ianoid
12-08-2003, 09:40 AM
Rockstar announced the much anticipated theme to it's upcoming sequel to Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. From the Rockstar North press release (12/8/03):
Entitled 'Grand Theft Auto: Crime of Biblical Proportions,' the new Grand Theft Auto is taking video games one step forward and two thousand years back. Livestock driven carts, gladiatorial chariots, canoes and arks are a few of the vehicles you will be piloting in this late Roman era epic crime based title. Every form of transport is fully stealable. Crime and punishment were just as rampant in the pre-messianic era as they are now, and Rockstar is taking the challenge of creating a game in this critical period in human history to heart.
'With all the controversy surrounding the other Grand Theft Auto titles, we wondered, 'What game would Jesus play?' We decided that a game set in His time would be easiest for Him to enjoy, and perhaps He could get some of his less godly aggressions out while playing a game, rather than bequeathing further plagues or law suits upon His children," explanied Leslie Benzies, president of Rockstar North.
New weapons include slings, slingshots, cannons, as well as swords. The most innovative weapon is the whip. "With practice, players can use the whip to disable opponents, torture denizens of the ancient world, and even steal money and objects from a distance," Benzies elaborated excitedly. As with Vice City, buildings may be entered, but unlike previous GTA games, buildings may be fully destructible, with huts and villages easily flattened by a chariot team. Of course, a soundtrack is planned for the game, which will include all the hits of our forefathers, and several new radiostations, in multiple archaic languages and formats. "Music has always been crucial to the GTA experience," Benzies clarified.
Although the game will defy the bible as all previous GTA games have before it, Benzies stated that Jesus and His disciples will play a firm role in the title's plot, and a new scoring system will be included (in addition to the usual citizens killed scoring) which will tally holy points, The player will accrue these points while performing His holy duties truthfully and in accordance with His word. Of course, the player will have opportunities to perform other less-godly tasks for the shadier denizens of the Roman empire. Fortunately, crucifiction will not be included as one of the player's duties. "We, here at Rockstar North, are crazy, but we're not that crazy," Benzies clarified. "This GTA chapter will introduce our otherwise morally decrepit players to the Lord Himself, perhaps lessening the outrage purported by middle america, Wal-mart and several lawyers upon Rockstar. Now the good deeds of youngsters can be blamed on our games, as well as their misdeeds.
"Our team of designers and programmers did extensive research to attempt to design the biblical world as realistically and as enjoyably as possible through regular trips to church and a site visit to Israel. The design team was brought together with it's intense dark vision of the Old City of Jerusalem. Livestock travels the street herded in packs. Traffic presents the usual challenges. Street vendors interactively hawk their wares, and provide a steady stream of shekels should the player decide to racketeer them. Public officials are even fully bribeable!"
Release is planned for Christmas this year. Pre-ordering fans will receive a special pack-in version of the Rockstar Bible, which will include maps of the biblical world and storyline hints which will assist the player through his before the common era travels.
Entitled 'Grand Theft Auto: Crime of Biblical Proportions,' the new Grand Theft Auto is taking video games one step forward and two thousand years back. Livestock driven carts, gladiatorial chariots, canoes and arks are a few of the vehicles you will be piloting in this late Roman era epic crime based title. Every form of transport is fully stealable. Crime and punishment were just as rampant in the pre-messianic era as they are now, and Rockstar is taking the challenge of creating a game in this critical period in human history to heart.
'With all the controversy surrounding the other Grand Theft Auto titles, we wondered, 'What game would Jesus play?' We decided that a game set in His time would be easiest for Him to enjoy, and perhaps He could get some of his less godly aggressions out while playing a game, rather than bequeathing further plagues or law suits upon His children," explanied Leslie Benzies, president of Rockstar North.
New weapons include slings, slingshots, cannons, as well as swords. The most innovative weapon is the whip. "With practice, players can use the whip to disable opponents, torture denizens of the ancient world, and even steal money and objects from a distance," Benzies elaborated excitedly. As with Vice City, buildings may be entered, but unlike previous GTA games, buildings may be fully destructible, with huts and villages easily flattened by a chariot team. Of course, a soundtrack is planned for the game, which will include all the hits of our forefathers, and several new radiostations, in multiple archaic languages and formats. "Music has always been crucial to the GTA experience," Benzies clarified.
Although the game will defy the bible as all previous GTA games have before it, Benzies stated that Jesus and His disciples will play a firm role in the title's plot, and a new scoring system will be included (in addition to the usual citizens killed scoring) which will tally holy points, The player will accrue these points while performing His holy duties truthfully and in accordance with His word. Of course, the player will have opportunities to perform other less-godly tasks for the shadier denizens of the Roman empire. Fortunately, crucifiction will not be included as one of the player's duties. "We, here at Rockstar North, are crazy, but we're not that crazy," Benzies clarified. "This GTA chapter will introduce our otherwise morally decrepit players to the Lord Himself, perhaps lessening the outrage purported by middle america, Wal-mart and several lawyers upon Rockstar. Now the good deeds of youngsters can be blamed on our games, as well as their misdeeds.
"Our team of designers and programmers did extensive research to attempt to design the biblical world as realistically and as enjoyably as possible through regular trips to church and a site visit to Israel. The design team was brought together with it's intense dark vision of the Old City of Jerusalem. Livestock travels the street herded in packs. Traffic presents the usual challenges. Street vendors interactively hawk their wares, and provide a steady stream of shekels should the player decide to racketeer them. Public officials are even fully bribeable!"
Release is planned for Christmas this year. Pre-ordering fans will receive a special pack-in version of the Rockstar Bible, which will include maps of the biblical world and storyline hints which will assist the player through his before the common era travels.