Kotaku: San Andreas

San Andreas Rolls Onto Xbox Originals

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:00:00 MDT

Microsoft are yet to officially announce it, but a listing has appeared on Xbox.com for the digital re-release of 2004's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. We'll take that as announcement enough. It'll be the standard 1200 points, and will go on sale next Monday, October 20. For those left wanting by GTAIV's flat final stages, now's as good a time as any to go back to the days GTA games could get away with alien abduction sub-plots and jetpacks.

GTA: Remembrances of Cars Jacked

ogood — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:00:00 MDT

Not to be too indulgent here, but it's no stretch to say Grand Theft Auto is one of the few titles out there that rates the kind of visceral, first-time-ever memories that people usually have of events in the real world. The first song you heard on the game's radio, isn't it bizarre that it takes you back — just like a song popular in junior high — except it takes you to a place inside a video game?

These were some of the reactions we at Kotaku had as first-time players ourselves. We'd like to hear your feelings in the comments, too.

But I think it's all because GTA, widely accepted as the progenitor of the sandbox genre, is one of the few non-RPGs to deliver a real sense of place in its virtual worlds. It's not just knowing your place on a map in a shooter, either. In the lobby of the Ocean View Hotel, with "La Vida Es una Lenteia" playing on a scratchy radio, you are in Vice City, 1986, and there's always a beat up Oceanic parked out front, that you can get in to drive to Rosenberg's office in Washington Beach. Go north, first left, right at the T-intersection. That sort of thing.

It helps that all of the titles have been evocative of real cities, of course. But even in the fictional wastelands of Bone County, for me one of the real powerful memories is standing under a moonlit sky and watching the contrails of passing jets overhead and feeling almost like I was having the greatest summer ever lived.

Here are some of Kotaku's memories of the series.

Back in the late 1990s, a friend of mine at school started telling me about this awesome game called "Grand Theft Auto." Why was it awesome? Spectacular firefights, unbelievable police chases and AI that sounded like it could kick Big Blue's ass. Flying through town at 80 mph, my crazed military friend would zig zag through traffic, think he lost the cops, and then be greeted by a barricade. Busted.

Brilliant! One day after school, he loaded the game for me to see on his PC.

This was the original top-down game. Oh, the heartbreak. Even for the late 90s it looked like shit. His criminal escapades were so much better in my head than on his 15-inch CRT.

But when GTA3 came out, I'd assumed that the series' rights had been sold to another company because it looked so amazing. For the first time, I felt like I was interacting with a real city ... in a video game. — Mark Wilson

The radio spot for Pogo the Monkey from GTA III made me realize how much detail was packed into the game. Just having commercials was impressive enough, and most of them were funny. But Pogo poked fun at platform action games, with a little dig at EA in there too — so here was Rockstar parodying the gaming industry from inside the game. I stopped whatever car I was driving in the middle of the street and switched stations trying to find that commercial again. — Noah Robischon, managing editor, Gawker Media

When I first started working at Kotaku, we'd get like three or four emails daily that were like "Can I haz Hot Coffee code, kthanxbai." And we got these emails pretty much everyday for months. And when we didn't get emails, I was getting IMs from strange internet people. Apparently people then didn't know how to Google very well! — Brian Ashcraft

I've never actually completed a Grand Theft Auto game. Every time I buy one I get so caught up just running around exploring, listening to music, and killing people that I don't have time to actually move the story along. When Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas came out, I literally spent 8 hours in a cul de sac, just killing anyone who happened along. — Michael Fahey

Death Row, Vice City. Most impossible, controller-throwing-fit mission ever. One night I went after it hammer and tongs, playing it nearly 24 times, I think, utterly determined to pass this roadblock. The shootout required no less than choreographed timing and movements. Even after rescuing Vance in time, I still had no shot against the relentless Sentinels, bashing me and running me off the road on the way back to the hospital. I seriously considered spawning a tank with a cheat code. And then it hit me to get in the garbage truck. I shrugged off the attack cars on the long drive back, dropping Lance off at the hospital as the sun came up — in the game and in real life." — Owen Good

My absolute favorite part is the radio, of course, to the extent my boyfriend and I have memorized some choice snippets from the "advertisements" and the talk shows. When the situation calls for it, we're prone to reciting them, much to the confusion of family and non-gaming friends. Try blurting out in the middle of your family dinner, "Dad! No one wants to hear your stupid Vietnam stories!" or, when things don't go your way, "I'll cry when I'm done killing." Classic. — Leigh Alexander

A single moment in Vice City, involving a getaway, a rainy night, an aqua-blue motorbike, pink neon lights and Jan Hammer at full volume. For a minute, I wasn't playing a game set in the 80s, I was in the 80s. Real, honest-to-goodness time travel. Can't think of another game that's pulled that off. — Luke Plunkett

GTA Hot Coffee Modder Gives Retrospective

Mark Wilson — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:00:12 MST

As part of EGM's extensive GTAIV preview coming out in their April issue, the feature an interview with Patrick Wildenborg, the Dutch modder who was credited with discovering GTA San Andreas' Hot Coffee content. In the still choppy wake of the greatest scandal to ever impact the video game world, it's interesting to read Wildenborg's response.

We never anticipated how this thing was going to be blown out of proportion by the mainstream media and the politicians...

He continues:

I'm still proud of finding and uncovering the [Hot Coffee] scenes - because of all the work and research it took... When I look back at it, I think [Rockstar] should have reacted differently, but I don't hold a grudge at all.

Then he added, "So Rockstar, pllleeeeasssee send me a free copy of GTAIV."

OK, he didn't actually say that last part.

Hot Coffee Rewind: Famed Dutch Modder Talks to EGM [GamePolitics]

The GTA San Andreas Cake

fdemarco — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 15:00:00 MDT

This is definitely the coolest (and I think only) GTA cake I have ever seen. I'm particularly fond of the copious use of knick-knacks on the cake like the tiny cars and the fake money. I'm a sucker for an overly decorated cake that uses lots of little toys. The only thing that's missing is some tiny hookers and some blood. It's a well done cake, but despite the subject matter it is a bit on par with something you might see coming out of the local grocery store with the pre-rendered photographic icing. Although, the use of this cake for a four year old's birthday seems highly questionable. Oh, and that sound you hear is the head of certain Florida lawyer exploding.

Hot Coffee Class Action Suit Looms Closer

Michael McWhertor — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 13:27:18 MDT

Reuters is reporting that a judge has denied Take Two Interactive's motion to have portions of lawsuits filed against them dismissed, which could make it possible for the Grand Theft Auto San Andreas publisher to have a class action lawsuit against them see court. From Reuters:

The lawsuit, filed in July 2005 seeking class-action status, said Take-Two's alleged misconduct violated consumer protection laws in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia. Since then a number of cases making the same claim were consolidated in Manhattan federal court.
Take-Two and its subsidiary, Rockstar Games, had argued in its motion to dismiss parts of the lawsuit that the plaintiffs could only file claims in the states where they resided, not all 50 states.

Should a class action suit go forward, the judge said she would reconsider.

Not sure if you heard, but GTA:SA was modified by users to unlock intentionally hidden scenes of two robotic, polygonal avatars saying things and moving around (in a fashion some people who may not have actually ever had sexual intercourse to say that the characters were behaving) in a sexually explicit manner. Michael McWhertor

Jon Stewart Covers Gaming Senate Debate Video

brownlee — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 06:00:55 MDT

Yesterday, we reported The Daily Show With Jon Stewart covered the video game foofurall. Today, we've got the vid. It's totally great, except for the last bit, which retroactively makes the whole thing a lot less funny. Just turn it off when they do the live, on-the-streets report from San Andreas.

The best line in the whole thing is actually not gaming related at all, but about the failure to raise minimum wage: "The lower strata of society has had a free ride for too long and if you were to give them $7.25 an hour, you just know it would go up their nose and down their hose." And in a mere 36 words, Jon Stewart expertly summarized the plight of the Kotaku blogger. Florian Eckhardt

Previously: Jon Stewart Takes On Congress Player Haters

Modding Community Gets Angry

smizek2 — Tue, 26 Jul 2005 15:30:00 MDT

Pissed off with the ESRB for allegedly pinning Hot Coffee woes on modders, the administration of GTAGarage.com (leaders in the GTA-modding scene) fired off a letter to Senator Clinton, Assemblymember Yee, Jack Thompson and the ESRB. The letter makes the point that GTA's Hot Coffee facet is not all that different from other games with sexual content. Attached to was a brief note to the ESRB, which can be summarized as "find another patsy" for this whole mess.

Read the entire letter and note after the jump.

To whom it may concern,

We just fired this message off to Senator Clinton, Assemblymember Yee, and the rather excitable Jack Thompson. Your attacks on the customers you are supposed to protect are reprehensible to say the least. The gaming public knows very well you have rated more explicit games as "M" than what is contained in the allegedly obscene content (hot coffee) which you have admonished us over. Granted, your demonizing of the mod community may be only PR and politics, but we do not appreciate being a tertiary scapegoat for you to pass the already misplaced blame of irresponsible parents along to. So, please, find another patsy.

Just thought it would be fair to give you the heads up we never got.

Cheers, the administration of gtagarage.com

*****

Dear Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Yee, and Mr. Thompson

In recent statements by the ESRB, they have accused the mod community of undermining their ratings by putting sexually explicit material into PC games, namely San Andreas, which was already rated "M". However, if you look into a game by the name of "Singles - Flirt up your Life", it becomes quite clear they are doing a good job of that all by themselves. This "M" rated game features full frontal nudity (and not androgynous "barbies" like The Sims) and characters engaging in interactive sexual scenes. Screenshots of this game can be seen over at IGN: http://media.pc.ign.com/media/667/667197/imgs_1.html

And for that matter, what of the game "Playboy: The Mansion", which is based on the skin magazine, and is also rated "M"?!

Seeing as these game contains *far* more graphic depictions of sex than anything found in San Andreas, including the scenes involving nudity which we modded into the game (by default, "Hot Coffee" did contain fully clothed actors...), how exactly have we undermined their rating? If anything, what was left on the disc by Rockstar and modded into the game by us doesn't even come close to what the ESRB itself considers "M" material, let alone rising to their very own standards of "AO". To blame the mod community for this is not only hypocritical, but quite deceptive as well. Not to mention the fact that they've essentially had one title banned for containing "pornography", while they let more explicit games get by them.

For the record, we feel that "M" is an appropriate rating for these games, as their contents are no worse than R-rated films which have long been considered "okay" for ages 17 and up. However, we do agree with you all that that the ESRB is a big joke. Especially now that they're attacking their own customers for content which they obviously don't seem to have a problem with. Why should we the consumers be persecuted for adding something to a game which the ESRB has already demonstrated as perfectly acceptable for titles in the "M" range? San Andreas originally carried a warning for "strong sexual content", and judging by their previous ratings, we would insist that we released the "Hot Coffee" mod well within the ESRB's (apparently broken) guidelines.

Best Regards,
the administration of gtagarage.com

Modders Hit back at ESRB [1UP.com]

San Andreas has Built-in Sex Game?

Brian Crecente — Fri, 10 Jun 2005 12:30:01 MDT

Someone over at GTASanAndreas.Net is claiming they found hidden code in the PS2 version of the game that lets you do the pixilated wild thing with your in-game girly. The NOT SAFE FOR WORK and most likely faked screen shots show you character bumping uglies in a variety of positions, while directions scroll in an info box.

Push UP and DOWN in rhythm JOY2 Change view JOY3 Change position JOY1 Quit

Which button do you push to make the Durst O face?

San Andreas: Uncensored [GTASanAndreas.net, big thanks to UK Resistance]

GTA As Political Speech

Brian Crecente — Thu, 20 Jan 2005 09:03:10 MST

Sure, the Grand Theft Auto franchise features wall-to-wall violence, sex and drugs, but there s quite a message buried under all of that vice. Game-Brains review of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas sees the game as high art, a satiric commentary on America s damaged morality and myopic world view.

The Grand Theft Auto games are not only works of art, but are among the most politically engaged pieces of mainstream art to come along in the last ten years. Through developer Rockstar North's brilliant integration of anti-establishment themes into their plots, world design, and gameplay, the Grand Theft Auto series has delivered a powerful message to millions of gamers around the world. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is the masterpiece of the series. Its depiction of the United States through the fictional state of San Andreas presents a scathing critique of American consumer culture, the horrible social inequalities that it perpetuates, and the damage it causes to the rest of the world.

The review explores the messages delivered through the game s radio shows and plot, messages that mock the United State s love of perfection, hatred of anything not commercialized and the growing chasm between the rich and the poor. Just read this snippet from one of the in-game ads.

Man from Audience: "Mr Andrews, I've had a run of bad luck and I was wondering if the state could help me get back on my feet?"
Andrews: "This is the negative kind of self-obsessed greedy talk that doesn't help anyone. My program will teach you a new outlook on life. Instead of complaining about being poor, enjoy it. Watch TV. Don't vote. Who cares?"

It s an interesting read, that perhaps, exposes Rockstar as something more than a company out to make a quick buck on the gaming world s love of sex and violence.

Bloody Well Done [Game-Brains]

GTA Inspires Half-Assed Vandalism

Brian Crecente — Wed, 29 Dec 2004 08:21:52 MST

A group of stupid middle school kids were inspired by Grand Theft Auto to tag 16 buildings, including a museum, church and synagogue, in the Pittsburgh area. The five boys spray painted the initials GKU on the buildings. They later told police their graffiti was inspired by GTA and that the initials stood for Gangster Kids United. How pathetic is that? They can t even work up a enough of a video game-inspired rage to kill a bunch of people. What are today s kids coming to? I suppose playing Manhunt would have inspired them to toilet paper their neighbors houses.

Five Teens Arrested in Connection With Spray-Pain Vandalism [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

GTA: SA heading to Xbox, but what about Live?

Brian Crecente — Fri, 17 Dec 2004 00:06:25 MST

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is heading to the Xbox in June. But is it going to Xbox Live? Desperate for exclusive news, I mean answers, I shot a quick email over to the friendly neighborhood Rockstar PR guy:

Me: One word: online?
Him: Three words: dont know yet!

Me: Eight words, one emoticon: I hope it is, that would be cool. :)

Oddly enough, he stopped replying after that.

New Grand Theft Auto video game heads to Xbox [India Daily]

Go on a tour of San Andreas

Brian Crecente — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 12:24:13 MST

Ghost cars, the crazy homeless and chili dogs there s a lot more to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas than carjacking and gang-banging. San Andreas: Grand Tour is a collection of tourist-quality screenshots strung together in a story of some GTA non-violence.

San Andreas: Grand Tour [The New Gamer]

Grand Theft Auto prevents violence, collars bad guys

Brian Crecente — Mon, 13 Dec 2004 10:39:38 MST

Four dimwit burglars were collared by a PlayStation 2 over the weekend. The men broke into a Texas home and were holding a woman and her three grandsons at gunpoint when Grand Theft Auto came to the rescue. The game started blaring This is the police! You re surrounded! and the crew ran from the house, thinking the real cops were outside. The police did, indeed, collar the burglars soon after. Good thing the kids weren t playing Karaoke Revolution—they would've had an all-night dance party on their hands.

Robbers scared off by PlayStation game [ABC 13]

San Andreas: Of closets, teleporters and tattoo parlors.

Brian Crecente — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 14:37:19 MST

Secrets of San Andreas is a diatribe about the addictive power of the latest Grand Theft Auto game sprinkled with a few interesting tips and tricks. You ll learn that gang members sometime spawn at the bottom of the sea, that death in a closet can transport you across the map and of a secret tattoo parlor. As much as I like the game, I just don t have 150 hours of my life to devote to beating it I m far too busy playing Halo 2 and City of Heroes.

The Secrets of San Andreas [CVG]

GTA: San Andreas morality

Brian Crecente — Tue, 30 Nov 2004 10:34:33 MST

GTA: San Andreas as after-school special? Maybe that s a stretch, but the game does have its own form of positive message. Buried under all of that violence, gang-banging and hoing is a light anti-drug motif. CJ may bang with the best of them, but he doesn t use drugs or like people who do and at least one radio station DJ is very anti-drug. Too bad they choose anti-drugs instead of anti-violence as their message: I d rather be reading about a group of teens found eating their weight in Twinkies than some angry geek plotting the decimation of his local high school.

GTA: The after-school special [Guardian Unlimited]