Massively

Newest version of GTA mod brings us one step closer to a GTA MMO

Shawn Schuster — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Crime, Miscellaneous

If you're a fan of the classic Grand Theft Auto games (the popular ones, not the older ones that nobody played), then we may have some good news for you as an MMO player. A new update has been released for the Multi Theft Auto mod (v1.3) that introduces voice chat, bringing us that much closer to a true GTA MMO.

The wildly popular mod for GTA: San Andreas adds multiplayer functionality to the original Rockstar game, which was released just over seven years ago. It also includes a full map editor, dedicated Windows server package, and everything else you need to rat-a-tat-tat your friends in a simulated Dr. Dre album setting.

Sound like a good time? Check out a video sample after the jump, and head over to the official website for more info.

Continue reading Newest version of GTA mod brings us one step closer to a GTA MMO

Newest version of GTA mod brings us one step closer to a GTA MMO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Take-Two signs with XLGames to make existing property into an MMO

Jef Reahard — Mon, 23 May 2011 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: MMO industry, New titles, News items, Rumors, Miscellaneous

How would a Grand Theft Auto MMO grab you? Would you play a Red Dead Redemption or LA Noire massively multiplayer title? While the possibility of said games still falls into the rumor category at this point, we can confirm that Take-Two Interactive has entered into a partnership with XL Games to make one of the former's existing properties into an MMO.

XL has been in the news recently due to its upcoming ArcheAge sandpark, and the company founded by noted Lineage developer Jake Song will work on the new title with Take-Two subsidiary 2K Games. Kotaku first reported the rumor to the English-speaking world earlier this morning, while the source is Korean website 4gamer.

A press release has also been issued by 2K; CEO Christoph Hartmann hints at the company's desire to broaden its horizons. "Our partnership with XL Games underscores our ongoing commitment to expanding 2K's presence in online gaming and the Asian market," Hartmann explains. XL's Song says that work on the new title is ongoing. "We have already been working together for a year on the game, and I can tell you this is one of the most exciting projects that I've ever undertaken," he said.

Take-Two signs with XLGames to make existing property into an MMO originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 May 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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APB's Book-Larsson talks story, game modes

Jef Reahard — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: News items, Free-to-play, All Points Bulletin, Crime, Dev Diaries

Bjorn Book-Larsson is back! Forgive the exclamation point, but we had to accentuate the latest in the long line of developers with action hero names (and with apologies to Atanas Atanasov and Tasos Flambouras, Book-Larsson has vaulted near the top of the spiffy name list). In any case, the GamersFirst COO/CTO has updated his APB Reloaded blog with some interesting insights into the game's story.

Yes, you read that right; we said story and APB in the same sentence, and before you think we've been brainwashed by the likes of The Old Republic, TERA, and other story-centric MMOs in the offing, consider Book-Larsson's assertion that APB was originally designed to facilitate the "open world-ish" nature of the Grand Theft Auto series. "APB actually has the beginnings of a lot of the elements that will make it a really successful game in the long term, and could in theory exploit (maybe complete) both types of interactions [story and shooter elements]; there is actually a giant backstory to the entire city (100 plus pages of it), there are deep anthologies of the various factions in the city, and there is even the foundation for a single-player mission mode," he writes.

Whether or not players will care about APB's potential to grow beyond an ordinary shooter remains to be seen. After all, Global Agenda is a similar title with a fairly deep backstory (and one that is summarily ignored by 99.9% of the players fragging it up in AvA and merc matches). The fact that GamersFirst is even considering future additions to APB is relatively exciting news, and we'll be watching with great interest.

APB's Book-Larsson talks story, game modes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: Video game violence provokes aggression in some kids but not others

Lisa Poisso — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

Sensible parents have long recognized that the way kids react to video game violence varies according to their personalities. A recent post at Bitmob illustrated one parent's recognition of the innocence with which his four-year-old son approached an opportunity to play Grand Theft Auto. "I understand not every kid is like mine, so I wouldn't recommend that every parent allow their child to play Grand Theft Auto," he wrote. "But I would recommend that you listen and pay attention to your little ones to determine what they are capable of handling and what they are not ready for yet."

Now, new research tells us how to determine exactly that. A report in the June issue of Review of General Psychology has pinpointed the factors that determine why violent video games provoke hostile behavior in some teens but not in others.

Continue reading MMO Family: Video game violence provokes aggression in some kids but not others

MMO Family: Video game violence provokes aggression in some kids but not others originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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To Live and Die in San Paro: APB first impressions

Jef Reahard — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Launches, New titles, All Points Bulletin, Crime

Welcome, criminals and enforcers alike, to Massively's first impressions of All Points Bulletin. We've been spending a bit of time in the beta, as well as the recent Key to the City event, and we're here to bring you the skinny on what it's like to live (and die) on the streets of San Paro. Realtime Worlds has created a unique title, one that certainly won't appeal to everyone and is somewhat rough around the edges, but one that also has a mountain of potential.

Yes, I know, the dreaded P-word, often thrown about during an MMO's launch window as a way of deflecting criticisms. In APB's case though, it fits. Perhaps the first thing that needs addressing when looking at a game like APB is something many of our commenters have opined about as we've covered the game these past few months, namely, is it in fact an MMO. The answer is... kinda. To elaborate, we'll take a quick look at how the game works before diving head first into our opinions, both good and bad.

Hit the jump for more.

Continue reading To Live and Die in San Paro: APB first impressions

To Live and Die in San Paro: APB first impressions originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aussies denied APB

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: MMO industry, All Points Bulletin, Crime

The Land Down Under has always been notorious about creating obstacles between perceived violent video games and Australian gamers, but for once, a game title that's denied to the populace has nothing to do with its love of beatdowns.

Kotaku Australia is reporting that All Points Bulletin won't see the light of day in Crocodile Dundee's backyard when it launches elsewhere in July. Apparently, because of its fast-paced gameplay, APB needs local servers to facilitate low latency -- and Realtime Worlds has no plan to open an Australian server. No server, no release. Crikey!

Considering all of the positive buzz swirling about this GTA-like game, it's a shame to see a good chunk of game fanatics denied the basic right of life, liberty and the pursuit of all suspects. Aussies can buy an overseas copy and attempt to play on those servers, but as you might imagine, the ping will make that a frustrating experience.

Aussies denied APB originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All Points Bulletin beta kicks off

Kyle Horner — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, New titles, News items, All Points Bulletin, Crime

It's been a while since beta sign-ups opened late last year, but All Points Bulletin is finally moving into closed beta, it would seem. Several people are receiving emails welcoming them into Realtime Worlds' persistent online world that's a cross between GTA and the ultimate set of customization tools for characters, cars and music seen, well, probably ever.

Between video podcasts, interviews here on Massively and plenty of wishful thinking, it's been a considerably long wait. Our best guess is that the initial wave of invites is a fairly low number, as it usually is, so don't feel too distraught if you weren't invited. These things have a way of expanding over time, after all.

All Points Bulletin beta kicks off originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GDC10: Welcome to Poisonville

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Events, real-world, Poisonville

Fast stolen cars, brutal gang warfare and a large city to explore and conquer -- sounds like Grand Theft Auto, does it not? Actually, it's Poisonville, a new browser-based 3D MMO where you'll jump into a gangster's shoes (it's okay, the former owner totally didn't need them) and join one of four gangs struggling to control the titular city.

After a gang indoctrination ceremony, Massively was allowed in Bigpoint's hideout to talk about Poisonville with CTO Jan Wergin and media consultant Erik Reynolds. Bigpoint, the same developer that recently announced their upcoming Battlestar Galactica MMO, claims that Poisonville is the most expensive browser MMO built to date, with a budget of over $2 million.

While browser MMOs sometimes get a bum rap, this one looks to be fairly impressive, allowing up to 4,000 players to experience fast-paced twitch battles in the same instance of a city.

Gallery: GDC10: Poisonville

Continue reading GDC10: Welcome to Poisonville

GDC10: Welcome to Poisonville originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All Points Bulletin chaos to balance out with Criminal and Enforcer dynamic

James Egan — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Interviews, New titles, All Points Bulletin, Crime

The upcoming criminals-vs.-vigilantes game All Points Bulletin holds the promise of being an absolutely chaotic rampage, where a hundred players lay waste to a sprawling urban environment. While that *seems* like it would be fun, for a while anyway, even the most destructive gamer incarnate of Jack Thompson's personal antichrist will ultimately grow tired of blowing stuff up. Fortunately, that's not what APB is going to be all about.

In fact, a closer look at this game can makes us wonder: Is it really possible to compare the unbridled carnage and hot coffee of Grand Theft Auto with the gameplay of ABP? Not really, according to Realtime Worlds creative director Dave Jones, who spoke about APB with Chris Kohler from Wired's GameLife blog. Jones told Wired, "There's nothing to compare it to, but that's kind of what we try to do with our games."

Continue reading All Points Bulletin chaos to balance out with Criminal and Enforcer dynamic

All Points Bulletin chaos to balance out with Criminal and Enforcer dynamic originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GTA MMO would be a profitable venture, analyst suggests

Seraphina Brennan — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: At a glance, News items, Opinion, Crime, Rumors

In a recent set of statements to Gamasutra, Mike Hickey, an analyst with Janco Partners, brought up the profitability of an MMO set within the Grand Theft Auto franchise.

While Hickey notes that success would only be possible if Take-Two partnered up with another company who had a well designed infrastructure and MMO experience, the whole paragraph is certainly a nod in the direction of online crime games at large -- a genre relatively untapped in the MMO landscape.

Certainly a Grand Theft Auto MMO would be the new gorilla of the online space, one can't easily forget about the stylized and anticipated offering from Crackdown developer Realtime Worlds, All Points Bulletin. A GTA MMO would certainly be nice, but APB will certainly be setting the bar for all upcoming crime MMOs, regardless of a GTA entry into the scene.

GTA MMO would be a profitable venture, analyst suggests originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 May 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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APB's Realtime Worlds gets new CEO: Gary Dale

Jon Shute — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: MMO industry, New titles, News items, All Points Bulletin, Crime

Realtime Worlds, creator of the XBox 360 game Crackdown and the upcoming Cops and Robbers themed MMO All Points Bulletin has announced that Gary Dale has been appointed as their new CEO to help oversee their transition from being a traditional game developer to an online publisher. Realtime Worlds repurchased the rights for All Points Bulletin from publisher Webzen last year for an undisclosed amount.

Dale has previously been the chief executive officer and executive vice president of Take-Two Interactive Software. Before that he was the chief operating officer for their Rockstar Games publishing label. Realtime Worlds was founded in 2002 by David Jones, whose previous credits include Grand Theft Auto and Lemmings, and had served as CEO up until now. He remains with the company as creative director.

APB's Realtime Worlds gets new CEO: Gary Dale originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Take-Two Interactive considering subs and microtransactions for top titles

James Egan — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business models, Expansions, MMO industry, News items

Subscriptions have been the bread and butter of MMOs since the days of Ultima Online, but subs may be coming to some popular standalone PC titles from Take-Two Interactive, presumably the Grand Theft Auto franchise and BioShock. Brian Crecente of Kotaku reports that "at the BMO Capital Markets conference, Take-Two head honcho Strauss Zelnick seemed very up on the idea of downloadable content, micro-transactions and even... subscriptions."

This falls in line with their business model of periodically offering downloadable content to either extend the storyline of a game, or to simply offer varied gameplay experiences. Downloadable content and microtransactions could solve some of the issues game publishers have with their titles being re-sold, allowing them to have a continuous revenue stream, and perhaps dissuading many consumers from reselling that game in the first place. Regular content refreshes could ensure that these games don't go stale and end up relegated to a dusty bookshelf. Zelnick implied that this business model, should it come to be, would likely only affect Take-Two's biggest titles. This implies changes to the business models for Grand Theft Auto and BioShock, although the words "Midnight Club Online" also seem apt.

But do you feel that adding the trappings of the MMO business model, namely subs and microtransactions, would enhance your experience with a standalone title, both as a gamer and as a consumer? Are more MMO-like PC games a good thing, or are you more of an MMO purist?

Take-Two Interactive considering subs and microtransactions for top titles originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Realtime Worlds donates $1k to APB fansite

Kyle Horner — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: New titles, News items, All Points Bulletin

Fansites have always been a labor of love. People create, share and maintain them at a cost simply because they're passionate about something. In the case of APB-Evoloved.com that passion lies with Realtime Worlds' upcoming grand-theft-style MMO All Points Bulletin. Their love for the customization-centric MMO certainly isn't singular. In fact, another thing that their love for APB isn't is unnoticed. The fansite's webhosting woes were recently resolved through a $1,000 donation made by none-other than Realtime Worlds itself. How's that for fan appreciation?

This is by no means a common occurrence for fansites and certainly shows how much Realtime Worlds appreciates what the guys at APB-Evolved.com are doing for their game and its community. Although this isn't the first time that the fansite has seen some love from the developer. With a fully open beta coming sometime in the future it's starting to seem certain that All Points Bulletin will have a very strong community -- especially if these sorts of things continue to happen.

[Thanks, Tom]

Realtime Worlds donates $1k to APB fansite originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why APB's customization options might be a big deal (or not)

Samuel Axon — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Opinion, All Points Bulletin, Crime

There's a clip over at GameVideos (embedded above) that depicts All Points Bulletin's character customization system. We say "customization" instead of "creation" because we doubt all the exhibited features will be available to new players. We learned at GDC (in the very same session this video originated from, actually) that visual customization options will be among players' rewards for successful play.

Rock, Paper, Shotgun's Kieron Gillen was nevertheless impressed with all the options. He commented on the exhibit, and posited that APB has that Grand Theft Auto je ne sais quoi. The culprit: the art style, which when combined with creativity will give the game a human quality that transcends the mechanics of the game. Because of that, Gillen is looking forward to APB more than he is to any other MMO.

He took a jab at World of Warcraft, saying that because each item of clothing in WoW has critical stats tied to it, no one expresses him or herself through clothing. Stats are more important than self-expression in WoW society, right? Gillen prefers the City of Heroes approach, which he believes APB shares. But does it? We don't really know yet, do we? Maybe your clothing style affects your skills. That's something to wonder about. We'll see.

Why APB's customization options might be a big deal (or not) originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All Points Bulletin: Can drop-in PvP succeed in the MMO space?

James Egan — Sat, 31 May 2008 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: PvP, Opinion, All Points Bulletin, Crime

All Points Bulletin is one of those games that fans of Grand Theft Auto have been wanting for years. Merely saying 'want' cannot convey the unbridled desire that a number of people have expressed for an urban crime game where you're not completely isolated from other players. There is a certain person on the Massively team -- blown away by GTA: San Andreas years ago -- who would go to sleep with whispered prayers in the dark, that his deviant rampages could be shared online with his equally deviant friends around the world, day or night.

The allure of this type of game is strong, but equally strong is the likelihood of an overdose on pure chaos. One imagines a map full of amped up Criminals in desperate need of Ritalin, taking to the streets with RPG's and flattening traffic jams in backward-firing tanks, countered by a legion of overzealous Enforcers dispensing 'justice' with reckless abandon. Therein lies the problem: Part of what makes GTA so successful is that as Tommy Vercetti, or C.J. (or any of the other questionable protagonists a player becomes in the legacy title), there's no one else out there who's as badass as you. But what happens when mobs of Criminals or Enforcers of your caliber are turned loose in the city? What if they're even worse than you are? Welcome to the blender.

Continue reading All Points Bulletin: Can drop-in PvP succeed in the MMO space?

All Points Bulletin: Can drop-in PvP succeed in the MMO space? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 May 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively Speaking Podcast Episode 5

Michael Zenke — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Culture, Massively Speaking

Massively Speaking Episode 5 runs down news and features from Massively.com for the week of May 5th - May 11th. There was just a teeny bit of a news drop last week from Blizzard. Join your regular hosts Michael and Shawn as well as guests Brenda Holloway and Akela Talamasca as we deconstruct the Lich King news, the APB/GTA rumor, and our exclusive previews of Vanguard game update 5.

Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot us an email to massivelyspeakingpodcast AT gmail DOT com. Maybe we'll read your letter on the air!

Get the podcast:
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Listen here on the page:

Read below the cut for the full show notes.

Continue reading Massively Speaking Podcast Episode 5

Massively Speaking Podcast Episode 5 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 May 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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APB gets interrogated

Eli Shayotovich — Mon, 12 May 2008 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: At a glance, Interviews, New titles, All Points Bulletin, Crime

Back at E3 2005 I had the opportunity to interview David Jones, creator of Grand Theft Auto, about their cops and robbers MMO, All Points Bulletin . Since its announcement at E3 not much has been revealed about the game... until recently. Last week rumors swirled that APB was going to turn into GTA Online, then there was the re-acquisition of the IP rights by Realtime Worlds from Webzen, and now we have an in-depth and revealing interview with Walter Kong, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Realtime.

While the concept of APB may sound similar to Grand Theft Auto, it's not. In APB gamers can play as either cops or robbers within the three dimensional, open world. What's more, Realtime is going to use "players as content. " Basically, they are attempting to take the PvP experience and craft missions around it. Most games are either PvE or PvP; APB will bring those two very divergent styles together.

Continue reading APB gets interrogated

APB gets interrogated originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 May 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All Points Bulletin to become Grand Theft Auto Online?

Michael Zenke — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:15:00 EST

Filed under: Real life, All Points Bulletin, Rumors

Eurogamer is reporting on rumors of what could be the holy grail of online gaming: a Grand Theft Auto massively multiplayer game. Rumors are circulating that Realtime Worlds reaquired the publishing rights for their in-development All Points Bulletin for a very specific purpose. Originally to be published by Webzen, Realtime now hopes to sell the game to Rockstar as a framework for a GTA MMO.

According to the site, they were tipped off that a GTA transition was the rationale behind the rights re-purchase. The article goes on to report that Realtime is claiming ignorance of this rumor. They admit that they pulled back the APB rights from Webzen to "give them some options", and that they'd be open to working with other companies to see the game published. Rockstar hasn't, as yet, commented on the rumor.

Have you been enjoying GTA IV? Would you jump into a GTA MMO?

All Points Bulletin to become Grand Theft Auto Online? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 May 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMOGology: Grand Theft MMO

Marc Nottke — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: New titles, Opinion, MMOGology, Crime, Rumors, CrimeCraft

On Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 Rockstar Games released Grand Theft Auto IV (GTA IV), one of the most anticipated games of 2008. Based on early reviews (all of which have been unanimously positive) it looks like the latest installment in the series has exceeded expectations. Everything about GTA IV appears to have been kicked up a notch. The graphics are more realistic, the gameplay has been refined and tightened, and the characters and storyline have more depth. While this type of evolution is to be expected, one of the most interesting new features about GTA IV is that you can play it online. Unlike previous versions of the Grand Theft Auto series, this one will allow Xbox 360 and PS3 owners the ability to play with up to sixteen friends online. While sixteen players doesn't exactly qualify as "massively multiplayer", it's a step in the right direction for those of us eagerly anticipating a GTA-style MMO.

It seems like a natural progression for Rockstar to bring their venerable series to the massively multiplayer arena. After all, you've got a built in, recognizable franchise name based around the most classic multiplayer concept known to man - cops and robbers. I think every child has played a real life version of this game at some point in their lives (although perhaps more G rated). It's one of those universal themes that everyone instantly "gets", and yet, no MMO developer has cashed in on the concept. The time seems ripe for Rockstar to join Blizzard in the money printing business.

So how realistic is it that Rockstar might be producing a Grand Theft Auto MMO? Is such a game already in development? I did a little digging and I'll show you what I've been able to find thus far after the break. I'll also fill you in on a few MMOs with similar concepts that you might be able to play as early as this time next year.

Continue reading MMOGology: Grand Theft MMO

MMOGology: Grand Theft MMO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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APB's Walter Kong on financial flexibility

Chris Chester — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Business models, MMO industry, New titles, All Points Bulletin, Crime

In a new interview with Walter Kong, the Senior Vice President of Business Development at Realtime Worlds, explains the logic behind his team's recent reacquisition of the publishing rights for their upcoming game All Points Bulletin. Their latest round of fund-raising, which netted them a cool $50 million, gives them the a much higher degree of flexibility than they would have had under Webzen, so they took the opportunity to go independent, for a while anyway.

Kong explained that just because that just because they moved out from under Webzen doesn't mean they are necessarily looking to self-publish; they just want to keep their options open. What seems clear from the way they've handled themselves so far is that all the veteran blood, including CEO David Jones -- the brainchild of the Grand Theft Auto series, has made them shrewd in the ways of the business. Here's hoping they're as savvy at making their game as they are financing it.

APB's Walter Kong on financial flexibility originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rockstar founder calls GTA MMO "the Holy Grail"

Chris Chester — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: Real life, Business models, Interviews, MMO industry, New titles, All Points Bulletin

In case you haven't seen it, Crispin Boyer of EGM sat down for an interview with Rockstar founder Sam Houser to talk in-depth about all things Grand Theft Auto. In addition to some tasty preview bits, Boyer raked Houser over the coals a little bit, trying to glean from him what the future of the franchise might be. In terms of multiplayer, Houser didn't shy from expressing his enthusiasm for the idea of a GTA MMO. Specifically, he said such a title, "is very, very doable and is a very, very compelling proposition." In a subsequent question he refers to a mainstream subscription-based MMO on a console as "the Holy Grail."

The problem, as Houser sees it, is in combining the GTA gameplay with the idea of a persistent world. Without the right constraints, the game might amount to little more than a city of a couple thousand players all shooting at each other with rocket launchers, instead of an interesting, compelling MMO experience. From the tenor of his comments, it doesn't seem like Houser and Rockstar currently have any specific plans for an MMO just yet, but we imagine they're going to be paying very close attention to Realtime Worlds' All Points Bulletin when it comes out later this year, as its 'cobs and robbers' gameplay is the closest to GTA we've seen yet.

Rockstar founder calls GTA MMO "the Holy Grail" originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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