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[Yes, Grand Theft Auto V is set in Los Santos and will have multiplayer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/yes-grand-theft-auto-v-is-set-in-los-santos-and-will-have-multi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/yes-grand-theft-auto-v-is-set-in-los-santos-and-will-have-multi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/yes-grand-theft-auto-v-is-set-in-los-santos-and-will-have-multi/#comments You've likely gleaned as much from yesterday's big Grand Theft Auto V debut trailer, but this morning's official announcement of the game from Rockstar confirms a "Los Santos" (Los Angeles-ish) setting, as well as the return of online multiplayer. "Grand Theft Auto V focuses on the pursuit of the almighty dollar in a re-imagined, present-day Southern California," the release reads, specifically pointing to "Los Santos and surrounding hills, countryside, and beaches" as the locales.

Predictably, the announcement calls GTAV "the largest and most ambitious game Rockstar has yet created," and company co-head Sam Houser characterizes the project as "another radical reinvention of the Grand Theft Auto universe." From that debut teaser, we're ... awaiting further evidence of that "radical reinvention" Houser promises. But hey, at least it looks like planes are back in the mix!

Despite making the game even more official, Rockstar has yet to announce a release window or platforms for the Rockstar North-led project.

JoystiqYes, Grand Theft Auto V is set in Los Santos and will have multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grand-theft-auto-5gta5los-santosmicrosoftmultiplayerplaystationps3rockstarrockstar-gamesrockstar-northsam-housertake-twotake-two-interactivexboxThu, 03 Nov 2011 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two renews employment agreement with Rockstar bosses]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/take-two-renews-employment-agreement-with-rockstar-bosses/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/take-two-renews-employment-agreement-with-rockstar-bosses/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/24/take-two-renews-employment-agreement-with-rockstar-bosses/#comments As part of its latest financial report, Take-Two announced that it has renewed its employment agreement with "key members of the creative team of Rockstar Games." Namely, both Sam and Dan Houser, along with Leslie Benzies, have renewed their agreements on "substantially similar economic terms."

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick spoke highly of the Rockstar team, alluding to it as "the best creative talent in the industry." He added that Take-Two looks forward to working with Rockstar for "many years to come." In other words, it looks like Take-Two is holding on tightly to what is undoubtedly its biggest gun.

JoystiqTake-Two renews employment agreement with Rockstar bosses originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 May 2011 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dan-houserdsLeslie-Benziesmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3psprockstarsam-housersonytake-twowiixboxTue, 24 May 2011 17:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Houser: Freedom of expression 'easier' in games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/29/houser-freedom-of-expression-easier-in-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/29/houser-freedom-of-expression-easier-in-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/29/houser-freedom-of-expression-easier-in-games/#commentsRockstar Games' vice-president of creativity, Dan Houser, was recently interviewed by The Telegraph, a UK newspaper. Houser commented on the state of video games as a respected form of expression, comparing the industry to books and movies. "I think the medium is still very young. It's not a baby, but it's still probably an infant. So everything is growing and evolving as we go along and we're still figuring out how to do stuff." When asked whether he thinks it'll be long before game writers are treated with the same respect as movie or TV writers, however, he responded with, "I hope it's long.

"Movies and TV and books have become so structured in the way they have to approach things. Not working in that environment gives us enormous freedom. I'd rather keep the freedom and not have the respect." While the narrative freedom for games may be massive, the number of people willing to take advantage of that is sadly small. Video game writing is getting better, thanks to dedicated in-house and freelance writers in the industry, but these are still relatively few and far between.

[Via GI.biz]

JoystiqHouser: Freedom of expression 'easier' in games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grand-theft-autogta-ivgta-iv-the-lost-and-damnedrockstarsam-houserThu, 29 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar vets cement long-term deal with Take-Two]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/rockstar-vets-cement-long-term-deal-with-take-two/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/rockstar-vets-cement-long-term-deal-with-take-two/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/rockstar-vets-cement-long-term-deal-with-take-two/#commentsFiled under:

For brothers who've become popular creating games starring characters who seek out freedom from society's corporate machine this is a strange move but not unexpected. Take-Two Interactive have announced a new long-term agreement with "key members of the creative team" behind Grand Theft Auto IV, including Sam (pictured) and Dan Houser. Terms of the agreement would see the team locked into an publishing deal with Take-Two until January 31, 2012.

The arrangement also includes a new incentive compensation program for the Rockstar Games label and an agreement from Take-Two "to fund the future development of certain new intellectual property to be owned by a newly formed company controlled by key Rockstar Games team members." Our guess? Lemmings Kart Racing. Believe.

JoystiqRockstar vets cement long-term deal with Take-Two originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Breakingdan-housergrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-4grand-theft-auto-ivgtaivrockstarrockstar-gamesrockstar-northsam-housertake-twotake-two-interactiveThu, 18 Dec 2008 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Pachter predicts bidding war over Rockstar's Houser brothers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/15/pachter-predicts-bidding-war-over-rockstars-houser-brothers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/15/pachter-predicts-bidding-war-over-rockstars-houser-brothers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/15/pachter-predicts-bidding-war-over-rockstars-houser-brothers/#commentsFiled under:


Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter sees another challenge for Take-Two Interactive, suggesting that the company could lose the talent behind the Grand Theft Auto franchise. In Pachter's latest analyst note, he details the possible loss of Sam and Dan Houser of Rockstar when their contract expires this upcoming February.

Pachter expects that when their contracts expire this February, Sam and Dan Houser of Rockstar could either depart Take-Two -- robbing the company of the driving force force behind its best-selling series -- or stay on at considerable expense. The analyst explains that a Houser departure would be analogous to EA's Medal of Honor team departing to produce Activision's Call of Duty franchise -- GTA would still live on, but it probably wouldn't be the same sales powerhouse sans the Houser brothers.

JoystiqPachter predicts bidding war over Rockstar's Houser brothers originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dan-housereaElectronic-Artsgrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-4grand-theft-auto-ivgtahousersam-housertake-twoMon, 15 Sep 2008 14:30:00 EST