Time to stop twiddling thumbs people, and go over the NPD results for top hardware and software sales for the month of May. Wii still maintains its lead, as well as the DS, and Niko Bellic is still on top of the food chain with the Xbox 360 version of Grand Theft Auto IV. And oh, what's this? The PS3 overtakes Microsoft Xbox 360? Check out the hardware and software charts in the full article.

Will Take-Two eventually give in to Electronic Art's "furtive" nudges (remember, they're not desperate)? In a recent announcement, EA stated that it already secured a loan worth US$ 1 billion in preparation of the big merger if it pushes through. Will it, perhaps? The details in the full article.

This week will no doubt see gamers go ballistic over Rockstar North's highly-publicized and critically-acclaimed title, Grand Theft Auto IV (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3). But this week is not only about Niko Bellic's (mis)adventures, since Mario and the rest of the gang will also start racing off with motorbikes and karts in Mario Kart Wii. This week is pretty much an exciting one, so don't tarry and go to the full article for the complete list of games to be released this week.

We don't know what the future holds in the event that Electronic Arts manages to acquire Take-Two Interactive, but it probably isn't the end of the world. In fact, Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter is optimistic enough to say the Grand Theft Auto franchise will probably survive in the hands of EA even if original developer Rockstar North parts ways. Head over to the full article for more details.

The contract between Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar North expires in 14 months. Because of this, Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter is saying that the developers of the Grand Theft Auto series might actually consider following Bungie's footsteps and set up their own camp.

More information on why Rockstar North might decide to go independent can be found in the full article.

Aside from editing out some highly controversial kill scenes out of Manhunt 2 for the Sony PlayStation Portable, Nintendo Wii, and PS2, it appears that the game's final release hasn't accredited one of its development studios, Rockstar Vienna. The studio in question had started work on the game alongside the other Rockstar branches in Europe, America, and Canada since January 2004. Rockstar Vienna had recently been shut down last May 11, 2006. The only former Rockstar Vienna members to have been included in the credits were those who worked briefly with Rockstar's London branch.


Buy: [Manhunt 2 (PSP)]
Buy: [Manhunt 2 (Wii)]

Despite the amount of flak Rockstar Games has been receiving for its survival horror game, Manhunt 2, the hardcore action game publisher is not afraid to feature the many gory details its game will be sporting.

In this latest update, we share with you the game's many deadly hunters that you'll be going up against in the Dixmor Asylum for the Criminally Insane. While Dixmor constantly keeps up the guise of an institution to house the mentally unstable, the asylum's own staff was revealed to have their own demented nature.

Psychotic nurses and orderlies, perverse sexual deviants, and heavy handed security guards are just some of the not-so-friendly people that help maintain Dixmor. Manhunt 2 is slated for an October 31 release on the PS2, PSP and Wii.

For those of you interested in checking out the detailed profiles of the different staff members of "The Pickman Project", you can access it by clicking on the Read link below.

Buy: [Manhunt 2 (PSP)]
Buy: [Manhunt 2 (Wii)]

Homebrew developer Edison Carter rolled out a new build for the much-loved application LCS CheatDevice, bringing it up to version 1.0g. This particular program is to be used with Rockstar North's Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and allows gamers to use certain cheats.

Given the previous version of LCS CheatDevice, the most important feature of this build is that the cheat application's PRX is now compatible with DevHook and custom firmwares SE, OE and M33. Edison Carter provided as well the following reminders:

Works with the original or patched U.S. disk and the unpatched UK/EU disk. Sorry, the patched UK/EU disk is not currently supported. Some features are not implemented in the PRX version. Version 1.0g PRX adds support for 3.10OE-A and up. You must use lcscheatdevice371.prx for 3.71 M33 or higher.

LCS CheatDevice v1.0g comes with a Readme.txt file that should provide you with all necessary information regarding installation and usage. Browse through that first before doing anything to avoid problems.

Download: LCS CheatDevice v1.0g

With the ESRB and Rockstar both being completely mum about just what had to be changed with Manhunt 2 (Wii, PSP, PS2) for it to earn a Mature rating, we may never know what the original "uncut" version is really like. However, things may be different for the more internet-savvy of us, as there's talk about an untouched Manhunt 2 build for the PlayStation 2 making the rounds in the ol' series of tubes. That's right, a Manhunt 2 with all its content intact, just waiting to be taken.

While this is itself is already incredible, some of those who have already procured a copy of the leaked build have posted up videos of the game's intro, to prove that it actually does exist. Some of these videos have been pulled from their hosts by Rockstar, but apparently not all of them - as here is the alleged opening cinematic for your viewing pleasure. Do take note that it's quite graphically violent in nature, so viewer discretion is advised. Keep the tots and kiddies away.

Buy: [Manhunt 2 (PSP)]
Buy: [Manhunt 2 (Wii)]

 

Finally, some news about Rockstar's Manhunt 2 (Wii, PSP) that's not about it being banned, or certain parental watchdog groups baying for its death. Yes, dear readers, here's a nugget of information that's actually related to the game this time, and it's about the different endings you get in Manhunt 2 - and what ending you get depends solely on your playstyle. The word "playstyle" referring to the question of whether you slashed, sawed, tore, and plastic-bagged every victim you could get a hold of in the game, or simply chose to do it Solid Snake style and killed only when necessary.

But it's not just the endings, however. Playing with a violent streak - that is, testing out every weapon you get or succumbing to every opportunity for an environmental kill - would get you not only a gloomier ending, but a darker, grittier final stage to precede that ending. Taking the stealthier, less bloody path would get you a lighter final level and a somewhat more positive ending.

Certainly good news for those of us who'd like to spill as little digitized blood as possible in our games. No word yet, though, on which ending would be canon, or if the endings themselves will see the light of day come the title's release (whenever that may be). Updates as we get them.