May 17, 2005 - Rockstar Games just announced what Sony PlayStation Portable owners the world over have been waiting for... Grand Theft Auto is coming, baby.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories is set to release across North America and Europe sometime after September 1 of this year, perhaps coinciding or coming shortly after the European launch of PSP. The game was officially announced at SCE Europe's press conference, giving credit where due to the team in Europe who started this franchise and who have worked with Rockstar to make GTA a household name.
According to officially released materials, Liberty City Stories is being developed by Rockstar Leeds in conjunction with the franchise creators at Rockstar North. And, it will be a PSP exclusive title.
Sam Houser, President of Rockstar Games, says, "Returning to Liberty City and bringing it to life on a handheld system has been both nostalgic and extremely inspiring for us. The incredible PSP system technology allows for fans of the previous Grand Theft Auto titles to revisit Liberty City and see it from an amazing new perspective with an entirely original storyline. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories will be a bold new experience that has never before been possible on a portable platform."
Leslie Benzies, President of Rockstar North, continues... "We've been very ambitious with Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. By collaborating extensively with Rockstar Leeds, we've been able to create a massive, uncompromising experience on the PSP system that we believe both long-time Grand Theft Auto fans and newcomers will be excited to get their hands on."
And finally, Gordon Hall, President of Rockstar Leeds, adds his own comments. "We have worked very closely with Rockstar North to bring the same integrity and production value of the previous Grand Theft Auto titles to the PSP system. People's expectation for a Grand Theft Auto title will always be very high, and we're confident that we can deliver a revolutionary experience. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories will be the most intense and epic title created for the PSP system, undoubtedly setting the standard for this groundbreaking platform."
Billed as an entirely new kind of GTA, Liberty City Stories will "bring an unprecedented mobile dimension to this epic experience." While no real specifics are being revealed, we know that the game takes place in Liberty City and will feature the "interactive, open environment, superb voice talent and diverse music that have become pioneering trademarks of the series."
Liberty City Stories is being shown by invitation only at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo. We'll have more details as they arise
