Apparently there’s some game called “Grand Theft Auto IV” coming out. I’ve never heard of such a game but so help me God if it’s violent or glorifies crime, I’m going to try to get on Fox News to talk about how bad it is for our nation’s youth. Maybe it’ll just be a courtroom style simulation where you play a lawyer who prosecutes people that steal cars. I’m guessing it’s that because Microsoft’s issued 500 Xbox 360 consoles with the game’s logo on the side and a briefcase containing various peripherals — much like a lawyer’s briefcase would contain various law-type things.
Xbox Drops 500 Limited Edition GTA IV 360s [Complex.com]
UK retailer, HMV, is offering up 1000 MS points as well as some vouchers “giving you over GBP 130 worth of savings” when you pre-order the Xbox 360 version of the upcoming Rockstar title. Grab it now for GBP 39.99.
HMV [via Euro Gamer]
Probably not! They’re tearing it apart in the comments over at Kotaku. I agree that the disc-to-PS3 transfer looks kind of fishy. What do you think?
GTA IV Intro Leaked? [Kotaku]
According to Spain’s official PlayStation magazine, PlayStation.RevistaOficial, GTA IV will support up to 16 players online and will include 15 different game modes. There will be team and solo game types within the single player game mode maps. The ability to tweak in-game options was also revealed that include weapons selection and traffic density. Known game types include the following:
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Just noticed this new blend today in my local convenience store. According to the company, it’s an “amazing mix of the finest espresso coffee, fresh milk and cream packed with the powerful blend of Original Rockstar.” To me, it tasted like cold coffee with milk and now my vision’s kind of blurry and everything’s moving in slow motion. Wheee!
Rockstar Roasted [Rockstar69.com]
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Rockstar’s released a handful of new videos on the GTAIV website to up the excitement factor for the game. Indeed, Grand Theft Auto IV is shaping up to be an epic, and the fanboys are excited.
You can count me as one of them.
GTAIV [Rockstar]
According to a recent article in Play Magazine, your favorite Grand Theft Auto developer might be going PS3-only from here on out. That seems downright silly, but there’s a quote from an article about GTA IV that goes a little something like this…
“The game is both PS3 and 360, but Rockstar has suggested that all further game development is going to be PS3 exclusive.”
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This game can’t get here soon enough. A little over two months until it comes out.
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And if the game is anything like the site, I’m an excited boy.
GTAIV’s site [Rockstar]
Wired.com has a great and in-depth interview with Microsoft Game Studios CVP, Shane Kim. When asked how Microsoft would ramp up efforts to do battle with Sony in Europe, Kim had this to say:
“Making sure that we own the launch of Grand Theft Auto IV from a platform perspective is really important. So how do we work with our partners there?
I think it really is about marketing, right? We already own it, I believe, from a content standpoint, because we have the exclusive episodes. And so Xbox 360 is still going to have the ultimate experience for GTAIV. But we have to make sure the customers know that. Because if you look back, again, to the role of GTAIII and what that played in terms of PS2’s development — in Europe as well, because it was huge in Europe — GTAIV, first time on our platforms, so that’s a great opportunity for us. We need to take advantage of it.”
For all intents and purposes we’ll leave it at that. But you should really give the interview a good once over. It’s rather informative and gives great insight into what the heads of game studios are constantly thinking about in terms of doing battle with other platforms.
It’s on like Donkey Kong!
Interview: Shane Kim Talks Xbox In 2008 [via CVG]
[Update]: Rockstar has updated the GTA IV site with new movies and pics. Check em out.
In defending Manunt 2 over in the UK, Rockstar presented research showing that there’s no causal link between violent video games and violent behavior. The British Board of Film Classification, the body preventing the game’s release there, agreed to a point: “The research certainly achieves the objective of establishing that research does not demonstrate that there is a causal link. But what it certainly does not establish is that there isn’t.”
Which brings us back to square one, the loneliest square of them all. There’s no evidence suggesting a link between game and violence… but more research needs to be done in order to be sure. How much research and for how long is unknown, but presumably until someone affirms the thesis “games make people violent.” Funny, because for all the violent video games I’ve played, I’m afraid of all forms of real life confrontation.
Oh, also, did anyone bring up the point that Manhunt 2 just isn’t very good? Like, I’ve watched videos of it, read reviews of it, and it just looks so bad. Why would I want to play a game where I’m trying to strangle a guy with his own belt or whatever? On what planet is that type of deliberate viciousness fun?
No evidence connecting games and violence, says BBFC [GamesIndustry.biz via Kotaku]
How appropriate that Rockstar will be launching Manhunt 2 tomorrow during Halloween. The game has been under fire for months due to its extremely violent content. It was even banned in the UK and received an “Adults Only” rating from the ESRB originally, meaning Rockstar had to take some time to modify the title so it would receive a “Mature” rating instead. Says producer Sam Houser:
“Manhunt 2 has gone through much to reach this day,” said Sam Houser, founder and executive producer of Rockstar Games, in a statement. “We are very excited that fans will finally get a chance to experience the magnificent horror experience we’ve crafted with Manhunt 2.”
Look for the ultra-violent title, which requires you to escape from an insane asylum full of crazies, tomorrow on the PSP, PS2 and Wii.
Manhunt 2 Launches in North America [Digital Trends]
Geek fight! Apparently some people at Rockstar (the company behind the Grand Theft Auto series) “spazzed out like little babies” at a parody in the new Simpsons game where Bart wants to play a game called Grand Theft Scratchy.
“They’re supposed to be rockstars…That’s not a big Rockstar move, to be afraid of The Simpsons making fun of their game,” said Simpsons game writer Matt Warburton.
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Time will tell whether or not Microsoft’s $50 million for exclusive GTA IV content will pay dividends. Reports currently circulating the Internet suggest that Microsoft emptied its coffers to the tune of $50 million so that Rockstar produces exclusive, downloadable content for the Xbox 360 version of the game. If that’s true, then the 360 version is certainly the one to go for. Sorry, Sony.
The first batch of downloadable content is scheduled for March 2008, followed by a later “fiscal ‘08″ launch for the second batch. I guess when you’ve got that much money in the bank, you can throw around $50 million like it’s nothing.
Take-Two F2Q07 (Qtr End 4/30/07) Earnings Call Transcript [Seeking Alpha via Next Gen]
PLAY Magazine UK must have the ULTIMATE hook-up at Rockstar. The magazine has just revealed that popular GTA series will be getting its sixth installment very soon. Amazing that details have already leaked out considering GTA IV isn’t even yet out and is still highly anticipated. Rumor has it that the game will feature a recently-fired designer from a game mag. going on a shooting-spree.
Next month page promises GTA VI in June issue [Games Radar]
