Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[GTA: Chinatown Wars HD out for iPad, this is what it looks like]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/gta-chinatown-wars-hd-out-for-ipad-this-is-what-it-looks-like/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/gta-chinatown-wars-hd-out-for-ipad-this-is-what-it-looks-like/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/09/gta-chinatown-wars-hd-out-for-ipad-this-is-what-it-looks-like/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As promised last week, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars HD for iPad has arrived in the App Store. It's $10 (the same price as the iPhone version -- shame it's not a universal app), and you can see what that Hamilton would get you in the gallery past the break.

Gallery: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (iPad)

JoystiqGTA: Chinatown Wars HD out for iPad, this is what it looks like originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-storeappleChinatown-WarsGrand-Theft-Auto-Chinatown-WarsGTA-Chinatown-WarsipadmobilerockstarThu, 09 Sep 2010 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA: Chinatown Wars HD hotwires iPad Sept. 9]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/01/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-hd-hotwires-ipad-september-9/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/01/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-hd-hotwires-ipad-september-9/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/01/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-hd-hotwires-ipad-september-9/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Though Rockstar missed its original June release date for Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars on iPad, the delay might have been worth it for a cool release date: September 9 (a.k.a. "9/9"), which goes very well with the $9.99 price. That's actually the same price as the iPhone version, and you get updated graphics for that (relatively) enormous iPad screen!

Like the iPhone version, Chinatown Wars HD includes a customizable "Independence Radio" station, so you can listen to your own music while fueling gang wars and looking for the most profitable drug deals, and then keep the music going when you play Grand Theft Auto.

Continue reading GTA: Chinatown Wars HD hotwires iPad Sept. 9

JoystiqGTA: Chinatown Wars HD hotwires iPad Sept. 9 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chinatown-WarsGrand-Theft-Auto-Chinatown-WarsGrand-Theft-Auto-Chinatown-Wars-HDGTA-Chinatown-Warsipadmobileq3-2010release-dateRockstar-GamesWed, 01 Sep 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSN Summer Sale: get PixelJunk Shooter, GTA Chinatown Wars, and more cheap]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/psn-summer-sale-get-pixeljunk-shooter-gta-chinatown-wars-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/psn-summer-sale-get-pixeljunk-shooter-gta-chinatown-wars-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/02/psn-summer-sale-get-pixeljunk-shooter-gta-chinatown-wars-and/#commentsIf you've been hesitating to pull the trigger on any PSN purchases, that hesitation is now paying off. Sony just announced temporary discounts on a bunch of downloadable PSN games and Minis. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for $15, anyone? How about PixelJunk Shooter for $5?

Continue reading PSN Summer Sale: get PixelJunk Shooter, GTA Chinatown Wars, and more cheap

JoystiqPSN Summer Sale: get PixelJunk Shooter, GTA Chinatown Wars, and more cheap originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chinatown-Warsechoshiftfat-princessGrand-Theft-Auto-Chinatown-WarsGTA-Chinatown-Warspatchwork-heroespixeljunk-shooterplaystationps3pspsonySummer-salesummer-sale-2010Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA: Chinatown Wars accounts for 50% of M-rated sales on DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/gta-chinatown-wars-accounts-for-50-of-m-rated-sales-on-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/gta-chinatown-wars-accounts-for-50-of-m-rated-sales-on-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/gta-chinatown-wars-accounts-for-50-of-m-rated-sales-on-ds/#commentsHere's how you make Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars sound like a massive sales success: "As of February 2010, Chinatown Wars' unit sales in the US represented nearly 50 percent of the unit sales of all M-rated DS titles in the history of the platform." That's Take-Two CEO Ben Feder, via MCV, putting Chinatown Wars' sales into perspective. That means it met the combined sales of the 6 M-rated games on DS to date, which include Dementium: The Ward, Resident Evil: Deadly Silence and Ultimate Mortal Kombat, and the smaller releases: Theresia, Touch the Dead and C.O.R.E.

Despite comparing GTA's sales to 3 games most people have never heard of, 2 games that most people didn't know were on DS, and Dementium, Feder kind of admitted that the game's sales weren't where Take-Two wanted them to be, echoing Nintendo's statement last December. What's to blame? Piracy, of course. "Piracy is a real and present danger for our industry and must be addressed, especially in the handheld market," he said. "The commercial performance of Chinatown Wars has certainly suffered at the hands of piracy."

JoystiqGTA: Chinatown Wars accounts for 50% of M-rated sales on DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben-federDSgrand-theft-autoGrand-Theft-Auto-Chinatown-Warsgtagta-chinatown-warsm-ratedmature-gamesNintendopiracysalestake-twoFri, 02 Apr 2010 11:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview: Rockstar vets Lee Hutchinson and Matt Shepcar on their new studio, Double 11]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/interview-rockstar-vets-lee-hutchinson-and-matt-shepcar-on-thei/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/interview-rockstar-vets-lee-hutchinson-and-matt-shepcar-on-thei/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/interview-rockstar-vets-lee-hutchinson-and-matt-shepcar-on-thei/#comments Having put to bed a past with Rockstar Leeds -- and helping to turn out a laundry list of triple-A titles, including the portable Grand Theft Autos, while working there -- lead engineer turned studio director Lee Hutchinson and soon to be ex-lead programmer Matt Shepcar recently announced their new development studio: Double 11. Like so many other game devs these days, the two grew tired of big-budget projects with huge staffs, leaving in favor of creating their own smaller, mobile titles. "Our small size also means that every single team member is of paramount importance to their success or failure," the pair told Joystiq in an interview this afternoon.

That isn't to say that the two have any complaints with Rockstar relating to the recent quality of life allegations. "We had a great time working at the Leeds studio and there are a lot of really talented people there," they told us. Hutchinson further expanded on his time at Rockstar to Develop. "Rockstar Leeds and the spouse allegations had no effect on our decisions to leave." In fact, we asked the two how they'd feel about working with Rockstar again in the future, and they told us, "We'd love to work with Rockstar again ... our split was very amicable and we hope Gordon [Hall] would consider working with us again in the future."

To find out more about the studio's plans -- including a prospective Summer release for the its first game and where we might find said game, not to mention an explanation of the "Double 11" name -- join us past the break.

Continue reading Interview: Rockstar vets Lee Hutchinson and Matt Shepcar on their new studio, Double 11

JoystiqInterview: Rockstar vets Lee Hutchinson and Matt Shepcar on their new studio, Double 11 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-storeApplebeateratordigital-distributiondouble-11double-elevengordon-hallgtagta-chinatown-warsinterviewipadiPodlee-hutchinsonmatt-shepcarrockstarrockstar-gamesrockstar-leedsTue, 16 Feb 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA: Chinatown Wars 30% off on iPhone this weekend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/13/gta-chinatown-wars-30-off-on-iphone-this-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/13/gta-chinatown-wars-30-off-on-iphone-this-weekend/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/13/gta-chinatown-wars-30-off-on-iphone-this-weekend/#comments Both the DS and PSP versions of GTA Chinatown Wars have been well-received by gamers and critics alike, which inevitably spurred a release on the iPhone. And if you're an iPhone fan who's been looking to pick up the Apple platform port, now's a good time: it's on sale for 30 percent off this weekend only in the App store.

That brings the game down to a very manageable $6.99, and you can download it for that price up until 12am ET Sunday night, at the conclusion of Valentine's Day. We'd offer that it's also a good gift idea for that special someone in your life, but we wouldn't want to help produce any modern day Bonnie and Clyde types now, would we?

Download GTA: Chinatown Wars from the App store - $6.99 Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

JoystiqGTA: Chinatown Wars 30% off on iPhone this weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applechinatown-warsdealsgrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warsiPodrockstarSat, 13 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Xav's Picks of 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/best-of-the-rest-xavs-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/best-of-the-rest-xavs-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/02/best-of-the-rest-xavs-picks-of-2009/#comments Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Upon release, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars immediately found its way on my top five games of 2009. With its style, humor and variety it's clear Rockstar was trying to shine a new light on the popular franchise. Not only that, Rockstar took chances in hopes to attract a similar audience to a handheld GTA as it has on consoles. From a new class of criminal, fighting for honor and turf in Liberty City to an addictive (albeit, mostly cloned from Drugwars) illegal narcotic mini-game, Chinatown Wars felt like a breath of fresh air. Sadly, the game was a commercial disaster, relative to its console-based siblings. Be that as it may, Chinatown Wars was not only my favorite on-the-go game of the year, it was easily one of the best games to release across any platform in 2009.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Xav's Picks of 2009

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Xav's Picks of 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applebeneath-a-steel-skybeneath-a-steel-sky-remasteredbest-of-the-rest-2009chinatown-warsDSgta-chinatown-warsiPodleft-4-dead-2MicrosoftMonkey-IslandNHL-10NintendoThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandtorchlightWiixav-de-matosXbox-360Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo: GTA Chinatown Wars sales 'frustrating']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/nintendo-gta-chinatown-wars-sales-frustrating/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/nintendo-gta-chinatown-wars-sales-frustrating/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/nintendo-gta-chinatown-wars-sales-frustrating/#comments Nintendo's focus on "evergreen" titles has been a staple of the publisher for years now, with marketing support lasting longer than ever with this generation's major releases. So it surprised us last April when the company said it hoped "word of mouth" would help push GTA: Chinatown Wars' lackluster initial sales higher as the months progressed. However, when executive vice president Cammie Dunaway recently spoke with MTV Multiplayer, Nintendo's traditional message quickly returned. "Part of what's needed is you have to continue to put marketing support behind these titles."

She also called sales "frustrating, quite frankly," but declined to comment on Rockstar's marketing surrounding the release of the game. Dunaway remained diplomatic through the conversation though, only offering, "The old dynamic of 'throw it on television for a few weeks and then move on and forget it' just doesn't work," giving us little more than a taste of her real feelings behind the release's marketing push. Check out the whole clip after the break.

Continue reading Nintendo: GTA Chinatown Wars sales 'frustrating'

JoystiqNintendo: GTA Chinatown Wars sales 'frustrating' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesscammie-dunawaychinatown-warsDSgrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warsinterviewmarketingNintendosalesWed, 09 Dec 2009 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two's Zelnick doesn't believe in annualized GTA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/04/take-twos-zelnick-doesnt-believe-in-annualized-gta/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/04/take-twos-zelnick-doesnt-believe-in-annualized-gta/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/04/take-twos-zelnick-doesnt-believe-in-annualized-gta/#comments If we took away one important lesson from Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick yesterday, during the company's investor call, it's this: it takes a lot of time to make "triple-A" games. That's why Zelnick isn't interested in annualizing the Grand Theft Auto franchise. "We don't feel that GTA oughta be an annualized franchise," he said, adding that he was "pleased" the series has been "testing new formats and new platforms" this year with two DLC expansions on Xbox Live and GTA: Chinatown Wars for DS and PSP.

Instead of pushing out a new GTA game every year, Zelnick explained that Take-Two is focused on the "balance between how long it takes to develop such an incredible title that meets consumer expectations and how long you need to make sure than an appetite has been both satisfied and whetted [for the next game]." He padded his point with phrases like "high profitability" and "resiliency of the franchise," though when taken to task over how the publisher expects to make money in a "non-GTA release year" -- and in light of projected, continued losses from its baseball franchise -- he responded, "We remain committed to that goal [of profitability] ... naturally, we are disappointed that we're not projecting to achieve that goal in 2010." Meanwhile, somewhere in California, Bobby Kotick laughed maniacally.

JoystiqTake-Two's Zelnick doesn't believe in annualized GTA originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>annualfranchisegrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warsgta-iv-dlcstrauss-zelnicktake-twoFri, 04 Dec 2009 11:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar Social Club adds new features for Chinatown Wars PSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/20/rockstar-social-club-adds-new-features-for-chinatown-wars-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/20/rockstar-social-club-adds-new-features-for-chinatown-wars-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/20/rockstar-social-club-adds-new-features-for-chinatown-wars-psp/#comments
Even if you're playing Grand Theft Auto on a portable system, the Rockstar Social Club is waiting to welcome you with open arms ... and flying ducks. The online hub has just added new features to mark the launch of GTA: Chinatown Wars on PSP.

Aside from some new downloadable papercrafts (joy!) the site has added a minigame called Peking Duck Hunt which you can play to earn in-game cash. Just between you and us though, you'll probably have more fun just skipping straight to the real game.

JoystiqRockstar Social Club adds new features for Chinatown Wars PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grand-theft-auto-chinatown-warsgta-chinatown-warsrockstarrockstar-social-clubTue, 20 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA: Chinatown Wars losing nothing in PSP port]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/18/gta-chinatown-wars-losing-nothing-in-psp-port/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/18/gta-chinatown-wars-losing-nothing-in-psp-port/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/18/gta-chinatown-wars-losing-nothing-in-psp-port/#comments Meeting with Rockstar yesterday for our first hands-on with the PSP "remastering" of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, we kicked things off with a question that's on everyone's minds: What's happening to the DS version's touch-based minigames? The answer: They're all still in the game, just adapted to a button-based format.

We hotwired a car to try it out and were presented with a comic book panel-like inset that had us rotate the analog stick, time L and R button presses and rotate the stick again. According to Rockstar, similar mods have been made to all the minigames, but no minigames have been added exclusively for the PSP release. (Developer Rockstar Leeds did, however, deem the need to pay bridge tolls unnecessary.)

We were quickly pointed toward some added elements, specifically a new aiming "arc" for lobbing grenades and Molotovs while driving, copious bloom lighting (it was a rainy night) and punched-up explosions. The in-game "PDA" has also been redesigned slightly to mimic the PSP XMB interface.

Check out freshly captured new screens in the gallery below:

Gallery: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (PSP)

JoystiqGTA: Chinatown Wars losing nothing in PSP port originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinatown-warsgrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warspsp-holiday-showcase-2009rockstarrockstar-leedsFri, 18 Sep 2009 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars breaking into iPhones this fall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-breaking-into-iphones-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-breaking-into-iphones-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-breaking-into-iphones-this-fall/#commentsHaving made less of a splash than expected on the DS, Rockstar now seems intent on throwing Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars at every handheld gaming platform to see what sticks. Days after showing the first screens of the PSP version, the company has announced a version of the game headed to iPhone and iPod Touch this fall.

There are no screens or details about this release yet, but in the announcement, Sam Houser calls Chinatown Wars "a perfect match for the iPhone and iPod touch." Almost as perfect as it was for the DS, the system for which it was designed! We're very interested in how GTA will work without buttons. In a morbid kind of way.

Gallery: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (PSP)

JoystiqGrand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars breaking into iPhones this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applegrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-chinatown-warsgta-chinatown-warsiPodportrockstar-gamesMon, 31 Aug 2009 11:53:00 EST<![CDATA[First screens of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars PSP hijacked]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/first-screens-of-grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-psp-hijacked/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/first-screens-of-grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-psp-hijacked/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/first-screens-of-grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-psp-hijacked/#comments
Click to steal more screens.

PSP owners expecting a Liberty City Stories-styled facelift for the upcoming port of Chinatown Wars may be a little disappointed. One glance at the first batch of PSP screenshots shows that the game hasn't strayed far from its DS origins. Sure, the enhanced lighting effects and widescreen presentation are noticeable improvements, but it's clear that this GTA isn't pushing the hardware in any significant way.

Hopefully, the visuals won't stop PSP owners from checking out the game. It may be a port of a DS game, but it's a port of one of the best DS games ever. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will be available on UMD and PSN on October 20.

Gallery: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (PSP)

JoystiqFirst screens of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars PSP hijacked originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinatown-warsgrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-chinatown-warsgta-chinatown-warsportrockstarThu, 27 Aug 2009 11:47:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA Chinatown Wars is the first Z-rated DS game in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/gta-chinatown-wars-is-the-first-z-rated-ds-game-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/gta-chinatown-wars-is-the-first-z-rated-ds-game-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/gta-chinatown-wars-is-the-first-z-rated-ds-game-in-japan/#commentsThe Computer Entertainment Rating Organization (Japan's equivalent of the ESRB) reserves its most restrictive rating, Z, for games intended for ages 18 and up. There's a slightly less restrictive D rating for ages 17 and up, which gives Z-rated games a sort of stigma almost equivalent to the ESRB's AO rating -- Z-rated games require the buyer to provide proof of age, and often have little or no display presence in stores.

Which isn't exactly good news for the first CERO Z-rated DS game ... Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, whose North American sales suggest it doesn't need any more disadvantages. Like every other GTA, Chinatown Wars will carry the adults-only rating in Japan. Unlike every other GTA (except for IV on the PC), this one will be published by Cyberfront instead of Capcom when it comes out in the fall.

JoystiqGTA Chinatown Wars is the first Z-rated DS game in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cerocyberfrontgrand-theft-autogta-chinatown-warsjapanrockstartake-twoMon, 06 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars breaking out on PSP this fall]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-breaking-out-on-psp-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-breaking-out-on-psp-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-breaking-out-on-psp-this-fall/#comments Rockstar has announced that Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, the latest portable offering in the open-ended crime series, will be making the jump from DS to PSP. The game will be available in both UMD and digital download format when it's released in the US and Europe this autumn. Featuring enhanced widescreen graphics, improved lighting and animation and additional story missions, this version of Chinatown Wars "will take full advantage of the power of the PSP system."

No new assets have been released for the PSP version -- in fact, the official website still says it's exclusive to the DS -- but we should see more of this new addition to the ever-growing 2009 PSP lineup soon. See the PSP box art, after the break.

Gallery: GTA: Chinatown Wars (DS)

Continue reading Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars breaking out on PSP this fall

JoystiqGrand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars breaking out on PSP this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinatown-warsexclusive-no-moregrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warsrockstarMon, 22 Jun 2009 08:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar, Media Molecule lead 2009 Develop Awards nods]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/05/rockstar-media-molecule-lead-2009-develop-awards-nods/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/05/rockstar-media-molecule-lead-2009-develop-awards-nods/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/05/rockstar-media-molecule-lead-2009-develop-awards-nods/#comments Rockstar Leeds and Rockstar North, together with LittleBigPlanet dev Media Molecule have netted an impressive eleven nominations for the 2009 Develop Industry Excellence Awards, the UK's annual prize patrol for all things excellent in the industry.

The Rockstar houses pocketed six of their own for work on GTA: Chinatown Wars and GTA IV: The Lost and the Damned, including nods for visual arts, technical innovation and audio. Rockstar Leeds is also up for the award for best handheld game studio, while both are in the running for being recognized as the best in-house team. Media Molecule is up for five awards as well, including best indie studio and best new IP. The Guildford studio is also up for the technical innovation award, where it's not only up against the Rockstar folks, but the teams behind Killzone 2, PlayStation Home, Football Manager Live and Fable II.

We wish all nominees the best of luck and remind them not to forget to thanks their moms should they take the stage and accept an award during the July 15 ceremony.

JoystiqRockstar, Media Molecule lead 2009 Develop Awards nods originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>develop-awardsdlcgrand-theft-auto-4grand-theft-auto-chinatown-warsgrand-theft-auto-ivgtagta-chinatown-warsgta-ivgta-iv-dlcgta-iv-the-lost-and-damnedgtaivlittlebigplanetlost-and-damnedmedia-moleculerockstarrockstar-gamesrockstar-leedsrockstar-northukFri, 05 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA: Chinatown Wars jacks more wallets, sells 74K in April]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/gta-chinatown-wars-jacks-more-wallets-sells-74k-in-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/gta-chinatown-wars-jacks-more-wallets-sells-74k-in-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/gta-chinatown-wars-jacks-more-wallets-sells-74k-in-april/#comments
In its first month of release, GTA: Chinatown Wars managed to only sell 89,000 copies in the US, according to the NPD. Now that the figures for April have come in, Gamasutra reports the game has managed to sell another 74,000 copies. Mind you, we're no mathematicians (well, not all of us), but by our calculations, that means GTA: Chinatown Wars has managed to sell a total of 163,000 copies in the US so far, which is a lot lower than what most analysts predicted the game would sell in its first month.

We guess that South Park bump didn't do the game much good ...

JoystiqGTA: Chinatown Wars jacks more wallets, sells 74K in April originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 May 2009 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessDSgrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-chinatown-warsgtagta-chinatown-warsNintendorockstarsalesMon, 18 May 2009 11:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Mr. Wong's Laundromat provides online money laundering for GTA Chinatown Wars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/12/mr-wongs-laundromat-provides-online-money-laundering-for-gta-c/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/12/mr-wongs-laundromat-provides-online-money-laundering-for-gta-c/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/12/mr-wongs-laundromat-provides-online-money-laundering-for-gta-c/#commentsNeed any more proof that Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is the best GTA game you're not playing? Rockstar has just announced the official opening of the Mr. Wong's Laundromat browser game, which allows players to earn in-game money and unlockable costumes that can be sent to the DS cartridge.

Once you've logged in to the Rockstar Social Club and linked your game to the service, you can start playing the web game, earning "up to $10,000 per day working for Mr Wong, a local Chinatown 'businessman' who's helped more than his fair share of cash trickle seamlessly and undetected through the streets of Liberty City over the years."

The game itself is pretty simple -- just catch money and jewelry as it tumbles out of washing machines, and dump it into Mr. Wong's van. It's an enjoyable diversion on its own, especially with included leaderboards. But as an online supplement to the DS game, it's even more interesting! Too bad about the "If it ain't Wong, it ain't white" slogan, which is not only potentially offensive, but a near-complete ripoff of something that was already taken off the market for being offensive.

JoystiqMr. Wong's Laundromat provides online money laundering for GTA Chinatown Wars originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 May 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSgrand-theft-auto-chinatown-warsgta-chinatown-warsmr-wongs-laundromatNintendorockstarTue, 12 May 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[CNBC ponders a Grand Theft Auto slowdown]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/04/cnbc-ponders-a-grand-theft-auto-slowdown/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/04/cnbc-ponders-a-grand-theft-auto-slowdown/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/04/cnbc-ponders-a-grand-theft-auto-slowdown/#comments
CNBC is wondering if slow sales for The Lost and the Damned and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars are pointing to an overall slowdown for the series. The site points to analysts' estimates that only 1 million of those 13 million who bought GTA IV picked up the first DLC for the game, and to the crummy 89,000 units the DS title moved in March.

We're not sure we're on board with CNBC's theory just yet, though. The market for GTA IV's DLC was already split because of its 360 exclusivity and Chinatown Wars is a hardcore game on what's largely thought of as a casual system. What do you think?

JoystiqCNBC ponders a Grand Theft Auto slowdown originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 May 2009 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSgrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warsgta-ivgta-iv-dlcMicrosoftNintendorockstartake-twoWiiXbox-360Mon, 04 May 2009 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Dead Space Extraction producer confident about sales despite GTA: Chinatown Wars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/27/dead-space-extraction-producer-confident-about-sales-despite-gta/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/27/dead-space-extraction-producer-confident-about-sales-despite-gta/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/27/dead-space-extraction-producer-confident-about-sales-despite-gta/#commentsSteve Papoutsis, producer of Dead Space Extraction, isn't concerned about the disappointing sales of recent Mature-rated games on Nintendo platforms.

Talking to VG247 about MadWorld on the Wii and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars on the DS, Papoutsis said, "I think that's happening because of what people are looking to buy, I guess." In contrast, "I think with our game right now I think we're hitting on something that's really interesting and really fun, and we're hitting on the atmosphere and the visuals that people have started to associate with Dead Space." It's hard to believe that Grand Theft Auto just wasn't what people were "looking to buy," and an unexplainable not-really-rail-shooter is, but he could be on to something! Or he could have just decided not to tell VG247 how scared he really was.

Papoutsis also extolled the cooperative play found in Extraction: "I love the Wii, I love Nintendo. I love all the platforms, but I really want something that I can play co-operatively on the Wii with a friend that hits that sweet spot I think Dead Space: Extraction is in."

Gallery: Dead Space: Extraction

JoystiqDead Space Extraction producer confident about sales despite GTA: Chinatown Wars originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dead-space-extractioneaElectronic-Artsgta-chinatown-warsmadworldNintendosteve-papoutsisWiiMon, 27 Apr 2009 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA: Chinatown Wars sells 89K units in March]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/gta-chinatown-wars-sells-89k-units-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/gta-chinatown-wars-sells-89k-units-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/gta-chinatown-wars-sells-89k-units-in-march/#comments
Proving the analysts wrong, GTA: Chinatown Wars launched far below their prognostications in March with a mere 89,000 units sold, NPD has confirmed to Joystiq. The game was expected to show that a high-profile M-rated franchise like GTA could perform well on Nintendo's handheld. With a mere 0.3% of the 29.3 million DS units sold in the US rocking the crime drama, that could be interpreted as not being a good sign for more big M-rated titles on the system.

Despite incredibly solid reviews, it appears that Chinatown Wars has quite the hill to climb towards analyst projections. Perhaps only having a half-month of sales is the issue, with the crime caper releasing March 17 ... maybe next month will be kinder.

JoystiqGTA: Chinatown Wars sells 89K units in March originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSgrand-theft-autogta-chinatown-warsNintendorockstar-gamestake-twotake-two-interactiveThu, 16 Apr 2009 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analysts can't agree on predicted Chinatown Wars sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/13/analysts-cant-agree-on-predicted-chinatown-wars-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/13/analysts-cant-agree-on-predicted-chinatown-wars-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/13/analysts-cant-agree-on-predicted-chinatown-wars-sales/#comments
As one of the few M-rated games on Nintendo's DS platform, and the only Grand Theft Auto game, you can bet that game industry insiders are keeping an eye on sales of the recently released Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. Alas, NPD numbers won't be available until later this week, so we'll have to leave it to the analysts to predict the Chinatown Wars sales trajectory. But what are we to do if, as MTV reports, even the analysts can't agree?

According to MTV, Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter is predicting that the title sold a whopping 450,000 copies. Meanwhile, Jesse Divnich of EEDAR expects less than half of that figure, predicting around 200,000 copies. It's chaos out there, folks, and proof that people just don't know what to make of a high profile, M-rated game on Nintendo's cash machine. We suggest you get inside, lock the doors and board up the windows until we have official March NPD numbers to quell this storm.

JoystiqAnalysts can't agree on predicted Chinatown Wars sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessDSgrand-theft-auto-chinatown-warsgta-chinatown-warsNintendorockstartake-twoMon, 13 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[No, really? Analyst believes GTA: Chinatown Wars will move 2M in US]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/no-really-analyst-believes-gta-chinatown-wars-will-move-2m-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/no-really-analyst-believes-gta-chinatown-wars-will-move-2m-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/no-really-analyst-believes-gta-chinatown-wars-will-move-2m-in/#comments
Get this: Cowen and Company, a bunch of folks in suits who get paid a lot of money, are predicting that gaming's best-selling franchise -- Grand Theft Auto -- is going to sell really well on the industry's best-selling platform, Nintendo DS. According to GamesIndustry.biz, the aforementioned MBAs believe GTA: Chinatown Wars will sell two million copies in the US. Only two million?

Doug Creutz, an analyst at the firm, is quoted as saying, "Although the handheld platform has a younger-skewing installed base, we believe many core gamers own the DS." Hmm. We see, please continue. "The strong critical rating will likely increase the game's chances of becoming a commercial hit." So, good scores equal good sales? Not always the case.

We'd like to take a moment to go as far out on the limb as Cowen and make a few crazy predictions of our own. No. 1: In 10 years, people will still need water. No. 2: Parachute pants will never come back into style. No. 3: We'll never make as much as these analysts do for our predictions.

JoystiqNo, really? Analyst believes GTA: Chinatown Wars will move 2M in US originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-chinatown-warsgtagta-chinatown-warsrockstarrockstar-leedstake-twoTue, 17 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Lite gets gangsta-fied for GTA: Chinatown Wars release]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/ds-lite-gets-gangstafied-for-gta-chinatown-wars-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/ds-lite-gets-gangstafied-for-gta-chinatown-wars-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/17/ds-lite-gets-gangstafied-for-gta-chinatown-wars-release/#comments
As part of the push to promote GTA: Chinatown Wars, the Nintendo World Store had a custom DS Lite on display for those who bothered to show up for the game's midnight release Monday night, which you can see via this flickr stream. While we'll admit that the combination of almost-black blue and fire truck red aren't the most pleasing from a visual standpoint, we definitely wouldn't mind snagging some of those awesome little GTA figurines next to it.

What do you think? Yay or nay on this DS?

[Via Tiny Cartridge]

JoystiqDS Lite gets gangsta-fied for GTA: Chinatown Wars release originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-chinatown-warsgtagta-chinatown-warsmodmodsrockstarTue, 17 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two stock jumps up 10% following earnings report]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/take-two-stock-jumps-up-10-following-earnings-report/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/take-two-stock-jumps-up-10-following-earnings-report/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/take-two-stock-jumps-up-10-following-earnings-report/#comments
Take-Two recently dished out deets concerning how much of the coveted moneyz the company made and how much of that was attributed to car theft. Following that, the company's stock started to get a spring in its step, rising 10% yesterday. With the company reporting a $50 million loss, seeing such a sharp climb is surprising, to say the least.

Take-Two's next game, GTA: Chinatown Wars, is due for release on March 17.

JoystiqTake-Two stock jumps up 10% following earnings report originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessearningsgrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-ivgta-chinatown-warsgta-ivstockstockstake-twoFri, 13 Mar 2009 16:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: This is how you snipe in GTA: Chinatown Wars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/video-this-is-how-you-snipe-in-gta-chinatown-wars/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/video-this-is-how-you-snipe-in-gta-chinatown-wars/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/video-this-is-how-you-snipe-in-gta-chinatown-wars/#commentsIf the first trailer for Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars didn't supply enough in-game footage, perhaps this latest trailer will do the job.

Embedded after the break is a new gameplay clip of Chinatown Wars, featuring the hacking process and the delightful act of sniping. We'll be the first to admit that having to actually assemble the sniper rifle is all kinds of awesome, though we remember the process being somewhat more challenging on our last trip to the grassy knoll.

Continue reading Video: This is how you snipe in GTA: Chinatown Wars

JoystiqVideo: This is how you snipe in GTA: Chinatown Wars originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinatown-warsgrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-chinatown-warsgtagta-chinatown-warsrockstarrockstar-gamesTue, 10 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Play Chinatown Wars early during promo van tour ]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/24/play-chinatown-wars-early-during-promo-van-tour/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/24/play-chinatown-wars-early-during-promo-van-tour/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/24/play-chinatown-wars-early-during-promo-van-tour/#comments
Rockstar currently has GTA: Chinatown Wars on a pre-launch (post-launch, in some cases) sampling tour across the United States. The locales will allow people to play the game before its March 17 release, plus "limited-edition Rockstar apparel" will be given away. Check our the full list of dates and locations after break.

Of course, the real fun comes if and when somebody manages to carjack one of these promotional vans. (Seriously, don't do that.)

[Via RockstarWatch]

Continue reading Play Chinatown Wars early during promo van tour

JoystiqPlay Chinatown Wars early during promo van tour originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buschinatown-warsgtagta-chinatown-warsrockstarrockstar-gamestake-twovanTue, 24 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA Chinatown Wars commercial shows off game, zings government]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/23/gta-chinatown-wars-commercial-shows-off-game-zings-government/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/23/gta-chinatown-wars-commercial-shows-off-game-zings-government/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/23/gta-chinatown-wars-commercial-shows-off-game-zings-government/#commentsIn addition to some timely humor about current events, this GameStop/Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars ad features the first footage of Rockstar's DS game in motion. While there may only be a few seconds of actual gameplay visible (actually a bunch of different windows, each showing a few seconds of gameplay), it's enough to make us take notice.

Chinatown Wars is breathtakingly smooth in motion, especially for a DS game! The lighting looks great, and the semi-cel-shaded style works perfectly to make everything look clear and vivid. Of course, there's always the chance that the game won't look quite as good in reality as it does in ads!

The commercial highlights the GameStop-exclusive (until the first buyer gets home and logs into GameFAQs) code for an extra in-game $10,000, which should be an attractive prospect to those of you not interested in using the regular cheat codes included in every GTA.

Gallery: GTA: Chinatown Wars (DS)


[Thanks, AJ!]

Continue reading GTA Chinatown Wars commercial shows off game, zings government

JoystiqGTA Chinatown Wars commercial shows off game, zings government originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSgamestopgrand-theft-autogta-chinatown-warsNintendorockstarvideoMon, 23 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA Chinatown Wars features Wi-Fi connection, but offline multiplayer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/09/gta-chinatown-wars-features-wi-fi-connection-but-offline-multip/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/09/gta-chinatown-wars-features-wi-fi-connection-but-offline-multip/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/09/gta-chinatown-wars-features-wi-fi-connection-but-offline-multip/#comments
There appears to be some confusion over what multiplayer options will be included in the upcoming Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. The DS game will feature support for Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, but the connectivity does not expand to multiplayer.

Instead, multiplayer is limited to local system play. A flyer from New York Comic Con (via GoNintendo) shows the game will include competitive and cooperative modes -- although no other details were revealed.

While Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection won't be used for multiplayer, it will allow players to communicate and interact with their friends. For example, you'll be able to share favorite locations, chat live through in-game instant messaging, and trade in-game items. Stats can also be uploaded to Rockstar's Social Club site. Through the Social Club, Rockstar is promising "special contests, events, and promotions," although what those will entail is still unclear at this moment.

JoystiqGTA Chinatown Wars features Wi-Fi connection, but offline multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinatown-warsDSgrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warsNintendorockstarrockstar-social-clubMon, 09 Feb 2009 18:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst: Chinatown Wars a test for both Take-Two, Nintendo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/29/analyst-chinatown-wars-a-test-for-both-take-two-nintendo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/29/analyst-chinatown-wars-a-test-for-both-take-two-nintendo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/29/analyst-chinatown-wars-a-test-for-both-take-two-nintendo/#comments
Analyst Dough Creutz of Cowen Group believes GTA: Chinatown Wars is as much a test for Take-Two as it is for Nintendo. Gamasutra reports on Creutz's bullish investor note, where he expresses that the title will reveal Take-Two's "ability to make inroads" on Nintendo's platforms.

On the flip side, he expresses that Nintendo wants Chinatown Wars to succeed because it appeals to core gamers, whom Creutz apparently thinks Nintendo still gives a Yoshi's turd about.

JoystiqAnalyst: Chinatown Wars a test for both Take-Two, Nintendo originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinatown-warsDSgrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warsNintendorockstarrockstar-gamestake-twoThu, 29 Jan 2009 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA: Chinatown Wars drug dealing minigame explained ... a little]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/gta-chinatown-wars-drug-dealing-minigame-explained-a-little/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/gta-chinatown-wars-drug-dealing-minigame-explained-a-little/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/gta-chinatown-wars-drug-dealing-minigame-explained-a-little/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We're well aware that there's a drug-dealing component to GTA: Chinatown Wars, but the details on it have been a little lacking -- this post won't help much. MTV Multiplayer learned that players may want to sell drugs in Chinatown Wars because cash from missions won't dramatically increase in payout, unlike other GTA titles. Selling drugs is apparently one way to increase cash flow.

According to Rockstar, locations for deals are plentiful and won't detract from the action in the game. The drug economy is also affected by destruction of CCTV cameras. The more you break, the less valuable the drugs become (yes, less, it seems counter-intuitive). No word yet if Rockstar plans to have drug prices in the game reflect current standard market rates.

JoystiqGTA: Chinatown Wars drug dealing minigame explained ... a little originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinatown-warsDSgtagta-chinatown-warsrockstarMon, 26 Jan 2009 20:56:00 EST<![CDATA[New Wi-Fi mode revealed for Chinatown Wars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/new-wifi-mode-revealed-for-chinatown-wars/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/new-wifi-mode-revealed-for-chinatown-wars/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/new-wifi-mode-revealed-for-chinatown-wars/#commentsFiled under: ,

Rockstar is remaining mostly tight-lipped about the Wi-Fi modes in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, but Stephen Totilo used tickling the fact that he is Stephen Totilo to lure an interesting tidbit from the developer.

By swapping Friend Codes (yes, they're present), players will be able to send mapped waypoints to one another via the sorcery that is Nintendo Wi-Fi. This is executed using the miniature map that appears on the touchscreen, and works very much like the satellite navigation tech you may have in your car. By tapping on a location on your map, the game draws the shortest route to that point. You can then transmit that data to a buddy.

The idea here is that players will work collaboratively, helping each other to uncover hidden items, complete missions, and generally find their way around the very large Liberty City. This may turn out to be only one small part of Chinatown Wars' Wi-Fi play, but it's still really nifty!

JoystiqNew Wi-Fi mode revealed for Chinatown Wars originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actiongrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warssandboxtake-twoSat, 24 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Licensed music, multiplayer modes in Chinatown Wars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/licensed-music-multiplayer-modes-in-chinatown-wars/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/licensed-music-multiplayer-modes-in-chinatown-wars/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/licensed-music-multiplayer-modes-in-chinatown-wars/#commentsFiled under:

Keeping track of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars has proven hellish, if only because there is so much to the game. Fortunately, we picked up some chunks of new information from Stephen Totilo's excellent write-up, so we're going to try and glue these disparate pieces into a coherent post.

Firstly, one of the more fundamental changes to the 3D GTA formula is found in the police system. As in the home console and PSP games, your "Wanted" level wavers depending on how much crime you wreak, but here, escaping the police is not an option. Instead, you'll have to wreck a certain number of police cars before your Wanted meter falls.

When you're not steering the authorities into buildings, you'll be able to take in the same slow-motion stunt jumps and 24-hour day/night cycle that were in other GTA games, and Totilo confirmed the presence of licensed music, minus the vocals; for what it's worth, one Rockstar rep described the soundtrack as "familiar." Typically, there will also be in-jokes to appreciate, with several missions named after other games, such as "Pursuit Farce" and "Street of Rage."

Most excitingly, Chinatown Wars will have multiplayer modes. Aside from the online leaderboards we already know about? We're not sure, but we look forward to finding out!

JoystiqLicensed music, multiplayer modes in Chinatown Wars originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionchinatown-warsgrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warsrockstarsandboxtake-twoThu, 22 Jan 2009 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinatown Wars 'complete,' Rockstar makes with the deets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/chinatown-wars-complete-rockstar-makes-with-the-deets/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/chinatown-wars-complete-rockstar-makes-with-the-deets/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/chinatown-wars-complete-rockstar-makes-with-the-deets/#commentsFiled under:

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is well on course to make its March 17th release in North America, with Rockstar revealing to Edge that the game is complete. Edge saw this as a neat opportunity to write another preview of the game, spilling more delicious details into our gaping, GTA-loving maws.

Most of the new information focuses on the PDA belonging to protagonist Huang Lee, essentially a direct substitute for the cellphone used by Niko in Grand Theft Auto IV. From here, you'll be able to view sat-nav minimaps of Liberty City, look at the main map, select weapons, and receive emails. You'll also be able to order weapons from Ammu-nation, which now delivers weapons straight to your safehouse.

Speaking of which, your safehouse in Chinatown Wars is more fleshed-out than ever before, giving you somewhere to show off trophies (awarded, we assume, for completing missions). It also features a whiteboard with pictures of all your contacts -- tapping these lets you access missions. Excellently, these can be replayed, and your best performances uploaded to the game's online leaderboards.

Finally, one of the few concerns we had about the game, the ease of combat, has been thoughtfully addressed. Muzzle flare and tracer lines are both used to make things a little clearer in the heat of battle, and the exact trajectory of grenades is depicted with a green arc on the top screen. All of which sounds great -- we just hope you're old enough to play it!


[Via videogaming247]

JoystiqChinatown Wars 'complete,' Rockstar makes with the deets originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionchinatown-warsgrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warsrockstarsandboxtake-twoMon, 19 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinatown Wars receives '18' rating in UK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/09/chinatown-wars-receives-18-rating-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/09/chinatown-wars-receives-18-rating-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/09/chinatown-wars-receives-18-rating-in-uk/#commentsFiled under:

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars has been granted an "18" certificate in Britain by the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification, and no, we don't understand that, either).

Huge surprise, right? Well, no. We already know about the drug-dealing subgame, and any GTA game receiving a restrictive age rating is hardly news. But then Chinatown Wars is also the first DS title in the UK to receive such a classification, a landmark that is worth recording. Incidentally, no DS title has yet obtained an "Adults Only" rating from the ESRB (indeed, only six have been rated "M" -- C.O.R.E., theresia, Ultimate Mortal Kombat, Dementium, Touch the Dead, and Resident Evil: Deadly Silence); could Chinatown Wars be the first?

Also of interest: the BBFC's listing for the game reveals that the title contains 168 minutes of in-game cut-scenes. Wow!


[Via MCV]

JoystiqChinatown Wars receives '18' rating in UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionbbfccensorshipchinatown-warsgrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warsratingrockstarsandboxtake-twoukFri, 09 Jan 2009 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars 'far bigger' than PSP installments ]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-far-bigger-than-psp-installme/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-far-bigger-than-psp-installme/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-far-bigger-than-psp-installme/#commentsFiled under: ,

http://www.joystiq.com/media/2008/12/gta.chinatown.war.box.jpg
Speaking to Nintendo Power, the developer of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, Rockstar Leeds, revealed that while the game may be on the small screen, its scope is anything but diminutive. Studio president Gordon Hall uses the two PSP Grand Theft Auto games - which it developed - for comparison, saying "this game is far bigger."

According to Hall, Chinatown Wars outclasses the PSP games with "more odd jobs, deeper missions, and more moments of over-the-top action," adding that it features "huge interaction with the Rockstar Social Club [and] a massive [narcotics trafficking] game that would stand alone on its own." Game? Surely he means a motivational tool.

[Via DS Fanboy]

JoystiqGrand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars 'far bigger' than PSP installments originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSgrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warsrockstarrockstar-leedsTue, 23 Dec 2008 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop: Pre-order GTA: Chinatown Wars, get (in-game) guns and money ]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/gamestop-pre-order-gta-chinatown-wars-get-in-game-guns-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/gamestop-pre-order-gta-chinatown-wars-get-in-game-guns-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/gamestop-pre-order-gta-chinatown-wars-get-in-game-guns-and/#commentsFiled under: ,

http://www.joystiq.com/media/2008/12/gta.chinatown.war.box.jpg
Forget gold-plated Lancers and exclusive costumes - GameStop is offering guns and cash to those who pre-order Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars in advance of its March 17 release. Of course, they aren't real guns and the dough is, sadly, digital.

Pre-order the game and you'll start out with every weapon and $100,000 in your tiny little polygonal pockets. GameStop hasn't said exactly how this will work (if it's a code, it would be on the internets a nanosecond later) but we're figuring it'll involve one of those newfangled voucher codes or some such. Or, you could play the game and get the satisfaction of earning - nay, achieving - something all by yourself. A novel concept, we know.

JoystiqGameStop: Pre-order GTA: Chinatown Wars, get (in-game) guns and money originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSgamestopgrand-theft-autogta-chinatown-warspre-orderpre-order-bonusWed, 17 Dec 2008 19:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamestop GTA pre-order provides in-game rewards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/gamestop-gta-pre-order-provides-in-game-rewards/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/gamestop-gta-pre-order-provides-in-game-rewards/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/gamestop-gta-pre-order-provides-in-game-rewards/#commentsFiled under:


For those of you that decide to go the way of Gamestop for your copy of GTA: Chinatown Wars, know that a pre-order will net you some perks starting out in the game. For one, you're gifted with $10,000 in cash. That'll come in handy, too, because you'll also be starting the game with every weapon unlocked. No better way to spend that 10K than towards an AK, right?

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars releases to North America on March 17th, 2009.

JoystiqGamestop GTA pre-order provides in-game rewards originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinatown-warsgamestopgrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warspreorderrockstartake-twoWed, 17 Dec 2008 16:41:00 EST<![CDATA[This just in: GTA: Chinatown Wars to sell lots]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/this-just-in-gta-chinatown-wars-to-sell-lots/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/this-just-in-gta-chinatown-wars-to-sell-lots/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/16/this-just-in-gta-chinatown-wars-to-sell-lots/#commentsFiled under:

The release of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars on March 17 is probably going to be A Big Deal[TM]. As the coming together of the world's current favorite console and one of the most mega franchises out there, it's an event that threatens the very fabric of the space-time continuum should see a silly number of DS carts snapped up.

But how many? Take-Two will reveal its own expectations in its fiscal 2008 earnings report tomorrow, but for now analyst Mike Hickey of Janco Partners is calling five million copies sold between March 17 and October. That's a zany figure, but this is GTA and the DS we're talking about here: loopy numbers are nothing new.

JoystiqThis just in: GTA: Chinatown Wars to sell lots originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analystchinatown-warsgrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-chinatown-warsgta-chinatown-warsmike-hickeyrockstartake-twoTue, 16 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinatown Wars releases on March 17th ]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/15/chinatown-wars-releases-on-march-17th/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/15/chinatown-wars-releases-on-march-17th/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/15/chinatown-wars-releases-on-march-17th/#commentsFiled under:

If you've been liking what you've been seeing from Rockstar's upcoming installment in the Grand Theft Auto franchise, GTA: Chinatown Wars, then know that you're only a few months away from the game's release. Rockstar has informed us that the game will be available in North America on March 17th and hitting Europe on March 20th.

So, who's pumped to deal drugs and take part in other shady deeds in Chinatown Wars?

JoystiqChinatown Wars releases on March 17th originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinatown-warsgrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warsrockstartake-twoMon, 15 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST