Rockstar Enters Film Business; Exclusive to UMD

[bapenguin]

Rockstar, makers of the Grand Thef Auto Series, has entered into the film making business (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050922/film_nm/driver_dc). Their debut production, Sunday Driver will be released exclusively on the UMD format.

Produced by Rockstar Games, "Driver" is an all-access documentary film that chronicles the Compton/Watts chapter of California's low-rider car club, the Majestics. Directed by Carol Strong, the film focuses on a community working together to build the ultimate customized vehicles while struggling to legitimize their lifestyle under close scrutiny of the authorities.
Interesting move. UMD only? That's pretty bold.

[Kelegacy]

This stinks of being in bed with Sony. Of course, I love Rockstar and enjoy my Sony systems, so this doesn't bother me with games...but UMD media for a movie? I'll probaby never see the thing, unless I own a PSP after GTA:LCS comes out.

Does anyone think that the GTA series will be multiplatform this round? Or just a Sony thing? It would guarantee tens of millions of sales right off the bat, that's for sure.

[KamaItachi]

Well, they've made no mention of doing GTA specifically for the Xbox 360 yet, but have mentioned that the series will return on PS3. It's odd, I was lead to beleive that RS began to regret the exclusivity agreement with Sony for the GTA series and having to release the game much later on the other 2 platforms.

[KamaItachi]

Oh yeah, and balls to their stupid film about autohomoeroticism.

[TheBigL]

UMD only? That's pretty bold.[/i]

Tell it to the floads of people who now will buy PSP to see this movie.

[Vandenh]

>That's pretty bold.

It think stupid is the word you are looking for.

[KamaItachi]

Tell it to the floads of people who now will buy PSP to see this movie.

A few hundred dollars to watch one movie? I think anyone that stupid or with that much disposable income would already have got themselves a PSP.

[Ludoc]

Tell it to the floads of people who now will buy PSP to see this movie.

Really? Because I suspect those people will just download it off the the net for free instead of paying hundreds of dollars to watch one movie. This is a cool perk for people with PSPs, not a system seller.

[TheBigL]

Dont forget we are talking rockstar here. They have a cult fans just like Square.
you'll see how the PSPs are sold out like butter when the new GTA comes out.
That movie will boost PSP sales as well I am positive.

[RMan]

Interesting move. UMD only? That's pretty bold.
Well, it's pretty much like a low quality movie going straight to video, likely not good enough to stand against real movies. Since it's clearly going to appeal almost exclusively to game players, this sounds like a good way to capitalize on their recent successes without having to put a great deal of money into it.

[Vandenh]

>Dont forget we are talking rockstar here. They have a cult fans just like Square.

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within... nuff said.

[bapenguin]

Well, it's pretty much like a low quality movie going straight to video, likely not good enough to stand against real movies. Since it's clearly going to appeal almost exclusively to game players, this sounds like a good way to capitalize on their recent successes without having to put a great deal of money into it.

I imagine DVD production and distribution is much cheaper than UMD; not to mention a MUCH larger install base.

[Sazime]

Well, I won't be watching this then.

[Doctor Setebos]

>Dont forget we are talking rockstar here. They have a cult fans just like Square.

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within... nuff said.Final Fantasy: Advent Children...nuff said.

If you build it (well), they will come...

[TheBigL]

Final Fantasy: Advent Children...nuff said.

If you build it (well), they will come...

true, true

[Heretic Machine]

Thus proving that Rockstar is Sony's bitch.

[RMan]

I imagine DVD production and distribution is much cheaper than UMD; not to mention a MUCH larger install base.
True, but you have to consider it's a far larger market that this movie likely couldn't compete in (like porting a portable game to a console system, it's not likely to appeal because of the far larger and superior competition). In the DVD market it would be almost entirely overlooked (which is why they're not doing it).

[TheBigL]

Thus proving that Rockstar is Sony's bitch.

no no, you dont understand. Sony is Rockstar bitch. They are paying them sossssssss much money in order to release thiers product on thier console. And all rockstar have to do is to wait a year and then release it to other consoles, thus making sooooooooooooo much money easily, withough hindering possible profits.

I think the same is with the movie.

[Orosco]

Are people interested in a movie about the lowrider scene? Not me, and I doubt any umd exclusive movie would get me to buy a psp just to see it. This movie would have made a better "unlockable" in the GTA:SA game.

[Dirty Harry]

Are people interested in a movie about the lowrider scene? Not me, and I doubt any umd exclusive movie would get me to buy a psp just to see it. This movie would have made a better "unlockable" in the GTA:SA game.
I am and plan to purchase it when its released. Just because this doesnt appeal to joe gamer doesnt mean it wont appear to joe car head.

[MrMeatshake]

you'll see how the PSPs are sold out like butter when the new GTA comes out.

what an analogy! where d'you live? soviet russia?!

buying a PSP for a niche docu-film is just odd.

[Ludoc]

I am and plan to purchase it when its released. Just because this doesnt appeal to joe gamer doesnt mean it wont appear to joe car head.

The big question is: does Joe car head have a psp? I don't know if the over lap of car buffs and portable gamers is sufficient enough to allow this to be anything but a niche film. "Whatcha got there Bob?" "It's a doc on how people trick out their cars...gotta go here comes my prefered form of public transit."

what an analogy! where d'you live? soviet russia?!

buying a PSP for a niche docu-film is just odd.

In Soviet Russia niche film watchs you.

[TheBigL]

what an analogy! where d'you live? soviet russia?!

buying a PSP for a niche docu-film is just odd.

Well Yea I come from Soviet-Russia (Ukraine more excectly).
I told it about GTA because I see somthing like that happens when the movie hit shelvs.

[MosBen]

Nice, Ludoc.

"George Carlin funny, Spin City funny or Rita Rudner funny?"

[Chandler]

it wont be the "killer app" that PSP needs, but it is nonetheless still an influence in people's decisions to buy a PSP. But no, no , it's not like what FFVII did to PSX.

[carneconcarne]

aw shit, me and my peeps be floadin' to tha sto' to pick this shits up and watch its on our tight new white-ass psp, word.

[Chagrinful]

In Soviet Russia niche film watchs you.

Nice nod to 4chan.org there:P .

But anyway its a stupid idea like many have said, but like seeing as its Rockstar, they'll try to make it a "cool" and "hip" documentary maybe they'll make their subjects cuss excessivly, probably, its all a big farce by the sounds of it.

[Vandenh]

>Well Yea I come from Soviet-Russia (Ukraine more excectly).

Oops... I bet MrMeatshake didn't expect that? ;)

[Sion]

Pretty bold? I call it pretty fucking stupid.

[Sion]

Nice nod to 4chan.org there:P .

But anyway its a stupid idea like many have said, but like seeing as its Rockstar, they'll try to make it a "cool" and "hip" documentary maybe they'll make their subjects cuss excessivly, probably, its all a big farce by the sounds of it.


The people who frequent that site must be a bit off to put it lightly.

[TheBigL]

>Well Yea I come from Soviet-Russia (Ukraine more excectly).

Oops... I bet MrMeatshake didn't expect that? ;)

nope he didnt lol :D

[MajSheppard]

Hmm, dont movies that go straight to video suck anyways? Yeah Im never going to see this, and I really do not care.

[51|RandoM]

This stinks of being in bed with Sony.

Who cares who they're in bed with? If they make interesting content on UMD, I think everybody wins in the end.

If it turns out to be crap, just to push the UMD spec, then we exercise our power as consumers and don't buy it.

[woodentaco]

Oh yeah, and balls to their stupid film about autohomoeroticism.
Autohomoeroticism? What does that even mean? Having sex with yourself and with someone with the same sex at the same time?

My head asplode.