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Physical Games Are “Irrelevant” To GameStop’s Business, Says CEO
GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen stated that physical games are irrelevant to the company's business, with software now making up less than 12% of revenue while collectibles and hardware comprise the majority. He expressed indifference to PlayStation's potential shift away from physical discs, emphasizing the company's focus on other revenue streams like collectibles and his ambition to acquire eBay.
Claims about GTA 6 pre-orders are incorrect and "absurd", analyst firm says, but it's still had the "strongest pre-order campaign ever recorded"
Market data analyst firm Newzoo has stated that claims of Grand Theft Auto 6 reaching one billion dollars in pre-orders are "absurd." The firm estimates that digital pre-orders in the US and Europe during the last week of June amounted to $180 million, projecting a global first-week revenue of approximately $260 million. Newzoo anticipates the game could generate between $3.25 billion and $5.2 billion in its opening week, with a release date set for November 19th on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
'The first week of pre-orders brought in $180 million' — Analysts report that GTA 6 has 'the strongest pre-order campaign ever recorded'
Market research firm Newzoo reports that Grand Theft Auto 6 has achieved the strongest pre-order campaign ever recorded, earning approximately $180 million in digital pre-orders in the US and major European markets during the last week of June. The firm estimates the game is on track for $3.3 to $5.2 billion in cumulative global sales by the end of its launch week, projecting around 51 million copies sold. Despite social media rumors, Newzoo clarified that the game has not yet reached a billion dollars in pre-orders.
GTA 5 had "so much" cut content, including minigames that were almost "completely done," former Rockstar dev says: "They'll throw out entire levels"
Former Rockstar Games producer John Ricchio revealed that Grand Theft Auto 5 had a significant amount of cut content, including fully completed minigames and even entire levels. These cuts were often made due to the immense animation workload required to maintain a consistent quality across the game's vast scope. Ricchio noted that such decisions, while sometimes difficult for developers, are a natural part of large-scale game production.
GTA Online mimics reality by nerfing payouts after making everything cost more: 'Prices go up, paychecks go…
Rockstar Games has significantly nerfed payouts for heists in Grand Theft Auto Online, making it harder for players to earn in-game currency while property and vehicle prices remain high. This change, which includes reduced rewards for popular heists like the Diamond Casino and the new Kortz Center heist, has been met with community backlash. Rockstar has introduced weekly bonuses to compensate, but players feel these do not make up for the drastic reduction in earnings.
Games Inbox: Are you playing EA Sports FC more because of the World Cup?
Readers discuss their current engagement with EA Sports FC, with some playing less due to the lack of an official World Cup license and the team's performance. Other topics include potential Grand Theft Auto 6 boycotts, Xbox's mobile gaming strategy, the future of console design, and the impact of industry layoffs on studios like id Software.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Hacker Has Been Moved to Prison to Await Retrial
Arion Kurtaj, the hacker responsible for the Grand Theft Auto 6 leak in September 2022, has been moved to a prison to await a retrial in November. Kurtaj, a member of the Lapsus$ hacking group, was previously deemed unfit to stand trial due to acute autism. The leak resulted in 90 videos of an early build of Grand Theft Auto 6 being released online.
Grand Theft Auto 5 Had “So Much Stuff” That Got Cut Due to Animation Team Working on Other Things
Grand Theft Auto 5 producer John Ricchio revealed that numerous completed minigames and activities were cut from the game due to extensive animation work required for other aspects. Rockstar Games is now focused on Grand Theft Auto 6, which is set for release on November 19th for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, with a PC release yet to be confirmed.
Amid FBI investigation into Steam malware, Florida man arrested and charged with stealing crypto currency as part of…
A Florida man, Zyaire Dontaevious Zamarion Wilkins, has been arrested and charged in connection with an FBI investigation into a Steam malware scheme that allegedly stole at least $220,000 in cryptocurrency. The malware was embedded in several games on Steam, which have since been removed. Wilkins faces up to 10 years in prison under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
Grand Theft Auto 6 leaker who was given an indefinite sentence in 2023 because he wouldn't stop hacking is now out…
Arion Kurtaj, the hacker responsible for the Grand Theft Auto 6 footage leak and other high-profile cybercrimes, has reportedly been released from a secure hospital and is now in prison awaiting a retrial. Kurtaj, who was found to be part of the Lapsus$ hacking group, was initially sentenced to a secure hospital due to his acute autism and continued intent to commit cybercrime. He is now awaiting a retrial scheduled for November, the same month Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch.
GTA 6 could earn half of GTA 5's lifetime sales in one week predicts analyst
An analyst report from Newzoo suggests Grand Theft Auto 6 could generate between $3.25 billion and $5.2 billion in its launch week, potentially earning half of Grand Theft Auto 5's lifetime sales in just seven days. This projection refutes earlier claims of $1 billion in pre-orders within an hour, stating actual pre-order revenue was around $180 million in late June.
GTA 6 is on track for "the strongest pre-order campaign ever recorded" and up to $5 billion in sales by…
An analyst report from Newzoo projects Grand Theft Auto 6 to achieve the strongest pre-order campaign ever recorded, potentially generating between $3.3 billion and $5.2 billion in global sales by the end of its launch week. The report refutes claims of billions already earned in pre-orders, deeming them absurd, and suggests the game will closely follow the sales curve of a proven sequel. Grand Theft Auto 5 producer John Riccitiello also indicated that Grand Theft Auto 6 will likely skip a PC launch to prioritize consoles.
Free Play Days – GTA Online, Crisol: Theater of Idols, Planet Zoo, Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports, and Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
Xbox is offering Free Play Days for several games including Grand Theft Auto Online, Crisol: Theater of Idols, Planet Zoo: Console Edition, Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports, and Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2. Some titles are available for all Xbox members, while others require Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential membership.
Former Rockstar Dev Explains GTA 6’s Console-First Approach
A former Rockstar Games producer explained that the studio's console-first approach to game development, including for Grand Theft Auto 6, is a deliberate business decision to optimize performance and manage resources. This strategy prioritizes console versions before PC ports, aiming for a better final product by working within constraints. Despite the delayed PC release, Grand Theft Auto 6 is projected to achieve significant sales and revenue upon its November 19 launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Hacker behind GTA 6 leak that cost Rockstar $5 million reportedly awaiting retrial after being released from secure…
The hacker responsible for the Grand Theft Auto 6 leak, Arion Kurtaj, has reportedly been moved from a secure hospital to a regular prison to await a criminal trial in November. Kurtaj, a member of the Lapsus$ hacking group, was deemed unfit to stand trial in July 2023 but his circumstances have now changed. Rockstar Games stated the leak cost them $5 million and thousands of staff hours to recover from.
GTA 6 Just Got A Jaw-Dropping Sales Prediction
Research firm Newzoo predicts Grand Theft Auto 6 could generate between $3.3 billion and $5.2 billion in its first week, potentially selling over 51 million copies. These projections are based on its classification of GTA 6 as a 'Proven Sequel' and strong preorder numbers. Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
"It's not that we don't care about PC" - Former Rockstar developer suggests why GTA 6 is only coming to consoles at launch
Former Rockstar producer John Ricchio explained that Grand Theft Auto 6's initial launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, rather than PC, is due to the development strategy of optimizing for console constraints first. He noted that scaling down for consoles is more efficient than extending from a PC build, and that resource allocation decisions often prioritize core platform development over immediate PC ports.
Modern Warfare 4 lead isn't scared of the GTA 6 black hole: 'It’s a little head-to-head, that’s…
Infinity Ward's Mark Grigsby stated that the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is not intimidated by the impending release of Grand Theft Auto 6. He believes that competition from major titles like Grand Theft Auto 6 and Fortnite is healthy for the industry. Modern Warfare 4 is scheduled for a late October release, avoiding the typical November window to potentially sidestep direct competition.
GTA RP gets a massive upgrade next week, as FiveM Enhanced sets early access launch date
FiveM, now part of Rockstar Games, will launch its enhanced version of Grand Theft Auto 5 roleplaying into early access on July 21, 2026. This overhaul rebuilds core components for improved performance, stability, and higher player counts, featuring a new network synchronization engine and enhanced scripting support. The update aims to make GTA RP servers bigger, better, and smoother.
GTA 6 fans think GTA Online’s new update is teasing the new game’s plot
Fans of Grand Theft Auto 6 are speculating that the latest update for Grand Theft Auto Online, featuring an art museum heist, contains hidden clues about the upcoming game's plot. Specific paintings and character details within the update are being interpreted as potential references to Grand Theft Auto 6's protagonists, Lucia and Jason, and their story, including theories of betrayal. While some fans believe these are deliberate teases from Rockstar Games, others argue they are coincidental or misinterpretations.
