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[Midnight Club: LA races into South Central in early '09]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/12/midnight-club-la-races-into-south-central-in-early-09/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/12/midnight-club-la-races-into-south-central-in-early-09/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/12/midnight-club-la-races-into-south-central-in-early-09/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Rockstar construction crews are hard at work laying down pavement for those already bored with Midnight Club's LA streets. The developer confirmed that it will release a "South Central Upgrade Map" for free next year, adding numerous LA landmarks and a new area equivalent to about a third of what's already on the disc.

Those looking to burn a little of their leftover holiday cash can also pick up the "South Central Content Pack," which will trick out the racing game with new character competitions, races, music and that all-important element of the LA landscape: The SUV. No release date for either download has been announced, though Rockstar notes that Xbox 360 and PS3 racers can look forward to rolling down the 105 Freeway sometime in early 2009.

JoystiqMidnight Club: LA races into South Central in early '09 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcmidnight-clubmidnight-club-lamidnight-club-los-angelesmidnightclubmidnightclublosangelesPS3rockstarrockstar-gamesrockstargamestake-twotaketwoXbox-360Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Industry execs foresee bright holiday despite dim economy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/industry-execs-foresee-bright-holiday-despite-dim-economy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/industry-execs-foresee-bright-holiday-despite-dim-economy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/industry-execs-foresee-bright-holiday-despite-dim-economy/#commentsFiled under: ,


Oh economy, quit being such a wet blanket. You don't see video game publishers crying as they dip into their retirement accounts, do you? No sir. At least not according to Reuters, which reports the industry expects strong game sales through the remainder of this year and into 2009 in spite of the frowny faces on Wall Street.

Industry execs painted a mostly rosy outlook during yesterday's BMO Capital financial conference in New York. Overall, Microsoft exec Mindy Mount stated that she feels the game industry will "hold up a lot better than other industries," while Take Two's Strauss Zelnick admitted that such prosperity will likely only come to those companies with big titles under the tree.

Some, such as EA's Peter Moore, came away speaking words of "cautious optimism" in the face of the economic uncertainty, sentiment echoed by Nintendo's always vocal Reggie Fils-Aime. Though like a motion sensitive King Midas with a gold-encrusted stylus in one hand and a bag of money in the other, he told Reuters that while "cautiously optimistic is quite appropriate" overall, from Nintendo's ivory tower, the view is "very optimistic."

JoystiqIndustry execs foresee bright holiday despite dim economy originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaeconomyelectronic-artselectronicartsholidaymicrosoftmoneynintendotake-twotaketwoFri, 14 Nov 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA, Take-Two take buyout talks behind closed doors]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/ea-take-two-take-buyout-talks-behind-closed-doors/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/ea-take-two-take-buyout-talks-behind-closed-doors/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/ea-take-two-take-buyout-talks-behind-closed-doors/#commentsFiled under:


The ongoing drama of who's eating who between mega publishers Electronic Arts and Take-Two has finally been taken behind the curtain, where it should have been all along. After coming to some measure of understanding, the companies have jointly signed a confidentiality agreement, agreeing not to blab about what may or may not happen as a result of ongoing talks until, you know, something actually happens.

According to Reuters, EA has agreed as part of a regulatory filing with the SEC to not "make any further announcements regarding the status of any discussions or negotiations with Take-Two" until the pair come to some sort of mutual accord. We couldn't be happier, knowing that while the drama will likely continue to unfold for quite some time, at least we won't have to read (or write!) about it.

JoystiqEA, Take-Two take buyout talks behind closed doors originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buyouteaelectronic-artselectronicartssecsecuritiesandexchangecommissiontake-overtake-twotakeovertaketwoTue, 26 Aug 2008 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two: 'Portfolio balancing' drove GTA IV DLC delay, partnerships possible]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/take-two-portfolio-balancing-drove-gta-iv-dlc-delay-partners/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/take-two-portfolio-balancing-drove-gta-iv-dlc-delay-partners/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/take-two-portfolio-balancing-drove-gta-iv-dlc-delay-partners/#commentsFiled under: ,


In the same conference call that gave us this head scratcher, Take-Two reps tap danced over a number of other issues, including their official reason for delaying GTA IV's hotly anticipated DLC, as well as any potential partnerships that may be lurking on the horizon.

Regarding the company's resolution to keep the GTA IV downloadable content out of players' hands until sometime between November 1 of this year and January 31, 2009, Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick calmly stated that the decision was based on "portfolio balancing," and that the delay was "not based on development issues." Even as our hearts ached for additional Liberty City shenanigans, Take-Two reps on the call remained enthusiastic, and for good reason, given that during the last quarter the GTA brand made up an impressive 78% of the firm's total publishing revenue.

Continue reading Take-Two: 'Portfolio balancing' drove GTA IV DLC delay, partnerships possible

JoystiqTake-Two: 'Portfolio balancing' drove GTA IV DLC delay, partnerships possible originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewsdlceaElectronic-Artsgrand-theft-auto-ivgrandtheftautoivgta-ivgtaivpartnershipstake-twotakeovertaketwoXbox-360Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:50:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 BioShock getting 'as-yet-unannounced' bits]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/ps3-bioshock-getting-as-yet-unannounced-bits/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/ps3-bioshock-getting-as-yet-unannounced-bits/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/ps3-bioshock-getting-as-yet-unannounced-bits/#commentsFiled under: , ,


While BioShock's October release on the PlayStation 3 may bring visual parity with versions already available, news from the official PlayStation blog teases that the upcoming descent into Rapture may come with a few unexpected surprises.

According to 2K Marin exec Alyssa Finley, the game is being handled by four different studios, with 2K Marin sharing kitchen space with 2K Australia, 2K Boston, and another mystery partner "with some outstanding PS3-specific coding chops." In addition, Finley notes that the devs at 2K Boston are currently banging out code for the version's "as-yet-unannounced components," while simultaneously refining the game's physics to take "maximum advantage" of the PS3's inner voodoo. All said, we're more than interested to see how this latest take on one of last year's landmark releases measures up, even as platform zealots prepare to sling mantra to the effect of 'my Big Daddy can beat up your Big Daddy!'

Gallery: BioShock (PS3)

JoystiqPS3 BioShock getting 'as-yet-unannounced' bits originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-australia2k-boston2k-marin2kaustralia2kboston2kmarinbioshockfpsPS3take-twotaketwoWed, 04 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BioShock 'pimp supreme' Ken Levine to keynote PAX 2008]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/19/bioshock-pimp-supreme-ken-levine-to-keynote-pax-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/19/bioshock-pimp-supreme-ken-levine-to-keynote-pax-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/19/bioshock-pimp-supreme-ken-levine-to-keynote-pax-2008/#commentsFiled under: ,


With just a handful of months to go before the annual Penny Arcade Expo opens its doors again, you may be wondering who will be taking to the stage to the deliver the August event's keynote address. Organizers have announced that the opening speech will be given by none other than 2K Boston president and creative director Ken Levine.

Says Penny Arcade business mastermind, "Obviously, Ken is pimp supreme...We're super excited to have him open up the show." Given Levine's involvement with one of last year's biggest releases as well as a sequel that already ranks among our most anticipated in 2009, we're sure he'll have plenty to talk about -- and we expect to be left hanging on every word.

JoystiqBioShock 'pimp supreme' Ken Levine to keynote PAX 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 May 2008 07:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-games2k-marin2kgames2kmarinbioshockbioshock-2ken-levinepaxpax08take-twotaketwoMon, 19 May 2008 07:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two sues Chicago Transit for pulling GTA IV ads]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/take-two-sues-chicago-transit-for-pulling-gta-iv-ads/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/take-two-sues-chicago-transit-for-pulling-gta-iv-ads/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/take-two-sues-chicago-transit-for-pulling-gta-iv-ads/#commentsFiled under: ,


Take-Two has sued the Chicago Transit Authority for violating its free speech and contractual rights after the authority pulled ads for Grand Theft Auto IV on the transit system without explanation. Reuters reports that Take-Two accuses the CTA of violating the contract for the $300,000 ad campaign that involved running GTA IV ads around the transit system for six weeks between April and June.

The suit seeks an order for the CTA to run the ads, as well as at least $300,000 in damages. Reuters states the GTA IV posters were removed following a FOX news report on the ads. Now, we're not lawyers (although we do have one writing for us), so we can't say if the CTA violated a basic contract, but Chicago residents should let us know if they see the ads back up and snap a photo.

[Thanks to all who sent this in.]

JoystiqTake-Two sues Chicago Transit for pulling GTA IV ads originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 May 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chicagochicago-transit-authorityctagrand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-4grand-theft-auto-ivgrandtheftautoivgta-ivgtaivtake-twotaketwoTue, 06 May 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Poll: For which platform are you buying Grand Theft Auto IV?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/10/poll-for-which-platform-are-you-buying-grand-theft-auto-iv/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/10/poll-for-which-platform-are-you-buying-grand-theft-auto-iv/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/10/poll-for-which-platform-are-you-buying-grand-theft-auto-iv/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In case you've been living under a very large rock surrounded by an even larger rock structure, Grand Theft Auto IV is expected to come out at the end of the month. (Barring any accurate Pachter predictions, of course). We're conducting a network-wide poll with our friends at X3F and PS3 Fanboy to see for which platform you're planning to purchase the game. Be sure to tell us your reasoning in the comments below.

GTA IV: Which platform are you buying it on?
PlayStation 3
Xbox 360

You can only vote once, even if you visit all three sites. The poll closes Sunday night and we'll announce the "winner" on Monday morning.

JoystiqPoll: For which platform are you buying Grand Theft Auto IV? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-ivgrandtheftautogtagta4gtaivPS3rockstartake-twotaketwoXbox-360Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Family Album: Take-Two Interactive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/26/family-album-take-two-interactive/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/26/family-album-take-two-interactive/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/26/family-album-take-two-interactive/#commentsFiled under:

It's a well documented fact that Electronic Arts has eagerly desired to acquire Take-Two Interactive for some time now. Our comrades over at Joystiq have been thinking deeply about the implications of such a merger -- if such a merger were to happen. Delving further into this, they examine Take-Two's development portfolio, showcasing what an extensively large acquisition Take-Two really is and laying out exactly what EA would be gaining in the deal.

Many of the games made at Take-Two's various studios could very well be games you've been impatiently anticipating. Could any of you see these future titles with EA's stamp all over them? What are these games and the studios that make them, you ask? Check out Joystiq's Take-Two family album to find out.

Take a look at Joystiq's Take Two family album

JoystiqFamily Album: Take-Two Interactive originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artselectronicartstake-twotaketwoWed, 26 Mar 2008 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Pachter: Take-Two's rejection of EA offer a mistake]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/26/pachter-take-twos-rejection-of-ea-offer-was-a-mistake/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/26/pachter-take-twos-rejection-of-ea-offer-was-a-mistake/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/26/pachter-take-twos-rejection-of-ea-offer-was-a-mistake/#commentsFiled under:


Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter jumped right on Take-Two's dismissal of EA's buyout offer and says it was "ill advised." GameDaily reprints Pachter's analysis in which he goes point by point over how, in his opinion, Take-Two's board screwed up. He believes the company was positioned to get even more money out of EA if it had offered a "friendly transaction" instead of continuing its "adversarial posture."

Pachter believes that if Take-Two is holding out for more money following the release of Grand Theft Auto IV, the tactic is "naive at best, and disingenuous at worst." He states that GTA IV's sales will not ultimately impact the value of the company and that EA's $26 per share offer was done even with GTA IV sales in mind. Pachter goes on to say that if EA doesn't get controlling interesting of Take-Two with its tender offer, it will withdraw the offer and Take-Two's stock will take a 20% hit. He surmises the drop will be even worse if the market doesn't presume EA to be taking a walk around the block before picking up Take-Two later.

JoystiqPachter: Take-Two's rejection of EA offer a mistake originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-Artspachtertake-twotakeovertaketwoWed, 26 Mar 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA IV Liberty City map sneaks online]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/26/gta-iv-liberty-city-map-sneaks-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/26/gta-iv-liberty-city-map-sneaks-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/26/gta-iv-liberty-city-map-sneaks-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


GTAGaming posted several images of a map for Grand Theft Auto IV's streets and subway system. As for the authenticity of the Liberty City map, well ... that's a whole other issue. The six images are of varying clarity and one image even shows the PS3 controls for the game.

A few things raised red flags for us with the images, like one image showing Liberty City "neighbourhoods" -- with a "u." Although this map could be for an international version of the game, it still seems odd that a map depicting an alternate version of New York City would spell neighborhood in an un-American fashion. Another issue is some awkwardly constructed sentences in the region details (like the first sentence in the Alderney description). We're sure people may find other things to make their spidey sense tingle, but check it out and make your own conclusions about authenticity.

Update: Images pulled, kbai.

JoystiqGTA IV Liberty City map sneaks online originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gtagta ivgta-ivgtaivmapPS3rockstartake-twotaketwoXbox-360Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bully's Xbox 360 patch may need another patch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/26/bullys-xbox-360-patch-may-need-another-patch/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/26/bullys-xbox-360-patch-may-need-another-patch/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/26/bullys-xbox-360-patch-may-need-another-patch/#commentsFiled under:


EuroGamer reports that a patch released five days ago, which intended to fix the issues in the Xbox 360 version of Bully: Scholarship Edition, may have caused more problems than it resolved. Reported problems include freezes, along with audio and graphic glitches. Rockstar explained that the issue is with older consoles, but EuroGamer states its (relatively new?) office Elite locks up.

We're still waiting to hear from Rockstar about what's really going on, but the company seems to have locked itself in the teacher's lounge and refuses to come out. So, what's the word on the virtual streets? Are people still having problems with their copy of Bully on the Xbox 360?

JoystiqBully's Xbox 360 patch may need another patch originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bullybully-scholarship-ed...patchrockstarrockstar-gamesrockstargamestake-twotaketwoXbox-360Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst: EA being Rockstar's 'white knight' is 'bullsh*t']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/18/analyst-ea-being-rockstars-white-knight-is-bullsh-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/18/analyst-ea-being-rockstars-white-knight-is-bullsh-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/18/analyst-ea-being-rockstars-white-knight-is-bullsh-t/#commentsFiled under:


Amidst EA's hostile takeover of Take-Two, EA Chief Exec. John Riccitiello told the New York Times last week that his company would "represent a white knight" to a developer like Rockstar (GTA, Bully) and bring its games to a wider audience than Take-Two could. GameDaily spoke with a couple of the industry's leading analysts, like Janco Partners' analyst Mike Hickey, who called the "white knight" statement -- wait for it -- "total bullsh*t, and disrespectful" to Take-Two's new management team.

DFC Intelligence's David Cole says that Rockstar doesn't need EA's help to bring its games to a wide audience. Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter thinks Riccitiello doesn't really understand the definition of a "white knight." He points out that Rockstar is no "damsel in distress" and could become independent, even though it wouldn't own GTA -- Take-Two owns the GTA IP and that belongs to whichever company owns it.

Read -- Analyst: EA's Riccitiello 'Disrespectful' Towards Rockstar, Take-Two
Read -- New Shareholders to Weigh Take-Two Bid

JoystiqAnalyst: EA being Rockstar's 'white knight' is 'bullsh*t' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coleeaElectronic-Artshickeypachterriccitiellorockstartake-twotaketwoTue, 18 Mar 2008 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA IV drives slo-mo, learns days of the week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/14/gta-iv-drives-slo-mo-learns-days-of-the-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/14/gta-iv-drives-slo-mo-learns-days-of-the-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/14/gta-iv-drives-slo-mo-learns-days-of-the-week/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


In a recent test drive of Grand Theft Auto IV, MTV's Multiplayer discovered a couple new features for this go-around in Liberty City. One very passive feature is GTA IV will have days of the week. So, instead of an endless cycle of night and day, there'll be an endless cycle of day and night split over seven infinitely repeating days. This will affect gameplay by only allowing Niko to access certain areas on specific days of the week. MTV says you don't have to worry about it turning into Animal Crossing though, the day/night cycle will be the same as other entries into the series -- meaning gamers won't need to mess with their system's internal clock.

The other reveal is the use of a slo-mo while driving. GTA veterans can already imagine the advantages and cool factor this could have while avoiding traffic or trying to hit a stunt point perfectly. A very nice feature, but one we'll have to see for ourselves to get a better feel for when and where it can be used. GTA IV is still expected to hijack the sales charts beginning April 29.

JoystiqGTA IV drives slo-mo, learns days of the week originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grand-theft-autograndtheftautogta-ivgtaivPS3rockstarslo-motake-twotaketwoXbox-360Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two asks shareholders not to take EA offer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/take-two-asks-shareholders-not-to-take-ea-offer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/take-two-asks-shareholders-not-to-take-ea-offer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/take-two-asks-shareholders-not-to-take-ea-offer/#commentsFiled under:


Take-Two is appealing to stockholders not to consider EA's early-morning all cash tender offer, which pitched a purchase of the company's stock at $26 a share (a 4.4% premium over yesterday's closing price). The Take-Two board states it will review and consider EA's offer and, within 10 business days, advice stockholders of the board's position on the matter along with its reasoning.

The 10 day "please wait" request from the Take-Two board is still way within the April 11 deadline given by EA on its $26 per share offer to stockholders. EA wants Take-Two and it wants it bad.

JoystiqTake-Two asks shareholders not to take EA offer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AcquisitionBreakingNewsBuyoutEAElectronic-ArtsRiccitielloTake-TwoTakeTwoZelnickThu, 13 Mar 2008 11:46:00 EST<![CDATA[EA makes all cash tender offer to purchase Take-Two]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/ea-makes-all-cash-tender-offer-to-purchase-take-two/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/ea-makes-all-cash-tender-offer-to-purchase-take-two/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/13/ea-makes-all-cash-tender-offer-to-purchase-take-two/#commentsFiled under:


With Take-Two Executive Chairman Strauss Zelnick having thoroughly rejected EA's initial buyout offer, the Madden and Burnout publisher has redirected its corporate Katamari at Take-Two shareholders. EA has announced the commencement of a tender offer for all of the currently outstanding shares of common stock of Take-Two Interactive Software at $26 per share. Valued at approximately $2 billion, the offer reportedly represents a 64% premium over Take-Two's closing stock price on February 15, the company's last trading day before EA began its increasingly aggressive financial courtship. Compared to Wednesday's stock price, it constitutes a 4.4% premium.

Barring extension, the tender offer is good until midnight EST on Friday, April 11, 2008. EA CEO John Riccitiello described the offer as "a great opportunity for Take-Two shareholders" and as a a way to "maximize the value" of their investment. "For EA shareholders, the combination would add additional intellectual properties to our already strong portfolio and welcome Take-Two's talented creative teams to the great development organization we've built at EA," he concluded.

Will shareholders deem this offer welcomed financial assistance or unwanted financial insistence? We'll have to wait and see.

JoystiqEA makes all cash tender offer to purchase Take-Two originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 06:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AcquisitionBreakingNewsBuyoutEAElectronic-ArtsRiccitielloTake-TwoTakeTwoZelnickThu, 13 Mar 2008 06:50:00 EST<![CDATA[EA rejects 'impossible' collaboration with Jack Thompson]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/06/ea-rejects-impossible-collaboration-with-jack-thompson/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/06/ea-rejects-impossible-collaboration-with-jack-thompson/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/06/ea-rejects-impossible-collaboration-with-jack-thompson/#commentsFiled under:


No thanks, we don't need Jack. So says publisher EA, having rejected Florida's attorney at lawl, Jack Thompson, and his recent offer to assist in the attempted buyout of Grand Theft Auto publisher, Take-Two. In an impassioned letter, the spirited lawyer and friend of Mass Effect threw his support behind EA's (thus far unsuccessful) maneuver, claiming he would be "delighted" to help "evict the [Strauss] Zelnick Trojan Horse from within Take-Two's corporate walls."

Responding via e-mail (posted by GamesIndustry.biz), EA's Mariam Sughayer politely turns down the offer, saying, "In response to your offer to assist in the proposed acquisition of Take-Two, we would strongly prefer that you not get involved in this matter." Sughayer goes on to cite Thompson's past behavior towards gaming, "including false claims about content in [EA's] games," as a source of enmity, rendering any possible collaboration "impossible."

JoystiqEA rejects 'impossible' collaboration with Jack Thompson originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AcquisitionEAElectronic-ArtsGTAJack-ThompsonJackThompsonTake-TwoTakeTwoZelnickThu, 06 Mar 2008 10:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two's Zelnick reiterates rejection of EA buyout]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/take-twos-zelnick-reiterates-rejection-of-ea-buyout/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/take-twos-zelnick-reiterates-rejection-of-ea-buyout/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/take-twos-zelnick-reiterates-rejection-of-ea-buyout/#commentsFiled under:


Take-Two Executive Chairman Strauss Zelnick continues to hold the line against EA's buyout offer, repeating once again the company still isn't interested. In a Q&A with The Hollywood Report, Zelnick believes that consolidation is likely to continue in the industry, but he would like Take-Two to remain an "independent company."

We'll have to wait and see if it's just lip service, but Zelnick actually says a few things that stray from the well-paved path we've seen from EA and (ever-increasingly) Activision. He finds pride in the progress made over the last 10 months since taking over the company and then commits the video game executive version of shock-and-awe by saying, "Does consolidation create better games for consumers? Does it create better careers for the creatives? Those questions are just as important. If all stakeholders aren't taken care of, then none of the stakeholders will benefit." If Take-Two survives what some analysts say is the inevitability of an EA buyout, and Zelnick sticks with that line of thinking, we may have to send him a Valentine's Day card next year. We'll have to find out if he prefers flowers or chocolates?

[Via GameDaily]

JoystiqTake-Two's Zelnick reiterates rejection of EA buyout originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buyouteaElectronic-Artsrejectiontake-twotaketwozelnickWed, 05 Mar 2008 15:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Jack Thompson offers to help EA with Take-Two takeover]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/jack-thompson-offers-to-help-ea-with-take-two-takeover/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/jack-thompson-offers-to-help-ea-with-take-two-takeover/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/02/jack-thompson-offers-to-help-ea-with-take-two-takeover/#commentsFiled under:


Last week, Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello revealed an offer put forward to Take-Two Interactive executive chairman Strauss Zelnick to buyout T2 for nearly $2 billion. Zelnick expediently and publicly shot down the offer, though this battle of the peculiar last names was far from over -- since then we've heard that other companies took interest in T2 after EA was shot down, though certain industry analysts believe EA will eventually win out. Yesterday brought news of a new player on the field that could tip the battle in EA's favor -- Enter: Jack Thompson!

Yes, everyone's favorite Floridian moralist (and T2 shareholder) recently threw his support behind Electronic Arts in an impassioned letter, saying he would help "evict the Zelnick Trojan Horse from within Take-Two's corporate walls". We think that EA and J.T. would be strange bedfellows, given Thompson's denunciation of Sims 2 a few years back -- though his uncustomary defense of Mass Effect might have rebuilt that once-burnt bridge. How about it, EA? Is your raid on Take-Two LFM?

JoystiqJack Thompson offers to help EA with Take-Two takeover originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 02 Mar 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buyouteaElectronic-Artselectronicartsjack-thompsonjackthompsonmergert2take-twotaketwothompsonSun, 02 Mar 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pachter: EA will acquire Take-Two]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/pachter-ea-will-acquire-take-two/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/pachter-ea-will-acquire-take-two/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/pachter-ea-will-acquire-take-two/#commentsFiled under:


Wedbush Morgan Securities' right-more-often-than-not analyst Michael Pachter believes that in the end EA will acquire Take-Two. Pachter prognosticates that EA will continue working angles for a takeover and is doing so to stop Take-Two's sports franchises, which he estimates will cost EA $150 million in operating profit this year. On Sunday it became public that EA was looking to gobble up Take-Two for $2 billion dollars, Take-Two quickly responded saying it wasn't interested. If EA does not acquire Take-Two then Pachter believes EA will attempt to purchase hire key personnel on teams like Rockstar and make its own version of Grand Theft Auto.

Even if EA were to gain the rights to the GTA franchise and key people like the Housers were to quit, Pachter imagines the GTA series would still make around $150 million every year even without Rockstar North as developer; although he admits if Rockstar North were still in charge of the franchise it would make about $600 million every other year. There's still much more info to pop out of this rabbit hole of acquisition soon -- time to work on our Ferengi post images.

Read: EA could make GTA games without Rockstar - analyst
Read: Pachter: Why EA Will Prevail and Acquire Take-Two

JoystiqPachter: EA will acquire Take-Two originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-Artspachtertake-twotaketwoTue, 26 Feb 2008 18:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two rejects EA acquisition proposal [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/24/take-two-rejects-ea-acquisition-proposal/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/24/take-two-rejects-ea-acquisition-proposal/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/24/take-two-rejects-ea-acquisition-proposal/#commentsFiled under:


Apparently, it didn't take them very long to consider Electronic Arts' somewhat hostile buyout proposal -- Take-Two's Board of Directors just responded to the offer with a press release of their own, stating that EA CEO John Riccitiello's proposal was "inadequate in multiple respects and not in the best interests of Take-Two's stockholders."

While EA's proposal listed Grand Theft Auto IV as a primary reason for the merger, as Riccitiello claimed EA could lend their help during the game's quickly approaching release, Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two's executive chairman, listed GTAIV as the primary reason why they wouldn't want to merge at this point in time, fully expecting to increase their overall value when the game hits store shelves come April 29.

Zelnick's laundry list of reasons why the buyout wouldn't benefit his company can be found on the press release. For now, let us rejoice in the postponement of the seemingly inevitable future where one superconglomerated gaming publisher/developer controls all game releases on the planet.

Update: MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo just had a chat with industry guru Michael Pachter, who claims that this probably isn't the end of the ordeal, and that EA will eventually get their way -- though it might not happen for a while.

JoystiqTake-Two rejects EA acquisition proposal [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 24 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewsbusinessbuyouteaElectronic-Artselectronicartsmergerstockstake-twotaketwozelnickSun, 24 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA proposes acquisition of Take-Two for $2 billion [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/24/ea-proposes-acquisition-of-take-two-for-2-billion/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/24/ea-proposes-acquisition-of-take-two-for-2-billion/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/24/ea-proposes-acquisition-of-take-two-for-2-billion/#commentsFiled under:


Not one to miss out on a gaming industry trend as hot as corporate synergy, Electronic Arts recently proposed an acquisition of Take-Two Interactive Software for $26 a share (nearly a 63 percent premium to their current stock value) -- for a grand total of approximately $2 billion.

Before you start feverishly fantasizing about a Bioshock/Crysis mash-up, you should know that Take-Two's executive chairman, Strauss Zelnick, shot down the proposal upon receiving it last Tuesday. Attempting to go over the bossman's head, EA CEO John Riccitiello made his proposal public, hoping that Take-Two shareholders will find the offer more attractive than Zelnick initially did.

EA intends to keep the proposal on the table to give Take-Two's board of directors "further time to consider it," obviously hoping to force Zelnick's hand. Whether or not this strategy will work, we imagine we'll find out in the next few days. We'll keep you updated as the situation develops.

Update: Take-Two's Board of Directors have considered the offer, and politely refused. Check out the full story for Zelnick's reasoning behind shooting down the proposal.

JoystiqEA proposes acquisition of Take-Two for $2 billion [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 24 Feb 2008 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionbreakingnewsbuyoutEAElectronic-ArtsElectronicArtsmergerTake-TwoTakeTwoSun, 24 Feb 2008 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar already expects controversy over GTA IV]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/rockstar-already-expects-controversy-over-gta-iv/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/rockstar-already-expects-controversy-over-gta-iv/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/03/rockstar-already-expects-controversy-over-gta-iv/#commentsFiled under: ,


While it doesn't take a soothsayer to guess that Grand Theft Auto IV is going to make quite a splash in the pool of a number of family watchdog organizations when it's released upon the world come April 29 -- Dan Houser, Rockstar's VP and writer for GTA IV, recently said in an interview with Yahoo! News that he expects the fumes of controversy to waft especially thick and heavy over this particular chapter in the GTA franchise.

Why, you might ask? What could be worse than territorial gang violence, drug trafficking, or poorly rendered depictions of consensual sex between two adults? Houser explains -- the studio will definitely be hearing about certain gameplay elements, such as drunk driving, and the inclusion of current-gen advancements in video game strip club technology. Well, duh -- if a space marine and his azure-skinned concubine can't tastefully bump uglies without a media explosion, we doubt an in-game visit to The Booby Trap will be overlooked.

JoystiqRockstar already expects controversy over GTA IV originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controversydan-houserdanhousergta ivgta-ivGtaIvhot-coffeePS3rockstarrockstargamestaketwoXbox-360Sun, 03 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Law of the Game on Joystiq: Grumpy Thompson Again]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/law-of-the-game-on-joystiq-grumpy-thompson-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/law-of-the-game-on-joystiq-grumpy-thompson-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/law-of-the-game-on-joystiq-grumpy-thompson-again/#commentsFiled under:

Each week Mark Methenitis contributes Law of the Game on Joystiq, a column on legal issues as they relate to video games:

thompson
Like a bear awakening from winter hibernation, you can be assured that after a Grand Theft Auto game is slated for release, a certain attorney in Miami will come stumbling out of his cave, grumbling and growling. Sure enough, Jack Thompson released a statement just after GTA IV's April 29 release date was announced - I won't go as far as to call this statement a "threat," as it seems to lack any credible consequences for gamers or the industry. Jack has made many, similar vague statements in the past, forecasting everything from the destruction of Take-Two to the apocalypse in the wake of game releases, but what can Jack really do?

The answer to that question is 'not much,' from a legal perspective. Of course, there was that oddly short settlement agreement between Jack and Take-Two last year, whose status has been questioned previously, which should theoretically restrict Jack's ability to sue or threaten to sue to block the sale or publication of any Take-Two title. And if you look closely at the latest Thompson statement, it seems he's following those guidelines so far. To quote from his statement, "... contacting state and federal officials to stop the improper sales of Grand Theft Auto IV ..." Specifically, Jack is not suing, per the letter of the settlement, but encouraging government officials to act.

Continue reading Law of the Game on Joystiq: Grumpy Thompson Again

JoystiqLaw of the Game on Joystiq: Grumpy Thompson Again originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columnsGrand-Theft-AutoGrand-Theft-Auto-IVGTAGTA-IVGTAIVJack-Thompsonlawlaw-of-the-gamelaw-of-the-game-on-joystiqRockstarTake-TwoTakeTwoWed, 30 Jan 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jack Thompson rears head in response to GTA IV release date]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/27/jack-thompson-rears-head-in-response-to-gta-iv-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/27/jack-thompson-rears-head-in-response-to-gta-iv-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/27/jack-thompson-rears-head-in-response-to-gta-iv-release-date/#commentsFiled under:


It's been a while since we've heard anything from the infamous anti-gaming crusader, Miami attorney Jack Thompson -- then again, being faced with the possibility of being disbarred in your home state is enough to really tie a guy up. However, with last week's announcement of a late-April release date for Grand Theft Auto IV came Thompson's mandatory adverse response to the series, and negativity towards Take Two, the game's distributor.

Contained within an email from Thompson were promises to keep this "murder simulator for violence against women, cops, and innocent bystanders" out of the hands of children by contacting "state and federal officials" to warn of the game's immediate danger. Though no immediate threats were made towards Take Two or Rockstar Games, we're sure the fireworks will really start going off by the time GTA IV drops April 29 -- which just happens to be around the same time the outcome of Thompson's Florida Bar trial will be decided.

JoystiqJack Thompson rears head in response to GTA IV release date originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GrandTheftAutoGrandTheftAutoIVGTAGTA IVGtaIvJackThompsonRockstarTakeTwoSun, 27 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Welcome 2K Czech: Take-Two brings Mafia dev Illusion Softworks into the family]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/take-two-brings-mafia-dev-illusion-softworks-into-the-family/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/take-two-brings-mafia-dev-illusion-softworks-into-the-family/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/take-two-brings-mafia-dev-illusion-softworks-into-the-family/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Take-Two has draped its money hat over Czech Republic developer Illusion Softworks, acquiring the studio best known for its Vietcong, Hidden & Dangerous, and Mafia franchises. The developer, which operates out of both Brno and Prague, will now adopt the less-inspired title of 2K Czech. It's unclear what effect, if any, this will have on the studio's current or future projects, with Take-Two stating only that the developer continues to pound out code for the previously announced Mafia 2, which will ship...someday for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC.

JoystiqWelcome 2K Czech: Take-Two brings Mafia dev Illusion Softworks into the family originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-games2KGamesBreakingNewsIllusion-softworksIllusionSoftworksmafiaMafia-2Mafia2MafiaIiPCPS3Take-twoTakeTwoXbox-360Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pachter: GTA IV is not a Take-Two panacea]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/pachter-gta-iv-is-not-a-take-two-panacea/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/pachter-gta-iv-is-not-a-take-two-panacea/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/pachter-gta-iv-is-not-a-take-two-panacea/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Take-Two might be seeing improved financials, but Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter is tapping the brakes if the company thinks Grand Theft Auto IV is going to drive profits and be a "panacea" for all its ills. Giving GameDaily some fancy financial math, Pachter lays out that Take-Two management is operating in a fantasy world if they think their profit forecasts are credible. Pachter goes on to say that Take-Two still receives a "Sell" rating and questions if management is even capable of turning the company around.

He then plunges the dagger deep into Take-Two management not only over fiscal issues, but basic management. He believes they are sincerely trying to turn the company around, which continues to operate at a loss, but that they have "not managed a business like this one in an environment like this." He doesn't understand why there weren't staff reductions after the "abysmal performance" of All-Pro Football -- especially with EA having the NFL in its pocket. Pachter believes investor confidence in Take-Two is unfounded and reminds the company had a cumulative operating loss of $450 million between Feb. '05 and Jan. '08. He concludes that investors and management have "overconfidence in the performance of GTA IV."

Gallery: Grand Theft Auto IV

JoystiqPachter: GTA IV is not a Take-Two panacea originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analystgtaivpachterPS3take-twotaketwoXbox-360Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumorong: More exclusive GTA IV Xbox 360 content in '09]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/rumorong-more-exclusive-gta-iv-xbox-360-content-in-09/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/rumorong-more-exclusive-gta-iv-xbox-360-content-in-09/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/rumorong-more-exclusive-gta-iv-xbox-360-content-in-09/#commentsFiled under: ,


According to Take-Two there is no additional exclusive episodic content for the Xbox 360 version of Grand Theft Auto IV beyond what was previously announced. The confusion stems from a call last night regarding Take-Two's financials where CEO Ben Feder said, "In fiscal 2009 we'll also be offering additional episodic content for Grand Theft Auto IV on Xbox 360." A Rockstar rep tells Next-Gen that Feder was referring to the second announced episode.

The semantic crux in the statement is that if the second episode is released after Nov. 1 '08 it is part of Take-Two's fiscal '09. We already knew that the first GTA IV episode was planned to come out shortly after release, and then the second episode about a half year after that, which places it after the fiscal '09 start date. The devil is in the wordy details.

Gallery: Grand Theft Auto IV

JoystiqRumorong: More exclusive GTA IV Xbox 360 content in '09 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>episodic-contentgtaivtake-twotaketwoXbox-360Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:56:00 EST<![CDATA[MCV: GTA IV to hit UK April 25]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/mcv-gta-iv-to-hit-uk-april-25/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/mcv-gta-iv-to-hit-uk-april-25/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/mcv-gta-iv-to-hit-uk-april-25/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ever since the Grand Theft Auto IV's much-ballyhooed delay to the somewhat nebulous "Q2 2008," would-be gangsters everywhere have been clamoring to know the specific date the game would hit (and Take Two has been no help on that score). Now MCV purports to have an answer, citing "senior industry sources" to pin the game's British release date at April 25, 2008.

If MCV's unnamed "sources close to the game's publisher" are correct, the game would just sneak in before the end of Take Two's promised second fiscal quarter, which runs from February through April. The story gives no hint at a U.S. release date, but recent games in the series have hit our shores a few days before Britain's.

Rockstar gave MCV a blanket "no comment" or the rumor, and one source hinted that we might not get much official warning from the publisher. "I'd expect some more concrete news from them two or three weeks before release," a retail source told MCV. Yikes! That doesn't leave much time to rob enough hookers for the needed cash to buy the game.

JoystiqMCV: GTA IV to hit UK April 25 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Grand-theft-autogrand-theft-auto-4GTAGTA4GTAIVMCVPS3releaserelease-dateRockstarTake TwoTakeTwoXbox-360Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two opens 2K Marin, former BioShock devs reportedly on staff]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/take-two-opens-2k-marin-former-bioshock-devs-reportedly-on-staf/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/take-two-opens-2k-marin-former-bioshock-devs-reportedly-on-staf/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/take-two-opens-2k-marin-former-bioshock-devs-reportedly-on-staf/#commentsFiled under:


Following last month's rumors which saw former 2K Boston BioShock developers starting a new studio in California, Take-Two has officially announcing the formation of 2K Marin. And that's pretty much all the company had to say. Take-Two fed a standard line that the new studio will focus on creating original intellectual property, but will also help in other established 2K brands.

The terse announcement of 2K Marin's formation will be followed up with game announcements early next year according to insiders we've spoken to, most likely on or before GDC in February. Aside from knowing that 2K Marin exists, everything is still hush-hush.

JoystiqTake-Two opens 2K Marin, former BioShock devs reportedly on staff originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2K2K-MarinBioShockBreakingNewstake-twotaketwoMon, 17 Dec 2007 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two CEO sees industry consolidation as 'inevitable']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/take-two-ceo-sees-industry-consolidation-as-inevitable/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/take-two-ceo-sees-industry-consolidation-as-inevitable/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/take-two-ceo-sees-industry-consolidation-as-inevitable/#commentsFiled under:


It doesn't matter where your office is located or how high it is -- if you're an executive in the video game industry, you can stare out your window and spot the looming shadow of the colossus, Activision Blizzard. Ben Feder, CEO of Take-Two, shared this view at a recent UBS investment conference (as reported by Reuters), where he stated that the soaring costs of game development make industry consolidation "inevitable."

"Video-game development is not getting any cheaper," said Feder. "It's a capital-intensive business, and I don't see that going away. That will drive some of the smaller competitors out." If the last few months have been any indication, rising costs and expectations are prompting publishers to snap up notable developers and even each other, much like [disturbing Hungry Hungry Cannibal Hippos reference removed]. A stable financial base and a desire to best the competition may provide an incentive for taking new IP risks, but the cynic among us would more quickly rub his hands together in anticipation for UbEAsoft's Madden's Assassin 2k7.

JoystiqTake-Two CEO sees industry consolidation as 'inevitable' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 20:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionActivision-BlizzardTake-TwoTakeTwoVivendiMon, 03 Dec 2007 20:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Take-Two settles Hot Coffee lawsuits; $35 for the "offended and upset"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/take-two-settles-hot-coffee-lawsuits-35-for-the-offended-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/take-two-settles-hot-coffee-lawsuits-35-for-the-offended-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/take-two-settles-hot-coffee-lawsuits-35-for-the-offended-and/#commentsFiled under: ,

Freshly brewed news, straight out of Take-Two's corporate maw: the mega-publisher, parent company of Rockstar Games, has announced the settlement of all consumer class action lawsuits pending in the United States" related to the infamous GTA: San Andreas "Hot Coffee" mod. Take-Two has committed at least $1.025 million on the settlement, and their costs are capped at no more than $2.75 million.

In short, if you swear that you bought a copy of GTA: SA before July 20, '05, further swear that you were "offended and upset" by the existence of the Hot Coffee mod, further further swear that you wouldn't have bought the game if you did know about it, and further further further swear that you would have returned that vile piece of entertainment software if you "thought this possible," you may be entitled to exchange your icky disc for a brand new, shiny disc devoid of any such hot beverage action.

Not interested in a new disc? You want to know, "how ta get paid"? Well, if you submit detailed proofs of purchase, you may be entitled to a $35 cash payment which you can put towards that $90 GTA IV collector's edition (whenever that comes out).

JoystiqTake-Two settles Hot Coffee lawsuits; $35 for the "offended and upset" originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BreakingNewsGrand-Theft-AutoGrandTheftAutoGTAHotCoffeePS2TakeTwoThu, 08 Nov 2007 17:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Take Two gets fuzzy on GTAIV release date]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/take-two-gets-fuzzy-on-gtaiv-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/take-two-gets-fuzzy-on-gtaiv-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/take-two-gets-fuzzy-on-gtaiv-release-date/#commentsFiled under:


We were all hit pretty hard by the delay of Grand Theft Auto IV earlier this year. Since the delay was announced back in August, hardly a word has been written about the game (aside from a tongue-in-cheek video from Kane & Lynch). Originally delayed until 2nd Quarter 2008 (between February and April), Take Two now has a different tone on the matter. GamesIndustry.biz is reporting that Take Two chairman Strauss Zelnick has said the company will not announce a release date until the company is "utterly convinced" that Grand Theft Auto IV will be ready. It's not uncommon for games as big as GTAIV to receive the "it's done when it's done" treatment, but that didn't make it easier for industry folk to see the game miss the 2007 holiday season. On this subject, Zelnick says that missing the holiday season is no longer a concern. From his point of view, the holiday console sales will increase the number of consumers that will buy the "must have" title that is GTAIV.

So, GTAIV just got a little more nebulous. How does that make you feel? And remember, this is for posterity, so be honest.

JoystiqTake Two gets fuzzy on GTAIV release date originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grand-theft-audo-ivgrandtheftautoivgtaivrockstartake-twotaketwoWed, 07 Nov 2007 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Manhunt 2 online leak came from SCEE insider]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/22/manhunt-2-online-leak-came-from-scee-insider/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/22/manhunt-2-online-leak-came-from-scee-insider/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/22/manhunt-2-online-leak-came-from-scee-insider/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

You may recall in early September that an early build of Manhunt 2 for the PlayStation 2, pre-censored, was allegedly leaked on the internet. Not only did that end up being true, but the originator of the leak -- Deep Throat, if you will -- worked for Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

According to a statement from Take Two (via Game Politics), the SCEE employee "has acknowledged his responsibility for the unauthorized online distribution of an unrated play-test version of Manhunt 2." Rockstar provided the information that "the person has been sacked," and declined to elaborate whether the original person responsible for the sacking had, too, been sacked.

JoystiqManhunt 2 online leak came from SCEE insider originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Oct 2007 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europeleakmanhuntmanhunt-2manhunt2PCPS2rockstarsceesonySony-Computer-Entertainment-Europetake-twotaketwoMon, 22 Oct 2007 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[UK-banned Manhunt 2 is same as M-rated version]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/12/uk-banned-manhunt-2-is-same-as-m-rated-version/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/12/uk-banned-manhunt-2-is-same-as-m-rated-version/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/12/uk-banned-manhunt-2-is-same-as-m-rated-version/#commentsFiled under: ,

Well now, color us shocked that the recent version of Manhunt 2 that was cleaned up for our friends across the pond turned out to be the same exact game that received a "Mature" rating by the ESRB here in the states. So, what's mature to us is absolutely intolerable to them, apparently.

This might cause one to think that the BBFC is tougher on games than, say, movies, as the country had no problem allowing films such as Hostel and Saw into the country. BBFC spokesperson Sue Clark says otherwise, stating "If we were more tough on games than any other medium, don't you think we'd be banning far more titles? Manhunt 2 is the second game we have rejected in 23 years. I'd hardly call that draconian." She goes on further to add "Manhunt 2 went beyond our guidelines when it came to gross violence and we had a public duty to reject it."

Looks like there is still a lot of debate left here.

See also: Croal goes on CNN to discuss Manhunt 2

JoystiqUK-banned Manhunt 2 is same as M-rated version originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 22:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbfcesrbmanhunt2rockstartaketwoukFri, 12 Oct 2007 22:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Local news station is late to the Manhunt 2 debate]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/05/local-news-station-is-late-to-the-manhunt-2-debate/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/05/local-news-station-is-late-to-the-manhunt-2-debate/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/05/local-news-station-is-late-to-the-manhunt-2-debate/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We loving seeing local news stations try to cover gaming news, because their coverage is almost always based on misinformation. Seriously, who does the research for these folk? Certainly not someone capable and unbiased, that's for sure.

And while it's easy to write off this latest piece from New York City-based ABC 7, at least they aren't being particularly negative about the control scheme in the Wii version of Manhunt 2. In fact, based on their on-the-street interviews, it would seem most gamers look at the control scheme as being a positive aspect of the title, allowing the player to become more immersed in the game's world. Considering how easy it would be for ABC 7 to just say this is a murder training simulation, we'll just be thankful that at least some section of the report was devoted to arguing for the game.

See also: Rockstar's M-rated Wii console

JoystiqLocal news station is late to the Manhunt 2 debate originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>manhunt-2manhunt2rockstartaketwoFri, 05 Oct 2007 18:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Manhunt 2 is cheap]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/manhunt-2-is-cheap/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/manhunt-2-is-cheap/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/manhunt-2-is-cheap/#commentsFiled under:


Whoever said the cost of living is high never lived within the confines of a video game. Turns out, the price of a life trapped inside of a disc is rather reasonable, as Rockstar's Manhunt 2 will only charge you the small sum of $39.99 to get in on its action.

Since we were interested in the game anyway, this news only causes our anticipation for gesture-based homicide to grow that much more. We do wonder, though, if any of you skeptics out there are brought down from the fence?

JoystiqManhunt 2 is cheap originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>manhunt2pricerockstartake-twotaketwoWed, 26 Sep 2007 18:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst says Take-Two on right path]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/analyst-says-take-two-on-right-path/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/analyst-says-take-two-on-right-path/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/analyst-says-take-two-on-right-path/#commentsFiled under:


Janco Partners analyst Mike Hickey thinks that Take-Two is ready to show investors the money. Hickey says that Take-Two's management turnaround is working well and that higher than expected sales of BioShock and the release of Manhunt 2 will be good for their fourth quarter. Things should only improve next year with GTA IV and Mafia 2.

Then Hickey brings on the crystal ball part. Hickey says that he thinks Take-Two will bring BioShock to PS3, PS2, Wii and handhelds in the company's 2009 fiscal year. Although the PS2, Wii and handheld versions will clearly not be up to the standards of the BioShock we know, the PS3 version would be nice. The whole idea seems unlikely given current information, but if it's all happening a year or two from now it seems plausible. BioShock could always do the exclusivity on a platform for a bit and then transfer over, Take-Two got very good at doing that with Grand Theft Auto back in the day. The real question is if BioShock II ends up being exclusive? There's much money to be made by the return to Rapture.

JoystiqAnalyst says Take-Two on right path originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analystsbusinessfinancejancotake-twotaketwoWed, 26 Sep 2007 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's ridiculous rumor: Bioshock for the Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/todays-ridiculous-rumor-bioshock-for-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/todays-ridiculous-rumor-bioshock-for-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/todays-ridiculous-rumor-bioshock-for-the-wii/#commentsFiled under:

Janco Partners analyst Mike Hickey is of the mind that 2K's much-hyped game Bioshock could find itself on the PS3, Wii, PS2 and handhelds sometime in the future. Hickey says this won't happen for quite some time, though, stating that he believes the game could make its way onto these platforms sometime in 2009.

While we've seen Rockstar's own RAGE engine adapted to the Wii in the Nintendo console version of their Table Tennis game, we wonder if the Unreal Engine III that powers Bioshock could even be augmented for use on the Wii. We've heard Epic's Mark Rein state that he doubts the system can handle it on multiple occasions, so we wonder if 2K could even get it to work with the Wii.

JoystiqToday's ridiculous rumor: Bioshock for the Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2kbioshockepictake-twotaketwounrealunreal3Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[MLB Power Pros Japanese site launches]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/11/mlb-power-pros-japanese-site-launches/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/11/mlb-power-pros-japanese-site-launches/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/11/mlb-power-pros-japanese-site-launches/#commentsFiled under:


If you've been looking forward to the U.S. debut of the Japanese baseball franchise MLB Power Pros, the Japanese site for the game has launched. Within you can find tasty morsels of content in the form of screens and artwork. And, being the baseball enthusiasts that we are, you can bet we're dying to get our hands on the titile.

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqMLB Power Pros Japanese site launches originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2kkonamimlb-power-prosmlbpowerprostake-twotaketwoTue, 11 Sep 2007 19:12:00 EST