GTAForums Weekly Issue 14

[Norsea]

 

 

Week of June 11th - 17th

 

 

 

 

Hello, and welcome to the fourteenth issue of the GTAForums Weekly newsletter! Our first bit of emerging news comes straight from of the modding scene, as the team behind the popular modding tool OpenIV was served with a cease & desist from Take-Two, the parent company of Rockstar Games. Many supporters voiced their outrage on GTAForums, Twitter, and also left tons of negative Steam reviews on popular Rockstar games, such as GTA V and IV. You can read more about the situation in our Rockstar Central segment, as well as in the informative topic created by @Kirsty in the News sub-forum.

In other news, Season 1 of the GTAForums Snap Battle has finally come to a close after staff voting. Congratulations to @EddieLTU, who came out on top with 53 points in total, we hope you enjoy your t-shirt! finished in second place with 35 votes. Before Season 2 starts, be sure to leave feedback and suggestions in this topic! The highly anticipated Gunrunning DLC for GTA Online had finally dropped earlier in the week! Including a boat load of new weapons, vehicles (more soon to come ), and of course the new addition of underground bunkers, Gunrunning leads players into the world of weapon smuggling. To support and encourage discussion, GTAF Staff have even added a new sub-forum under the GTA Online section specifically for Gunrunning. Click here to check it out if you're interested!

GTAForums Staff have also been welcoming new Network Partners lately, including sources such as the infamous @GTA Series Videos, @GTAJunkies, and just to name a few. The "webring" has been mentioned via the GTANet Twitter a few times, and described as an "official place for fansite webmasters to be able to convene". Welcome to the community!

GTAForums currently has a total of 14,871,481 total posts (+27,897 from last week) and 708,147 total members (+2,238 from last week) at the time this is being posted.

We hope you enjoy the rest of the issue!

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Welcome to the fourteenth week of Rockstar Central! I’m your host, Spider-Vice, and we’ll be highlighting this week’s happenings in the Rockstar Universe.

 

 

Grand Theft Auto Modding

"The King is dead, long live The King!" would say Rockstar and Take-Two Interactive this week, as the biggest disaster in Grand Theft Auto Rockstar PC history has occurred.

We’re opening up this week with modding news, as Take-Two Interactive have issued a Cease and Desist order to the creators of OpenIV. On Wednesday, June 14, GooD-NTS and the whole OpenIV team received a not-so-nice Cease & Desist letter from Take-Two to stop development of the tool, as according to the notice, read by @Ash_735, a member with connections to the gaming media, reads the following:

 

 

Yesterday, on June 15, Rockstar released a statement via PC Gamer: “Take-Two's actions were not specifically targeting single player mods. Unfortunately, OpenIV enables recent malicious mods that allow harassment of players and interfere with the GTA Online experience for everybody. We are working to figure out how we can continue to support the creative community without negatively impacting our players.”

This statement, to anyone who has any slight knowledge about the modding community, is nothing more, nothing less, than 100% false. OpenIV is a file explorer and a file editor, and it does not even allow access to GTA Online. Supposedly. when you modify an original file and attempt to go Online, Rockstar presents you with this message:

 

 

What this means is – Rockstar has acknowledged tools like this, and stopped modified files from entering GTA Online, which immediately invalidates their statement.

When Rockstar Games has endorsed modding before, and continuously posts video highlights of machinima makers who depend on tools like OpenIV to make a living (in some cases) on YouTube, you have to ask yourself what exactly is going on at Rockstar. Some might run to blame Take-Two only, but this likely isn’t the case. With leaks running rampant and people looking at files, unreleased content, and the so called drip-fed cars ahead of time, Rockstar likely decided to take the easiest route – stop the tools that can see what they put in the files.

In a nutshell, instead of, as a game developer, trying to find another solution around it, like, you know, releasing the vehicles as separate updates, or, implementing decent anti-cheat into GTA Online for the PC - they decide to spend cash talking to Take-Two Legal and pursuing innocent modders all the way to Russia.

This has obviously struck the community very negatively, and at the time of writing this, many Youtubers like

,

, and machinima makers like

and

have covered the issue.. some with hundred-thousands (if not millions) of subscribers. Negative Steam reviews have also been running rampant since Wednesday, with around 22.3K+ negative reviews in the past 30 days at the time of writing this, putting the game’s rating into the now Overwhelmingly Negative category. There are petitions, rampant criticism on social networks, among other things around the Internet.

Obviously, Rockstar and Take-Two have somewhat shot themselves in the foot here, and it’s obvious they’re trying to hide something else. As per the Cease and Desist details revealed further up in this piece, they’re just trying to swing the public opinion against OpenIV when it doesn’t actually allow Online modding in the first place. It’s a very stupid and sad situation for the GTA community and we hope some kind of resolution happens… But do not expect it at all. If you still feel lost, this exceptionally well-put thread by GTANet’s own Kirsty will help you understand the whole situation.

Community Highlight – OpenIV

For over a decade, the OpenIV team, led by GooD-NTS, have been the leading researchers of the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine and its intricacies. In 2008, they released the first version of OpenIV, a tool that allowed people to explore, open, and modify files for most RAGE games, like GTA IV. Over the years, the tool expanded its support to games like Max Payne 3 and GTA V, allowing full exploration of their files.

The existence of OpenIV has marked a generation, one that could mod GTA to their will, replace objects with their own inventions, change the single player game as one wished, make machinimas easier and so on. Not only that, but it’s also opened the door for pre-release content enthusiasts to open up Beta Hunt threads in the GTA sections, exploring the many leftovers Rockstar left in the files during development of the game that couldn’t be cleaned due to lack of time. Weapons, scripts, map assets, even investigation of in-game textures that were taken in early stages of the game such as family pictures, or textures where Rockstar accidentally left debug info, or activation of debug maps like it’s happened in GTA IV.

All in all, I think it deserves a mention, even after the disaster, because OpenIV was probably the greatest tool ever made in the history of GTA. And now it’s dead.

GTA Online

GTA Online Gunrunning, the most anticipated DLC yet, is now out on all platforms since June 13! In Gunrunning, you will be able to run your own gun smuggling business, and enter the military arms race, by buying yourself a bunker, getting some staff, research technology, and try to be the top dog in the business!

There is a range of weaponized vehicles available, such as vehicles with anti-air missile technology, a half-track, a rocket bike, and much more for you to defend your precious business. A Mobile Operations Center is also available, and it will be your, well... mobile center of operations, which can be stored in your bunker, and can lead your research anywhere.

All weapons are also getting a Mk II upgrade tier, where you will be able to upgrade some of the existing weapons with extras like tracers, incendiary rounds, armor piercing rounds, hollow point rounds, night vision and holographic scopes, and more! As also is tradition, new haircuts and tattoos are also available for those gun smugglers who wish to look a little bit cooler in the business.

You can find GTAForums’ brand new Gunrunning Knowledge Base forum, just click here!

As for bonus news, and to complement the OpenIV news, Force Hax, one of the biggest hack menus for GTA Online, was also taken down by Take-Two! Now you’ve got to ask yourself why exactly they didn’t do this first and improve their anti-cheat techniques… As is obvious, this does not give them forgiveness over the OpenIV situation.

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Rockstar Games' "Bully" was quite a different game compared to anything else you can find in their impressive portfolio. This isn't your typical crime and theft ridden world, or your western shooter - Released almost 11 years ago, Bully follows the story of a young man named James "Jimmy" Hopkins, who has a long, rebellious history riddled with angst, trouble at school, and family issues. In Bully, you play as Jimmy throughout his semesters at Bullworth Academy while rising through the "ranks" of the school, picking fights with school groups (such as the Greasers, Preppies, etc), and intimidating students. This game had unique elements not available in GTA, such as a skateboard, as well as weapons like the slingshot, stink bombs, and so on.

 

 

 

 

 

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News

 

 

 

The People vs. Take-Two: OpenIV mod shut down

 

 

 

GTA Online: Gunrunning Is Out!

 

 

GTAForums Snap Battle

 

 

 

Season 1 Results

 

 

GTA Online

 

 

*NEW*

Gunrunning sub-forum! *NEW*

 

 

-

 

 

 

Newswire: Gunrunning Update is here!

 

 

 

Gunrunning Photo Competition

 

 

 

No longer possible to run your business in free roam...

 

 

 

Gunrunning hasn't fixed everything, but it has deterred griefing.

 

 

 

Where are the jet/hydra players/griefers?

 

 

 

How much did you spend on Gunrunning?

 

 

 

Gunrunning Bunker full product sale BEWARE!

 

 

 

What Have We Become...?

 

 

 

Alright, who fast tracked research? Raise your hands

 

 

 

The end of the reign of jets

 

 

 

Explosive Rounds, Thermal Scope... Do we really need this?

 

 

General Chat

 

 

 

West London Fire

 

 

Forum Support

 

 

 

Please talk about how this isn't fair? and why i got banned?

 

 

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@_MK_

 

 

 

 

@LokDog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

@Jxcob

 

 

 

 

@MGgames100

 

 

 

 

@TG_Stig

 

 

 

 

@Carrythxd

 

 

 

 

@Testarossa

 

 

 

 

@Ravarta

 

 

 

 

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...and we're back! We hope you enjoy this week's interview featuring GTAF Crew leader @Phatgordo13.

 

 

Unbid: You've been a member of the community for 15 years now... What initially brought you to GTAForums?

Phatgordo13: I believe I actually registered in May of 2002, but I had been ghosting the forums since the release of GTA 3. I had stumbled upon the forums looking for tips and cheat codes. Things like that. I think what finally got me to register an account was the hype surrounding what would be Vice City.

What's the history / context regarding your username?

It's silly really. It was a nickname I had for maybe a week in 8^th grade. Just so happened to be the same week I registered an account, I guess. I was a small kid. Short and skinny. A very public argument between me and my “girlfriend” at the time led her to say something like, “Shut up you stupid fat kid!” This made everyone in the class laugh because it made no sense. So, some friends took to calling me Gordo....? Because, that's a name a fat guy would have...? I guess. Ha. It was 2002, and Phat was a cool word. So PhatGordo....and I was 13, so there you go.

I'm cringing.

What do you enjoy most about the community here on GTAF?

That's an interesting question. I think a lot of what has kept me on here has been the relationships I've had and the responsibilities I've been fortunate enough to be given. There were certainly times when I was really active and times when I wasn't so much. Yet, the thing that has kept me coming back time and time again is the perceptive nature of the community as a whole. The focused discourse between, perhaps, the foremost experts on everything GTA and R* on the internet has led to a lot of major breakthroughs relative to pre-release game information, game mods *Cough*, and other notable contributions to R*'s work. *Cough*Cough*

I am always amazed when I see articles elsewhere on the internet speaking on rumors and discourse relative to all things R* and the basis of these articles are cited posts within GTAF. That's something to be proud of.

How does it feel to be the leader of the GTAForums Crew, one of the largest crews around?

It's something I'm very proud of because of the people who came before me. The former leadership, Admins, and Mods who have put their faith in me to steer the ship is something I'm very appreciative of. During the time of Max Payne 3 we were one of the top ten teams internationally in competition. We've continued that success in GTA:Online being featured on R*'s Twitch and on the newswire.

It's not a one man show, and I have the support of a number of members who handle and contribute to many aspects of running the crew. Mods and Admins have opened doors for us , supported our efforts, and made every effort for us to be successful. We know we are privileged in this regard and we do our best not to undermine the other crews, and have made efforts to contribute to the community as a whole through collaborative efforts. Above all else, our mission is to provide ease of access and maintain a reasonable degree of fair play. We seek to provide all members of GTAForums.com with a safe environment to enjoy the game and to be as successful as possible by working in numbers.

This can be very challenging to maintain, and it has. However, this community has continued to rise up to the occasion to fill the voids and solve the problems. It's not about me and having all of the answers, but more so knowing when to let other people's talents and skills shine. We are not on short supply of talented people around here.

I guess to circle the wagons here and get back to the question... I take it very seriously, and I'm very proud to be attached to it. I hope I have given as much as I have received. It's been a real joy.

What has been your favorite part about leading the GTAF Crew?

The relationships and friendships I have made are worth their weight in gold. Cliché as it may sound, no one is getting paid here so there has to be something to bring folks back. I think a lot of people in positions similar to mine would say the same.

Which forum member do you feel closest to?

A few names come to mind. I've known Meta for almost the entirety of my time here and we've worked closely on several different projects throughout the years. Life has put some distance between us, but he's probably the guy that still knows the most about me, and vice versa. Queen has been a close friend for a few years now, and his wife has helped me out with my business a little bit. I'd like to think we'd be dinner companions if we lived closer... Queen, that is.

Sweets is perhaps the smartest person I know, and has been a big brother figure for me for awhile. We work really well together and he's someone I aspire to be like, in his thoroughness and consideration for others.

Gfen is like my uncle....who buys me weed.

Ronzilla is probably the person I talk to the most though. We have so much in common, and we fight a lot. The relationship I have with him is very much like a brother.

Picture this; you've suddenly become an Admin here on the forum. What do you do first?

Probably Un-Admin myself. Maybe when I was younger I had a desire for that kind of authority in the community, but what those folks go through on a daily basis, no thanks. They sacrifice a lot of their time so we have a working domain for our community to exist. It's tough because they draw ire from members for reasons that may be merited or not. History has shown what that role can do to some members...negatively, but for those who have been doing it for a long time and doing it well they deserve a lot of credit.

This thought did just cross my mind though..... I may make some room for more banner ads for penis enlargement supplements and quietly cash some checks. Maybe?

Did we ever roll out 2.0? We should do that.

…..and build a wall.....and make IGN pay for it.

..::Gordo2020::..

What's your favorite Rockstar Games series or title?

GTA 3. Easy. The impact that had on me as a gamer, and probably by proxy a person, is immeasurable. That game brought me here, and made me comfortable with my inner nerd, and it's just a cascade of events spawned from that game. Objectively, that game changed the video game industry in ways that I don't think have been fully appreciated yet. It made Open World games a standard, and from that came so many titles that have reached so many people. The expanding reach of games has brought innovation to PCs, consoles, TVs, VR.....and so on. Honest, I think GTA 3 deserves a lot of credit for where the interactive entertainment industry is today.

Do you have any interests, hobbies, favorite music, and so on? Tell us about the person behind your alias.

I play baseball. I got to play in college, and while I wasn't very good, I did get there. I still play in an amateur wood bat league in the summer.

I started my own business a couple years ago, and we're still alive and kicking. That has been one of the most difficult things I've ever tried. Every day feels like your first and your last, some how. We sell medical disinfection devices, so if you work somewhere and have a C. diff or MRSA problem....I'm your guy!

I have recorded three rap albums. That's not bull sh*t. I never intended it to be anything more than just something me and my guys did, but we got to do some shows. That's an awesome experience. I'm not all into rap though. I just can't sing. So...

Otherwise I'm into modern indie folk music. A lot of the stuff coming out of the Eau Claire, WI/ Twin Cities area is my bag. (Shout out to Justin Vernon). I'll be in Eau Claire this next weekend for Eaux Claires if anyone wants to get together.

Any final comments? Do you have anything to say to our readers & the GTAF community?

Be kind to one another. It's not hard. If you're spending your free time harassing people on the forums or in a game, consider that the tell tale symptom of “Doing-Life-Wrong-Syndrome”. We don't all have to get along, agree with one another, or even share space, but there is no reason we cannot respect each other as people. Like, basic human level respect. The bare minimum at least.

Also....

R* listens. There are people being paid....RIGHT NOW....to browse these forums and read your comments. So if there is something you don't like about the game or you feel you have an idea, share it! There is a catch, however. Think it through. Articulate your point, and for God's sake use spell check. No one is going to read something that looks like it was typed with closed fists. Not every opinion is a good one, but that doesn't exclude the opportunity. SPEAK-WELL.

Next week's issue of GTAForums Weekly will feature an interview with @Mister Pink, so be sure to stick around!

 

 

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Arcade Fire - Reflektor

 

 

 

 

Arcade Fire is an indie rock band from Montreal, formed by Win Butler and wife Régine Chassagne. "Reflektor" was released as the lead single from the album of the same name, and under a band alias called The Reflektors. The track was produced by James Murphy, Markus Dravs and the band itself. It also features backing vocals by the legendary David Bowie.

 

 

Album: Reflektor

 

 

Genre: Indie rock

 

 

Release Date: September 9, 2013

 

 

Label: Merge/Sonovox

 

 

Writer(s): Arcade Fire

 

 

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- Editor & Publisher, Topics/Snaps of the Week

 

 

- GTAForums News, Blast from the Past

 

 

@slohbur - Graphics Assistant

 

 

@Spider-Vice - Rockstar Central

 

 

@Testarossa - Track of the Week

 

 

@unbid - Interviewer

 

 

Edited June 17, 2017 by Android

[Rafae]

Great issue. Loved the interview with our crew leader Gordo

[ciel]

Gordo raps, holy sh*t where can I find these albums?

 

I've got to know PG a little bit better from reading this. Good work guys and thanks for representing our crew Gordo!

Edited June 17, 2017 by XXI

[Queen]

Nice read!

[Kirsty]

Great issue and excellent interview with our GTAF Crew top dog!

[Mr. Leisurewear]

I'm starting to like these weekly adresses , good work !

[livejoker]

Awesome interview. Just splendid. <3

Unsure if I dig that you guys say who's being interviewed next week. I want to be surprised!

[Westyyyyyy]

Like this format.

[MCMXCII]

Going to have to start reading these more often. That was pretty good.