Of course, this is purly common sense, but according to a report from the BBC, EA's primary interest in the Take Two buyout is Rockstar's GTA games. Seeing as how the GTA franchise is one of, if not the top selling non-Nintendo series as of late, this certainly stands to reason. Of course, if EA gets their teeth into it, we can expect a whole slew of EX TraXX and more.

MTV Games, of all places, got a chance to lay hands on what is probably the single most anticipated game yet unreleased for this generation -- Grand Theft Auto IV. According to the reporter, the "game" is less like a video game than anything he has played before. The title, he claims, is almost like a real life simulator, with cell phone messages, drug use, and real life decisions to be made. This certainly fills us with hope that GTA IV will be the game that makes more gamers into GTA fans than any previous game. In the past, you either played GTA and loved it, or you passed. This time around, we are hoping there is a middle ground, especially with the add-on downloads and online modes. Either way, we will know in just six weeks.

According to Wedbush Morgan, GTA IV is going to ship 6 million units in week 1. On top of this, analysts claim the game will be responsible for around USD 450 million of Take-Two's expected USD USD 1.073 billion publishing revenue this year, generating USD 135 million of the company's operating profit. Bold claims

According to the official Xbox.com German page for GTA IV, gamers who pre-order the game at Amazon or Gamestop will also receive 500 MS points to use immediately upon the game's release for supplementary missions. On top of there, they will also receive gamerpics exclusive to the game. No word yet on if this is coming to America, but the safe bet is yes.

As many of you know, and many more found out, Bully for the Xbox360 is a glitch-laden, bud-ridden, piece of software. The game crashes and freezes more than a Kennedy in Winter. Rockstar has acknowledged the issues and promises there will be a patch for the game within the week. What those gamers who cannot access the internet will do, we are not sure. Stay tuned.

Volition, the developer of Saint's Row, said the upcoming sequel will more than hold its own against the juggernaut that is Grand Theft Auto IV. Speaking at the unveiling of SR2 in London, Greg Donovan, the producer, added that he did not believe that Rockstar was holding back, so Volition will follow suit. Competition is grand, isn't it?

He added: "I think co-op is a huge distinguishing factor. Unless they are really holding something, I don't think they are. I think that's a big step, a plus for us. We also remember that Saints Row 1 was the first one to do competitive multi play - we're going to continue to blow that out as well."

In case you missed it this weekend folks, there is a Grand Theft Auto IV contest being run by Rockstar and MS. Four trips for 2 to NYC, along with thousands of other lesser prizes are on the boock to give away, and all you need to do is have a gamertag to enter. Check the link for details, and good luck.

For those who missed this latest little bit of GTA IV drama, here is the summation. First, in the latest Larry Hyrb (Major Nelson) podcast, the MS Senior VP of Interactive Entertainment, Don Mattrick, claimed that GTA IV has multiplayer elements that are exclusive to the Xbox360. THis upset many PS3 fans who already were up in arms because there is no episodic content announced for PS3 (yet). Rockstar has now responded, of course claiming that both versions will feature multiplayer support, and that the comments made by Mattrick are inaccurate. Stay tuned for more as it unfolds.

Tons of new screens and movies have been posted over at the official Rockstar Grand Theft Auto IV website. Screenshots, movies, info, it is all there for the taking so check it out.

According to Microsoft's Shane Kim, MS will make sure that the Xbox360 benefits the most from the GTA IV launch. From a game content standpoint, apparently, the Xbox360 edition "already owns it [the Playstation 3 version]." Them's is fightin' words!