Videogame retailer GameStop recently launched a sweepstakes promotion around the newest edition of the RockStar Games computer shoot-’em-up, “Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars,” that includes both instant-win and live elements.
Fans who enter the sweeps could win the chance to “Live Like a Chinatown Boss,” which according to the rules means a three-day stay in New York for themselves and three friends, an entourage of models and a bodyguard to accompany them to a nightclub VIP room, and $5,000 in “bribe money.”
Players have two ways to submit their entries, either texting the keyword “GTA” to the short code 65579 until May 17 to receive an entry for each message (one per day), or by creating and sending a “virtual fortune cookie” to a friend at the game’s GameStop Web site. They will receive a sweepstakes entry for each cookie mailed off to their friends. Winners will be selected around May 22. Apart from the “Boss” grand prize, 10 entrants will be selected to receive $500 GameStop gift cards.
The virtual fortune cookies combine a weapon icon with pictures of Chinese takeout items, include “lucky numbers,” and contain suggested enigmatic messages such as “It is a good day for revenge.” Players can substitute their own messages.
To further spread the word, GameStop partnered with RockStar on a March “Spring Break Van Tour” to promote “Chinatown Wars.” A GTA-branded van traveled to seven party spots in the South and Southwest to give revelers a hands-on experience of the new game. Fans could use an interactive map on the Web site to check when the GTA van might be coming to a beach near them. — BRIAN QUINTON
Got a games/sweepstakes tip to share? Contact Patricia Odell at [email protected]
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