Games News

Tue, 23 May 2006 – The initial reaction to the March announcement of Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis was one of widespread bewilderment. A joke? A teaser for something far, far more sinister?

Nope. Not at all. With the ferocity and intensity of a fighting game, yet the easy pick-up-and-play but subtly deep mechanics of tennis, resulting in a pure, addictive one-on-one competitive experience – Table Tennis is an incredibly fun time, and one that has seen many a blistery thumb and battered ego around the Rockstar Games offices all this spring.

The game on the 360 looks beautiful, without a doubt, as exemplified by the pre-release screenshots and videos. The character detail, expression, and naturalistic movement, the luster of the polished hardwood floors and other arenas, the gorgeous slow-motion action shots – all truly a showcase of what the next generation of videogames has to offer.

But beauty is only skin deep, and you really can’t fully 100% appreciate the fun of Table Tennis – until you’ve gotten your hands on it.

Within a few weeks of the announcement, previews from gaming’s top journalists began to hit, with reactions calling the title “an exercise in ultimate zen focus” (GamesRadar) and even “an early shout for Game of the Year 2006″ (GamesMaster UK) – and folks began to realize… well, maybe this ain’t no joke?

Then we took the show on the road with extensive hands-on tours, and also invited myriad friends and family to our hideaway loft in lower Manhattan to participate in an ongoing series of private tournaments.

The response of the videogame-enthusiast everyman? Akin to the videogame journalistic elite. “The play is f***ing vehement, and it looks mean like something you haven’t seen”, “The graphics are crazy, I can actually see the characters sweating”, “I will totally buy a 360 for this” were among many such recorded comments…

Now today is the day that Xbox 360 owners around the nation have the opportunity to see, engage and experience the game for themselves.

Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis is here.

Visit the Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis website at www.rockstargames.com/tabletennis for online retail options, a wealth of game information, plus the official trailer, videos, and a newly updated set of high-resolution screenshots.

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Table Tennis In Stores Now

Mon, 22 May 2006 – Today marks the launch of our official Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis contest, brought to you in conjunction with adidas and Butterfly.

Hit up www.rockstargames.com/tabletennis/contest, fill out the form fields and answer the trivia questions correctly for your chance to win a professional size Butterfly table tennis table, a $500 adidas online store gift certificate, and more.

Entry deadline is August 31st, 2006. Check the contest page for all the official rules, and best of luck.

Table Tennis Contest

Sat, 13 May 2006 – Rockstar Games is proud to announce Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. Developed by Rockstar Leeds in conjunction with series creators Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories will be available exclusively on the PSP system in North America on October 17th, 2006 and Europe on
October 20th, 2006.

“The success of Liberty City Stories on the PSP system was nothing short of spectacular,” said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games and Executive Producer. “The incredible PSP system technology allowed us to do things we never thought possible on a handheld system and we are excited to once again give our audience a fresh experience in one of their favorite locales in the Grand Theft Auto series, Vice City. With Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories we look to once again smash expectations of portable gaming, bringing an all new story and exciting new gameplay elements to this classic setting.”

“Our collaboration with Rockstar Leeds has been a tremendous experience,” said Leslie Benzies, President of Rockstar North. “Together we have been able to create uncompromising experiences on the PSP system that not only stay true to our initial vision for the series but that surpasses our own goals of what could be done on a handheld. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories will thrill longtime fans and excite new PSP system gamers like never before.”

“We are proud of what we were able to achieve with Rockstar North on Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories,” said Gordon Hall, President of Rockstar Leeds. “By staying true to the high standards of the series and surpassing fans’ expectations for a Grand Theft Auto title on a portable machine we feel confident that Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories will redefine what handheld gaming is capable of with the most intense PSP system experience yet.”

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories is a new game in the Grand Theft Auto series with an entirely new storyline, new missions and gameplay that brings an unprecedented experience to mobile gaming. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories features the interactive, open environment of Vice City with professional voice talent, a diverse soundtrack and high production values that have become trademarks of this landmark series.

www.rockstargames.com/vicecitystories

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Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories Announced

Fri, 12 May 2006 – Rockstar Games is proud to announce Grand Theft Auto IV, the next-generation console debut of the genre-defining Grand Theft Auto franchise. Developed by world-class designers Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto IV will be simultaneously available for the PlayStation

Mon, 08 May 2006 – The old Rockstar website was a hell of a lot of fun. Relentlessly camp, the life of the party, silly at times, but always endearing. Nevertheless, there’s only so long that such a lifestyle can go on. And the cougar really began to show her wear and tear.

The new Rockstar website presents a time to reflect. To step barefoot on that soggy sand on a misty autumn dusk, stare out to the sea, and connect with the celestial ether. To abandon the trappings of modern excess and superfluousity and embrace a more placid and substantial beauty.

Let the rest of the world overconsume to the point of combustion.

Browse about and decompress.

Originally posted here:
Rockstar Relaunch 2006

Sun, 07 May 2006 – Scant weeks remain until Rockstar’s one-on-one stunner for the Xbox 360 hits shelves worldwide. Start exercising those thumbs and sharpening your reflexes now.

“GameSpy got to check out this new title at a low-key press event in Los Angeles recently, and frankly, Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis has the makings of a cult hit… for couch-based warfare, the build we played proved to be very fun, as matches went from friendly to heated within fifteen minutes of picking up the controllers and learning to play… this title is going to cause a lot of late nights and sleepy mornings everywhere.”
- GAMESPY, April 19 2006

“While a table tennis game isn’t exactly what you’d expect from the company that brought us Grand Theft Auto and Manhunt, after playing a recent build, we have to say this is one incredibly fun title… Balancing accurate physics and precise controls with an easy, pick-up-and-play approachability, Table Tennis has ‘party game’ written all over it… Don’t be surprised if this budget-priced title is one of this year’s surprise hits.”
- GAME INFORMER, May 2006

Today, the official Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis website is updated – featuring the launch of two all-new sections.

The TRADITION section highlights Table Tennis fundamentals, including an overview of the history of the sport as well as a terminology glossary and more.

The SKILL TIPS section breaks down some of the signature strategic returns essential to putting a thrash-down on an advanced player – complete with a descriptive overview and illustrative video.

Plus an update to the PLAYERS section featuring Kumi and Mark, new shots added to the SCREENS section and more.

www.rockstargames.com/tabletennis

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Table Tennis Official Site Update