Just under a month ago, I published an article on a podcast which I felt very passionate about: InRockstarSpect. The podcast looked at the films which inspired, and no doubt continue to inspire, Rockstar Games throughout their development of critically acclaimed games, and fond gaming moments and memories we all share. The podcast wrapped up this past week, be sure to check out any you missed:
Thanks to all the brilliant people behind the podcast for the compressive in-sites, interesting opinions and, of course, taking the time to focus on Rockstar and their games.
I remember my first time playing a Rockstar game. It was Grand Theft Auto III, of course; the game which introduced most of us to the company and their unique, but seriously addictive, story telling mixed with mayhem. I've never been a hardcore gamer, in fact I only like a particular collection of games - all of which just happen to be developed by the very company RockstarWatch has been dedicated to for the past six years.
There is a reason Rockstars' games are the only ones I have an interest in: their games have soul. They aren't just about the graphics, the gameplay, the characters, or the story - their about the whole package. Rockstar tells a story, and they tell it well, and they mix it with unique, memorable, characters along with gameplay that doesn't get old. Plus, the graphics... how many games have the level of detail or the quality of Grand Theft Auto IV? People upgraded their televisions just to play the game, and most modern PC's still can't handle it with the graphics settings maxed out.
Rockstar doesn't just manufacture a game, they don't just crank out another generic mix of pixels; they are selling experiences... and I've been buying up since 2001.
Side-note: Recently brought to my attention via Twitter, End-Gamers published an article on Why Rockstar Games’ Games Rule. Check it out, along with this podcast, and let me know what you love most about Rockstar @RockstarWatch.
Max Payne Mobile for iOS has received an update today, moving it up to version 1.1. On top of the usual stability and bug fixes, this update includes iCloud support so you can utilize the same save games on all iOS devices, plus a new option to move and shoot with the right analog stick for more precision. Fingers crossed we'll be seeing similar iCloud support for Grand Theft Auto II on iOS soon.
Update via the App Store on your device or PC.
After a slight delay following the release of the original Max Payne on iOS devices in April, the game which first introduced us to troubled NYPD detective Max Payne, is now officially available for Android devices. You can purchase the game from the Android Marketplace for just $2.99.
Not sure if your phone or tablet supports the game? Check the list below to be sure:
Supported Android Phones: Motorola Razr, Razr Maxx, Motorola Atrix, Motorola Photon, Motorola Droid Bionic, HTC Rezound, HTC One X, HTC One S, HTC Evo 3D, HTC Sensation, HTC Droid Incredible 2, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Samsung Nexus S, Samsung Galaxy Note, Samsung S2, Samsung Galaxy R, Sony Xperia Play, Sony Xperia S, Sony Walkman Z Series Media Player
Supported Android Tablets: Acer Iconia, Asus Eee Pad Transformer, Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime, LG Optimus Pad, Medion Lifetab, Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 / 10.1, Sony Tablet S, Sony Tablet P, Toshiba Thrive, HTC Flyer, HTC Jetstream
If you haven't played the original before, check out one of the greatest games of the 00s; if it's been awhile since you last played, perhaps it's time to reminisce on a classic. Either way, download the game for your Android or iOS device - for the price of not even 3 songs, you get a game that'll keep your interest far longer than a few tunes.
For those with Apple iOS devices, Max Payne 1 mobile is now out for your playing pleasure. Supported devices include iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod Touch 4, iPad 1, iPad 2, the new iPad. The game is currently priced at a very reasonable $2.99. Android users, sit tight. The game will be released on the 26th for you. A list of supported Android devices is forth coming. Until then, enjoy the footage of the iPad version in action thanks to the folks at Touch Gameplay.
Buy Now: Max Payne Mobile iOS
Remember that mobile port of Max Payne that Rockstar couldn't keep secret? Today marks the announcment of when we'll actually see Max Payne mobile. iOS devices will see the port land on April 12th while Android users will have to wait until April 26th. Max Payne mobile features HD graphics, high-resoultion textures, Social Club connectivity and user customizable controls. Rockstar is promising support for an even wider range of devices that GTA3's mobile port did not. Confirmed iOS devices are the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod Touch 4, iPad 1, iPad 2 and the new iPad. Rockstar is reminaing sealed about the Andorid devices and will announce them in the coming weeks. Some information not included in the announcement but we know to be true is War Drum Studios is also behind this mobile port, just like GTA3 mobile, and the method of porting they are using is the same as GTA3 mobile. This means that most of the game files should be similar if not exactly the same as PC meaning that unofficial mod support shouldn't be too far off.
Along with today's announcment of a release date for Max Payne 3, a mobile version of Max Payne 1 was also announced, which comfirms our report back in June of Max Payne appearing on Tegra devices nVidia was showing off. However, this announcement was later pulled as part of the press release. Thanks to Gamautra, a copy of the removed portion is below. The mobile version is said to include HD graphics, Social Club support and controller support. No word yet on what mobile devices will be getting the classic Max Payne.
For fans looking for a new way to enjoy the classic Max Payne , Rockstar Games is happy to announce that Max Payne will receive the full HD treatment for mobile devices. Available for the first time on mobile, Max Payne will have connectivity to the Rockstar Games Social Club and boast the same features as its PC counterparts -- including HD graphics and high-resolution textures that take advantage of the latest mobile technologies, including incredibly customizable controls and support for wired controllers.
Source: Gamautra
Nvidia recently demonstrated it's new Tegra 3 technology code named "KAL-EL" at Computex 2011. The new Tegra features a 12 core GPU and the world's first quad core CPU for mobile devices. During one of the demonstrations of how developers can port existing games over, watchers were able to catch a glimpse of the homescreen of Android Honeycomb OS, which was the OS the demo unit was running. Among the games listed on the home screen was Max Payne which featured the logo of Max Payne 1. Sadly, the PR guy controlling the unit didn't demonstrate the game running but you can see the icon in the video below at the 2:30 mark. While Rockstar has not announced anything about an upcoming portable Max Payne, it seems a bit unusual to us that Rockstar would be porting a game over to a new architecture if they were not going to do anything else with it.
Thanks to ear0wax on Twitter for the discovery!
Back in July, we reported that the ESRB added OSX as a platform to three Grand Theft Auto titles and the first Max Payne. In the latest edition of Rockstar's "Asked & Answered" series, Rockstar has confirmed that Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas will all be coming to OSX later this year. Max Payne was sadly not mentioned in the article so it could be an error on ESRB's part or Rockstar forgot to mention it. More information and an proper announcement will be coming soon.
Source: Rockstar Newswire
UPDATE: VG247 has been in contact with Rockstar regarding the OFLC modification for Vice City, and it appears that Rockstar had the game re-rated as part of "ongoing work with history products". What this means for Vice City, and the three other games listed above, is still unclear. We'll let you know of any updates.
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According to the ESRB's website, Grand Theft Auto III, GTA Vice City, GTA San Andreas and Max Payne will all soon be making the jump over to the Mac OSX platform. While Rockstar has not announced nor shown any signs of taking this step, it all makes sense considering the recent push to support both Windows PC and Macintosh, most specifically by Valve who have made both their Steam service and their games available on the Mac OSX. Since this hasn't officially been announced by Rockstar, we don't know more than these subtle hints, so whether the ports will be native or emulated is anyone's guess at the moment (though it does seem unlikely Rockstar would port an engine it no longer uses). It is possible that, if the games are available through Steam, they may be listed under Steam Play, meaning those who currently own the PC versions will be able to play on both the PC and Mac without requiring any re-purchase.
Additionally, Australia's OFLC ratings board has mysteriously modified their rating of GTA Vice City, updating it to newer guide terms ("Strong Violence", compared to "Medium level animated violence"). At the moment it is unknown why this change has been made, and whether it was on request from Rockstar, or something the OFLC has taken upon themselves.
Remember a few weeks back when we reported that the ESRB was listing Max Payne 1&2 for the Xbox 360? Well today, Rockstar has finally released both Max Payne 1 and Max Payne 2 via the Xbox Originals service for 1200 MS points each. You can either search for them in the dashboard or hit the links below to buy them off the Xbox website and have them automatically download to your 360.
Buy Now: Max Payne 1
Buy Now: Max Payne 2
