Grand Theft Auto San Andreas – Hands on Xbox Preview, Intro

Introduction | Hands On Gameplay | Xbox GTA:SA Screens & Trailer

As many of you know Rockstar is getting ready to release the latest GTA game SAN ANDREAS to the Xbox. Of course being a fan of the GTA series, this was exciting news. I had a feeling that Rockstar would throw in some new features just for the Xbox version. What I did not know until I was planning on visiting Jason is that we were invited to visit Rockstar and get the scoop on the game and a chance to talk with the lead programmers there. I told Jason that I would love to go and we headed off to New York . Now we both thought that this meeting would be for more than just us two. It made sense, since E3 was right around the corner. We arrived at Rockstar and took the elevator up to their floor. As the doors opened, we saw the huge yellow neon logo and were greeted by the two gentlemen who were giving the presentation. Then we were shown to the presentation room and inside there was a wide screen TV, a green debug kit and some refreshments. The strange thing was that there was no one else there.

We then learned that we were the only ones invited to this showing. After signing several NDA forms, a bit of chit chat, and getting comfortable, they showed us a ten minute movie that was described as the inspiration for the new GTA San Andreas. It was a collage of short scenes from gangster and mob movies. It really grabbed my attention. I also noticed when they would show the real LA, it would turn into the game footage and for each of the three main towns it also did the same effect. Now this was not the first time I had visited a developers’ meeting, but it was the first time I had time to pick their brains and ask anything within reason. Due to the timing of E3 and the fact the newest OXM magazine has a full 6-page spread on the game, it just seemed a little strange. Although I must admit it felt good being shown something without a ton of others all trying to get in their questions.

We were asked if we had played the PS2 version and I said yes, Jason told them that he was waiting for the Xbox version. Now for those who do not know what a debug kit can do, it’s not just a mod-chipped Xbox colored green. It can take you anywhere with any weapon or vehicle in the game instantly. So they asked me where I wanted to go or do and like magic and a few keystrokes from the keyboard, I was there playing the game. Rather than setting the game around a city or two, they created a whole state. If you think about it, that’s very impressive. They also shared with us about the voice actors and talked about Axl Rose being one of the main DJ’s.

They have included a new custom soundtrack feature that allows you to hear the great parody commercials while listening to your own tunes, very cool. I was also impressed with the fact whatever Jason or I asked, they answered without hesitation. They also showed something that was new just for the Xbox. They discussed the fact that the Xbox would be in high resolution. However, the PS2 could not be due to the hardware. While Jason was playing the game, he ended up in the middle of a country road driving an old pick-up and the Country and Western station kicked in. I had to laugh and he asked for something a bit neater to drive, a few seconds later he was in an Apache helicopter. The amount of vehicles in the game is staggering. Everything from the new bike to a monster truck is in the game. They made sure to show off the rocket launcher and the fully armed Apache helicopter in detail. The two representatives from Rockstar looked as though they were having as much fun as us.

We basically played and talked and got to spend two hours with them. After the Q&A and the press information and dates, they took us around the rest of the studio, carefully I may add. We saw the artwork for the upcoming Warriors game and other things that the programmers were working on. Of course, no camera or camcorders were allowed due to the sensitivity of some of the projects they are working on. The two guys giving us the tour and presentation were great and really wanted us to get every possible question out. My hat goes off to them both. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to even mention their names. After the meeting, we said thank you, shook hands and said good bye.

While we were driving out of NY, Jason had mentioned if I thought it was odd that no one else was there. I said yes now that you asked I thought there would be more people there. Then almost at the same time we both said that we had just seen the E3 presentation early! That really was something that Rockstar would do that for us. On the way home we talked about the game and that we were both impressed. It looks like the wait for the game to hit the Xbox will be well worth it. I also walked away feeling glad that companies like Rockstar would take the time out of their schedule to spend the time they did with us. My thanks go out to Rockstar and of course Jason for a trip and experience I will not soon forget.

OK, now that you’ve heard about our little trip, head to section two and read up on our Hands On XBOX Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas experience.

Filed under: Previews

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