Mortal Human

BoGT Slated For Fall '09

With the T2 press release for their Ballad Of Gay Tony episodic content, Rockstar Games’ second episodic release for the new Liberty City found in Grand Theft Auto IV, there came a bit of a shocker to the gaming community worldwide: This second episode will be delivered not only the same way as Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned was delivered, but will also be packaged with The Lost & Damned, that’s both episodes on old-style DVD, for $39.99.

This does not include, of course, the vanilla GTA IV experience. Niko Bellic’s story will remain stand alone, but who would have thought that the episodes would come as a stand alone package themselves? I predicted it. Stand alone means that although the original release of The Lost And Damned required GTA IV to run, the double pack of episodes will run without GTA IV. This leads me to believe that the Xbox 360 exclusivity will expire, the fully-packed disc being the way this masterpiece and revolution in gaming is finally complimented and completed for the PlayStation 3.

Why? Simply put, Sony is now charging for downloads from their network for DLC. On top of that, most of the people who would have purchased The Lost And Damned already have. By packaging both episodes into one stand-alone game, Rockstar not only dodges the new-ish developer distribution fees of the PlayStation Network but also ensures that BOTH episodes will sell to that market. Since the episodes alone, when downloaded through Xbox Live, are $19.99 each, the $39.99 price tag of Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City ensures that PS3 owners are every bit the equal or better (PlayStation numbers continue to rise) an investment as the Xbox 360 users who got the content first.

Sam Houser, founder of Rockstar Games, had this to say:

“Liberty City is the most vibrant game world we’ve created yet. The episodic structure has allowed us to interweave stories, gameplay and atmosphere in a whole new way. The team at Rockstar North have yet again surpassed themselves, and made something that is both epic and very innovative. This episode’s focus on high-end night life contrasts with the biker gangs portrayed in The Lost and Damned, whilst giving us a lot of new gameplay possibilities.”

I’ve got nothing bad to say to that. It’s true. This new iteration of the GTA series has amazed me more so than any other bit of interactive entertainment has in my entire life. At least since maybe Mega Man, and I was like 4 then, and much easier to amuse. Liberty City is a huge and open, living, breathing environment the likes of which no other game has come close to showcasing. Not only that, but I can not think of any other single piece of real-time-rendered entertainment that does as much on screen at any one time. The life simulated in the world of Liberty City is awe inspiring.

I am looking forward to the Ballad of Gay Tony and I have my fingers crossed about a PlayStation 3 release because it will mean a PC release for certain. Either way, whether I get to play it or not, I will definitely be addicted to YouTube on release day.

The Ballad Of Gay Tony is currently slated in forward thinking to release “Fall 2009″. I’ll be watching the PS3 rumor trail closely until then, although if it does get pressed to a Bluray, I’m sure it won’t be until mid 2010.