Rockstar Games has released a new artwork wallpaper of John Marston, the main character in Red Dead Redemption.

Rockstar has released patch number five for the PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV. Here is a list of changes brought by the patch.

GENERAL:
Convert all region SKU's into the same SKU.
Include support for all languages within single exe.

CONTROLS:
Allow controls to be double mapped on keyboard.
Added option in controls menu to disable mouse controls in helicopters.
Adjust keyboard control sensitivity in hood cam view in vehicles.

MULTIPLAYER:
Security Updates to deter cheating in multiplayer.
Hosts can now immediately Kick users from their games in Lobby and in game via Cell phone without having to rely on peer voting.
Fixed a bug in Cops 'n Crooks mode where Host would drop out and prevent remaining players from leaving game.

The most interesting thing about the patch however is the fact that it makes the game list the five achievements from The Lost and Damned. This isn't a fluke on Microsoft's side either as if you go to the page for GTAIV PC, only the original achievements are listed. It's only in game that it reports the new ones. With this combined with the fact that TLAD bikes have been in the files of the PC version of GTAIV since release, we're going to go out on a limb and say that we should hear an announcement real soon regarding TLAD riding it's way to the PC.

Rockstar has posted another entree in it's Asked & Answered series where they answer questions from the fans. Here are some snippets from the post.

“Now where the hell is Red Dead Redemption's info? The Movember winner, Gamestop pre-order outfits, 2nd gameplay series. Where the hell are they?” – batik89

Ha - love the enthusiasm!  All of the above will be revealed in the next week or two, we promise.  Look for the 2nd clip in the gameplay series (which will be an in-depth look at shooting - all the gunplay, weapons, dead-eye, natural motion physics and so on that make up this key aspect of the game) as well as a big hands-on preview round to hit towards the end of next week.  Meantime, there’ll be continuing Red Dead goodness posted right here in the coming days.  Keep your eyes peeled..

“Your latest word on L.A. Noire is that it is coming along "splendidly" and that we can expect more details very soon, but that was in September. I've been anticipating this game for ages now and I was wondering if you can provide any new information or when in fact you'll publicly provide more information. By the way, is it still on the PS3?” – received via Mouthoff

There will be something great to see soon - a proper in-depth look at the game and why it is so ground breaking and innovative, both in terms of the game's design and the amazing new technology to support it.  Expect to see a long-awaited reveal via a big cover story next month.

“Can you DM me cheats for GTA Chinatown for the iPhone?” – received via Twitter

We know a lot of you out there are rooting around the web in vain looking for those Chinatown Wars iPhone cheats.  So, by popular demand, we'll post a first batch of them right here, tomorrow.

Also asked was when Chinatown Wars is going to make it's way to other territories. Rockstar is sorting out some legal issues and they hope to have Chinatown Wars available worldwide soon.

Read the rest at Rockstar's newswire.

The uncut PC version of Manhunt 2 is out now on Direct2Drive for North America.

Direct2Drive: Manhunt 2

The ESRB has updated it's website with the latest batch of ratings. The latest batch includes the rating for Red Dead Redemption. No surprises here, the game scored a Mature rating. What gets interesting is the details the ESRB loves to include with it's ratings.

This is an "open-world" action-adventure game in which players assume the role of John Marston, a reformed criminal on a mission to capture the remnants of his old outlaw gang. Players roam Wild West environments and perform various missions for criminal figures and law enforcement: destroying bridges, helping individuals in distress, delivering packages of drugs (e.g., opium), capturing outlaws, and eliminating rival figures. Players use shotguns, pistols, and rifles to kill enemies in realistic gun battles. Players can engage in melee-style hand-to-hand combat and trigger slow-motion effects by shooting enemies at close-range or by targeted shooting (i.e., aiming for body parts). Blood often spurts out of characters when shot; head shots and knife attacks result in much larger sprays. In one sequence, a bloodied and mutilated corpse can be seen hanging from the rafters of a barn. Players have the ability to shoot pedestrians in the game; however, a "Wanted Level"-penalty system discourages these acts by triggering a law enforcement response. The game contains a scene in which two characters have sex on a table; there is a brief instance of female nudity. One sequence depicts a man injecting himself with a syringe filled with cocaine. Language such as "f**k," "c*nt," and 'sh*t" can be heard in the dialogue.

Nudity in addition to the acts of reproducing? Alert the media! God forbid if Mature people are able to see how we humans reproduce!

UPDATE (12th May 2010): The OFLC, Australia's rating body, has recently passed their rating for Red Dead Redemption as MA15+ for "Strong violence, coarse language and sex scene". The game did not require any editing or additional changes to acquire this rating.

Source: ESRB | OFLC

Direct2Drive is offering a free copy of the first Manhunt when you pre-order the PC version of Manhunt 2. Remember Vista/7 users, once you get Manhunt 1 downloaded and installed, you'll need to run the patcher for it to run.

Pre-order: Direct2Drive

TheGamingLiberty is reporting that in an interview they conducted with Shawn Lee, the man behind the awesome original soundtrack in Bully, he let it slip that Bully 2 is in the works.

TGL: So far you’ve worked on two games, The Getaway and Bully, would you be open to composing for other games in the future?
Shawn Lee: “Yes. It looks like I will be doing the soundtrack for Bully 2 in the not so distant future….”

When asked about Bully 2, Rockstar replied with the standard "We do not comment on rumor and speculation". So it looks like we'll have to wait and see. What will be interesting to hear is who the developer is. Since Rockstar Vancouver, the original developers of Bully, are working on Max Payne 3, I'd venture to say that it's Rockstar New England. That is, unless, New England is still working on Spellweaver.

Source: TheGamingLiberty

Superannuation is reporting some interesting finds from two different resumes. The first find is from a former 3D artist. The game was originally created by Rockstar San Diego and set in Cairo, Egypt.

Environment artist on Agent. Created city structures, textures, and props. as also chosen to join a small team of artists for overseas photo shoot to gather reference in Cairo, Egypt. This small team of 4 gathered over 10,000 photographs of the city of Cairo within five days.

The second find is from another former 3D artist. The game was originally targeted for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox.

Rockstar San Diego
Upcoming Playstation 2 / Xbox title "Agent".

What is interesting is that the second 3D artist only worked at Rockstar San Diego from August 2003 to July 2004. That means that Agent was originally started somewhere in-between those dates.

Sources: William Kidwell and Ben Bathen via Superannuation

Rockstar has just sent word that the next trailer for Red Dead Redemption, "My name is John Marston", will be releasing on Tuesday, December 1st.

Rockstar and GameStop announced today that if you pre-order Red Dead Redemption from GameStop you'll get a GS exclusive in-game outfit. What will the outfit look like? You'll have to wait till January 4th when GameStop will hold a vote that will determine which of the three suits will be the pre-order bonus.

Pre-Order: GameStop

This is just a quick notice to everyone that The Ballad of Gay Tony is now available for download on Xbox LIVE, and the Episodes from Liberty City Disk including both The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony will be available in all good gaming and electronic stores starting this morning.

Be sure to download or pick-up your copies today, and enjoy the second downloadable content package!

Also, we hope you are all enjoying the speedy new RockstarWatch server, which is now fully operational. The new version of the site will be online around Christmas time, if not earlier. So stick around and check back when you can--we have some huge suprises in store for you in the coming weeks!

Take-Two has released a financial update today. The update today talks about their 2010 pipeline. While no new games are hinted, the update provides a new release window for Max Payne 3. As you might recall when Max Payne 3 was first announced, the original release window was Winter 2009. In today's financial update, the new release window for Max Payne 3 is now fourth quarter of the 2010 financial year. This puts the release date some where between July 1, 2010 and September 30, 2010. Take-Two will be holding a conference call later today about the update. We'll be sure to update you if we hear anything more.

Source: Take-Two

Rockstar has released 4 new multiplayer screenshot via their newswire. The pictures show what characters you can play and unlock, the hunting challenges you and your posses can do and gang fights against other players online.

Rockstar has sent us back an email today stating that the PC port of Manhunt 2 is a Direct2Drive exclusive and that the game will only be available in North America. (while the email states that it's "US only", the Direct2Drive page includes US, Mexico and Canada)

Hi AJ,
Manhunt 2 for PC is a Direct2Drive exclusive that will only be available in the US.  There are currently no plans to release the game on Steam.
Cheers

Manhunt 2 for PC will be out on Direct2Drive November 6th.

Rockstar has just announced via their blog that they will be releasing a 4 minute gameplay video of Red Dead Redemption on December 15.

Rockstar Games has released the Red Dead Redemption Facebook mini-game titled "Red Dead Gunslingers" a little ahead of schedule. I've been playing it almost all day today and it's very fun and very addictive. When you start a battle with someone, you will be treated with a video of the battle which is a lot more satisfying than just text saying "You Won" like in Mafia Wars. For example:

Oh and if you need someone for your posse, feel free to add me.

Source: Red Dead Gunslingers

EDIT: To be fair, Jeronimo was a very low level when I killed him. After he built up his level a bit, he came back at me and killed me.

When I got back home today, I find that Jeronimo hasn't been working today but playing Red Dead Gunslingers building his level up past mine to a level 18 outlaw while I'm only a level 15 fasthands. My first rematch against him ended up with me only getting a shot off at his hand while he got two shoulder hits.

I wasn't going to let that keep me down, I tried lady luck and ended up killing him with no shots fired off at me.

Shall we 'Let Sleeping Rockstars Lie' or are you up for another rematch? :P

While Rockstar has yet to say anything officially about Manhunt 2's PC version, over the year we've been finding numerous hints towards a PC version. Today, Direct2Drive has started listing a pre-order for the PC version of Manhunt 2 for $29.99. This version is the AO rated uncut version that Rockstar originally tried to put out back in 2007 but was blocked due to console manufactures not allowing AO games on their systems. While the listing doesn't go into details about the content, it does say the PC version of the game supports 3D monitors. The listing also mentions how much space the game takes up, 3.66 GB and the system requirements.

• Operating System: Windows XP (Home and Professional), SP1 or higher plus DirectX 9.0c / Windows Vista
• Processor: Intel Pentium 4 (1.7+ GHz), AMD Athlon 1800+
• Memory: 512MB XP / 1GB Vista, 3.8GB Hard Drive Space
• Video Card: DirectX 9.0c Shader 2.0 Supported, 128 MB, Nvidia 6200 or Better, ATI Radeon x300 or Better
• Sound Card: DirectX 9.0 Compliant
• Peripherals: Keyboard and Mouse Required

Manhunt 2 for PC releases November 6th. Wether or not the game will come to Steam or limited retail (most stores won't carry AO games) is unknown at the time. We've sent an email to Rockstar asking for more details.

Pre-Order: Manhunt 2 for PC

Rockstar has released a four minute gameplay video of Red Dead Redemption titled "The Introduction".

Rockstar has released the second trailer for Red Dead Redemption along with a firm release date of April 30th, 2010.

Rockstar has released another multiplayer video showing off the competitive modes in Red Dead Redemption.

Rockstar has updated the official Red Dead Redemption website with the second of three reveals of the games mapped area. This reveal shows Nuevo Paraiso (Northern Mexico) and its 3 comprised regions; Punta Orgullo, Perdido and Diez Coronas.

Head over to the associated page on the official website for a look at screens of Nuevo Paraiso.

Steam is offering the PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV for a mind blowing $7.49. If you have yet to pick up the PC version, I highly suggest you do so. Even if you have one of the console versions. Hurry though, the deal will only last through today!

Steam: Grand Theft Auto IV

Rockstar has released a new meet video for Luis.

Rockstar has released a hand-full of audio previews of some of the new music coming with Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony.

Electro-choc

Electrochoc welcomes its newest sound - brought to you by Crookers. The Italian born DJ/production duo bring their inimitable sounds direct from Milan to Liberty City.

K109 The Studio

DJ Karl returns to K109 The Studio with a new mix of club classics from the likes of Chic and Créme D'Cocoa.

Vladivostok FM

DJ Paul brings the party from the UK all the way to the dance floor at Bahama Mamas. Proper tunes. Let's 'ave it, yeah?

Also, Rockstar is adding a new station to the mix called Vice City FM. If the DJ's voice sounds familiar to you, that's because it's Fernando Martinez! Keep in mind that Vice City FM is only available on the Episodes from Liberty City disc and will not be included with the downloadable version to The Ballad of Gay Tony due to music royalties.

Vice City FM

Yes. Fernando is back. Spreading love throughout the airwaves via the best hits of the 1980's on Vice City FM.

Rockstar has finally released the iPhone and iPod touch version of Beaterator today. The best part about it? It will only set you back a cool $4.99! That's a steal for the amount of effort the folks over at Rockstar Leeds put into it, so be sure to grab yourself a copy as soon as you can.

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