Kotaku: take2

Del Toro Loves BioShock, Mehs Movie

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:00:52 MDT

Since earlier this year, there have been rumors of an inevitable no-brainer BioShock movie. If true, that adaptation would need a proven director who's able to handle dark, atmospheric movies. That adaptation would need Hellboy director Guillermo de Toro. The helmer writes on his official message board:

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.

Man, Guillermo del Toro is one of the few directors I can see making an unsucky BioShock flick. So, hear that? If he finds the right pitch, he's on board. If not, he'll still this still-rumored-movie out, and we'll get some crappy director instead. This isn't the first time his name has come up with a game adaptation. Del Toro almost says he almost directed the still-in-development-hell Halo movie, but ended up doing Hellboy 2 instead. About the unrealized Halo flick, he adds, "There's great movie to be made, read the novels..."
Talking Games [DelToroFilms via /Film via FirstShowing]

Three Movies Ken Levine Owns

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 02:00:35 MDT

So! Typically game industry types talk about release dates, number of characters and stuff like that. While it's good info, it really doesn't shed any light on them whatsoever. At all. This does. Well. Sorta. Here's a list of three videos BioShock creator Ken Levine owns and why he owns them. Ken?

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.

What we really what to know is what the hell Ken Levine is squinting at.
One and One [Game|Life]

GTA IV Game Play Demo

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 12:01:58 MDT

At today's Take2 presser, a demo of GTA IV gameplay was shown. Since Take2 wouldn't allow us to take pics of the presser (and apparently even had night vision googles to prevent it!), we don't have any snap shots of the footage. Instead, you get a photo of free t-shirts!

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.

Take-Two Investors Vote In New CEO, Board

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 20:20:44 MDT

After failing to find a suitable buyer for the company, Take-Two Interactive went ahead with its annual shareholders meeting today which ultimately saw investors ousting former CEO Paul Eibeler and voting in six new directors to sit on the board.

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]