First they sent children's drawings close to Father's Day.

Then they sent a record right before Independence Day.

I assume 2K's next BioShock 2 mailing will arrive, unmarked on.... Labor Day?

The company pointed to two other titles, NBA 2K9 and Carnival Games as leaders for the quarter, laying out its fiscal 2009 game plan. That includes two batches of Grand Theft Auto IV downloadable episodes due by October 31, 2009, one of which has already been announced and dated. The company boasted that more than 3 million games in the Carnival Games series have been shipped.

Take-Two list the PlayStation 3 as its biggest revenue generator on the publishing side, with 35% of the quarterly take. That beats out the Xbox 360, which brought in 28% of its publishing dollars, and the Wii, at 11%.

For the entire fiscal year, Take-Two brought in $1.5375 billion in revenue, with $97.1 million in net revenue. That's much better than the company's 2007, when it raked in $981.8 million, resulting in a loss of over $138 million.

I love BIOSHOCK from a design point of view but Unless its a HELLBOY sequel I am not that eager to engage in another action-oriented movie. Even if the other elements are right. BUt- if I found the right pitch on the material, who knows- the BIOSHOCK universe is indeed wonderful.

Miller's Crossing: Because it's the best written movie, like, ever. And if you've seen it and played BioShock, you can see the influence it had on me.

I Claudius: Blood, political intrigue and nudity. Also, insanely well written. What else could you ask for?

Return of the Jedi: Because it came with The Empire Strikes Back.

We're going to give a firm date when we are utterly convinced that we have it and that isn't right now...we're not in the business of disappointing investors.

Multiple edits were made to revise Manhunt 2 for its M-rated version. Hackers apparently have altered one of those edits to produce an illegally modified version of the game that can only be played on an unauthorized, modified PlayStation Portable handheld system...Take-Two Chairman Strauss Zelnick said, "I stand behind the game and the ESRB ratings process. It is unfortunately the case that no one in the entertainment software industry is immune from hacking...We would also like to emphasize that Manhunt 2 is intended for an audience aged 17 and above.

BREAKING: Rockstar Confirms Manhunt 2 PSP Hack [gamepolitics]

Full release notes after the jump.

NFO(release notes):

*******************************************************************************
Manhunt 2 (Banned Uncut)
*******************************************************************************

———————————————————————————————————————-
General Information
———————————————————————————————————————-
Type.................: Game
Platform.............: PS2
Number of Parts......: 57 Including PARS
Image Format.........: Other (specify)
Image Created with...: CloneCD
Burn Tested..........: Yes

———————————————————————————————————————-
Post Information
———————————————————————————————————————-
Posted by............: Team Slonik
Posted to............: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Parts per Day........: Dont Ask
Fills Policy.........: Other (specify)
Repost Policy........: Other (specify)

———————————————————————————————————————-
Release Notes
———————————————————————————————————————-
Greetz to the scene. Here we have the kick ass game (Manhunt 2 Banned Uncut
Version) from Team Slonik.

———————————————————————————————————————-
Install Notes
———————————————————————————————————————-
Extract and Burn with CloneCD

Note: We believe this to be a BETA version, so no crying if it fucks up on you.

Peace out!!!Manhunt 2 Leaked [via play]

Here's what happened: the main character Niko stands in Liberty City's equivalent of Times Square. He trots over to a black sedan. He gets in. He drives a few blocks and gets out at the docks. He looks at the water. He gets out his cell phone and calls for guns. The end.

Exciting! In Rockstar's defense, they told us it was short on purpose, and that it was simply a taste. Or a bite. Or a morsel. The code they showed was unfinished, and the music was a placeholder. What's more, the voice track hadn't yet been dropped in. Still, it looked nice and will sell exactly one bagazillion copies. You can quote me.

"The Rockstar team has come up with a game that fits squarely within the horror genre and was intended to do so...It brings a unique, formerly unheard of cinematic quality to interactive entertainment, and is also a fine piece of art"

Banned video game is 'fine art' [BBC News - Thanks Hugh]

Three board members were targeted for removal, according to Bloomberg. Current CFO Karl Winters will remain at Take-Two for the time being, despite conjecture to the contrary.

Plagued by an stock option backdating scandal and five quarters of losses, shareholders voted to put Strauss Zelnick in the position of chairman and Benjamin Feder in the position of chief executive officer.

News of the shareholder takeover come just hours after the public premiere of Grand Theft Auto IV, Take-Two's most profitable franchise.

More details on the top level changes at Take-Two are available at Bloomberg. Michael McWhertor

Take-Two Dissidents Win Control, Install New Chief [Bloomberg]

Just when you thought he couldn't get any nuttier...

In an effort to head JT off at the pass, Take2 announced Friday that they were bringing their own preemptive lawsuit against the video game hating troll. Not surprisingly, JT shot back with another of his typically insane rants, although this time his madness seems to have gone a step further. Now Thompson has decided to call the powers of heaven and earth to his side for the battle of the century. In his rambling letter he not only quotes the Bible to support his point, but ends with a surprisingly extended shout out to the Big Guy Upstairs. (Let it be noted that I have nothing against the Bible or Christians and am in no way implying that they are crazy. Although, I don't think it helps his case to try and use such things when dealing with a legal matter.) My favorite quote, however comes in the middle:

This lawsuit, filed in US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, is, without a doubt, the single dumbest thing I have ever seen any lawyers do in my thirty years of practicing law.

Apparently, Mr. Thompson hasn't examined his own actions in the last ten or fifteen years. Make the jump to read his letter in it's entirety which I am thrilled to say he sent to me personally. My first official JT email, I guess I have finally arrived. Flynn De Marco

Heads-Up to Video Game Industry Press Re Take-Two Lawsuit Against Jack Thompson

Dear Gamers and Gamer Publications on the Internet and Elsewhere:

I have been praying, literally, that Take-Two and its lawyers would do something so stupid, so arrogant, so dumb, even dumber than what they have to date done, that such a misstep would enable me to destroy Take-Two. With the filing of this SLAPP lawsuit last week, my prayers are finally answered.

This lawsuit, filed in US District Court for the Southern District of Florida, is, without a doubt, the single dumbest thing I have ever seen any lawyers do in my thirty years of practicing law—while in continuous good standing to do so with The Florida Bar, I might add, the shock radio and video game industry's efforts notwithstanding.

I encourage folks to read Psalm 35, a Psalm of David, which is brilliant in its entirety (since God Himself wrote it), but for those who don't own a Bible or who think their hands will catch on fire if they touch one, here is the salient portion that applies to this lawsuit:

7 For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit,
which without cause they have digged for my soul.

8 Let destruction come upon him at unawares;
and let his net that he hath hid catch himself:
into that very destruction let him fall.

9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD:
it shall rejoice in his salvation.

The pit Take-Two has dug for itself will be patently clear next week when I strike back. Oh, and by the way, the entire Take-Two management and board will be gone on March 23, so this pit-digging comes at a very bad time indeed.

Amen, and Praise be to God Almighty, maker of Heaven, Earth, and yes, the maker even of video games. Jack Thompson

Bapenguin over on the Evil Avatar forums has a detailed rundown of his firsthand observations of Bully, Rockstar's latest attention-getting title.

When Bully was announced back at E3 2005 to a small closed door group of press it immediately garnered a ton of attention. Unfortunately it was the wrong kind of attention with numerous groups and a lawyer that should not be named claiming the game was a Columbine Simulator. These people went as far as saying the game should be cancelled and that it was irresponsible of Rockstar to make such a game. These people are also idiots. They were irresponsible for not getting all the information on this game before making these outrageous claims. Bully is a caricature of boarding school life. Bully is no more a Columbine simulator than robotic crabs are a part of Japanese history.

After reading his full report on the game, I'm well vindicated that the Peaceaholics, the biggest group protesting the release of the game, and their various lawyer and politician chums have egg on their face.

And that's enough to make me preorder. Eliza Gauger

Bully Hands-On Preview [Evil Avatar, via Digg]

Take-Two is creating a console and handheld game based on the Ghost Rider movie due to hit theaters next February.

The game will be a third-person action title based on both the comics and movie and is set for simultaneous release with the flick.

Featuring many of the characters and motorcycles from the comic book and movie, Ghost Rider will engage gamers in an immersive, supernatural third person world with a seamless blend of hand-to-hand combat and high-speed motorcycle action.

"Ghost Rider is one of Marvel Comics' most successful comic book franchises and we're thrilled to bring this beloved series to a broader audience," said Christoph Hartmann, Managing Director of 2K Games. "The video game will build upon the popular elements from the Ghost Rider franchise and intertwine its thrilling action and original, compelling content into a gaming experience fans will love."

"Marvel is excited about the upcoming Ghost Rider video game," said Ames Kirshen, Vice President, Interactive at Marvel Entertainment. "2K Games is creating an innovative game that showcases a combination of amazing hand-to-hand combat and motorcycle action intertwined with compelling third person play that offer gamers a truly unique and diverse gameplay experience."

New York, NY - May 1, 2006 - 2K Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), announced today that it will publish Ghost Rider, a new third person action title featuring Marvel Comics' iconic motorcycle riding supernatural super hero, Ghost Rider. The game will be based on both the classic comic book series as well as Columbia Pictures/Marvel Studios' star-studded big screen adaptation of Ghost Rider that is expected to blaze into theaters February 2007. The big-screen action-adventurer features Oscar -winner Nicolas Cage in the title role alongside Eva Mendes (Hitch) and Wes Bentley (American Beauty) as the villainous Blackheart. Ghost Rider is being developed for console and handheld systems by Climax Group and is scheduled for simultaneous release with the movie.

The Ghost Rider feature film follows superstar motorcycle stunt rider Johnny Blaze as he strikes a deal with the vile Mephistopheles for the most precious of commodities - his immortal soul. Now Johnny Blaze is forever destined to ride night after night as the host to the powerful supernatural entity known as the Ghost Rider. The video game continues the storyline, dropping players into the role of Blaze as he is transformed into a super hero with powers to avenge any evil he encounters. Featuring many of the characters and motorcycles from the comic book and movie, Ghost Rider will engage gamers in an immersive, supernatural third person world with a seamless blend of hand-to-hand combat and high-speed motorcycle action.

"Ghost Rider is one of Marvel Comics' most successful comic book franchises and we're thrilled to bring this beloved series to a broader audience," said Christoph Hartmann, Managing Director of 2K Games. "The video game will build upon the popular elements from the Ghost Rider franchise and intertwine its thrilling action and original, compelling content into a gaming experience fans will love."

"Marvel is excited about the upcoming Ghost Rider video game," said Ames Kirshen, Vice President, Interactive at Marvel Entertainment. "2K Games is creating an innovative game that showcases a combination of amazing hand-to-hand combat and motorcycle action intertwined with compelling third person play that offer gamers a truly unique and diverse gameplay experience."

There are some solid real-world figures here that show how much developers actually make on each sale, with and without going through a publisher. It's also refreshing to read about Stardock's perspective on copy protection (there isn't any), how to improve on your previous game, and future proofing their software (the game was built to scale well for future PCs).

Postmortem: Stardock's Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords

Back in October 2005, Take 2 announced a new Grand Theft Auto title would be coming to the PSP in 2006. GTA fans wondered if it would be the rumored Vice City Stories. On March 21st, the company filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a Vice City Stories trademark. The patent is good for computer game programs, software, cartridges, instruction manuals and pissing off politicians.

More Here [CodeNameGTA] Thanks, Craig!

The next DS game will be Dungeon Siege II Throne of Agony for the Playstation Portable, due out this Fall.

Dungeon Siege II: Broken World picks up right where Dungeon Siege II left off with an all-new campaign mode, a new playable race, more items to discover and a brand new multi-class character development system. Dungeon Siege II: Broken World will require the full version of Dungeon Siege II.

Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony for the PSP system, under development by SuperVillain Studios, is an entirely new adventure created specifically for the handheld system. The title features all-new playable characters and a freshly designed, non-linear, single player campaign as well as support for Ad Hoc co-operative and competitive multiplayer games.

Gas Powered Games will be developing the expansion pack and Super Villain Studios is developing the PSP game.

Take 2's office on Broadway was hit by a five alarm fire last night. The publisher's office was apparently hit very badly, though both Rockstar and the corporate offices were unaffected because they aren't in the building.

The side of the office where the suits live was hardest hit. Apparently the office is home to tons of original and extremely valuable art from people like Andy Warhol, Damian Hirst and Keith Haring. No word if they were damanged.

The fire started about 10 p.m. Saturday. Officials believe it began in the first floor or perhaps the ceiling of the basement. Six firefighters and one other person suffered minor injuries. The cause of the fire is still undetermined.

Don't read anything into that last line, they always say that until they're absolutely sure.

Fire Rips Through Historic SoHo Building [ABC Local]

While perusing a Take 2 financial report we stumbled across this nugget:
"For Fiscal 2006, we are well positioned for the opportunities to extend our brands across the large installed base of current generation platforms, as well as next generation hardware including the two previously announced Rockstar Games titles for the PSP, one of which is new Grand Theft Auto title."

The first PSP game returned to Liberty City, is the second going to take us back to Vice City? That'd be original.

Just got word that Serious Sam 2 is going to be selling at a bargain price. The PC version will sell for $29.99, while the Xbox version will sell for $39.99. The best part is that this latest SS will be longer than the first and second encounters combined. Go bargain prices. Man, I m really starting to like Take 2.

Serious Sam 2 Released at Bargain Price [Shack News]