Rockstar pledges quick 'Bully' fix

Bully, the video game in which players take on the role of a student in a boarding school, made a nice splash when it was released for the PS2 in 2006.

But the latest version of the game - which was developed by Rockstar Vancouver in, well, Vancouver - has been making news because of a plethora of bugs.

Bully: Scholarship Edition essentially takes the PS2 game and ports it to the Wii and the Xbox 360, but the Xbox 360 title has been routinely crashing for many users.

In a release to media, Darlan Monterisi Rockstar Games PR spokesperson had this to say:

We are very aware of the problems some people have been experiencing with the Xbox 360 version of Bully: Scholarship Edition and have been doing everything within our powers to resolve these issues as quickly as possible. We will be releasing a title update through Xbox Live within the next week that we are confident will rectify the problem. We apologize wholeheartedly for the inconvenience that this matter has caused some owners of the game.

Other gamers have come across a statement from none other than Rockstar big boss Sam Hauser:

We have just become aware of the issues people are having with Bully Scholarship Edition on Xbox 360. It appears that some older 360s are experiencing framerate issues, freezes and other problems. You have our word that we never experienced any of this in QA - in any of our offices or at Microsoft. I am horrified, and we are now working around the clock to rectify this situation. Thanks to Neo-Gaf for bringing this matter to our attention. We love our games and put a huge amount of energy and care into making them all that they can be. We would never shove anything out the door - we never have and never will. We apologise to everyone affected for the inconvenience. Respectfully, Sam Houser

So if you've had problems with your Xbox 360 version of Bully, stand by. A fix is coming soon.

EA says collaboration with Thompson 'impossible'

Gamasutra today published the contents of an e-mail letter in which Electronic Arts tells Jack Thompson to stay away from them and their business.

Jack Thompson, in case you don't know, is a U.S. conservative activist (read: wacko) who has tried to make a career out of preaching his backwards opinions as facts. He continually misrepresents aspects of the video game industry in his one-man crusade to try and rid the industry of violence.

Thompson's nemesis is Take-Two Interactive, the publisher of Rockstar Games titles such as Manhunt 2 and Bully. Thompson has repeatedly tried to get those games banned in any territory where a judge will actually grant him court time.

Now Thompson has taken his personal battle against Take-Two to Electronic Arts, and offered his assistance in helping EA succeed in their takeover bid for Take-Two.

In an e-mail letter sent to EA shareholders and media, Thompson makes bizarre statements about the character of Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick:

Strauss Zelnick is not a 'Boy Scout' as he actually hilariously described himself in The Wall Street Journal this week. Strauss Zelnick is a "Boy Scout" like Jeffrey Dahmer was a gourmet cook. Zelnick proved that with his Take-Two golden parachute scam.

How did EA respond to such an interesting offer?

Well, they essentially told Thompson to take a hike. But they did it very politely:

In response to your offer to assist in the proposed acquisition of Take-Two, we would strongly prefer that you not get involved in this matter.... EA is a strong supporter of creative freedom for game developers. We feel that your past statements – including false claims about content in our games – make any collaboration with you impossible.

Nice one, EA.

GTA IV website launched

Well, the moment at which fans of Grand Theft Auto will be able to play the new game approaches, and today we take another step towards it.

The official website for GTA IV went live today. It is age gated, so be prepared to lie about your age if you're a minor. From the press release from Rockstar Games:

Today, you are invited to take your first steps into our fictional world of Liberty City as well. Meet-up with Niko's cousin Roman at his cab company in Broker. Be first in line for an on-stage performance in Star Junction. Test out your fizz-handling skills at the Sprunk soda HQ in Alderney. Analyze your 'Love Meet' compatibility while strolling through Algonquin, then swing by the Steinway Beer Garden in Dukes for a pint. This is only the first taste of what's out there to discover in Liberty City.

Anyone else planning on visiting Liberty City?

Grand Theft Auto IV: April 29

The highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto IV will be available worldwide - on both PS3 and Xbox 360 - on April 29.

Rockstar Games had hoped to get the game out the door last fall - it would have helped with the financial status of parent company Take Two Interactive - but perhaps wisely held the game to make sure it was polished and ready.

Fans, I'm confident, approve, despite how anxious some are to play the game. GTA IV has the potential to set sales records.

The latest game in the franchise is set in Liberty City. You'll play as Nikloai Bellic, searching the city for a person of importance.

GameDaily has a round-up of eight new features in the game:

1. Technology: your character can use computers, Internet, mobile phones
2. More difficult police alert system: not so easy to get away
3. Role-playing features removed: customizing character and leveling up are gone
4. Going up: you'll be able to get onto the roofs of those skyscrapers
5. Aim control: free aim and zoom features for weapons
6. Hail a taxi: a safer way to get across town, especially given #2
7. How to make friends and influence people: networking has become a game mechanic
8. Multiplayer: perhaps even cooperative play

I'm looking forward to this. Plus, it looks amazing. What do you think?