Although not exclusive to it, in the video game industry there are analysts that provide guidelines and make predictions on companies and their products. This is so that investors can make more informed decisions over their stakes in those companies, among other things. One such analyst is Janco Partners' Mike Hickey, who recently raised the 'price target' for the stock of GTA publisher Take-Two.

His prediction is that it's unlikely we'll see a new GTA in the new year, and will more likely see it releasing in the year 2012 - with projected earnings of $750 million through over 16 million copies, calling it an "enormous earnings event". Strong expected sales of titles such as L.A. Noire and Max Payne 3 in the year 2011 is also cited as being a strong suit for the publisher.

He makes a good point that when GTA IV released in April 2008, there were around 14 million PS3/360 consoles in the U.S., and contrast to that, there will be around 41 million consoles by the end of this year.

I have to say, I couldn't agree more on the 2012 release of GTA V. After R* announced the Spring release of L.A. Noire (probably coming out in May, like Red Dead Redemption a year earlier), it seemed clear to me that this is very likely:

• L.A. Noire - Spring 2011
• Max Payne 3 - Fall 2011
• GTA V - Spring 2012
• Agent - Fall 2012

... though that's just my prediction. Max Payne 3 is most likely, considering it was announced a year ago that it'll come out in the year 2010. That didn't happen, of course, and therefore it's likely that it'll come out next year. Rockstar North's other title, "Agent", was announced mid-last year at E3. Trustworthy sources have commented that since the beginning of this year, a lot of core development focus shifted toward "V", after the studio was previously reshuffled to work almost exclusively on Agent.

Between the two, it's unclear whether GTA V or Agent will come out first. We still don't know much about Agent and the enormity thereof. It's difficult to know the period R* and T2 would like to have between the two titles' releases, and factoring in things like DLC makes it even harder. Will R* release two major episodes once again for GTA V? Or go for smaller, more frequent, DLC releases - like they did with Red Dead Redemption? Will they release it in time before December 12, 2012? Questions waiting to be answered...

Not a lot has been going on as far as any new Grand Theft Auto news is concerned for obvious reasons. I realized the other day that the time it took between San Andreas' release on the PS2, and the first trailer for GTA IV, was just under two and a half years. It's now been two and a half years since GTA IV's release, yet, R* has yet to announce the next GTA!

Strangely, it hasn't felt that long. It felt a lot longer between San Andreas' release, and GTA IV's first trailer release. Even though factually it's about the same. But maybe it's just me...

But Rockstar has obviously been busy with other things, and that's just the things we know about. Most successful no doubt is Red Dead Redemption, which is probably the biggest hit for them second to GTA. I actually think I played Red Dead online more frequently than what I played GTA IV. The periodic releases probably has a lot to do with it, bringing fresh new game modes and areas over a decent time period.

I actually expected more out of GTA IV's DLC when it came to multiplayer. More mission type game modes basically. Because while "Bomb da Base II" seemed great in the beginning, it got old real quick. Perhaps R* can learn what they did with Red Dead and apply that to GTA.

Rockstar did however bring out more releases of existing games. Today marks the launch of the GTA Trilogy for the Mac, which of course include GTA 3, Vice City and San Andreas. It's available exclusively for 30 days on GameTreeOnline.com, thereafter it's said to be available across other retailers. I'm sure GameTree must have given R* a good deal, i.e. much more attractive than the 70/30 split with Apple thru their store.

Additionally, the Grand Theft Auto: Complete Edition is also now available in stores. It includes the original GTA IV game, and both episodes The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony.

Other than that, I'm sure we won't hear anything else other than L.A. Noire between now and its Northern Hemisphere Spring release. It'll be interesting to see what's next, whether it's Max Payne 3, Agent or GTA V. Given Max Payne 3's history of being pushed back, much like L.A. Noire, it's likely that this is next in line - probably an October release.

There was a box waiting for me at my house when I got home from work, from Rockstar. I excitedly opened it up and found a nice haul of Red Dead Redemption items within! One of the many things Rockstar does well is their promotional materials. Here is a gallery of the items included in the box.

Here's a shot that I took not fifteen minutes into the game. I'm in love.

So in all, I got a shirt, some stickers, Alex T. Davenport Eradication Soap, RDR playing cards, RDR dice in a leather holster, and the awesome TNT candle. Thanks, Rockstar! Now, back to hunting bears in the great white north...

The Red Dead Redemption reviews are due to be coming in any moment now, so we will be capturing them within this newspost. While we wait, though, I want to highlight just one line from the NY Times review, which made me more excited for the game than I thought I'd ever be:

"In the more than 1,100 articles I have written for this newspaper since 1996, I have never before called anything a tour de force. Yet there is no more succinct and appropriate way to describe Red Dead Redemption. Rockstar rides again."

I believe this is awesome for two distinct reasons - one, it's a glowing review of a game that I know to be amazing. Two (and more importantly I think), this article really shows that video games are starting to be taken seriously. Major publications are giving web page real estate to video game reviews just like they give it to movies, tv shows and books. And it's about time.

IGN has given the game a score of 9.7/10, making it the highest rated title by IGN in the past 12 months. You can read the full review here. There's also a video review available.

Keep it here for more reviews as they come in!

The Rockstar Newswire just updated with some exclusive screenshots ahead of another update detailing some of the Social Club features that will come with Red Dead Redemption.

Kill all gang member enemies while on horseback - another of the Pike's Basin Challenges.

We will update this news post when the feature goes live - watch this space!

UPDATE: We've just received the details on the Social Club features for Red Dead Redemption from Rockstar Games. It's noted that registration for the service will be accessible via the in-game menu itself. So this will definitely bring quite a bit of new members.

Social Club Challenges – Members who complete a series of special challenges will have the ability to access an exclusive collection of cheats. To unlock “Pike’s Basin Challenge,” the first of many challenges to come, beat the “Justice in Pike’s Basin” mission, and complete the Pike’s Basin gang hideout by helping rancher Errol Hewitt defeat a gang of bloodthirsty cattle rustlers. Completing the unlocked challenge will post your best time and medals garnered to a special Social Club Challenges leaderboard, and unlock the “Guns Blazing” cheat, allowing you to fire flaming bullets that can set enemies on fire. More challenges will be revealed after the game’s release.

Rockstar Challenges – Awaken your team spirit and work with other players to cumulatively complete a challenge and unlock a surprise reward. Available in late May, “The Strike It Rich! Rockstar Challenge” spurs players to grab as much money in the world as possible to reach the grand bank total and unlock the mystery prize. The Social Club site allows you to keep track of the community’s progress, as well as access helpful tips and tricks to reach the goal.

The Blackwater Ledger – A dynamic community edition of the in-game newspaper keeps Social Club members updated on all the news that’s fit to print. Reporting daily from New Austin, Nuevo Pariaso, and West Elizabeth, the Ledger records who’s earned the highest bounties, what the most popular products purchased at local merchants are, how many people have cheated in poker that day, and much, much more.

My Stats – Keep meticulous records of your in-game progress and earn those bragging rights. My Stats allows you keep track of a variety of information, from how well you performed in single-player missions to extensive multiplayer performance statistics. The features also allows you to compare stats with your Social Club friends.

Multiplayer Leaderboards – The leaderboard tracks players across a variety of categories for both competitive and the upcoming co-op multiplayer modes. The easy-to-use global leaderboard allows you to view how your skills stack up against the world, or you can make it more personal by viewing a friends-only leaderboard.

Achievements & Trophies – Keep track of each and every Achievement or Trophy earned and compare with Social Club friends.

The 100% Checklist – Completionists on a quest for 100% in Red Dead Redemption can use a detailed guide to keep track of what’s unlocked, as well as what’s left. Tips and a map legend will help wrap up any loose ends.

Official Red Dead Redemption Social Club Multiplayer Events – The highly-anticipated debut of Red Dead Redemption Social Club Multiplayer Events begin Friday, May 21 on the PlayStation Network from 4-7PM EST, and Saturday, May 22 on Xbox LIVE from 1-4PM EST. Celebrate the release of Red Dead Redemption and play with, or against, Rockstar employees worldwide, including members of Rockstar San Diego. Live chat at the events page and a live stream will be available exclusively to Social Club members.

Well, Rockstar have done it again. They just announced today that they are releasing a free co-op multiplayer DLC package for Red Dead Redemption containing six missions, called Outlaws to the End. It will be releasing this June on XBox 360 and PS3. From the press release, here is a short description of three of the missions:

Walton’s Gold
Walton’s Gang have taken control of a mining camp rich with gold. Fight through the camp and load your mine cart with as much gold as you can carry and get out as fast as you can – Walton’s boys have rigged the place to blow!

The River
Ride a raft down river, taking out rebel encampments along the way until you reach the rebel stronghold of Nosalida and a final epic battle for the town’s massive weapons caches. Watch out for Gatling gun-equipped enemy rafts.

Ammunition
The Mexican Army has the town of Tesoro Azul under siege. Storm the gates under heavy cannon, Gatling gun and sniper fire to destroy the Mexican artillery placements.

This is how you roll with your friends throughout the world of Red Dead Redemption Co-Op!

This is the first of three DLC packages that are set to come out this year, though it is a safe assumption that this will be the only free content. There are some companies that just understand how to do DLC, you know what I mean?

Well thanks a lot, Rockstar. As if I wasn't already over-hyped for the game as it is!

No, but seriously. This is amazing - thank you!

Now that Episodes from Liberty City is out on PS3 and PC finally, Grand Theft Auto news will slow down at this point. In light of that, in addition to the bevy of AAA titles that are going to be coming out from Rockstar in the coming months/year, we are going to start covering news and information for those other games, most notably Red Dead Redemption. I will have a write-up of my detailed experiences playing Red Dead once the press embargo is lifted.

Red Dead Redemption is shaping up to be an amazing game!

Fear not, though! We will of course cover all things Grand Theft Auto - for instance, there is a calendar of online Episodes from Liberty City multiplayer events with Rockstar, which we will be sure to highlight as more events become available! Or if you didn't already see it below, there's the new piece on the Advertising Council of Liberty City, Vice City and San Andreas. And the minute that even the tiniest scrap of GTA V information comes down the pipeline you know we'll be all over it, analyzing it under very close scrutiny. We just hope that you agree with us that it would be a travesty to let other Rockstar games get released without taking part in covering them in some capacity! More to come, so please stay tuned!