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Posts with tag Rockstar

Manhunt 2's extra-scary, extra-late UK date

Rockstar has taken a long-form approach to scaring people with Manhunt 2. They've waited very quietly, very still, until everyone in the UK forgot that it was there, and then they JUMPED OUT AND ANNOUNCED A RELEASE DATE! "BOO! Manhunt 2 is coming out on October 31!"

This version of Manhunt 2 is different from the one the US got, having been "heavily reworked" (as IGN describes it) in a desperate bid for BBFC approval. They got the right to release the game in December, but by then Halloween had already passed, and what's the point of releasing a horror game on any other date?

Gallery: Manhunt2

Born for Wii: Lemmings

If you're a gamer, chances are you've heard of it, played it, loved it. While not quite as ubiquitous as Pac-Man or Tetris, which have spread like wildfire across practically every platform known to gamingkind, Lemmings is one of the most recognizable franchises of gaming history, thanks to the endearing titular characters, inventive design, and brain-straining puzzles.

Before the proliferation of real-time strategy games in the mid 1990s, DMA Designs (who would later assume the name Rockstar North and go on to develop a little-known game named Grand Theft Auto) unleashed the irresistibly cutesy lemmings onto the unprepared gaming scene. Their target? The Amiga. And from there the tide surged forth onto a dizzying number of platforms. Nintendo's systems have played host to the lemmings many times, but never before has a console offered the series a perfect control setup. Lemmings is this week's pick for the series that deserves a restorative breath of life courtesy of the Nintendo Wii.


Gallery: Born for Wii: Lemmings


Every week, Born for Wii digs into gaming's sordid past to unearth a new treasure fit for revival on the Nintendo Wii. Be sure to check out last week's entry in the series, Mega Man Legends, and for more great titles that deserve your attention, take a look at Virtually Overlooked.

Why no GTA on Wii? It 'didn't feel natural'

Why aren't we talking about a Grand Theft Auto game on Wii and instead are flipping over magazine scans for a DS version? Well, because the platform didn't feel like a natural fit for GTA, said Dan Houser, Rockstar co-founder. "It didn't feel natural to us, I guess. It really was that the DS felt like it had a lot of interesting challenges that would be totally different from what we'd done in the past," he said. Oh, and the Wii isn't a challenge and totally different from anything else?

But what about the future? Come on, Dan, you can't be ruling out the most popular console in the world, can you? "
We haven't really done any concrete, major thinking about the Wii, one way or another," he said. Okay, so it's not the most pleasant quote, but it appears he isn't ruling out the console. Personally, we'd appreciate something as stylish as the DS game on the Wii. What about doing something like that, Rockstar?

[Via EDGE]

Rumor: GTA Wii project in the works


With recent details dropping about the DS game, GTA: Chinatown Wars, the relationship between Take-Two and Rockstar with Nintendo was on the mind of the press. Take-Two CEO, Ben Feder, addressed the idea of Rockstar and its publisher bringing something to the Wii, namely its big franchise, Grand Theft Auto.

"Without commenting on whether GTA is coming to the Wii or not, Nintendo and Take-Two work very well together; Nintendo and Rockstar work well together, and we are continuing to grow that relationship," said Feder. He also commented that the relationship is not "one-way." He wants everyone to know that GTA: Chinatown Wars "is not even the first step, but an important step, in continuing to develop that relationship."

So, the substance to back this rumor is kind of light. Feder addressed the idea, but not really. When you think about it, though, Take-Two and Rockstar, as well as Nintendo, are in this for the money. And what could be a better cash generator than bringing one of gaming's most popular franchises to a console that has a humongous base?

See also: GTA usurps Ocarina of Time

Bully is still riling up the Brits

When will the UK stop freaking out about Bully? If you guessed "Never," "Probably not anytime soon," "Not in this lifetime," or "Is that a rhetorical question?" then you're on the right track.

The newest slew of censorship whinings stemmed from a commercial for the game, which some people found "offensive," "distasteful," and (insert negative adjective here). The ad featured typical Bully shenanigans: destruction of property, wedgies, and so forth. The Advertising Standards Authority received thirty-one complaints about the commercial in question, as a handful of folks were upset that children could easily see it on their tellies.

Take Two blames sensationalist media coverage for the complaints, and as for the ASA? They don't seem too worried, as the organization declined to take any action regarding the ad. Even so, Take Two has no plans to run it again in the future.

To see the "offensive" commercial for yourself, just click past the break.

Gallery: Bully

Continue reading Bully is still riling up the Brits

Bargains on Bully and bullet hell



If you're the type to never pay retail on anything, especially video games, the like-minded misers at the Cheap Ass Gamers community have found two worthwhile Wii deals for you:
If you haven't looked into shoot-em-up Castle of Shikigami III before, make sure you check out the videos we posted a couple of months ago -- there's a flying butler! Amazon also has CSI: Hard Evidence on sale for $19.99, but we have a feeling that not many of you will be too excited to pick up this video game adaptation of a poor man's Law & Order.

[Via CAG]

Manhunt 2 in the UK: Rockstar knows nothing about it


A lengthy, to-and-fro legal battle between the BBFC and Rockstar prevented Manhunt 2 from being released in the UK, with the BBFC eventually giving up and granting the game an "18" certificate in March. Having won its right to lop limbs clean off be released in Britain, it was no surprise that the title appeared in Nintendo's latest European release schedule this morning.

But wait, for there's another twist to this twistiest of sagas! A Rockstar spokesperson contacted Eurogamer earlier today to reveal that it "has no confirmed release date set for Manhunt 2 in Europe." Ho boy. If any Europeans out there are beginning to feel particularly indifferent about Manhunt 2 at this stage, we can't say we blame you.

Gallery: Manhunt2

Murder training for cheap at Amazon

Remember all the controversy over Manhunt 2? Now it might be time to see what all the fuss was about, as Amazon has it marked down to $19.99 (for today only). Most people who've played the game would probably agree that it's not worth a purchase at full price, but at half its cost you might be a little bit tempted -- if you're a crazy homicidal murderer, that is, or wish to become one. After all, those are the only kind of people who play Manhunt 2, right?

Also, we think it's a bit of a strange choice for Amazon to offer as a deal. We wonder if they'll be getting an angry letter from Jack Thompson any time soon.

Gallery: Manhunt2

Forbes states the obvious over lack of Wii GTA

Forbes writer Brian Caulfield recently had a remarkable epiphany: because Grand Theft Auto IV won't be appearing on the Wii, any success it enjoys may not be positive news for the Wii.

Okay, we apologize for the sarcastic tone, but seriously, could Caulfield's observation be any more ... obvious? "[Grand Theft Auto IV] is a bust for Nintendo because not a single copy of the game will be played on the Wii," writes Caulfield with razor-sharp insight, before he loses focus entirely and starts galloping off on tangents, discussing the PlayStation 3's in-built Blu-ray player and the Xbox 360's online service.

His eventual point? That Grand Theft Auto IV would be difficult to port to the Wii (note: the fact that the Wii's biggest sellers won't be ported any time soon is ignored), and that this could benefit Nintendo's competition. Brian, color us gobsmacked.

[Via Joystiq]

GTA IV usurps Ocarina of Time


Back when it was Super Mario Galaxy sitting pretty atop The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time as best-rated game ever on Gamerankings (SMG eventually dropped and let Ocarina have the throne back), we were fine with it. But, this, this, we cannot sit back and calmly take.

The game that everyone seems to be nutty about, Grand Theft Auto IV (or GTA IV, as most seem to be calling it), has now passed Ocarina and become the #1 rated game of all time on the site. While the game is very new (it came out yesterday), many reviews still need to come in, so we're hoping that once they do, Ocarina will be back where it belongs. Until then, sharpen those pitchforks and light your torches, it's time to become an unruly mob.

Bully ban means no virtual wedgies in Brazil

Brazil seems to be having a lot of censorship issues lately, but in terms of video games, Bully is the most recent victim.

According to an Associated Press article, Judge Flavio Rabello recently ordered that Rockstar's controversial game be banned from the country. This means that Brazilian stores (both brick and mortar and online) cannot sell the software, nor can the title be imported, distributed, or promoted.

So, why Bully over other violent games? State prosecutor Alcindo Bastos commented, "The aggravating factor is that everything in the game takes place inside a school. That is not acceptable." Yet, Bully isn't first game to be prohibited in the Latin American country; earlier this year, Counter-Strike and Everquest were banned as well.

It's a shame when governments don't take the time to understand something before following a knee-jerk reaction. Perhaps bullying is a touchy subject, since the issue involves children committing violence against other children, but pretending it doesn't exist by banning media that portrays it won't solve any problems.

Gallery: Bully



[Via Game Politics]

Byron calls for more BBFC action, ratings system overhaul

As you all probably know, following the whole Manhunt 2 thing, noted psychologist in the country Dr. Tanya Byron was knee-deep in an investigation into the effects of games and internet media on children in the UK. Her verdict? The BBFC should have a bigger role in rating games (right now, they only intervene on games flagged with violent, sexual and criminal content).

Her solution involves a new 12+ classification, as well as the BBFC handling just about all duties involving rating games. But, as anticipated, she's also endorsed the PEGI system, as well. She hopes that the PEGI ratings can go on the back of the game's box, with the BBFC classification being displayed on the front.

This is all just the tip of the iceberg, however. Her report has lots more interesting information, so for the rest, head on over to Game Politics.

[Via Joystiq]

Many call for BBFC to step aside from games following Manhunt 2 ordeal


Many folks think the ratings board should discontinue its work with video games, as they voice concerns over the decision to allow Manhunt 2 to be sold in the country. They feel the games classification process in the UK has some major issues. Many are even expecting the report of Dr. Tanya Byron, one of the country's most popular psychologists, to support a different ratings institution when she releases it later this month.

Darren Waters, editor of BBC News' technology index, rips apart the BBFC, stating "The grudging nature of the BBFC's statement, that it now has "no alternative" but to grant the title a certificate, coupled with the fact the body went to the High Court, twice rejected the game itself and tried to overturn the original judgment of the VAC leaves the organization with its credibility bruised."

Others have come through to voice their concerns, as well. General consensus seems to be that the new classification system will fall squarely on the shoulders of PEGI (Pan European Game Information), another games classification system that is completely voluntary on the part of the game developers.

Gallery: Manhunt2


[Via Go Nintendo]

The Manhunt is back on in the UK


Well, for those of you in the UK who wanted to enjoy the murder sim latest game from Rockstar, your time will come. Even with all of the fuss about the game going down in the UK, the BBFC's decision to ban the game in the country has somehow been overturned by the VAC (Video Appeals Committee), who have decided to affix an age 18 certificate to the title (meaning you have to be that old to purchase it).

Although we've really heard nothing but bad things about Manhunt 2, surely some of you in the UK are happy to hear about this new state of affairs involving the game? Not like it matters, because thanks to the Freeloader, you could have just imported the game from North America.

Gallery: Manhunt2


[Thanks, Jon!]

Wii version of Bully might be the better port

On numerous gaming forums, we've been reading about people having problems with the Xbox 360 port of Bully: Scholarship Edition. According to many owners of the game, the 360 version constantly freezes and suffers from poor framerates. There have also been some complaints about glitches and audio drops, which have led many to conclude that it's a shoddily made port.

Fortunately, it seems like these issue aren't present in the Wii game, but we figured we'd check with our readers to be sure. Have any of you picked up a copy of Bully yet? If so, have you encountered any problems, or is the game running smoothly for you?


Gallery: Bully

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