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4 CommentsGTA 5 PlayStation 3 bundle, custom GTA 5 Pulse headset coming Sept 17
By Dave Tach on Jun 10, 2013 06.10.13
Sony will release a Grand Theft Auto 5 PlayStation 3 bundle on Sept. 17 for $299, Jack Tretton announced at the company's E3 press conference today. The bundle will include a 500 GB PS3 and a 30-day PlayStation Plus trial. In addition, Sony Partnered with Rockstar Games to create a custom Pulse headset (pictured below). The Grand Theft Auto 5 Pulse – Elite Edition headset is "inspired by Grand Theft Auto V’s focus on the almighty dollar," a post on the PlayStation Blog reads. Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 5 will be released on Sept. 17, 2013 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Culture
26 CommentsGTA 5 map pieced together by fans
By Emily Gera on Jun 03, 2013 06.03.13
Fans of the Grand Theft Auto series have pieced together a game world map of the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 5, based on images previously released by Rockstar, OXM reports. The resulting map of Los Santos reveals islands, a large main city and numerous smaller towns scattered across the islands. The final fan-made map is based on official shots found in the GTA 5 collector's edition, as well as information from trailers and screenshots previously released. Rockstar has yet to release an official map of the whole of Los Santos, however. The studio stated early on that the upcoming title will feature a game world much bigger than those seen in previous games.
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34 CommentsGrand Theft Auto 5 collector's editions include physical and in-game bonuses (update)
By Alexa Ray Corriea on May 23, 2013 05.23.13
Grand Theft Auto 5 will get two collector's editions featuring in-game and physical goodies, as well as bonus content for those who pre-order the title before launch, Rockstar Games announced today. The Special Edition and Collector's Edition will be available for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and are now up for pre-order worldwide. Players who pre-order either of these special editions or the standard version of the game will also receive access in-game to the Atomic Blimp, a slow-moving aircraft. The Grand Theft Auto 5 Special Edition will cost $79.99 and features a copy of the game; a Steelbook case bearing Grand Theft Auto 5 artwork; a replica map of Los Santos and Blaine Country; and a number of in-game bonuses including a boost ability, new outfits and tattoo skins, additional...
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1 CommentTake-Two CEO looks to efficiency and marketing during the next-gen transition
By Dave Tach on May 13, 2013 05.13.13
Take-Two Interactive sees a combination of quality titles, operating efficiency and marketing as the pillars of success and profitability during the costly transition to next-gen consoles, CEO Strauss Zelnick said in an earnings call today. In response to a question about the increasing development expenses for next-generation consoles, he acknowledged that new platforms have been historically synonymous with increased costs, but said that Take-Two's efficiency can help mitigate the disruption. "One of the three tenets of our strategic approach here is efficiency, and we aim to be the most efficient company in the business," Zelnick said. "And that includes development spending, so that's a major area of focus to us. "Our goal is to deliver the highest quality titles and to market...
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25 CommentsPS3 now manufactured in Brazil, localized versions GTA 5 and The Last of Us coming
By Michael McWhertor on May 07, 2013 05.07.13
Sony is now manufacturing the PlayStation 3 in Brazil, according to an announcement, as part of the company's "commitment to invest in the growth of the gaming industry" in the country. PS3s manufactured at Sony's Brazilian facility with a 250GB hard drive will retail for $1099 Reais (about $550 USD). "Sony Computer Entertainment continues to invest in the Brazil game market as part of our long-term commitment to the country and its gamers," said Andrew House, president and group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, at an event in Sao Paulo. "Locally manufacturing PlayStation 3 in Brazil will benefit gamers, retailers and developers. The local manufacture of PlayStation 3 is expected to infuse the Brazilian economy with approximately $300 million over the next 12 months." In addition...
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86 CommentsGrand Theft Auto 5: Plenty of promise(s)
By Russ Frushtick on May 02, 2013 05.02.13
Spaces Wide-Open Spaces For one thing, scale. According to reps for the game, the map in Grand Theft Auto 5 is three times bigger than that of the entire map of Red Dead Redemption, which is especially impressive when you remember just how flat and barren most of that map was. Unlike in previous GTA games, the entire map will be open from the get-go, and won't require you to progress through the story to see all the sights. We were able to get a sense of this massive landscape within the first few seconds of the hands-off demo, which began in the back of a plane, hundreds of feet in the air, with a lead character's toes dangling over into nothingness. Seconds later he took a step and started falling, fast, towards his inevitable doom. Thankfully his plummet was halted by a...
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9 CommentsRockstar holding online casting call for Grand Theft Auto 5's fictional religion
By Griffin McElroy on Apr 29, 2013 04.29.13
Rockstar is holding an online casting call for fans to appear in Grand Theft Auto 5 as members of the game's fictional religion, the Epsilon Program, and is currently taking applications for the in-game roles. The casting call comes a week after the Epsilon Program was detailed in a video on Rockstar's blog. Its outlandish tenets include facts such as "trees talk, but only some people hear them" and "sperm does not exist." To be eligible for one of the five in-game roles, applicants must be at least 18 years of age, and submit a headshot alongside their email address and other personal information. Applications will be accepted until May 28. Grand Theft Auto 5 will launch Sept. 17 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Culture
6 CommentsMexico City resident captures photos of apparent Grand Theft Auto 5 live-action commercial shoot
By Dave Tach on Apr 22, 2013 04.22.13
When Marco Donjuan drove home late last Saturday night in Mexico City to find a wrecked car jutting out of a crop of foliage on the side of a building, he snapped a picture. "Once I parked my car, I went out to ask about it, [and] one of the staff members told me it was an ad for Grand Theft Auto 5," Donjuan told Polygon in an email interview. By Sunday morning, the film crew had installed two more cars and "a bunch of washing machines," transforming his neighborhood into the set of a commercial, presumably a stand-in for the game's setting in the fictional city of Los Santos. The production kept him around his home, and Donjuan documented what he saw, which you can check out in the gallery below. Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 5 is set for release Sept. 17 on Xbox 360 and...
News
19 CommentsGrand Theft Auto 5 cover art follows the series' blueprint
By Samit Sarkar on Apr 02, 2013 04.02.13
The Grand Theft Auto 5 cover artwork, released by Rockstar Games today, takes after the franchise's typical box art format. As with previous entries in the series, the cover features stylized art of characters and other elements from the game, each within its own comic book-like panel. Grand Theft Auto 5's three protagonists, Trevor (with the sniper rifle), Franklin (with the handgun) and Michael (on the jetski), are featured prominently. Grand Theft Auto 5 launches Sept. 17 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Check out the full cover below, and see the most recent screenshots here.
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9 CommentsGameStop fourth-quarter 2012 earnings up, but full-year results down from 2011
By Samit Sarkar on Mar 28, 2013 03.28.13
GameStop recorded a successful fourth quarter for its 2012 fiscal year, but suffered a significant net loss for the full year due to "restructuring, impairment and debt retirement expenses," the company announced today. Both the fourth quarter and full year included an extra week compared to 2011. GameStop's fourth-quarter sales were "essentially flat" year-over-year — $3.56 billion in 2012 versus $3.58 billion in 2011 — with a 60.3 percent increase in digital sales and $100 million of mobile sales "offsetting weaknesses in the core business." Taking into account $1.9 million of "asset impairment charges," the company's net earnings for the quarter were $261.1 million, a 49.6 percent increase over the $174.7 million in 2011's fourth quarter. The extra week contributed a...
