanks to zeppelincheetah for that bit of information.
Announcements <10:30 PM CST - schu>
- Finally back online, once a-fu*king-gain... Apparently the cable company's profile for me was screwed up so they turned everything off thinking I hadn't paid. I like how it takes them 2 seconds to turn the sh*t off but it takes them 2 weeks to turn it back on. My email account is a little full at the moment so I'm trying to work through everything. If you sent in an update and it hasn't appeared yet, please let me know.
- Last bit news is G! related... It looks like Gouranga.com will be making yet another move to a new server. I can't say much, but basically our current host is becoming problematic. I already have a new host lined up, I'm just trying to get in contact with all the hosted sites to make some arrangements so the switch is as quick and painless as possible. If you have a hosted site and are reading this, please contact me for more details.
Manhunt
Trailer Released
<11:30 PM CST - schu>
Rockstar Games recently released the first official Manhunt trailer.You
can grab the trailer and the latest screens and information from the official
Manhunt
website or over at IGN.
The trailer is pretty short and basically gives you a very brief
look at the game. Thanks to Andrew and Jon.
In other Rockstar news, we finally have release dates for MaxPayne2 which is coming out for PC in about two weeks (Oct 15), while PS2 and XBox owners will be waiting at little longer for the December 3rd console release.
