Next-Gen.biz has posted an 8 page look at the History of Grand Theft Auto, it's affect on Rockstar Games and most importantly how co-founder Sam Houser feels about the series. Mr. Houser hasn't given an interview for a few years, so this was surprising.

"In part one of this expansive two-part look into the making of one of gaming's biggest franchises, Edge talks to Rockstar Games president Sam Houser and finds out how the most important game series of the last ten years came into being and how GTA IV will take the story to a new level."

I won't ruin the article for you, it's a great read so we suggest you read it for yourself at Next-Gen.biz. If you need a reason, just look at the fact Sam Houser doesn't give many interviews, and with that comes lots of thoughts and opinions by the man himself that show us exactly what he is aiming for with Grand Theft Auto IV and future games by Rockstar.

Related: Next-Gen.biz: 'GRAND THEFT AUTO: THE INSIDE STORY'

In addition you may also be interested in Next-Gen.biz: 'THE MAKING OF GRAND THEFT AUTO IV' which is the talked about 'part 2' of the interview, it also looks briefly into the History of GTA, but mostly into GTA4's technology and surprises.

Microsoft seems to be slow these days. We just spoke to another Rockstar rep who has confirmed that they are still waiting for the OK from Xbox Operations. What is taking Microsoft so long? We're not exactly sure. Surely if they were trying to beat the game with the patch it shouldn't be taking this long. Keep reading RockstarWatch as we're following the release of the patch.

Electronic Arts (EA) CEO, John Riccitiello, has stated that Rockstar is the “primary interest” in EA's bid to acquire Take-Two. This clears the speculation of the bid being based around the 2K Sports label which produces very popular sporting games. However, Mr. Riccitiello stated that 2K Sports is the “secondary consideration” or secondary interest of the bid.

The situation has been very good for Take-Two's stock as an altercation of the bid, as you can see by the chart below it spiked around the time of the bid and has been on a steady rise since.

The question of whether this deal is right or not it still floating around and still unanswered, everyone has a different opinion and really the deal could go either way. The stock holders are obviously enlighten by the bid and seem to be for it at the moment, but will it be a good move?

Our opinion; If the deal goes ahead Rockstar should split into their own parent company, really they are already set to do that. With all their studios, it's like they a parent already, but the risks and extra work that would be involved may be the down-fall of that idea. At the end of the day I guess, ourselves, we'd rather see Take-Two stay the way it is, but the way people are talking it seems like that may not be the case.

I was looking over Rockstar's job website today to see if I could find any interesting job posts. I came accross two very interesting open positions "Online Community Associate" and "Online Marketing Associate".

Job Description for both Online Community Associate and Online Marketing Associate:

The Online Community Associate will be responsible for managing, maintaining, and supporting the online community site at Rockstar Games. 
 
 Primary Responsibilities:
 
  •  Maintain and update content on the community websites.
  •  Create all communications to the online community base.
  •  Assist in development and launch of new online community websites.
  •  Assist in development and launch of new ideas/features on the online community websites.
  •  Develop events, competitions and promotions for the online community.
  •  Provide service and support to the community website. Work with technical support to resolve customer issues with the community websites.
  •  Monitor online community activity; analyze online community growth, engagement, and loyalty, and share observations with other departments.
 
 Qualifications:
 
  •  College education. This is an entry level position with opportunity for growth.
  •  Experience moderating or facilitating an online community is helpful.
  •  Passion for games.
  •  Strong knowledge of online community trends.
  •  Passion for and knowledge of social networking, emerging media and the Web.
 
This is an entry level position with opportunity for growth.

Seeing as how Rockstar currently doesn't have a community site, could they be aiming for something like what Bungie is doing with their site with news stories about their games and forums for people to talk about their games and lifes? Only time will tell. Both positions are at Rockstar's HQ in New York, NYC.

Rockstar Games: Jobs

Just yesterday Rockstar made a job posting on 43folders.com. They mention in it that they have just opened a New Media Department and thus are looking for a superior, dedicated, and hard-working Web Developer / Programmer to join the new Department.

Rockstar Games is seeking a superior Web Developer/Programmer for our New Media Department, located in NYC.

We are looking for a candidate dedicated to producing top quality work and with the skill set, talent and creativity to do this in a fast-paced, demanding environment. The role requires you to be detail-oriented and equally as good at communicating with your peers, as you are adept with code. You should be self-confident and secure in your abilities and resilient in the face of change.

You will be an integral member of our team that creates innovative, interactive official website experiences, rich media online advertising campaigns, intranet database sites and all other new media oriented projects.

In order to apply you should fulfil these skill areas:

• Flash (including Video and Audio applications)
• PHP
• Actionscript 2.0
• XML, HTML, DHTML
• JavaScript, CSS, Mysql and database schemas

and have experience with these Windows (as far as we can gather, Rockstar uses Windows) applications:

• Flash 8 professional
• Macromedia Homesite (or similar script editor)
• Sorenson Squeeze
• Sound Forge (or similar wave editor)
• SecureFX/SecureCRT (or similar encrypted communications)

Think you fit the position? Or just interested in giving it a go?

We want to hear from eager, qualified candidates located in the tri-state area. We ask that you send a resume/cv and a cover letter stating why you believe you are fit for this position.

Good luck! Read more...

UK gaming magazine Play slated in their February Edition that Grand Theft Auto IV will be the final Grand Theft Auto for Xbox:

"The game is both PS3 and 360, but Rockstar has suggested that all further game development is going to be PS3 exclusive."

A few websites have posted about this, all rather baffled as to why Rockstar would do this. We admit ourselves it is a little odd, especially considering the price Microsoft paid for downloadable content packs and publicity they have put into Grand Theft Auto IV.

The sentence doesn't explain the situation plainly, firstly what is "further game development"? Are we talking future Grand Theft Auto games (like Vice City and San Andreas were an expansion of GTA3) or did they simply suggest that the Xbox 360 version of the game was complete, and the PlayStation 3 version was still being finalized?

It's all a little sketchy, so I wouldn't be taking this as anything important at the moment, lets wait and see what is said over the next 2 months...

Ever wanted to be a QA tester for Rockstar Games? Well Jochen Till is one of them, part of the Rockstar Games QA Team he is responsible to testing upcoming games, giving feedback on game play elements and reporting on issues. Recently he was interviewed by Dutch gaming website 9lives.be and discussed some of the features to be seen in GTA4.

Some points of interest:

• Loading is done in the background, as discussed many times before. It's confirmed that only cutscenes will require loading.
• Liberty City will be gradually unlocked, as seen in the GTA3 series.
• As with all past GTA's, you can have small discussions with people on the street. However, now relationships can be started, similar to that of the storyline characters.
• Car's damage is more realistic than in past GTA's.
• Your car will no longer explode after several intense crashes, rather the car will fail to start.
• Vehicles will not disappear as much as they did with past games, although they still will disappear if you leave the area for a large period of time or are a large distance from the area the vehicle was left.
• Extras like hidden packages and stunts we all know and love will return.
• All well-known real world weapons are available, although this was done in San Andreas originally anyway, however many new melee weapons have been added.
• He was unable to discuss details about the Multiplayer mode, however he did confirm that there will be a multiplayer mode.

Translation of the article is below or it can be read here.

9lives: In Grand Theft car IV strived you there more than ever to of Liberty city a realistic, living and very large make city, based on the real New York. Have you have had do for that no technical toegevingen in the field of laadtijden?
JT: No, just like in San Andreas there are no laadtijden at travelling between the different islands. Charging goes dynamically and on the context. Only at cutscenes you loading still some time can experience.

9lives: Is the complete city of at the beginning of the game accessible?
JT: You immediately complete Liberty city are able explore, gradually new parts are unbolted.

9lives: It is communicate possible to with the other inhabitants of Liberty city; ordinary guides which have do nothing with the tale?
JT: Like usually there small interactions are possible in the form of short disputes. You can however no relations build with each random guide, such as you that is possible with the story characters.

9lives: Slightly unrealistic kantje to previous Gta-games were that cars exploded always if you had damaged them heavily. Is that now differently?
JT: Yes, vehicles can give now also in other manners the spirit. If you are a scrap pilot, it is for example perfectly possible that you engine it breaks down after course of time and you can drive therefore no longer further. Also the damage models of the carriages are as a matter of fact much more realistic become.

9lives: And what if you car comes on its roof rightly? Does he fly then still immediately in fire?
JT: No, but a car really tips over entirely a lot will occur less in GTA IV, thanks to the improved physics engine.

9lives: Do those vehicles now also what continue stand longer? Sometimes you twisted your back in earlier GTA's and you car had already disappeared...
JT: That was especially to the technical restrictions of the PlayStation 2. now we with a new generation blame consoles works, we that inconvenience thus has been possible limit. Natural disappearing vehicles still if you are from the buurt far, but the area which remains in the memory charged much have, however, become larger.

9lives: There also still are submissies, such as hidden packages, unique stunts present beside the tale missions, etc.?
JT: It are that small, leuke solicit those Grand Theft car make what it is, therefore you can there certainly of its that there barrels side wrong ion present will be!

9lives: How does it sit with the weapons? In demonstration we saw all what old acquaintances such as the uzi, the rocket launcher and the sniper rifle to emerge. Also will new schiettuig in GTA IV sit?
JT: In principle zowat all conceivable fire weapons were already present in the previous games, therefore really large innovations do not have expect you here. However, new types mêlée-wapens will find be in the surroundings.

9lives: Rather touched already confessed that the main personage can move himself Niko, however, by helicopter, but no longer with planes. From where that decision?
JT: Although there for the completeness is, however, an airport in Liberty city and planes there in ventilates being to see, you them himself are able indeed no longer control. That is not necessary, because you are yourself always in the same city and everything therefore perfectly with a carriage, boat or helicopter is reach. And if you yourself do not want drive this way far, it is now also possible at all tijde take a taxi, which you bring then to the desired location. You the complete ride can sit out and as a real tourist to sightseeing or ordinary immediately skippen do to your end destination.

9lives: Finally still the question which burns on everybody's lips: how will the multiplayer see?
JT: There I can say you still nothing concerning except that it is certain that multiplayermode will be present in Grand Theft car IV. For more details you will have still just as tolerated must.

9lives: On the next presentation then but! Thanks for this conversation!

Valve has announced an agreement with Rockstar Games to make Rockstar's entire PC game catalog available for digital download through its Steam content delivery service.

Titles now available for download include Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto II, Grand Theft Auto, Max Payne, Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne, Manhunt, Midnight Club: Street Racing II and Wild Metal Country.

The agreement between Rockstar and Valve is similar to one Rockstar recently announced with IGN Entertainment's digital retail store, Direct2Drive.

Said Rowan Hadaj, head of finance and corporate development of Rockstar Games, "We were immediately excited by the opportunity to offer our PC catalog via Steam because it allows us to reach out to gamers around the world in exciting new ways. We are continually looking for ways to give back to our fans and this collaboration will give people a chance to easily revisit some of our greatest titles."

Buy Now:  Rockstar Games on Steam.

Thanks to Gamasutra for the heads up.