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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Grand Theft Auto character listed in voice actor casting call]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/grand-theft-auto-character-listed-in-voice-actor-casting-call/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/grand-theft-auto-character-listed-in-voice-actor-casting-call/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/grand-theft-auto-character-listed-in-voice-actor-casting-call/#commentsYou don't have to look like this creepy guy -- you just have to sound like him. James Pedeaston (pictured), a recurring side character in the Grand Theft Auto universe, is listed among several other roles in a voice-over casting call posted on Actors Pages, which could be further evidence that production of Grand Theft Auto 5 is underway. Take-Two was initially named (as the production company) in the posting, according to Eurogamer, but reference to the GTA publisher has since been removed.

Pedeaston was the host of "The Wild Traveler" radio show in GTA: San Andreas -- in which he openly recounted acts of pedophilia -- and, in GTA IV, he was "arrested by the Indonesian police after being suspected of child molesting in Bali, Indonesia," according to the GTA Wiki. The casting call describes Pedeaston as a "man-boy love activist who just got released from an Indonesian prison," suggesting that the role would be set in a time period following the events of GTA IV -- in other words, a role featured in the next GTA game.

Additional first-name-only characters are listed in the job posting and sound generally befitting of a GTA game -- take "Samantha," for instance: "A young female obsessed with sex parties, always dreaming of being a Hollywood celebrity." The Actors Pages casting call follows a similar job posting on The Agency, for a project named "Rush" (assumed to be a codename and linked to Take-Two), which introduces more puzzle pieces that might fit together into a new GTA game set in Los Angeles -- or "Los Santos," as it's known in San Andreas.

[Image source: GTA Wiki; credit: C-d-rom]

JoystiqGrand Theft Auto character listed in voice actor casting call originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casting-callgrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-5gtagta5james-pedeastonjobsrockstar-gamesrushtake-twovoice-actingTue, 29 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Race'n'Chase: Original GTA design docs posted]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/race-n-chase-original-gta-design-docs-posted/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/race-n-chase-original-gta-design-docs-posted/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/22/race-n-chase-original-gta-design-docs-posted/#comments The original concept for Grand Theft Auto would see players committing only a few crimes, according to design documents posted by developer Mike Dailly that date back to sixteen years ago today. At that time, the early concept was for a game called Race'n'Chase. Its aim was "to produce a fun, addictive, and fast multi-player car racing and crashing game which uses a novel graphics method."

The story? "The game will be set in a present-day world." (Period.) While it would take two and a half years -- and narrowly dodging cancellation, by another creator's account -- to flesh out the eventual game, Grand Theft Auto, the designers did have some inkling of the direction they would ultimately take, as detailed in the original pitch.

"There will be 3 cities with a different graphic style for each city (e.g., New York, Venice, Miami)," wrote the heads of then DMA Design (now Rockstar North). "There will be many different missions to be played in each city." The initial mission types consisted of "a straight race across the city," a free-roaming demolition derby and a bank robbery.

Other seeds for the mega-franchise-to-be were also planted in the early documents: "Pedestrians will be wandering about all of the time," notes one section, suggesting bystander types could include "schoolchildren" and a "lollipop lady." "They can be run over by cars."

"It will also be possible for players to get out of their car and steal another one," the designers propose in the opening pitch, adding, "Trying to steal a car may result in an alarm being set off which will, of course, attract the police." Later, it's clarified that "police will be able to get out of their cars and shoot at the robbers."

[Image credit: Mike Dailly; source: mikedailly/Flickr]

JoystiqRace'n'Chase: Original GTA design docs posted originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designdesign-documentdma-designdosgrand-theft-autogtamike-dailyn64pcrace-n-chaseretrosaturnwindows-95Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Original GTA developer says game was 'almost canned']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/31/original-gta-developer-says-game-was-almost-canned/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/31/original-gta-developer-says-game-was-almost-canned/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/31/original-gta-developer-says-game-was-almost-canned/#comments Gary Penn was a developer at DMA Design way back when the British company was working on the very first Grand Theft Auto game -- the top-down, PC-based version, not the 3D console hit you know and love today -- and says that it was "almost canned." Not because of any Hot Coffee-style shenanigans, mind you. Just because (and we're paraphrasing here) it sucked.

It was incredibly unstable and "it was awful, it was too sim-y," says Penn. It wasn't until the developer found a bit of fun by turning up the police aggressiveness that it finally landed on the gameplay that's sustained the series to this day: GTA creates a much more manic, amped-up version of the world we actually live in.

Once the dev figured that out, it moved on to things like mowing down 2D Hare Khrishnas (Penn's right -- it was really satisfying, moral qualms aside) and just enjoying the world. Penn goes on to say that the series is "stagnating" for him, perhaps because of its success. "It's anything but a lazy game," he says, "but they don't have the pressure if no one else is doing it anywhere near as well as they're doing it."

JoystiqOriginal GTA developer says game was 'almost canned' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dma-designgame-designgary-penngrand-theft-autogtagta-ivpcMon, 31 Jan 2011 23:00:00 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[GTA: Episodes From Liberty City for PC, PS3 delayed two weeks due to 'minor content changes']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/18/gta-episodes-from-liberty-city-for-pc-ps3-delayed-two-weeks-du/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/18/gta-episodes-from-liberty-city-for-pc-ps3-delayed-two-weeks-du/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/18/gta-episodes-from-liberty-city-for-pc-ps3-delayed-two-weeks-du/#comments If you've waited this long for Episodes from Liberty City, another two weeks shouldn't hurt, right? Rockstar Games has pushed back the PS3 and PC releases of the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto IV expansions by two weeks due to "a request by Sony Europe to make some minor content changes to the PAL PS3 version of the game." According to the press release, "the minor changes made to the game will not affect the gamers enjoyment of the games, these will not affect any gameplay elements and were not related to any local ratings requirements."

All versions of the add-ons -- including the downloadable episodes "The Lost & Damned" and "The Ballad of Gay Tony" -- have been delayed to April 13th for North America, and April 16th for all other countries. A Rockstar Games blog post further elaborated on the decision to do a global delay, ensuring that "everyone can experience multiplayer simultaneously, take part in online events together, be on level ground on leaderboards, etc."

JoystiqGTA: Episodes From Liberty City for PC, PS3 delayed two weeks due to 'minor content changes' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delaydelaysdlcepisodes-from-liberty-citygrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-4grand-theft-auto-ivgrand-theft-auto-iv-episodes-from-liberty-citygrand-theft-auto-iv-lost-and-damnedGTAgta-ivgta-iv-dlcrelease-daterockstarrockstar-gamestake-twoThu, 18 Mar 2010 17:45:00 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[GTA: Episodes From Liberty City on PS3, PC March 30]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/gta-episodes-from-liberty-city-on-ps3-pc-march-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/gta-episodes-from-liberty-city-on-ps3-pc-march-30/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/gta-episodes-from-liberty-city-on-ps3-pc-march-30/#comments We were all expecting it and finally Rockstar has come through with the announcement: Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City is coming to the PS3 and PC on March 30. There will be two ways to get your expansion fix: you can either jack each individual episode -- The Lost and the Damned or The Ballad of Gay Tony -- through PSN or Games For Windows Live, or you can snag a disc with the new content on there, just like the previous Xbox 360 release. Well, OK, technically it's not "jacking," per se, but work with us here -- it's essential to the mental imagery we're trying to force into your wrinkly thought machine. Jedi blogging.

A disc will set you back $39.99, while individual episodes will be $20 each. Like the Xbox 360 version of Episodes From Liberty City, a retail disc will not require a copy of GTA IV, while the DLC will.

JoystiqGTA: Episodes From Liberty City on PS3, PC March 30 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLCepisodes-from-liberty-citygrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-ivgrand-theft-auto-iv-dlcgrand-theft-auto-iv-pcgtagta-ivgta-iv-episodes-from-liberty-cityrelease-daterockstartake-twoFri, 29 Jan 2010 00:16:00 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[Play The Ballad of Gay Tony with Rockstar tonight]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/03/play-the-ballad-of-gay-tony-with-rockstar-tonight/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/03/play-the-ballad-of-gay-tony-with-rockstar-tonight/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/03/play-the-ballad-of-gay-tony-with-rockstar-tonight/#comments
Before you put on some sweats, make a little popcorn and sit down for your sitcoms tonight, you may want to gear up for some The Ballad of Gay Tony multiplayer. Rockstar Games has announced it'll be holding a multiplayer session tonight from 5pm - 8pm ET, allowing prospective Liberty City hoodlums to hang out with some developers in the expansion's new multiplayer modes for a bit of two-on-two action.

If you want to get involved, pack a parachute and send a request to these Gamertags:
  • GwRockstar3
  • GwRockstar4
  • GwRockstar5
  • GwRockstar6
And if you fancy yourself a bit of a voyeur or can't get to your Xbox, you can still watch the action from the perspective of one of Rockstar's employees at the Social Club event page here.

JoystiqPlay The Ballad of Gay Tony with Rockstar tonight originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gay-tonygrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-ivgtagta-ivluis-lopezrockstarthe-ballad-of-gay-tonyxbox-liveThu, 03 Dec 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: 15 days in GTA IV's Liberty City]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/06/video-15-days-in-gta-ivs-liberty-city/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/06/video-15-days-in-gta-ivs-liberty-city/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/06/video-15-days-in-gta-ivs-liberty-city/#comments
Time lapse videos were all the rage back in -- actually, we don't think they were ever rage caliber stuff, but in the case of this GTA IV video that shows 15 days go by Liberty City, it's at least reached "oh, that's neat!" territory. The video comes courtesy of DigitalFoundry (you can watch it over at Eurogamer) and reminds us just how much life there is in the virtual sand box, as cars drive along to their respective destinations, pedestrians shuffle about doing their own thing and, in the case of that one lady around the 32-second mark, loaf around the riverside all day and night. We just hope she's not doing what we think she's doing. It'd be such an unbecoming thing of the purest city in all of gaming, amirite?

JoystiqVideo: 15 days in GTA IV's Liberty City originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grand-theft-atuogrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-ivgtagta-ivMicrosoftrockstartime-lapsevideoXbox-360Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar revamps Social Club's online leaderboards and stat tracking for Gay Tony]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/rockstar-revamps-social-clubs-online-leaderboards-and-stat-trac/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/rockstar-revamps-social-clubs-online-leaderboards-and-stat-trac/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/rockstar-revamps-social-clubs-online-leaderboards-and-stat-trac/#comments
With the release of this week's second Grand Theft Auto IV expansion The Ballad of Gay Tony, the game's developer has decided to update the online multiplayer statistics tracking in order to reflect the new multiplayer game types. The addition of "BASE Jump" to the mulitplayer as well as "new, tighter Deathmatch arenas" helped spur the leaderboard overhaul, according to the developer blog. The various new additions being made due to the DLC will even get their own section on the Rockstar Social Club, presumably for the four of you tracking your new GTAIV DLC stats after Modern Warfare 2 releases in a couple weeks.

JoystiqRockstar revamps Social Club's online leaderboards and stat tracking for Gay Tony originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributiondlcepisodes-from-liberty-citygrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-ivgtagta-ivleaderboardsmultiplayeronline-multiplayerrockstarrockstar-gamesrockstar-social-clubsocial-clubthe-ballad-of-gay-tonyThu, 29 Oct 2009 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA's 'Next Stop' teased in Liberty City Episodes manual]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/gtas-next-stop-teased-in-liberty-city-episodes-manual/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/gtas-next-stop-teased-in-liberty-city-episodes-manual/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/gtas-next-stop-teased-in-liberty-city-episodes-manual/#comments We'd thought the Grand Theft Auto franchise had taken us to lovingly rendered simulacra of every metropolitan city-type known to man, but apparently, we thought wrong. In the back of the GTA IV: Episodes from Liberty City manual, a fake advertisement points to the series' "Next Stop" (seen above). Of course, the destination being teased is quite obviously the lovely town of Clip Artington, Minnesota. Surely you've heard of Clip Artington! It's renowned for its apple butter festivals.

On the off chance the teaser is pointing to a different city, we've ... we've really got no idea. Looks like a desert, though, right? And a mountain? And some conical, obsidian monoliths? What? Trees? Oh, yeah, that makes a lot more sense. We'd love to hear your speculation in a well-written, thought-provoking comment! There's a place for those right after the jump, you know.

[Image credit: VGChartz]

JoystiqGTA's 'Next Stop' teased in Liberty City Episodes manual originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>episodes-from-liberty-citygrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-ivgtagta-ivinstruction-manualmanualnext-stoprockstarteaserWed, 28 Oct 2009 17:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Latest Ballad of Gay Tony trailer showcases Luis Lopez's many exploits]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/latest-ballad-of-gay-tony-trailer-showcases-luis-lopezs-many-ex/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/latest-ballad-of-gay-tony-trailer-showcases-luis-lopezs-many-ex/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/latest-ballad-of-gay-tony-trailer-showcases-luis-lopezs-many-ex/#commentsRather than offer interesting social commentary or moody atmospheric tone, the just-released Ballad of Gay Tony teaser instead teaches us that Luis Lopez is not a joking around kinda guy. He takes shots, tosses dudes off buildings - he even goes to the driving range!

In case it weren't already glaringly obvious to you, the second Grand Theft Auto IV expansion will be taking itself quite a bit less seriously than the first digital release. Thankfully, the wait is nearly over and we can find out for ourselves tomorrow just how much Rockstar Games has twisted its latest opus.

Gallery: GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony

JoystiqLatest Ballad of Gay Tony trailer showcases Luis Lopez's many exploits originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributiondlcgrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-ivgtagta-ivluis-lopezMicrosoftrockstarrockstar-gamesthe-ballad-of-gay-tonytrailerXbox-360Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[New Gay Tony in-game anime is all too familiar]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/26/new-gay-tony-in-game-anime-is-all-too-familiar/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/26/new-gay-tony-in-game-anime-is-all-too-familiar/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/26/new-gay-tony-in-game-anime-is-all-too-familiar/#comments Grand Theft Auto has always been heavy on satire, making exaggerated observations about the world for the sake of a few cheap yuks. It's readily apparent on the in-game radio programs, which poke fun at both extremes of political talk radio. The in-game TV programming does much the same (if you haven't, we suggest you make time to watch "Republican Space Rangers"). It looks like The Ballad of Gay Tony will continue the tradition with "Princess Robot Bubblegum," an anime parody to be featured on the in-game CNT channel. The show will serve as part of the new TV lineup in the upcoming expansion.

In Rockstar's own words, "Princess Robot Bubblegum" features the hallmarks of more than a few animes: "Incomprehensible narrative, wretched dialogue and creepy, misogynistic sexuality." See it all in the trailer above.

JoystiqNew Gay Tony in-game anime is all too familiar originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gay-tonygrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-ivgtagtaivMicrosoftrockstartake-twothe-ballad-of-gay-tonyXbox-360Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:23:00 EST<![CDATA[New 'Episodes from Liberty City' introduces Armando & Henrique]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/02/new-episodes-from-liberty-city-introduces-armando-and-henrique/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/02/new-episodes-from-liberty-city-introduces-armando-and-henrique/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/02/new-episodes-from-liberty-city-introduces-armando-and-henrique/#commentsGood friends are hard to come by, especially on the seedy streets of Liberty City. That's why we're so glad the above trailer for Episodes from Liberty City (which features snippets from The Ballad of Gay Tony and The Lost and the Damned) emphasizes the comradery one can experience in the city's many boroughs.

Don't believe us? Just ask The Ballad of Gay Tony protagonist Luis Lopez's childhood friends Armando Torres and Henrique Bardas, who have stuck with Lopez through thick and thin.

JoystiqNew 'Episodes from Liberty City' introduces Armando & Henrique originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armando-torresepisodes-from-liberty-citygrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-ivgtagta-ivhenrique-bardasluis-lopezMicrosoftrockstarthe-ballad-of-gay-tonythe-lost-and-the-damnedXbox-360Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Catch a gold bar from Yusuf Amir in the new Ballad of Gay Tony trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/24/catch-a-gold-bar-from-yusuf-amir-in-the-new-ballad-of-gay-tony-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/24/catch-a-gold-bar-from-yusuf-amir-in-the-new-ballad-of-gay-tony-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/24/catch-a-gold-bar-from-yusuf-amir-in-the-new-ballad-of-gay-tony-t/#commentsIt would be outright unfair to spoil any of the hilarious, minute-long trailer for upcoming GTA IV expansion The Ballad of Gay Tony that we've dropped above. We would like to highlight its introduction of Yusuf Amir, a character who seems to be on the level of Brucie in terms of sheer personality. With any luck, we'll get to hang out with Mr. Amir quite a bit while playing through The Ballad of Gay Tony when it's released on October 29.

Gallery: GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony

JoystiqCatch a gold bar from Yusuf Amir in the new Ballad of Gay Tony trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributiondlcgrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-ivgtagta-ivMicrosoftrockstarrockstar-gamestake-twothe-ballad-of-gay-tonytrailervideoXbox-360yusuf-amirThu, 24 Sep 2009 13:58:00 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[GTA IV: Episodes from Liberty City gets box arted]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/gta-iv-episodes-from-liberty-city-gets-box-arted/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/gta-iv-episodes-from-liberty-city-gets-box-arted/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/gta-iv-episodes-from-liberty-city-gets-box-arted/#comments Though we'd love to spend our precious time poring over the just-released cover of upcoming Grand Theft Auto IV DLC retail pack, Episodes from Liberty City, we're not entirely certain of what to pick apart. The usual sexified lady and mean-looking gentlemen are present and accounted for, as is another helicopter to remind us of The Ballad of Gay Tony's apparent vehicle of choice. A few friends from the The Lost & Damned also make an appearance, but there isn't much else to ogle.

We still don't have a release date for the expansion or much more than a handful of screenshots, so we really hope you enjoy this box art until the first trailer hits tomorrow afternoon.

Gallery: GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony

JoystiqGTA IV: Episodes from Liberty City gets box arted originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boxartdigital-distributiondlcepisodes-from-liberty-citygrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-ivgtagta-ivMicrosoftretailrockstarrockstar-gamesscreenshotsthe-ballad-of-gay-tonyXbox-360Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:57:00 EST<![CDATA[First screens for The Ballad of Gay Tony go airborne]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/29/first-screens-for-the-ballad-of-gay-tony-go-airborne/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/29/first-screens-for-the-ballad-of-gay-tony-go-airborne/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/29/first-screens-for-the-ballad-of-gay-tony-go-airborne/#comments
Earlier today, Rockstar Games released its first volley of screens for upcoming GTA IV expansion, The Ballad of Gay Tony. From what we can see in the four images -- handed "exclusively to fan sites," according to the Rockstar Games website -- it appears as though air-based warfare will be the focus this time around.

Eagle-eyed fans will also notice that the protagonist is wearing the same letterman jacket found in the teaser image Rockstar released last week for the game's second DLC, still scheduled to arrive this Winter, further confirming his main characteriness. All will be revealed this Tuesday we hope, with the arrival of the first trailer (and hopefully some new media alongside that). For the time being, peep all four images right here.

Gallery: GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony



[Thanks, Adriaan!]

JoystiqFirst screens for The Ballad of Gay Tony go airborne originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributiondlcgrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-ivgtagta-ivgtaivignign-grand-theft-auto-hoodMicrosoftrockstarrockstar-gamesscreenshotsthe-ballad-of-gay-tonyXbox-360Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Ballad of Gay Tony gets its first trailer this Tuesday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/the-ballad-of-gay-tony-gets-its-first-trailer-this-tuesday/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/the-ballad-of-gay-tony-gets-its-first-trailer-this-tuesday/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/the-ballad-of-gay-tony-gets-its-first-trailer-this-tuesday/#comments
Notorious for not saying much about the GTA series until the very last minute, Rockstar Games stuck to form today in announcing the first trailer for upcoming GTA IV expansion The Ballad of Gay Tony. According to the company's website, a trailer for Episodes from Liberty City will be released this Tuesday, "featuring The Ballad of Gay Tony."

The only images we've seen so far from the DLC haven't been much more than loading screen art, and now the shot above of what looks to be Luis jumping out of a plane. Wait, jumping out of a plane? There were no planes in GTA IV! What is this madness?!

JoystiqThe Ballad of Gay Tony gets its first trailer this Tuesday originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributiondlcepisodes-from-liberty-cityexpire-images:2009-9-26gtagta-ivMicrosoftrockstarrockstar-gamesteaserthe-ballad-of-gay-tonytrailerXbox-360Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:10:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony, Episodes from Liberty City hitting Oct. 29]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/22/gta-iv-the-ballad-of-gay-tony-episodes-from-liberty-city-hitti/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/22/gta-iv-the-ballad-of-gay-tony-episodes-from-liberty-city-hitti/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/22/gta-iv-the-ballad-of-gay-tony-episodes-from-liberty-city-hitti/#comments
 Rockstar has dated the second Xbox 360-exclusive DLC expansion for Grand Theft Auto IV, The Ballad of Gay Tony, for October 29. A disc-based retail compilation of the new episode and the game's first add-on, The Lost and Damned, titled Episodes From Liberty City, will be available the same day for 360. The news comes via a tweet on the company's Twitter feed and two official site updates.

The new DLC will be priced at 1600 ($20) while Episodes will run $39.99 and will not require a copy of GTA IV in order to play. To coincide with the announcement, Rockstar has updated the official Ballad of Gay Tony site with a new desktop background -- there's even an iPhone-formatted version for you mobile mobstas.

JoystiqGTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony, Episodes from Liberty City hitting Oct. 29 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>episodes-from-liberty-citygrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-ivgtagta-iv-dlcgtaivMicrosoftrockstarrockstar-norththe-ballad-of-gay-tonyXbox-360Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst: 2 more GTA IV episodes on the way, GTA V by fiscal 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/03/analyst-2-more-gtaiv-episodes-on-the-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/03/analyst-2-more-gtaiv-episodes-on-the-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/03/analyst-2-more-gtaiv-episodes-on-the-way/#comments Do you want more Grand Theft Auto? Well, that's what Todd Mitchell, analyst for Kaufman Bros. Equity Research wants. Nay, expects! Speaking to GI.biz, Mitchell stated that he's anticipating two more downloadable GTA IV episodes to launch after The Ballad of Gay Tony. "It's been indicated to me that would be the case," he said. Additionally, with Microsoft's exclusivity deal covering only two episodes, these DLC add-ons may also appear on PS3.

In addition to new GTA IV episodes, the analyst believes GTA V will debut some time in the 2011 fiscal year. The only reason it wasn't announced or teased in any way during E3, he believes, is "Rockstar's track record with delivering on time."

The most curious of statements Mitchell made was regarding the possibility of a new Grand Theft Auto hitting the PlayStation 2 system. No, you read that right. He believes a PS2 port of the PSP port of the formerly DS-exclusive Chinatown Wars may hit the aging Sony system, although he admits he's not too "confident" about that prediction. Pachter, eat your heart out.

JoystiqAnalyst: 2 more GTA IV episodes on the way, GTA V by fiscal 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-5grand-theft-auto-ivgtagta-ivgta5MicrosoftrockstarXbox-360Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:30:00 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[COP: The Recruit takes you to an urban open world on the DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/cop-the-recruit-takes-you-to-an-urban-open-world-on-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/cop-the-recruit-takes-you-to-an-urban-open-world-on-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/cop-the-recruit-takes-you-to-an-urban-open-world-on-the-ds/#comments
Nintendo has just announced COP: The Recruit, created by Ubisoft, for the DS at their E3 press conference. It's an open-world third-person urban crime game with an anime edge -- you play as a street racer who's been cuffed, and has to choose between working for the police or returning to your criminal ways. The short video they showed was reminiscent of both Driver and GTA -- running, shooting, committing acts that would normally get you locked up, all on the DS's dual screens.

We've got no date at all for when this might actually appear on store shelves, but we're guessing it'll be some point in the future. Sometime after this exact second right now.

JoystiqCOP: The Recruit takes you to an urban open world on the DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cop-the-recruitdriverdse3-2009gtareleasestreet-racerubisoftTue, 02 Jun 2009 12:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Former Rockstar Games founders form 4mm Games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/21/former-rockstar-games-founders-form-4mm-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/21/former-rockstar-games-founders-form-4mm-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/21/former-rockstar-games-founders-form-4mm-games/#comments Eager to fill their lungs with the clean air of independent living, Rockstar Games co-founders Jamie King and Gary Foreman have headed for the hills. Along the way the pair picked up Nicholas Perret from Image Metrics, known for its amazing yet slightly creepy Emily video, and entertainment exec Paul Coyne. Next stop: 4mm Games, a new game studio that, according to CEO Perret, aims to "deliver groundbreaking content with global appeal to a consumer who lives online."

4mm isn't talking specifics, though the company has netted "significant" backing from game-focused investment firm, CEA Autumn Games. According to 4mm, the companies have agreed to a multi-year partnership, which includes multiple titles and platforms. Beyond this, 4mm is keeping quiet on what it plans to spend its new-found cash on, but we'll keep our eyes on the horizon as things develop.

JoystiqFormer Rockstar Games founders form 4mm Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 May 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4mm4mm-gamesgtagta-ivgtaivrockstarrockstar-gamesrockstargamesThu, 21 May 2009 09:00:00 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[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[Nintendo: Don't panic, Chinatown Wars will do just fine ... probably]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/20/nintendo-dont-panic-chinatown-wars-will-do-just-fine-prob/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/20/nintendo-dont-panic-chinatown-wars-will-do-just-fine-prob/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/20/nintendo-dont-panic-chinatown-wars-will-do-just-fine-prob/#comments
Nintendo isn't afraid of low sales numbers for the M-rated DS outing of the GTA series, GTA: Chinatown Wars. In fact, the company believes the game will have "long legs" -- continuing to sell for the months to come rather than the usual cycle of big launch and steady decline. Speaking with MTV Multiplayer last week, Nintendo vice president of licensing Steve Singer said, "Chinatown Wars is performing in line with AAA titles that have come to our platform like Spore [Creatures] or Lego Star Wars."

And the sales numbers of those titles seem corroborate his point. Spore Creatures has sold nearly one million units worldwide at this point and Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga has moved just over two and a half million, though each title sold less than half of Chinatown's numbers in their first two weeks at retail (released March 17, the March NPD numbers only recorded the first two weeks of the games sales). We're not sure what the future holds for the critically lauded title but Singer believes "word of mouth" will help to keep GTA: Chinatown Wars steady in the future. We'll certainly see after April's NPD numbers arrive in a few weeks.

JoystiqNintendo: Don't panic, Chinatown Wars will do just fine ... probably originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSgrand-theft-auto-chinatown-warsgtalego-star-warsmtv-multiplayerNintendonpdrockstarspore-creaturestake-twoMon, 20 Apr 2009 12:50:00 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[Analyst: Lost and Damned earned $18 million online, $3 million at retail]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/analyst-lost-and-damned-earned-18-million-online-3-million-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/analyst-lost-and-damned-earned-18-million-online-3-million-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/analyst-lost-and-damned-earned-18-million-online-3-million-a/#comments
Electronic Entertainment Design and Research (EEDAR) analyst Jesse Divnich's crystal ball predicts brick-and-mortar retail sales of GTA IV's expansion, The Lost and Damned, to be less than $3 million. He believes current global sales from customers who purchased it across Xbox Live to be around $18 million. This latest bit of analyst prognostication comes following Pachter's missive (translated from an Illuminati memo) that GTA's biker expansion could sell upwards of two million units by year's end.

Although the 6-to-1 online vs. retail ratio seems dramatic, is it really surprising when The Lost and Damned was promoted as a DLC pack anyway? In this case, retail was just a middle man, as those who purchased the "game" at their local bodega received a card with a code to download the expansion. All we really know at this point is that the game is selling very well.

Gallery: Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned DLC

JoystiqAnalyst: Lost and Damned earned $18 million online, $3 million at retail originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>divnicheedargtagta-ivgta-iv-the-lost-and-damnedjesse-divnichlost-and-damnedMicrosoftthe-lost-and-damnedXbox-360Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:47:00 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[Sony in talks with Rockstar for more GTA on PSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/28/sony-in-talks-with-rockstar-for-more-gta-on-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/28/sony-in-talks-with-rockstar-for-more-gta-on-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/28/sony-in-talks-with-rockstar-for-more-gta-on-psp/#commentsFiled under:


It might seem as though the once-strong relationship between Rockstar Games, developers of the highly profitable Grand Theft Auto franchise, and Sony, the progenitor of the consoles said franchise once almost exclusively appeared on, is on the outs. Following the 360-exclusive Lost and Damned DLC, and the movement from the series' portable appearances to the DS with GTA: Chinatown Wars, it appears Rockstar has jilted all things PlayStation in hopes of attracting younger, more lucrative suitors.

However, this isn't exactly the case. In a recent interview with MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo, PSP hardware marketing chief John Koller explained that Sony isn't ready to let that particular cash cow go out to pasture. Koller commented that the two PSP-based GTA titles sold like bullet-riddled hotcakes, adding that there's "definitely continued conversations with Rockstar" regarding future Grand titles on Sony's handheld. We can only pray that they'll be as Phil Collins-centric as the last one.

JoystiqSony in talks with Rockstar for more GTA on PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gtagta-liberty-city-storiesgta-vice-city-storiesjohn-kollerrockstarSat, 28 Feb 2009 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars trailer light on gameplay]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/26/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-trailer-light-on-gameplay/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/26/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-trailer-light-on-gameplay/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/26/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-trailer-light-on-gameplay/#comments
The Chinatown Wars are about to begin. Rockstar Games' first official trailer for the upcoming DS-exclusive Grand Theft Auto game finally shows off some in-game footage ... provided you slam your face to the monitor and squint. This much-too-brief trailer gives us a very basic synopsis of the game's story, and does very little to highlight any of the game's compelling gameplay. That's a shame -- because we really do like the game.

Watch the trailer, after the cut.

Gallery: GTA: Chinatown Wars (DS)

Continue reading Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars trailer light on gameplay

JoystiqGrand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars trailer light on gameplay originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinatown-warsDSgrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-chinatown-warsgtaNintendorockstarThu, 26 Feb 2009 15:30:00 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: Liberty and Vice City Stories may be coming to PlayStation Store]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/gta-liberty-and-vice-city-stories-may-be-coming-to-playstation/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/gta-liberty-and-vice-city-stories-may-be-coming-to-playstation/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/gta-liberty-and-vice-city-stories-may-be-coming-to-playstation/#comments
Rockstar's two PSP Grand Theft Auto games, Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories, may be getting a re-release over the PlayStation Store according to a newsletter sent by SCEE. The original games sold over a million copies each and told new stories in the locales of the classic PS2 games.

A digital re-release of these UMD games is quite enticing, especially as it should alleviate the games' most glaring flaws: lengthy load times. Downloading the game directly to Memory Stick will undoubtedly make these PSP games more accessible and palatable.

[Via PlayStation LifeStyle]

JoystiqGTA: Liberty and Vice City Stories may be coming to PlayStation Store originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grand-theft-autogtaliberty-city-storiesvice-city-storiesThu, 12 Feb 2009 13:30:00 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