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Rockstar Games and Amazon joined forces to develop a new
game feature for Grand Theft Auto 4 that will allow players to download the
real-world MP3s of tracks played on the game's radio stations, Yahoo! Games
reported.
Built into GTA 4's mobile phone interface, the in-game
"ZiT" technology will permit the users to tag a song currently
playing on the in-game radio by dialing ZIT-555-0100. They will soon receive a
text message detailing the title and artist names.
For those who also sign up for the new Rockstar Games Social
Club, an e-mail will then be sent with a link to a custom Amazon.com playlist
which features the tracks phoned in. The songs are DRM-free and will be priced
in the 89-99˘ Amazon price range. This playlist will store all songs tagged
"ZiT," from which you can listen to previews and purchase any of the
songs in digital form. However, the service will initially be available only
within the U.S.
"Music has long played an integral part of the game
playing experience," said Ronn Werre, EVP, EMI Music's Sales, Licensing
and Synchronization unit. "We think giving players the ability to identify
and buy their favorite tracks from Grand Theft Auto IV's popular radio stations
is a great new music discovery tool for fans and an innovative new revenue
stream for artists."
Boldly proclaimed by Rockstar as "the biggest in the
history of entertainment," the Grand Theft Auto 4 soundtrack consists of
more than 150 songs, ranging from popular hit songs from well-known artists to
more obscure tracks, such as Electrick Funk's 12-inch treasure "On A
Journey" and Elton John's "Street Kids" off his relatively
unheralded "Rock of the Westies," as well as some songs from popular
artists created exclusively for the soundtrack itself, like "'Vagabond
(Liberty City Mix)' by the Greenskeepers and "War is Necessary" from
iconic rapper Nas.
Initially scheduled for an October 16, 2007 release, the
game will hit the shelves on April 29, and will be the first in the series to
be released on the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.
Meanwhile, Rockstar released the fourth last trailer of GTA
IV, entitled Good Lord, What Are You Doing? or Everyone’s A Rat. Check
it out here.
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