Lazlow Jones co-wrote the radio scripts for all the Grand Theft Auto games (save Chinatown Wars, of course) going back to III, and appears as a radio personality in all of the games. He also, evidently, has all of the master copies of the recordings. In his home. Which is on Long Island. Or, well, a barrier island off Long Island.

Ordinarily this isn't much of a problem. but it was as Hurricane Sandy came barreling in late October, and Long Island was whomped particularly bad by the stormacane, or whatever it was at that stage. In a visit to the Opie & Anthony Show last week, where Lazlow's a regular guest, he related what his priorities were as the storm came barreling in.

1. Get the GTA III master recording.
2. Get the GTA: Vice City master recording.
3. Get the GTA: San Andreas master recording.
4. You get the idea.

"My studio is on the ground floor," he said on the show. "That's where GTA 3, Vice City, San Andreas, all those masters like the full recordings with Axl Rose and everything. I mean, all this stuff," he said. "I started freaking out and grabbing, just boxes of masters and putting it up on the second floor. Cause I was like 'I'm not going to let this stuff get ruined.'"

Asked if he was storing the recordings elsewhere, Lazlow said he'd learned he shouldn't "keep a lot of amazing masters from some epic video games on the ground floor near a sand bar."

If you're curious if he said anything about Grand Theft Auto V, he did, but only to say the game was due in the coming spring.

GTA master audio tapes almost lost during Superstorm Sandy [Original Gamer]

I shouldn't have to tell any self—respecting gamer to go drop $4.99 on the tenth anniversary edition of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City on iOS or Android (once it's live). For those that lack self-respect, go drop $4.99 on the tenth anniversary edition of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. It's better than ever.

Along with the HD graphics and portability, the mobile version of the best game in Rockstar's beloved crime simulator series adds a number of enhancements to make the game worthy of another play-through. It's got enhanced targeting, complete with a tap-to-shoot option that makes shooting people fun. It's got a fully-customizable HUD, allowing players to move and resize interface elements and controls as they please. It's got a chase camera you can adjust by pinching and zooming, and a free-look camera that lets players experience the sights of Vice City from a fresh angle.

The Android version has full controller support. The iOS version supports cloud saves and custom soundtracks, in case you have absolutely no taste at all and don't like the game's 80s soundtrack.

It's everything Vice City on the PlayStation 2 was, only better. I am drowning in happy right now.

There's some debate as to whether the 1980s-set, neon-flecked entry in Rockstar's crime series is the best one. But it's hard to debate that the visuals for the upcoming mobile release look very impressive.

The neon-soaked streets of Vice City have never looked as good as they do in next week's 10th Anniversary Edition for iOS and Android. The fingers are still fused together, but the bodies attached to them are better than ever.

When I first watched this trailer I was a little shocked. This is not how I remembered Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. The Vice City I played on the PlayStation 2 was perfect. The characters were shockingly life-like; the animations smooth and silky.

Then I checked out the original trailer.

Wow. It's amazing how fond memories color one's recollections, isn't it? I take this as proof that graphics don't matter as long as you're having a good time.

And we'll be having a damn good time when the Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 10th Anniversary Edition hits iTunes and Google Play on December 6.

When Grand Theft Auto: Vice City disappeared from Steam's marketplace a few days ago, some suspected it was because of the game's upcoming release for iOS devices. Instead, what appears to be a lapsed license for one of the songs appearing in the game has forced the takedown, until the matter is resolved.

Gaming Blend reports that the song in question is appropriately enough, "Wanna Be Startin' Something" by Michael Jackson, to which Sony Music Entertainment owns the rights. Rockstar Games, in a post on Steam's North American forums, didn't specify the song but did say music licensing was involved and "we'll make it available again as soon as possible."

Those who bought Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for PC via Steam may still redownload and install the game.

GTA: Vice City No Longer On Steam Due To RIAA Copyright Claim [Gaming Blend]

To celebrate the upcoming 10th anniversary of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (on October 29!), Rockstar will re-release the popular game on mobile platforms this fall.

"Grand Theft Auto: Vice City gave players the freedom of a massive open-world in one of the most iconic and vibrant settings ever realized in a game," Rockstar founder Sam Houser said in a press release. "It was a defining moment in the series and we're delighted to be celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with a stunning, updated version for phones and tablets."

Here's Rockstar:

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City was originally released in October 2002 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, just one year after its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto III, changed the gaming landscape forever with its combination of open-world freedom, humor and action in a living, breathing city. Vice City expanded upon the open world gameplay of Grand Theft Auto III, combined with nostalgia for the 1980s to create one of the true high points in the marriage of video games and mainstream pop culture, loved by hardcore gamers and casual players alike. The upcoming mobile version of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City brings the full experience to mobile devices, featuring native high-resolution graphics and several enhancements unique to the iOS and Android platforms.

(Image via Videogamesblogger.com)

Back when Jenna Jameson was still doing porn, she appeared in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City as blue movie actress Candy Suxxx. As recount in the new book Jacked, Jameson showed up to the recording session with her father.

For the session, Jameson was motion captured as she was on her back, feigning intercourse.

Vice City developers Dan Houser and Navid Khonsari were apparently uncomfortable with the notion of Jameson faking an orgasm in front of her dad. Khonsari is quoted as telling Dan that he didn't have a problem with her father, but he did not feel comfortable asking her to moan and groan as if she was having sex.

When it came time for Jameson to record her orgasm, Houser awkwardly asked Jameson to act like she was excited. Jameson wasn't sure what he meant, and Dan apparently told her to act like she was really happy or having a great time or eating a chocolate bar.

Jameson asked if she was supposed to act like she was eating a chocolate bar or like she was having sex. Houser told her to act like she was having sex, and they nailed the scene, in front of pops and all.

For more on Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto, read Kotaku's previous coverage.

In 2011, the protagonist of 1980s crime saga Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Tommy Vercetti, would be 55.

Full image below:

GTA: Vice City 2011 [Patrick Brown Thanks, Morris!]

Mac owners, get ready to game like it's 2001, as the Grand Theft Auto III trilogy has finally come to Apple computers. Better late than never, right?

Thanks to Rockstar Games and TransGaming's Cider engine, those of us who prefer Mac OS X to Windows can play Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City on their home computers, running down pedestrians on Macbooks and committing heinous acts of creative violence on iMacs.

The three open-world crime sprees are now available via GameTreeMac right now—each title is priced at $14.99 USD—and at retailers across Europe. The Grand Theft Auto trilogy will be available at retail in North America starting November 22.

TransGaming's Cider Portability Engine is the tech that powers Windows to Mac conversions like Dragon Age, Prince of Persia, The Sims 3 and more. We're sure the Mac versions of Grand Theft Auto IV, Manhunt, Bully and Red Dead Redemption are just around the corner. No? Maybe State of Emergency?

Answering reader mail, Rockstar Games today said it will be bringing Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City and San Andreas to Mac gamers "later this year."

"Look for the long-awaited release of the classic Grand Theft Auto Trilogy (Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas) for Mac - most likely later this year," the studio said in its "Asked and Answered" feature. "We'll have much more info and a proper announcement soon."

Wonder if it's at all related to the curious re-rating - at least in Australia - for a "modified" and "multiplatform" version of Vice City.

Technically, any Mac gamer with a copy of Windows installed has been able to play these games on his machine for some time. A native version is nicer to have. And its nice to see Rockstar climbing aboard in its support of the platform.

No pricing or other details.

Asked & Answered: Red Dead Downloadable Content, Soundtrack, Classic GTAs on Mac, The Banhammer, and Much More [Rockstar Games on Facebook]